Release Date: 07/04/16
Publisher: Hodder
SYNOPSIS:
***SEQUEL TO THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD SHORTLISTED NOVEL WAY DOWN DARK***
The moment she learned the horrible truth about her life on Australia, the derelict ship overrun with violent gangs, Chan Aitch made it her mission to save everyone she could from their fate worse than death. But her efforts were in vain. Now, everyone she cares about is dead or in prison, and Chan is more alone than ever before.
As the only person to have escaped Australia's terrible crash-landing back to Earth, Chan is now living in poverty on the fringes of a huge city. She believes Mae, the little girl she once rescued on the Australia, is still alive - but she has no idea where Mae is, or how to find her. Everything on Earth is strange and new, and Chan has never felt more lost.
But she'll do whatever it takes to find Mae, even if it means going to prison herself. She's broken out of prison before. How hard could it be to do it again?
REVIEW:
Having loved the original title in the Australia series, I couldn't wait to return to see what the author would do with the not only the world but the characters that inhabit it. I shouldn't have worried as the tale continues in its own way concentrating on the principle character of the original novel.
The prose is solid, the pace fast enough to get your blood up and with dialogue to keep you glued you really get to know the people of James' work pretty well. They're not just after thought, each feels fleshed out and for me, thats the sign of a good book. Back this up with an overall arc that continues to deliver and all round I was a more than happy reader.
Release Date: 06/10/16
Publisher: Hodder
SYNOPSIS:
THE EPIC SERIES BEGAN WITH WAY DOWN DARK, SHORTLISTED FOR THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD.
IT CONTINUED WITH LONG DARK DUSK.
IT CONCLUDES... NOW.
There was one truth on Australia, the derelict ship on which Chan was born and raised: you fight or you die. Usually both.
But everything on Australia was a lie. Abandoned and alone, Chan was forced to live a terrible existence on the fringes of society, Australia's only survivor after a terrible crash-landing on Earth.
But Chan discovered she was not alone. Together with the unlikeliest of allies, Chan carved out a place for herself on Earth. And now the time has come: she's finally found a reason to keep going. But friends have become enemies, and enemies have become something worse. It's time for Chan to create her own truths, and discover a life beyond fighting and death.
A life beyond Australia.
REVIEW:
The final part of the Australia series and having loved the previous titles I really couldn't wait to see how the series would end. After all in the final book all bets are off as to not only survivability but also as to how the author will round up a lot of the loose threads/
What James does well is keep the characters moving forward, the events of the past having not only shaped them but aided in them becoming friends of the reader. The dialogue is crisp, the prose a joy to read as they have been throughout the series and all round, for me, I was treated to a tale that made me more than pleased I read the others not so long ago in order to help keep events fresh. All round a great series and one I'd reommend for anyone looking for not only a dystopican title but one that centres around believable characters, something that can get lost when you step into the far future. Magic.
Release Date: 02/06/15
Publisher: Hodder
SYNOPSIS:
The first in an extraordinary new YA trilogy by James Smythe, perfect for fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent.
There's one truth on Australia: You fight or you die. Usually both.
Seventeen-year-old Chan's ancestors left a dying Earth hundreds of years ago, in search of a new home. They never found one.
The only life that Chan's ever known is one of violence, of fighting. Of trying to survive.
But there might be a way to escape. In order to find it, Chan must head way down into the darkness - a place of buried secrets, long-forgotten lies, and the abandoned bodies of the dead.
Seventeen-year-old Chan, fiercely independent and self-sufficient, keeps her head down and lives quietly, careful not to draw attention to herself amidst the violence and disorder. Until the day she makes an extraordinary discovery - a way to return the Australia to Earth. But doing so would bring her to the attention of the fanatics and the murderers who control life aboard the ship, putting her and everyone she loves in terrible danger.
And a safe return to Earth is by no means certain
REVIEW:
When an author has written adult fiction prior to attempting a young adult book, there are a fair number of itmes that they cannot translate the work so that it has not only a solid storyline but also allows readers to stay not only gripped to the twists and turns but presents it in such a way that it has enough detail to keep you informed without overstocking it to interrupt the storytelling.
What the author does exceptionally well is this title is bringing their protagonist across to the reader, she’s smart, she’s savvy and when you have it all thrown into a rather small world of a spaceship really helps give the readers a claustrophobic cramped feeling that demonstrates that no matter how far you try to run, sometimes its not just enough.
All round, the book was one that I had a lot of time for. I loved the descriptions, the prose and of course the plot weaving that worked exceptionally well for me. Back this up that it not only will please YA readers but a good few adults and for me, that’s the sign of an author with not only a cracking idea but one that translates for readers of all ages.
Release Date: 26/04/12
SYNOPSIS:
A global thriller presenting an apocalyptic vision of a world on the brink of despair and destruction. What would you do if the world was brought to a standstill? If you heard deafening static followed by the words 'MY CHILDREN, DO NOT BE AFRAID'? Would you turn to God? Declare it an act of terrorism? Subscribe to the conspiracy theories? Or put your faith in science and a rational explanation? The lives of all twenty-six people in this account are affected by the message. Most because they heard it. Some because they didn't. The Testimony -- a gripping story of the world brought to its knees and of its people, confused and afraid.
REVIEW:
If you’re a fan of apocalypse and an usual audible transmission, the reader is hurled into a book where a multitude of characters (utilising a Diary style) each tell how the “miracle” effected them and brings together a whole host of characters that really allows the book to not only grow but have a sense of believability about it.
It’s cleverly written with characters that will work their way into the readers subconscious which when added to an author who knows how to twist the emotional knife with a solid use of prose and dialogue really brings together what could have been a mishmash into a solid release. All in definitely something different and a book that I’d suggest for others to give a try, especially if you have aspirations of writing.
