The Bieber magic continues to spread across all entertainment mediums leaving no stone unturned. Recently, Justin announced a biography chronicling his journey to fame and life on the road to date. It promises information about his love life and many exclusive new pictures of the Teen sensation. Below is a first look at the books cover.
I’ve never been a fan of fantasy, for whatever reason, wizards and magic don’t do anything for me. However, when these stories are mixed with adventure, suspense, action and even a bit of comedy, I’m instantly glued to the pages – hungry for more.
Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy is the story of a boy who dies and goes to the underworld. A world which is surprisingly like the one we live in today, but with fantastic creatures and a sinister undertone. As Daniel spends more time in the underworld, know as Arison, he begins to feel a great sense of purpose to his arrival. He must find what he is destined to do, and he must find it fast.
The book was written by sixteen year old Andy Peterson who was born in Chicago but now lives in Johannesburg. Peterson is Penguin – South Africa’s youngest author ever published. And why should he wait? His brilliant imagination and great sense of timing has this young author ready to compete with experienced authors across the country.
Not only is his first work easy reading, it’s a very original look at the afterlife and beyond. Peterson has managed to incorporate many themes into the story, giving this fantasy adventure a unique texture. From the pressures of having everything to the harsh world of thieves the story throws Daniel about the underworld. He’s left with just his wits to overcome great challenges far beyond his years.
Forgetting the amazing age of the author, this book is a must read for young fantasy lovers and even those who are looking to be engulfed by a world of adventure.
I first came across the Spud series by accident. A few of my friends at school were excitedly talking about skipping a lesson and going with the librarian to a nearby shopping centre to see John van de Ruit. I had no idea who that was but when offered the opportunity to miss class I wasn’t going to say no.
I happily climbed in the car totally oblivious to what I was getting myself into. We arrived at the Exclusive Books and took our seat in front of John. He began talking about Spud and having stolen his diary, in my naive state I thought he really had stolen some kid’s diary and published it. It wasn’t until he started reading a section of the book that my curiosity sky rocketed. It was one of the wombat scenes. After a few annoying questions about whether the book was about him or not, I’m sure John must be so tired of answering that question, I was already plotting an ingenious plan to get the book ASAP. Needless to say I was hooked and eagerly awaited the second book. This time I managed to wangle a review copy out of the penguins (Penguin Publishers), of whom I’m growing very fond, for the third book.
It arrived early on launch day. I had a friend coming over for the day and was ready to get rid of him before my mother convinced me that that would be rude. The second my friend left I lunged into the book and devoured it page by page. All of my favourite characters are back for more zany adventures.
The book follows Spud’s third year of high school. Being a senior doesn’t make life any easier for Spud. With a new Malawian boy in their dorm, everybody pushing for prefect, and a whole term in a girls boarding school, Spud’s journey from boy to man is filled with fall off your chair laughing moments. These are best enjoyed away from the public eye. The last thing you need is for the funny farm to be after you.
The book definitely has a more mature tone, not only from Spud but from John as an author. The laughs are often more sophisticated but the right mix with slap stick is still there. What amazes me is the way John has matured the characters without loosing the humour. You notice it, but it doesn’t bother you. In fact it’s what keeps the story fresh.
It should be noted that for the first time the book really feels like it’s going somewhere from the start. By the time you reach the end, you’ll feel satisfied that the story has set a direction for the final book – something which was lacking in the last two books.
I really can’t fault the book. Whether it’s because I’m blinded by my fetish with the characters or my relation to the twists of life is yet to be seen. What I can say with 100% surety is this; the book holds a special quality of truth even though the storyline and characters can seem so outrages. The magic John puts into the book doesn’t seem formulated it feels real, and that’s something to be proud of.
Rating 10/10
When Alex’s uncle dies in a car crash Alex immediately knows that something is wrong, Alex had lived with his uncle all his life, 14 years, and he knew that he was extremely careful. He never went anywhere without his seat belt on.
So after a strange car is seen speeding away from their house after his funeral he decides to have a look at the car itself. What he found was, was the car had not been destroyed in a crash, it had been shot at, there were bullet holes through the door and blood on the seat. When Alex is taken to the “bank” where Ian worked he did a little looking around of his own, and was caught, shot at and drugged.
When he came to he was in Whales, Allen Blunt and Mrs Jones, told him that his uncle worked for them, MI6, and was not a banker as he lead everyone to believe. they asked Alex, well they blackmailed him, to work for them when he agreed he was taken to the SAS training camp where he received a less then warm welcome from the men he was to train with, after 2 weeks it was time to leave, but not before saving the career of Wolf, his biggest adversary at the Camp.
He was introduced to Smithers, the MI6 scientist, and was given gadgets to help him on his way, what spy is complete without gadgets?
His mission was to investigate Herod Sayles, a multi-millionaire, is giving away thousands of his newest computers, Stormbreaker, to the children of London’s schools. Ian Rider was investigating the man and those machines when he was killed. MI6 was very suspicious of Sayles but with the death of Ian it just confirmed it, but they had nothing concrete so they sent in alex who found clues left by Ian and completed his mission. He encountered psycho villains, armed guards, a giant jellyfish that was only interested in eating him, and to finish everything: The very assassin who killed his uncle, who told him to leave MI6 forever and go back to school, that spy work was not for him.
Stormbreaker is the first novel in the Alex rider series by Anthony Horowitz and is followed by Point Blank, Skeleton Key, Eagle Strike, Scorpia, Ark Angel and Snakehead.
James Carkeek
Spud is the first novel by South African Author, actor and playwright John van de Ruit.
Set in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Spud is the dairy of a 13 year old South African boy; John Howard Milton (nicknamed ‘Spud’ because his ‘ahem’ haven’t yet dropped). The book follows his zany family and his life as he starts out at a prestigious private boarding school.
His dormitory, nicknamed the crazy eight consists of Robert Black – ‘Rambo’, the (self-appointed) leader of the Crazy Eight. Henry Barker – ‘Gecko’ – A pale boy who is incessantly falling ill. Vern Blackadder – ‘Rain Man’ – Spud’s deranged cubicle mate. Fatty - known for his excessive flatulence. Simon – jock and cricket star. Charlie Hooper – ‘Mad Dog’ – a fierce and ruthless thug-like boy, named because of his hunting habits and Alan Greenstein -’Boggo’ – a perverted boy who has a liking for porn and named because he is always going to the lavatories (the bogs) for unmentionable reasons.
More importantly the book takes what we all love and hate about high school and boarding and narrates the process is the most hysterical ways. I found myself laughing out loud in public as people walked by giving me the sideways glance. The book is so easy to read, anybody can read it, you, your parents, and your grandparents. It will have you all laughing. It has an almost addictive feeling, you want to know what happens next, and the book leaves you panting for more.
The book will throw you through the roller coaster that is boarding school, make you laugh, cry, hope and see the world through thirteen year old eyes again. A must BUY – never mind read.
The book is already the highest selling book of all time in South Africa and was released late in 2007 in the states. A movie has also been put into production and is scheduled for a 2010 release.
