League of Llamas –
The Golden Llama and Llama Impossible 
by Aleesah Darlison (Penguin Random House) 
RRP $6.99 
ISBN: 9781760894160 and 
ISBN: 9781760894184

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Golden Llama and Llama Impossible are the first two books in Aleesah Darlison’s League of Llamas books for children. They are a fun, and very pun-filled mix of James Bond, Mission Impossible and Get Smart spy dramas with wonderfully flawed, hero llamas and dastardly, evil flatulent badgers. What more could a child ask for?

Phillipe Llama has a magnificent fringe, which often distracts him from his duties as an agent of LOL, the League of Llamas. His partner Lloyd has an unfortunate eating disorder. He is unable to resist the temptation to eat everything in his path.

In the Golden Llama, these bumbling agents must find a way to stop the evil badger General Bottomburp, and find the Llama Republic’s most prized relic, the Golden Llama. To complicate matters they must solve the mystery of the alluring lady Llama in red.

In Llama Impossible, we see a runaway train, a muscle-bound, eyeball-licking gecko, a bank robbery, and dazzling diamond heist. But don’t worry, our intrepid (or ineptid) LOL agents are on the case. Is General Bottomburp up to his tricks again, or is there a new kingpin in town?

The League of Llamas books are packed full of interesting and wonderfully flawed characters. There are amusing spy references throughout the books that are sure to keep parents engaged, and so many llama and other animal puns, that kids will be howling with laughter as they follow the antics of Phillipe and Lloyd. The fun black and white illustrations by Simon Greiner add to the reading experience.

The League of Llamas books are short, fun, and easy to read adventures that play brilliantly to the funny bones of young readers. With a villain called General Bottomburp, these books are sure to be a hit, particularly with boys. Working in a primary school, I know, fart jokes still rule. Highly recommended.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​The Ghost of Howlers Beach 
by Jackie French (Angus & Robertson) PB
RRP $16.99 
ISBN: 9781460757727

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Ghost of Howlers Beach is the latest historical fiction book for children by Jackie French and appears to be the first in a series called The Butter O’Bryan Mysteries. The story takes place on the east coast of NSW, in the early 1930’s during the Great Depression.

Twelve-year-old Butter lives in a Very Small Castle with his Father and three aunts, whose real names are not Aunt Elephant, Aunt Peculiar and Aunt Cake. Although Butter is the grandson of one of Australia’s most successful Jam Kings, he is still aware of the hardships and suffering of the people around him. This becomes more apparent after meeting three children and their dog playing cricket on his beach. Butter believes the children are from the nearby susso (sustenance payment) camp. The children are secretive and when they vanish, Butter wonders, who are these children and why they refuse his help? He is certain Gil, Olive and little Tish are hiding a secret and he is determined to uncover it.
  
You can teach children facts and figures about events in history like the Great Depression, polio epidemics, the aftermath of war, rampant unemployment and the suffering and helplessness of people who can’t even afford to feed their families. I remember learning about these topics in school, but they had no tangible effect on me because it was almost impossible to conceptualise what living in those hard times would be like.

Jackie French lures the reader into this world through the eyes of her naive and caring narrator, Butter. He comes from a wealthy family and is not suffering like the families living in the Susso camp, but his family is broken in other ways. This is a story that touches the heart and brings history to life in a way my history teachers never did.

One of the main take-a-ways from this book for me was the reoccurring theme of helplessness. The helplessness of the damaged soldiers returning from war, the unemployed and their families living in desperate poverty, the children living in fear of being taken away by the authorities, but also the helplessness of  kind-hearted people who see such enormous issues and cannot find a way that they can make a difference. This is a theme that has great relevance with current issues like the recent devastating bush fires, the refugee crisis and climate change.

The Ghost of Howlers Beach is an excellent book and I highly recommend it for readers 8-12 years old. I would also recommend it to teachers who want to bring this period of history to life for their students. There are some great teaching resources at the back of the book dealing with the cause of the Great Depression, the Susso, making do, Indigenous Dispossession, Don Bradman, as well as some interesting recipes from the time.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​Brotherband: Return of the Temujai 
by John Flanagan (Penguin Random House)

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty


John Flanagan’s Brotherband books are a spin-off from his exciting and successful Ranger’s Apprentice series. Return of the Temujai is the eighth instalment in Brotherband series.

The Heron Brotherband are on a mission to check on the defences at Fort Ragnak, the one pass through the mountains between the Eastern Steppes and Skandia. The fearsome Temujai Warriors from the steppes have never given up on their ambition to conquer Skandia and they are on the move again. The border fort is secured, but if the fearsome Temujai can find another way down to the coast, all will be lost. Hal and his small crew are then sent by Erak, the Scandian leader, to investigate and do whatever it takes to stop their most formidable enemy from invading the coast.

I have read most of the Ranger’s Apprentice books, but this is the first of the Brotherband series that I have looked at. Even though, Return of the Temujai is the eighth book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. I found that it was easy to follow. The characters were well developed, and I slipped into their interactions without any of the usual confusion when picking up a series midway through. The book is full of action, clever plotting and plenty of humour.

This is an excellent book that would suit readers 8-12 years old. I would highly recommend it, particularly for reluctant boy readers who need books with loads of action and adventure. I am definitely going to catch up on the earlier books in the series and look forward to Flanagan’s next instalment.

Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​Marlow Brown – Scientist in the Making 
by Kesta Fleming (Celapene Press) PB
RRP $14.95
ISBN: 9781925572186

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Marlow Brown – Scientist in the Making is the debut chapter book by author Kesta Fleming. Marlow is a feisty young girl who dreams of being a scientist, just like her uncle Quentin. However, her chaotic experiments are beginning to drive Mum crazy. With each new experiment, Marlow runs the risk of being banned from experimenting altogether. However, Marlow needs to find a way to stay on Mum’s good side while continuing to follow her dream.

Marlow and her dog, Rockstar come up with a list of experiments they can do at home. Unfortunately, most of their experiments have unexpected results that get Mum into a tizzy. It is only with the help of her uncle Quentin and her meticulous note-keeping, that Mum gives her Marlow last chance.  What could possibly go wrong?

This is a wonderful book to encourage young science-loving girls to follow their dreams. It is simply written, full of interesting facts and easy-to-follow scientific methods and procedures. Marlow is a great role model for young readers, even though her scientific endeavours aren’t always successful.  The book has lots of quirky illustrations by Marjory Gardner that enhance the text. I love the fact that, at the end of the book, the author has included an experiment for readers to try at home.

I definitely recommend this book for 7-12-year-old readers, particularly girls, although I am sure boys would enjoy the story just as much. The book is fun and easy to read. It is an excellent transition book from picture books and early readers, to junior novels.

​Original review on Buzz Words Magazine

​Max Booth Future Sleuth – Film Flip 
by Cameron Macintosh and Dave Atze
(Big Sky Publishing)
RRP $12.99 PB
​ISBN: 9781922265104

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Set in the year 2424, Max Booth and his sleepwalking robo-dog Oscar have escaped from the Skyburb 7 Home for Unclaimed Urchins and found a home in a crate in the storeroom of the Bluggsville City Museum. Luckily, Jessie, the supervisor of the storeroom lets them live there. On occasions she even gets Max and Oscar to use their sleuthing powers to help find and identify rare historical treasures.

In this story, Max, Oscar and Jessie investigate a strange cylindrical object that turns out to be a 400-year-old film canister from the time before digital cameras. If there are images on the film, they would be rare, and valuable. Unfortunately, there are others who will stop at nothing to get the film. Max must outsmart the secretive members of the Bluggsville East Photographic Society, as well as Captain Selby and his goons from the Unclaimed Urchin Recapture Squad. 
 
This is a fun and exciting book for young readers of adventure stories. The story is fast, quirky and although written for children, adults who read it would find the story nostalgic. The book is full of cool black and white illustrations by Dave Atze that help the reader imagine the characters.

Film Flip is the fourth book in the Max Booth Future Sleuth series, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Other titles in the series have Max investigating even stranger things like audio cassette tapes, postage stamps and even the concept of selfies.

This is a great concept for a children’s book series full of fun characters and interesting topics. I would highly recommend this book to young readers and adults who want to reminisce about the good old days.

​Original review on Buzz Words Magazine

​Song Bird – Great Barrier Reef Rescue by Karen Tyrrell
(Digital Future Press)
RRP $14:95     
ISBN: 9780648161745

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Something bad is happening on Green Turtle Island. Marine creatures are dying, and Rosie’s aka Song Bird superhero’s friends are disappearing. Can Song Bird find her friends and rescue the Great Barrier Reef before it is too late?

After winning a free vacation; Rosie, her parents, sister Raven and friends Ben and Amy fly to Green Turtle Island. Unfortunately, someone has sabotaged their helicopter and Rosie must use her Song Bird superpowers to save them. That is the first clue that something is wrong. A resort with no other guests, cancelled activities, missing turtles and tropical fish washing up on the beach make it clear that her nemesis, Destructo is up to his old tricks again.

Rosie and her friends must travel through a time portal to a magical aquatic land to find a way to save the reef in her own time. To foil Destructo’s evil plot, Song Bird must overcome her fears, face mechanical sharks and discover which of her friends is betraying her.  

This is a book for young readers who love a strong female hero. It is a fantastical adventure into an underwater wonderland. The story highlights the current plight of the Great Barrier Reef, one of our wonders of the natural world.  It is fast paced, and the characters are diverse and interesting. An appendix at the back of the book has some thought-provoking information and links to sites about the Great Barrier Reef.

This is the fourth book in the Song Bird series but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I would recommend this book to 8-12-year-old readers.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​The Disasters by M.K English (Harper Collins)
YA Science Fiction
PB RRP $19.99     
​ISBN: 9780062909817

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

The Disasters follows the adventures of Nax Hall, an aspiring young space pilot, straight from the farm, attending the elite Ellis Station Academy. Unfortunately, he is kicked out on the first day and is about to be sent home with three other young washouts when the station is attacked. The four cadets are thrown together and manage to escape in a stolen shuttle but that is where their real troubles begin.

The four cadets are branded as terrorists and hunted, not only by the ones responsible for the attack but by the authorities on all the colony worlds as well. They need to work together, utilising their individual skills sets to discover who the real terrorists are, what they want and to clear their names. In the process they might just become heroes.

During its early stages, this book seemed in danger of shaping up to be an angsty teenage romance in space. Fortunately, this aspect of the characters relationships did not overpower the flow of the story. The characters are interesting, and their diversity should appeal to fans of LGBTQI fiction.

The Disasters has lots of action but weaves in quiet moments where we learn about the each of the main characters. The book is well written and the story would resonate with teens and lovers of YA speculative fiction. Hard science fiction fans might rankle a little at the story’s mechanics of long-distance space travel but on the whole, I would recommend giving this is a story a read.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​River Stone – Book One of The Burning Days 
by Rachel Hennessy
(Midnight Sun) YA Science Fiction  PB
RRP $19.99 
​SBN: 9781925227499

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Disaster comes to the River People on the day of Pandora’s Blossoming. Most of the adults are struck down with a sickness and the only chance to save them lays in finding a cure inside a city, mostly destroyed in The Burning. Pandora believes in her heart that she is destined for more than her inevitable pairing with her life-long friend Matthew, so she volunteers to find the cure.   

Joined by Matthew and several other young people from the village, she sets out for the city. The group do not realise how unprepared they are until they meet, Bayat, a young hunter from the Mountain People. Bayat decides to accompany them and help the group prepare for the dangers they will face.

River Stone is a post-apocalyptic story set after an event called The Burning. It explores the conflicted feelings of Pandora, while being paired with Matthew by the village elders, develops a deep connection with the confident young hunter. Although there are moments of struggle and high action in this book, it is essentially a quiet, character based, coming of age story of a group of sheltered young people discovering a big and dangerous world.

River Stone is the first book in The Burning Days and is a great lead into the series. Rachel Hennessy has created an appealing cast of characters and left several threads to be explored in the next book. There are questions to be answered about the city and the strange once human creatures inhabiting it. There is a missing friend who Pandora has vowed to find, and will Pandora fulfil her duty to the village by pairing with Matthew or will she choose Bayat.

This is a book I would recommend to readers 12+ years and fans of character driven dystopian fiction.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

​Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables - On the Lookout 
by Tim Harris (Puffin Books) PB
RRP $14.99     
​ISBN: 9780143793144


Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

On the Lookout is the fourth book in the Mr Bambuckle's Remarkables series by Tim Harris. The book is an illustrated junior novel with action filled illustrations by James Hart. It follows the adventures of Mr. Bambuckle and the unique children of class 12B.

On the Lookout begins on the final morning of school camp where it is discovered that one of the students, Vex Vron, has gone missing. The stern and often vengeful Miss Frost is delighted for the chance to bring down the eccentric Mr. Bambuckle until he points out the rule that holds her as the executive teacher, responsible. What follows is an investigation by the students to locate the run-a-way Vex.

There are quite a few characters in this story and except for the two new students to the class, Grace and Gabby Wu, there was not a lot of character development. This is understandable as On the Lookout is the fourth book in the series. Fortunately, there is an illustrated character profile of each student at the start of the book for readers who are new to the series. The story is fast-paced, quirky and funny with lots of little side tracks from the investigation.

On the Lookout is an excellent story that would appeal to both girls and boys who love a little nonsensical humour and a cast of strange and talented characters.  This book is a fun read and would be ideally suited to reluctant 8-12-year-old readers. 

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine

Dragon Apocalypse by D.C. Green (Ford Street) PB
RRP $18.99
ISBN: 9781925272680

Reviewed by Jeffery E Doherty

Dragon Apocalypse is the third book in D.C. Green's City of Monsters series. One of the quotes on the back of this book reads, “Nothing you've experienced will prepare you for this.” That is seriously true. And having not read the first two books in the series made it three times as true. In the first two chapters we meet a formidable ogre bodyguard, a harpie, a giant talking skunk and a vampire – and they are by no means even close to the strangest characters in the story. 

The heroes of this story are the Dead Gang and they have a mission to save the last Dragon, who has been poisoned and is hiding out on the Isle of Giants. They must reach the island and defeat two separate armies of monsters and cyborgs intent on the dragon’s demise. To make matters worse, the health of the dragon is linked to that of the world. So, the stakes for success are certainly high.

D.C. Green’s writing is fast paced, visual and eccentric, with a unique tapestry of slang dialogue and humour that takes some getting used to. But once you do, the story flows and the crazy-weird cast of characters come into their own. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series before attempting this book. I did end up enjoying this book much more than I thought I would. In the beginning I struggled to work out the story-line and the characters, but by midway through I had caught up and the story thundered by at a break-necked pace.

This series would suit readers from about ten years of age and up into the young adult market, especially those readers who like their stories fast and quite a bit weird.

​Original Review on Buzz Words Magazine