Book reviews

Press, 22 August 1989, Page 18

Book reviews

By

CONNER ROSS

“The Dark is Rising"

sequence, by Susan Cooper. When great-uncle Merry invites the three Drew children to join him in Cornwall for the holidays they are delighted, even when events take a sinister turn after they find an ancient map, and Barney starts to wonder just who great-uncle Merry really is. This is one of five interconnected books telling of the last great battle between the forces of the Light and the Dark, all of which can be enjoyed individually or as a series. “Stonelight,” by Gaelyn Gordon. This story is set in the North Island of New Zealand. A young Maori girl, Angela, a white boy, Thomas, twins, Jason and Dean, and a Taniwha must fight together to stop the power of one of the stone guardians of the land before the earthquakes it causes shake the North Island apart. Recommended for younger readers and people who like fish-and-chip eating Taniwhas. “Transformations,” by Ann Halam. In a post-holocaust world, because of her affinity with the machines of her ancestors, Zanne is sent to the village of Minith to “kill” the machine that has put a blight on the area. Once there, Zanne discovers that the blight is deeper than anyone in the Thirteen suspected! By GINA McKENZIE “The Lake at the End of the World,” by Caroline MacDonald. This story is set in the year 2025. There has been a nuclear war and Dianna and her parents are the only people left in the world. One day Dianna

discovers a boy and his dog. She takes him back to her house. Hector tells her that there are 102 people living underground with him. As the days go by Hector becomes more accustomed to living outside his underground community. I really enjoyed the author’s description of life in the twenty-first century, it seemed as though I was living in the story. Hector and Dianna are the main characters. They are teenagers who are facing the world of the future from totally different backgrounds, Hector from a world of perfection and Dianna from a world of hardship. However, finishing the story I find myself wondering which way of life I would choose. By FIONA WILLIAMS “Spirit of the Lake,” by Beverley Dunlop. Ever since Paul’s birthday, he has been having strange, frightening dreams which send him back in time where he becomes a spirit. This book is full of spirits, danger and excitement as a 12-year-old boy fights for the past and lives of those he loves. His mother, sister, Lucy and grandfather. Jocko, decide to take a holiday in Urewa Park. During his stay his dreams turn into reality. He sees fights between Maori and pakeha. Only pain can release him because as the spirits told him “pain is the key.” This web of mystery slowly untangles as Lucy enters the story. Through Lucy and her doll, Mrs Buttons, Lucy helps Paul understand the strange events of the past. This is an outline of a story which is different, thrilling, scary and thought provoking.