0.4

Title: 0.4
Author: Mike Lancaster
Pages: 304
Rating: êêêêê

Kyle Straker tells his story through cassette recordings. They speak of a time, that in the book, never should have happened.

Kyle, and the rest of his small village of Millgrove, attend a yearly talent show on the village green. He volunteers to take part in his friends act of hypnotism, along with Lilly, Kate O'Donnell and Rodney Peterson and when they awake the people they know and loved have completely transformed. 

At first they believe what has happened is part of the act, then they think it is a prank but when everyone is standing still with the same expression for so long they realise something strange must have happened. They race to find someone to help but everyone in the village appears to be in the same position. They try the telephone but there's no dial tone, there's no broadcasts on the radio or television and the computers only display strange symbols.

When they leave Kate's house and make their way back to the green they notice that everyone is returning home as if nothing has happened but when Kyle asks what his parents remember about the day their story just doesn't add up. He then finds himself stuck in his home, with his family watching his every move. The local doctor even visits to see him but he is acting suspiciously. He over hears him tell his parents that is part of the 0.4 and that he must be dealt with.

Kyle decides to escape, he knows he isn't safe any more, and he goes to find Lilly. They need to find out what is happening to everyone.

I really enjoyed this story. It was so gripping, I couldn't put it down! The idea for the story is fascinating and really makes you think. It also leaves you guessing, wanting more, making you want to read on. As Kyle's story is from a different time to when it was recorded in a book, there are notes to the reader that explain some of the language used or references to television programmes at the time. It's incredibly smart. I'm hoping to read the sequel 1.4 soon!

The Time Hunters

Title: The Time Hunters
Author: Carl Ashmore
Pages: 240
Rating: êêê

Becky and her brother Joe are spending the summer holidays at their Uncle Percy's. They haven't seen him for years but Becky is certainly not excited to be away from her friends, mother and Facebook for six weeks.

When they arrive Uncle Percy is dressed in eccentric clothing, with an eccentric car and Becky is dreading arriving at his home. However, his home is magnificent and incredibly large. They each get their own room with a four poster bed and it seems like they will settle in just fine.

However, Becky and Joe have been noticing some strange things. Uncle Percy has a lot of different smart gadgets and many security measures. His Butler, Maid and Grounds keeper behave odd, as if they are from a different time. Then one night they hear noises so sneak down to investigate and find Uncle Percy and Will tending to a Sabre-tooth Tiger! This is when they find out that their Uncle is a time traveller, that Will is the legend that is Robin Hood and that the Butler and Maid were rescued from Germany during the war.

They beg their uncle to take them on an adventure. When he finally agrees he takes them to the last ice where they see all sorts of amazing animals and landscapes. However, when they return they find out they are in terrible danger, especially Becky.

I thought the idea of this book was good, I love stories that are adventurous so time travel to me is incredibly interesting, however, I thought it was a bit slow sometimes and the main character, Becky, seemed to annoy me. She would complain about things a lot, while her brother was incredibly excited, as you should be if you suddenly found out you could travel in time! However, I think younger children would enjoy the book and the sequels to follow.

Looking for Alaska

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Pages: 272

Rating: êêê

Miles Halter decides to leave his life in Florida to go to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama. He has no friends in his current school and wants to seek the 'Great Perhaps'. 

Miles knows famous people's last words, and he meets friends in his new school who have similar strange talents, such as Chip Martin, nicknamed The Colonel, who knows every country, every capital city and all their populations off by heart. But the one person that he can't stop thinking about is Alaska Young. She is pretty, funny, sexy but incredibly screwed up, however, he can't help but find her fascinating.

He makes friends easily with his roommate who introduces him to his friends, so Miles feels like he finally belongs, although this group of friends are rule-breakers, smoking, drinking and playing pranks on the rich kids in the boarding school. Most of the time they are trying to avoid the Eagle and getting caught.

Miles' school experience is just like any other, he gets in trouble, he struggles in most of his subjects (especially math) and he tries to find ways to forget his troubles as well trying to fix them. However, when he finally gets what he wants things go incredibly wrong and the only thing he and his friends can focus on is why?

I did enjoy this book, however, I thought the story seemed a bit slow at times. I liked the way the story was counting down to this pivotal moment in Miles' life and one can only guess what that is going to be at the time! I also liked the friendships he had and how everyone had their own nicknames and things that define them. The story was written well and there are quite a few inspirational lines that should be looked out for.