Showing posts with label The Devil's Triangle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Devil's Triangle. Show all posts

Monday, 27 August 2012

Eye of the Storm by Mark Robson


Series: The Devil's Triangle, Book Two
Publisher: Simon&Schuster
Format: Paperback
Published: 2nd February 2012
Number of Pages: 400
Book: For Review*
Genre: Science-Fiction, Action-Adventure, Thriller, Fantasy, Mystery, YA, YA-Child Crossover
Recommended Age: 11+
Contains: Violence, Death, Mild Swearing
No Alcohol, Drug References
Author's Site: Mark Robson

The Legend Comes To Life…
Sam Cutler and his best friend Callum are stranded, having crossed to a strange parallel world through a rift in the Bermuda Triangle.  At first, Sam is desperate to get home, but then events take a dramatic twist and he discovers there are things he must do before he can return…
Meanwhile, back in Florida, Sam’s twin sister, Niamh, is still trying to uncover the truth about the boys’ disappearance.  She can sense that her brother is still alive… somewhere.  With her father under arrest, accused of murdering the boys, Niamh must solve the mystery, before her dad is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit.
Time is running out.  Can the twins’ bond bridge the gulf between the two worlds before it’s too late?


Review:
Sam and Callum are still stuck in a bizarre parallel world, having entered via the Bermuda Triangle.  Sam is desperate to get home... until he finds his mother, who has been lost for nine years, and discovers her cause.  Suddenly, he and Callum are needed desperately - there is something terribly important they must do before they can all come home.
Back in our world, Sam's twin Niamh is desperately trying to unravel the mystery behind her brother's disappearance - and trying to clear her father's name, who has been accused of killing the two boys.  She has to prove his innocence and evade the cops - if she isn't there to search, she knows no one will be able to find Sam...
But Sam's facing troubles of his own.  The Imperium are after the band of rebels, and they are determined to make an example out of them...
After reading The Devil's Triangle, I just had to read Eye of the Storm - ASAP!  And it did not disappoint, not even one little bit!  I was pulled straight back into the action, the world – I literally couldn't stop reading.  Once this series gets its hooks into you, it just doesn't let go!  It's so darn addictive!  I quite frankly need Book 3! NEED it!
I love all the main characters so much.  Sam: athletic, smart, a survivor and now a rebel against the communist raptors.  Gotta love it!  I loved how snarky and brave he was – he was a great leader and kind of an adrenaline junkie!  The ‘New Sam’ is a real rebel – hardened and just… changed, though...  As for his sister Niamh, she was determined, resourceful, crafty and desperate to get her brother back.  I loved how logical and matter-of-fact she was – the snarkiness and how she made me laugh was a bonus!  Callum is just the funniest thing, though!  He always manages to make me laugh with his sharp wit and great sense of humour.  His enthusiasm doubled with his sarcasm was addictive and very funny and he was also a complete genius!  I love Cal, and his brains never ceased to surprise me.  Again, I have to mention the supporting characters.  Matt, Claire, Archie…  The latter was a bit of a posh twit to begin with, but he was actually ok and really funny.  Plus: evil genius alert!  Oh, and I have to mention Nipper, the raptor, ‘cause I just loved him.  He was loyal and protective and so, so brave!  Human-wise, I especially love Carrie. Over enthusiastic, sweet and cheerful, she was just so darn cute!  As for her brother Tony: yum!  And I loved that all the various raptors and rebels all had such distinct personalities.
I loved this world so much.  Mainly ‘cause of the raptors: highly intelligent, advanced and pure animal.  And Communists too!  See why I love it?  It’s just so creative and new and scarily brilliant.  I loved learning more about all the raptor traditions and rules.  Well, I just love the world.  But, uh, I don't think I really wanna go there...
Oh, and I just adored Mark's writing: descriptive so I can see the whole world in my head, and not at all heavy. Also, I love how it jumps from Niamh in our world to Sam in the parallel world. As cool as the jump perspective is, the fact that we got to see into Nipper's mind was SO MUCH COOLER!  I loved seeing into the raptor's head, especially as I have a real big soft spot for Nipper!  As for the plot, it was just awesome 'cause it was pure action!  There were twists and turns galore!  I really couldn't tell where it was going.  One twist in particular... yeah, I really didn't see that one coming.  Not in the least.  And as for the end... Well. I. Must. Have. Book. 3!
A parallel world, a psychic link and a family torn apart on either side, Eye Of The Storm was a brilliant adventure - one full of mystery, suspense and communist dinosaurs! I loved every single second, was totally addicted, and I can't wait to get my hands on Book 3!  I recommend it to boys, girls, reluctant readers and bookworms alike!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5



Read this book if you liked:
The Devil's Triangle by Mark Robson
Time Riders by Alex Scarrow


Challenges It's Taking Part In:

Happy Reading
Megan
* This book was received from the author exchange for an honest review

Sunday, 11 March 2012

The Devil’s Triangle by Mark Robson

Series: The Devil's Triangle, Book One
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Paperback
Published: 31st May 2011
Book: For Review*
Genre: Science-Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Action-Adventure, Fantasy, YA
Recommended Age: 12+
Contains: Violence, Death, Mild Swearing
No Alcohol, Drug References
Author's Site: Mark Robson

The legend comes to life…
The Bermuda Triangle has cast a shadow over Sam and Niamh Cutler’s lives since teir mother vanished nine years ago.  Her whereabouts remains a mystery and every year the twins return to the Florida Keys with their father, Matt, who is obsessed with solving the haunting puzzle.
But Sam is bored with lazing around by the pool while his father hunts for the truth.  Craving excitement, he and his friend, Callum, “borrow” Matt’s boat.  At first it’s great fun, but when they find themselves marooned in a terrifying land, the boys realise they too have fallen victim to the Triangle’s mysterious effects.  Can they find a way home, or will they be lost forever?


                                                                   Review:
Sam and Niamh’s mother disappeared when they were kids.  No one knows where or how she vanished, but Matt, the twins’ father thinks it has something to do with the Bermuda Triangle.  Every year the family return to the place she disappeared from, thanks to Matt’s obsession with finding his wife.
Only, this year Sam is bored and sick of his father’s empty promises and obsession.  So with his best mate, Callum, Sam ‘borrows’ his father’s boat.  What started out as a great laugh soon turned into chaos and a strange world of monsters and mystery.  They have become the pray of the Devil’s Triangle – can they escape or will they remain stuck there forever?
I started to read this the moment it landed on my doormat.  I mean, c’mon!  Sci-fi twist on the Bermuda Triangle!  Which happens to be one of the coolest natural mysteries, way up there with Stonehenge, Lock Ness and Justin Beiber…  And blimey was it good.  I was just sucked in and couldn’t stop reading.  I officially need to read Book 2 (thank God I have it already!) and I’m seriously thinking of getting another Robson series.  So… awesome book, in shorter words.
I loved Sam Cutler: the outspoken, athletic and confident twin.  He had a good sense of humour and was brilliantly cheeky.  While he was a trouble maker, he was also clever and logical, and such a brilliant survivor.  Driven, friendly and supportive, he was a natural leader and so good at keeping him and Callum alive.
Niamh Cutler was brilliant: cheerful and teasing, she seemed to be the calm and mature twin.  She was quick witted and level headed, but also snarky and feisty!  She was brave and determined, but I couldn’t help being shocked that she was flirting while her brother was missing!  Then again, teenager girls always do think of guys at just the wrong time, don’t they?  And Tony was rather hot!
Sam and Niamh’s twin bond was amazingly described and really clever.  Niamh got images of what Sam was going through and his emotions.  Sam could sense her strong emotions.  But Niamh couldn’t use it to find Sam.  The magnetic thingy in the Triangle was scrambling Niamh’s feelings… hence not being able to sense him.
Callum, Sam’s best friend, was awesome!  He had a great sense of humour and was really snarky, along with being a curious, clever geek!  While he was sensible and logical, he was always up for Sam’s jokes.  What I really liked about his was his ability to keep up the humour in the most difficult places: he really made me laugh!
Matt Cutler, was obsessed with the Bermuda Triangle, and never gave up on finding his wife.  Which is rather romantic, if you ask me.  While he could be moody at times he was great with boats and planes, relaxed and powerful under pressure. 
All the various characters were awesome, and I loved that all the minor ones felt so real and padded out.  Carrie was one I adored – she was so sweet and cheerful and helpful.  And Carrie’s brother Tony was just yummy!  Moira Mitchell was one of my favourites, even though she was a super minor character.  Her sense of humour and wonderful drawl were brilliant and funny. 
The writing was brilliant.  I loved the teen-ness in the kids’ voices, and how American the Florida folk sounded.  But more importantly: the action!  It was non-stop and wrapped in mystery – my favourite kind!  And I could see everything as I read – especially the world.  And I loved the plot!  Some bits were obvious (thanks to the blurb or common, maybe hopeful, sense) but everything Robson made up was unforeseeable!  I was hooked, desperate to know more about the world, if the boys would be able to get home, if… And, man, did I not see this one particular twist coming.  Just an overall awesome book packed with adventure and mystery.  Yay!
I loved the world!  A sulphur-smelling sea, a crocodile-sea-lion-whale-looks-like-its-about-to-eat-me thing, communist dinosaurs, advanced technology…  Yeah, welcome to the Devil’s Triangle, people!  Unlike anything I’d ever read about before, I completely feel in love with the world.  And Nipper, one of the raptors.  (Is that strange?)  But I loved the parallel to us: global warming and how much you’re willing to put at stake for technology and power – bearing in mind the method is killing the planet and endangering the inhabitants.  Mark’s imagination was just amazing!  I would never have been able to think up even the most basic bit of his world – and my imagination is worryingly vivid.  Just… wow!  A wow world, for a wow book by a wow author… More please?!

Star Rating:
4½ Out of 5



Read this book if you liked:
The Imperial Series by Mark Robson
Wereworld by Chris Jobling
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan


Challenges It's Taking Part In:
Happy Reading
Megan
* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review
Number of Pages: 400