Revived / Cat Patrick

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Revived tells the story of what might happen should an experimental drug be available to bring people back from death in certain circumstances. I've never thought about such a thing before, but Daisy has - she's died 5 times! Cat Patrick seems to be able to think up very original ideas for her books and this one is great. The situation Daisy finds herself in seems completely reasonable, but the moral implications are brought home to her when her best friend is dying of cancer. And how far should researchers go when they are working on new drugs?

Who would enjoy this? This is an absorbing and exciting story which brings up some interesting issues - people who like to do a bit of thinking with their reading will like this book.

Reviewed by Charlotte

Ransomwood / Sherryl Jordan

Ransomwood is almost a fairy tale, but not quite. Harry, Gwenifer and Dorit are all characters you come to know and care about, and this book is shocking, exciting, sad and satisfying by turns. It takes place in a society where women are treated appallingly, where those who don't seem to be as clever as 'normal' people are the scapegoats for all that goes wrong and where superstition and cruelty are the norm. And yet, this book also contains a gentle love story which is very well worked out.

Who would enjoy this?  A New Zealand author, and a story that is exciting, dramatic and romantic in turn makes this a terrific book to lose yourself in.

Reviewed by Charlotte

The rook / Daniel O'Malley

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Myfanwy Thomas is in a bit of a pickle. Not only has she no idea who she actually is, or the fact  that she woke in a circle of dead bodies, but she has to go into work on Monday.  For the very people who tried to kill her. Mixing surrealist humour with intriguing conspiracy and action, this is an enjoyable, intelligent read from start to finish.

Who would enjoy this? Those who enjoy wacky humour with clever conspiracies woven in.

Reviewed by Liam

Reach / Hugh Brown

Keeping in mind that Bill Gates says to be nice to nerds because they may (eventually) give you a job, then this book is a good way to find out how they function. Will Clark is definitely a nerd worth knowing - always has his nose in a book but he's not ugly and he's shaping up to be a martial arts expert. If he could just sort out (1) his parents, (2) his grandparents and most importantly (3) how to talk to girls, then life would be sweet.

Who would enjoy this? This is a straight forward and believable story. Will is a typical kiwi teenager even if he is a nerd so if you would find it relaxing to read about someone else's problems rather than concentrating on your own, then this is the book for you!

Reviewed by James

Dark eyes / William Harlan Richter

Swapping a privileged life in New York for life on the streets is not what most people choose. But Wallis (Wally) Stoneman - born in Russia, adopted by an American couple - is not your usual teenager. As it turns out, the skills she's gained the hard way make all the difference when she starts to search for her birth mother. With both the police and Russia gangsters on her tail, Wally is in big trouble but determined to find out the truth of her parentage.
This is an intriguing story especially because Wally and her friends are living a life very different from teenagers in Christchurch.

Who would enjoy this? Danger... intrigue... who wouldn't enjoy this? It is written by a Hollywood screenwriter, so it is also possible to imagine it as a great action packed, completely believable  movie.

Reviewed by Amy

Okay for now / Gary Schmidt

Read this book! Doug has to move to a new town with his abusive father and horrible brother. His mother is the only decent member of the family. Add to this the fact that his family is really poor, Doug can't read and he lives under the shadow of his brother's poor reputation and you have the ingredients for a book that really zings. I needed to keep on reading as I saw Doug make a really good friend in Lil, learn to read and most importantly learn to paint and draw, and in the process make friends among the townspeople. Everything is in this book - romance, triumph over adversity, sheer guts and sticking up for what you know to be right. Loved it!

Who would enjoy this? Everybody - it's a book with a message for all of us.

Reviewed by Charlotte

Memoirs of an imaginary friend / Matthew Green

When you were little did you have an imaginary friend no one else could see? This book is written by one of these imaginary friends and it was fantastic. Budo is the imaginary friend and Max is his imaginer. He is in danger, and Budo has to try to rescue him, despite his limitations in the real world. You believe totally in Budo and the other imaginary friends he meets, and the way the book ends is exciting and scary, though ultimately happy. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but a comment by Jodi Picoult on the cover encouraged me. It said: 'You've never seen a book like this before.' And it's true.  And along the way you get to think about what is real, and what death means and how to be a good friend. I recommend this book highly.

Who would enjoy this? This is a terrific book so if you want a good story with some interesting twists, you should enjoy it.

Reviewed by Charlotte