The Icarus Effect by James Swallow

Deus Ex: The Icarus Effect

The Icarus Effect by James Swallow is set in the near future of 2027 where cybernetic implants and robotic prosthesis' (augmentations), are the norm. The book focuses around two main characters, a highly augmented soldier who ends up joining in with the wrong people and a government agent who's colleagues were murdered before her eyes in a vicious attack from an unknown hit-squad. What secrets do the mercenary's team have? Who targeted the government agents? Why am I asking you these questions like some really bad 1990s TV Advertisement? .... Just read the book.

Nathan Bonner

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Motorworld by Jeremy Clarkson

Moterworld written by Jeremy Clarkson is a book that is based around cars as the title suggests. It is a funny 180 paged book with Jeremy telling readers what his car experiences have been like when traveling round the world. The book is meant to be all about cars but it does go off topic a lot and then ends up looking into strange cultures that a country has and telling us things like why in some countries the inhabitants crash a lot.

It is an easy book to read with 11 chapters which are about 3-6 pages long. Each chapter is about a country that he has visited and his experiences. Things that add to the effect of the book is that for each chapter there is a picture to give a idea of what a vehicle is like or surrounding. It is a book more recommended for people over the age of thirteen because of language and words that could be difficult understand.

Over all it’s a good book broken down into easy chapters for any one that wants a laugh even if they are not that much of car lover.

Euan Clague


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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

A Book Review by Ian Keir

The title for this book came from a poem by Robert Burns called To a Mouse. The poem says:

"The best laid schemes
O mice and men
Gang aft A-gley
And lea'e us nought
But grief and pain
For promis'd joy."

This is exactly what this book is about, that sometimes our plans go wrong and this can be very sad.The two main characters are called George and Lennie. They work on a farm. Lennie is a big, clumsy man who is a bit like a child in his ways and George looks after him. Lennie likes little animals because he likes their soft fur. Lennie's boss is a mean man called Curly. One day, Lennie is talking to Curly's wife and she lets him stroke her hair, but then she gets scared and starts to scream. Lennie panics and shakes her so hard that he kills her. Lennie then runs away to a spot in the brush where George had told him to go if he got into trouble. George goes to find Lennie and does something which is an act of friendship but it is still terrible and sad. This is a very moving story which tugs at your heartstrings.


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Comic Strip Classics. NOAH'S ARK and Other Bible Stories

These are comic strip famous Bible stories for all ages. Some of these stories include Noah's Ark, Joseph and his multicoloured coat. These are very fun to read as pictures help people to read things better.

These stories are in comic strip form which allows us to see things better. They are very useful as they have character speech bubbles and also a mini description underneath the square. These are a few pages long and give you a simple explanation in each story. I would highly recommend this comic as well as the other ten in this box set.

Nicol Robertson

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Point Blank by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider is on his second mission with MI6 but this time in the French alps at a school for troubled kids of rich and powerful parents. When 2 multimillionaires are killed and their kids are in the school, Alex is sent in to check it out. First he has to spend a few days with David Friend and his family. When he arrives at the school he sees there are 30 armed guards, but only 7 boys. Plus 2 floors out of bounds, Alex has his work cut out for him trying to find any information in this place. Alex makes a friend there and finds out he is the only 'normal' boy there. Alex tries to send information to MI6 and ask for help, but they leave it a little while to see if he can handle it. But will MI6 leave it to long or will they save Alex and the other boy just in time?

Melissa McNeal


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Eagle Strike by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider is in France with his friend Sabina and her family when Sabina's dad is nearly killed by a bomb placed by a Russian. Alex thinks that he was hired by someone called Damian Cray because Sabina's dad was writing an article on him. Alex then goes to MI6 for help but they refuse to, so he must go and investigate on his own. I think that it is a interesting and exciting book.

Nico Medinelli


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Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

Alex Rider's final mission is also his most dangerous. Scoria Rising is all about Scorpia getting revenge on Alex Rider who wants his old life back. Jack wants to move to America but after a failed assassination attempt MI6 get Alex to go to Egypt to spy on some people. But things go badly wrong. Prepare yourself for some action and suspense intense pages oh and prepare for the death of a major character. Recommend to anyone who has read all the Alex Rider books excluding this one. Enjoy!

James Mole

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'I am Number Four' by Pittacus Lore

I am Number Four is a book about a boy called John Smith. He lives on Earth, with his companion Henri, but originally comes from the planet 'Lorien'. Many years before, the people of Lorien were destroying their planet by producing and using so many weapons and things, but they managed to change their ways before it was too late. The 'Mogadorians' however, from the life sustaining planet of 'Mogadoria', were doing the same thing to their own planet, but they didn't change their ways, and their planet was soon barren and uninhabitable. They attacked Lorien for their supplies and they greatly outnumbered the Loric people, killing all but nineteen of them. These nineteen were nine Loric children, nine protectors for them and the spaceship pilot. They managed to escape and they fled to Earth. To try and protect them, a charm was put on the children, meaning they could only be killed by the Mogadorians in a certain order. These Mogadoriens however, found them on Earth, and stated killing them in order. They found number one in Malaysia, number two in England, and number three in Kenya. John, is number four. He must keep himself hidden from the Mogadoriens, but he is sick of running. He just wants to stay in the same place for a while and he then begins to get go know people and make friends. But he is not human, and he is much stronger and faster than them. He has certain powers that they do not. His secret soon begins to unravel, and because of this the Mogadorians are getting closer. He has friends on Earth now, and he wants to protect them as well as himself. This could slow him down. But will they catch him, or will he escape before it's too late?

Christopher Scholes


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THE WHITE HORSE GANG by Nina Bawden

Have you ever wanted to be in a gang?

Sam Peach did, so when Rose Prentice came to stay with his family he and Rose, along with another boy from their class called Abe Tanner formed the White Horse Gang. It was called this because Abe had a white horse.

They get Involved in all sorts of adventures including tricking teachers, kidnapping and hunting ghosts in scary woods. It's when the circus comes to their town that their most exciting and dangerous adventure happens. A wolf escapes from the circus and the gang have to be at their bravest.

Find out if Sam thinks being in a gang is such a great idea after all.

This is the second Nina Bawden book I have read. I think she writes about really interesting characters and gives her books exciting plots.


By Ian Keir


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'Someday Angeline' by Louis Sachar

This book is about a girl who is very clever for her age and is moved up from the class she is supposed to be in. Angeline's dad is a bin man and wants her to do well as she is very clever and he knows that she can do well.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read.

Amy McLean


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Gang Lands: Brazil - Ross Kemp

Gang Lands is a book written by Ross Kemp. It is mostly based in the shanty Brazilian towns known as 'favelas', in Rio de Janeiro. Luiz, a Brazilian teenager is taken by a secret organisation called Trojan. This is because Luiz's sister, Ana, was caught in a car that had a boot full of drugs and was arrested, although she knew nothing about the drugs and was innocent. Trojan then tell Luiz that they can get Ana out of custody if he goes on a mission for them. Trojan are trying to stop a gang that is newly formed in the Santa Marta 'favela'. They are known as the 'Commando Negro'. Trojan want Luiz to go to the 'favela' and try and get a place in this gang so he find a out who is running and financing them. It turns out they are making money from drug dealing on a major scale. Luiz needs to find out who is supplying the drugs so he can free his sister, but if he is discovered by the gang, they will kill him. Luiz finds himself lose to death many times but he sees a different side to some of the gang members and begins to become friends with them. This turns out to be a bad mistake and he finds himself in an even worse situation as a result of it...

Christopher Scholes


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Montmorency's Revenge is a really exciting book. It's the 4th one in the series. It is mostly set at the borders of Scotland and England where the Fox-Selwyns want revenge for George's death.

Montmorency has to handle many problems: one being Doctor Facett, who is beginning to lose the plot and another is that a dangerous man is after Frank Fox-Selwyn.

If you want a good read filled with fighting, adventure and misconception then this is the book for you.

James Mole
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Scorpia Rising By Anthony Horowitz

Action, Adventure, Guns, Terrorists. This can only mean one thing, Alex Rider in his final book Scorpia Rising.

This is about a terrorist group named Scorpia who Alex defeated in Scorpia, but as the title suggests they are active once more. Their job is to protect this item that was in London, which they stole and to return it back there without notice. The government then heard of this and set up a squad but Scorpia are smart and decide to make this visit a hoax. Alex Rrider then hears of Scorpia arising again. He goes to infiltrate their base. It all happens now. It's either Victory or Death.

Find out soon in Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz.

Nicol Robertson


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Malcolm X Autobiography (with Alex Haley)

This inspiring autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1965 and describes his life story. Unfortunately, Malcolm didn't live to see the publication. Haley, later went on to write the family history, Roots.

This book just gives you more of an insight of what Malcolm's life and family life was actually like, and how he completely turned his life around for the better to prove to everyone who doubted him that he could do and and to try and make his mother proud as she always believed in him.





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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne is a tale of a young German boy named Bruno. Bruno and his family have to up and leave his best friends and his big house in Berlin to move elsewhere. They have to move because his father, a high ranking officer for the army, was promoted. Bruno is unhappy with the move because of all the things he has left behind.

In the house Bruno begins to feel lonely and bored so he decides to go exploring the area despite being told not to do so by his mother. He is searching for something he could at least have fun with when he comes across a fence, with a little boy on the other side wearing striped pyjamas. The two boys introduce themselves and after a while they become best friends. Bruno visits the little boy named Shmuel every day for a long period of time.

One day Bruno goes on one last adventure to visit his friend on the other side of the fence. Bruno is able to get through to the other side of the fence, where he is greeted by Shmuel. The two young boy enter further into the enclosed area surrounded by the fence. They both get mixed between a large group of people all wearing stripped pyjamas unable to escape from the people walking in one direction. They follow them in search of Shmuel's father that had recently gone missing.

The ending of the book is a great ending, even thought the happenings are shocking -the book couldn't have ended better. This is a great tale of friendship and the war.


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The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemany Sutcliff

The Eagle of the Ninth tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of the Ninth Legion, four thousand Roman soldiers and the search for their eagle standard. This book is set in Roman Britain and gives a very good view of what life was like in these times

Marcus Flavius Aquila is the main character in the book. He is the son of the soldier who led the Ninth Legion and he is trying to find out what happened. Marcus's early years have been spent thinking about this last march of the Legion and he wants to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Marcus is a centurion in the second legion. The story begins when he is marching to a Roman garrison and his troop is attacked by natives. During the attack Marcus tries to slow down a chariot that is coming towards them by throwing himself at it. The chariot overturns and is stopped. At the same time, Marcus is knocked unconscious and his leg is badly damaged.

His bravery saved the men in his legion, but he is badly hurt and cannot continue in the troop. His uncle arranges for him to come and stay with him until he recovers. Marcus's uncle stayed in Britain when he finished his career in the Roman army.

An important part in the story is Marcus's visit to the Saturnalia Games. He is in a fight with a slave, Esca, and rather than end his life he gets the crowd to agree to spare his life. Marcus then buys Esca as his personal slave. The relationship between these two men grows and become almost like brothers.Their relationship develops despite the cultural differences between them.

The story continues with Marcus setting out to find the Ninth eagle after hearing rumors that it has been found by some tribes. He sets off with Esca to track down what he can find about the legion and the eagle.

The next part is about Marcus and Esca and the events around getting the eagle back. This is an exciting part of the book and goes into a lot of detail around their plans on getting and keeping the eagle from the tribe. We also hear about other characters in the book including Dergdian the chieftain and his almost blind son. We are also introduced to the ceremonies and rituals of this tribe. This is a part of the book that you would find hard to put down.

By Melissa McNeal

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H.I.V.E. by Mark Walden

H.I.V.E. Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden is the first book of the high-praised H.I.V.E. series. As usual, the start of something, in this case the first book, is always about the beginning. So imagine living in an orphanage, you have the IQ that would probably impress Bill Gates. You probably realise you're not the average child that you're supposed to be. Oh, and just for the book, your name is Otto Malpense and you're 13 years old. If you are now scared to read on in case something else is changed about you, fear not! I'm not going to change anything else about you and the effects should be temporary.... Should be. Not making any promises. So, yeah, you've just woken up in a helicopter even though you were just in an orphanage. Confusing, right? Beside is your new friend. Please say hello to them. Now, so I don't end up making a longer and probably less interesting introduction, I'll speed things up. The helicopter lands in a secret place, you and a bunch of other kids meet the rather dark and mysterious and rather mean man who owns the large facility you are in. H.I.V.E. You are then told you have been picked for a training program for all things bad. Yeah, probably better than an orphanage. However, you are then told the course lasts six years. And you can't leave until it's over. Now, you're already pretty awesome at this whole "evil" thing (sorry, forgot to mention that, probably won't happen again), and you really can't be bothered with it all. Well.... Read on then. By Nathan Bonner - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Scorpia by Anthony Horowitz

The book, 'Scorpia' by Anthony Horowitz is about a fourteen year old boy named Alex Rider who was previously recruited as a spy earlier in the series. His father was killed before he even turned one and in this one, he is lied to about his father's past in an attempt to recruit him to a group called Scorpia, a large criminal organisation. The book was very descriptive and I got very absorbed in it. The story was well thought out and the general idea for the story is very unique. Overall, I rate this book 8/10. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Jeremy Clarkson I know You Got Soul

I Know You Got Soul is written by Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear. This book is mainly about machines in general: it can go from cars like Rolls Royce to Millennium Falcons out of Star Wars. What he is writing about is what his favourite machines are and then saying what he likes about them. He has also explained them in a funny way so it makes it a good book. What is also good about it is if you don't always have a long time to read the chapters are only about ten pages long. What might make younger people enjoy it a bit better is that there are two sections in the book that are dedicated to pictures of what he has written about. Just to add in some comedy to it he has said where the safest place to be in the event of a nuclear war and who would win if James Bond , Superman and the Terminator had a fight. The book is probably best for people over the age of 13+ because of the language. Euan Clague - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is a book about a book which reveals some very strange ideas about the planet Earth and everyone who inhabits it. The Guide has information about everything which exists in the Galaxy and is a must read for anyone who wants to hitch-hike round the Galaxy. We learn about the Guide from the adventures of an earth man called Arthur Dent, whose house is to be demolished so that a bypass can be built. Little does Arthur know that his friend, Ford Prefect, is not from Earth but from a planet called Betelgeuse and that the entire Earth is to be demolished for a hyperspace bypass. Nothing is as it seems in this great book. We meet the mice who run the Earth and the man who built the Earth as a huge computer experiment. We meet the President of the Galaxy, two headed Zaphod Beeblebrox and the spaceship he stole, the Heart of Gold with its improbability drive. This is the first of five books in the series. It is a classic science fiction book and a must read not only for hitch-hikers. As the Guide says on it's cover DON'T PANIC! By Ian Keir - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad