Pendragon, Late of Prince Albert's Own

Pendragon, Late of Prince Albert's Own by Robert Trevelyan

First book in the Pendragon series.

Captain John Hawkedale Pendragon was injured in The Charge of the Light Brigade whilst in retreat after an attack on Russian guns. Retired and unable to stay in the army Pendragon comes back to London to stay with his Aunt Georgina. Suddenly the Queens secret agent is murdered and someone has to fill his place. This is a job for Captain Pendragon. The style of writing in this book was really good and I wanted to keep reading for as long as possible. I am giving it 8/10.

MB

I read this book when I was about Matthew's age and was introduced to this author by my Mother. This is a ripping yarn of intrigue and action set in Victorian times with our hero an officer in the army who was badly wounded during the 'Charge of the Light Brigade' in the Crimea. He is sent back to England with his career all but ended and is pensioned out of the Army due to his wounds.  His return is to his Aunt's house in London who is a spinster who has a dazzling social life amongst the great and the good.  He gets sucked into the intrigue and is recruited to be a secret agent and discover a plot against the country and the throne. The story is pure fiction and a joy to read as you get a flavour of the times in Victorian Britain. The style is easy and unpretentious. Pendragon is a hero's hero and as a secret agent a precursor of James Bond. There seems to be a theme to this running through our blog? I went on EBay and tried to source one of these books and was horrified to find they are out of print and good copies sell for over £100. We are not selling our copy!

I give this a 10/10

JB

Overall 9/10

Antidote

Antidote by Malorie Blackman

This book is about a boy called Elliot who wishes his mum had a more exciting job than a secretary. The next day two police men approach the house to inform Elliot that his mum is on the run after attempting to break into a research laboratory. Elliot has to find out if his mum really is a criminal and how to meet up with her in secret. I liked the style of writing as it was like a diary until about three quarters of the way through the book where it became the present time. I enjoyed this book and I am hoping to read more of Malorie Blackman's books. I am giving it a 9/10.

MB

Antidote is the name of the pressure group that Elliott's mother was working for. This story was well written and presented in a style that keeps the reader turning the pages. The story of the child who's mother is on the run from the police and the trials and tribulations he has to deal with while she is missing was quite compelling. I was however disappointed by the ending which I found to be an anticlimax. This however does not detract too much from the package as a whole. I recommend this story. It must be noted that I was reading this in the Hairdressers while Matthew had his hair styled and the stylist recommended this author.

I give this story a 7/10

JB

Total of 8/10

Wolf Brother

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

First book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness

This book is about a boy called Torak who's father gets killed by a demon bear before he can teach him what to do in the wild. Torak flees finding a wolf cub who's pack has been drowned by a flood. They become pack brothers and set forth towards the 'Mountain of the World Spirit' as this is the only way to kill the bear. But there are many dangers in the forest. Such as enemy clans and the bear itself. I like this style of writing and thought it was amazing how it kept you on your toes. It explained the characters really well. It made me feel like I was actually in the forest. I really liked this book and I am giving it 10/10! It was one of the best books I have ever read.

MB

I read this story whilst on Holiday in Scotland. I have to admit I really enjoyed it nd found the story to be both harrowing at times and uplifting in others. It follows the story of a boy whose father dies following a bear attack. They live on their own in the forest and have littl contact with the other clans of people who live in the region. He adopts a wolf cub who has lost his family in a flood and they find friendship and discover new enemies together. The boy has to grow up quickly and it is clear that he has a preordained destiny to fight the bear who is inhabited by a bad spirit. The story is well written and in a clear and distinct style. Like matthew I think this book is brilliant however I am nervous about reading any other in the series as they will have a lot to live up to. 10/10

Let us know what you thought of this book if you have read it. Overall we gave it a 10/10

JB

Skeleton Key

Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz

Third in the Alex Rider series.

Alex, the reluctant spy, has this time got to join up with two CIA adult officers who hate Alex and think he is a 'baby'. They have to go to an island called Skeleton Key which is a private island near Cuba. It is owned by a Russian General Sarov who is planning to rewrite history. Acting as if they were on holiday, Alex and the two CIA officers go to the island. I think that the character is not described as well in this book as in the last two and there were some parts that got a bit boring. I enjoyed this book and thought that it was better than the last Alex Rider book. I am giving 8/10.

MB

Alex rider is at it again. This time he is on the run from the Chinese Triads who want revenge following his involvement in an operation at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. He also meets a girl who befriends him with her family and invites him on holiday, who may or may not figure in later stories. To escape the triads Alex is loaned to the CIA who need a child to get some of their operatives onto an island in the Caribbean. Again we meet a villain straight out of a bad 1970's James Bond movie. There is a lot in this story and we are reminded again and again of Alex's lack of family and closeness with others. You get the impression that Alex is a very lonely child and this loneliness seeps out. He is offered an opportunity to be adopted but his morale strength rejects that option. I have to admit I feel that the character is growing and Mr Horowitz is more and more comfortable with this character. I give this story an 8 out of 10

JB

Overall 8/10