The Lastling

The Lastling by Victor Kelleher (Eagle Books) RRP: $16.99 ISBN 9780648815488

Reviewed by Rebecca Fung

The topic of artificial intelligence intrigues us all nowadays. We've had stories about robots, cyborgs and androids for many years and The Lastling is a contribution by Victor Kelleher to the literature. With so many ruminations on a topic that is ever-increasingly becoming relevant to us, where does it stand?

This is the story of Guido, an android, and a human being called Verne. While reading it, I was reminded of other books that explore a robot's journey such as Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. The book also references (it's irresistible in books about robots interacting with humans!) the famous laws of robotics laid down by Isaac Asimov.

Guido is an android whose job is to guide humans through a wilderness park. His actions trigger an event that affects Verne years later, and they both set out on a quest. It is a book for children who enjoy adventure but it also introduces them to important science fiction and artificial intelligence concepts.

We have a robot interacting both with humans and a wild and natural environment: thus, while it may appeal to those who've enjoyed The Wild Robot, Guido is also a very quiet and gentle character and we see how the android interacts and grows with Verne, a human. The language brings out this aspect very beautifully.

At times it's not clear where the line is drawn between a robot and a human. It's certainly something for readers to discuss as Guido comes across close to a person. While he says he is not programmed in certain ways, he shows human sensitivities and refers to his "mind" and "senses". With the advances of artificial intelligence nowadays and some of them being able to mimic humans in ways we wouldn't expect (and falling short in ways that are unexpected, too), this may be all too real for some young readers.

This book has the elements of a good quest novel -- action, adventure, tension, and an unlikely partnership. There aren't too many twists and turns in the basic plot. What it does make us think about is whether a robot character actually makes the partnership that much different from a human one. The scary part is if the answer is that it doesn't, not that much.

The Lastling

The Lastling  by Victor Kelleher (Eagle Books) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780648815488

“It’s a day like any other for Guido, a Droid guide in the Wilderness Park, until he receives a warning: human Enforcers are about to eliminate him and his fellow Droids, on the orders of the supreme leader, Brother John. Desperate to escape, he sets in motion a chain of consequences that will reach over the years to a human girl named Verne, who’s been hired to break into the home of an old Enforcer and retrieve a mysterious weapon… What happens next will set both Verne and Guido on the path to discovering the dangerous truth about the world they thought they knew.” Eagle Books

The Lastling is a futuristic adventure novel for upper middle grade readers.

The Cave

The Cave by Victor Kelleher (Eagle Books) ISBN: 9790645378863 PB RRP $19.99

Reviewed by Melissa Wray

After a disastrous encounter with the Beast, Irian and Ulana find themselves fighting for survival in a prehistoric world. Along the way they meet an unusual woman, Trug. The three form an unlikely team as they fight to survive every day against the elements, and ferocious prey that hunt them.

As the three characters continue their journey, we meet new characters who are just as important to the storyline. Pivotal in fact, so that Irian, Ulana and even Trug can find their way in the harsh world in which they live. The journey each makes takes them on a path to a new world, a new existence, and new future.

Kelleher creates a prehistoric world in a way that is both familiar and unfathomable. He leads the characters on a journey where the descriptive writing is detailed enough that the reader can easily imagine being on the journey with them. The characters he has created are so unique, so individual and so enjoyable that they will each stay with the reader long after the final page has been read. Trug is like the grumpy grandma that everyone loves, even with her spiky comments. A perfect addition of wise and witty to young and serious personalities.

There are some topical, as well as hard-hitting themes within this novel that could be unpacked with the right target audience. Trauma and grief is one such heavy theme that could easily be discussed through Kelleher’s sensitive approach to writing Irian. Another discussion could be around kin verse community: what really makes a family? This could be discussed at length with many examples offered throughout the novel.

This book has a great blend of action, adventure, tension, and humour. The Cave is suitable for a 12+ year readership.

The Key to Rome

The Key to Rome by Sophie Masson, illustrated by Lorena Carrington (Eagle Books, an imprint of Christmas Press) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN  9780645378856

Reviewed by Debra Williams

This is a first-class middle-grade historical adventure. It is set in Ancient Rome, in the province of Britannia, and the year is AD84. When motherless and only child Livia’s father dies, she is orphaned. On his death bed, her father gives her a mysterious key with instructions to find his brother, a former centurion, and give him the key.

12-year-old Livia sets out two days later, on her old horse, determined to find the estranged uncle, whom her father guaranteed would give her a home. The future journey was going to be neither smooth nor easy, with many pitfalls. Arriving at her uncle’s house, he has gone, and Livia is unable to find out where he is. Along the way, Livia is aided by a young runaway servant, Mato, who has a journey of his own to complete, after hearing of his mother’s illness. He also claims to know where her uncle is.

So begins a treacherous journey of danger, lies, deceit and mistrust. There are heart-stopping moments as the reader becomes absorbed in Livia’s quest, and the deadly cat-and-mouse games with various characters, Roman and otherwise.

Multi-award-winning author Sophie Masson has carefully crafted a believable and suspenseful adventure. Her details of the period have been thoroughly researched to create an intriguing historical mystery.

This book will appeal to readers 10+ years.

Wanderer

Wanderer written by Victor Kelleher, Illustrated by Lorena Carrington (Eagle Books) PB RRP $19.99 ISBN 9780645378818

Reviewed by Sarah Tegerdine

Wanderer is an upper middle grade novel set in a striking and perilous landscape, perhaps a dystopian future. The natural world reigns supreme, warring tribes maraud land and sea, predators hunt and mankind cling to survive. Humanity it seems, has lost its way, almost at least.

Dane, a young ‘keen sighted’ seafarer, orphaned from the age of 10, now lives off the coastal fringes from his kayak. His belongings -- sparse but crucial for his survival – include a bow, a spear, and knife, and tucked inside the safety of his tunic pocket, is a book. Gifted to him by his mother it’s a treasure from ‘The Golden Years,’ a lost relic containing ‘Old Knowledge’ and is a constant source of comfort to Dane especially in the darkest of moments.

Dane’s kayak needs repair and through his wanderings he learns of a man named Garth, who is said to make all manner of boats, even owning books about them too. Fuelled with this knowledge Dane sets off to find him. Upon meeting Garth, Dane also happens to meet his granddaughter Lana, an extraordinary girl who has an amazing gift.

It is at this moment their lives change in an instant and they are both plunged into a deeply dangerous journey that will push them beyond their limits.

A story of friendship, endurance, adversity, and sheer grit determination against all odds. Wanderer is a gripping multi-layered adventure that leaves echoes beyond the page.

Cover and internal illustrations are by Lorena Carrington. The cover depicts two youths aboard a sea kayak in treacherous open sea. Shadows of Orcas lays in wait in the murky depths. A lone white albatross circles the boat from above.  

The Girl in the Mirror

The Girl in the Mirror by Jenny Blackford, illustrated by Fiona McDonald (Eagle Books) October 2019, PB, RRP $17.99, 153 pp, ISBN 9780648194521

Reviewed by Karen Henriks

Maddy moves to a creepy new house and starts at new school. Newcomers are not welcome and Maddy is given a hard time, so school becomes the last place that she wants to be. Her new home is old and full of secrets from the past. It has a coldness and unexplained presence that creates darkness. Maddy’s bedroom becomes her refuge but there is no real peace even there. In the old mirror in her bedroom Maddy finds her first real friend, Clarissa. There is only one problem: they are 100 years apart in time.

Clarissa lives in the very same house as Maddy. She is the girl in the mirror in Maddy’s bedroom and is from the 1890’s. Clarissa’s younger brother Bertie, who died from whooping cough, haunts the stairs in the house in each time space. The friendship helps both girls deal with frightening situations in the their respective homes. The sinister character in the story is Clarissa’s Aunt Lily who is also a frightening presence in Maddy’s world.

There is a mystery to be solved and lives to be saved and an evil force to be overcome. This time-shifting tale hooks the reader into the mystery with its clever storytelling. The reader wants to join the girls in their quest to remove the evil that lurks in the shadows of both their lives. Maddy tackles the girls at school and makes friends with Gareth but worries time is running out to save her baby brother Cory who has become ill since moving into the house. The only person she can turn to is Clarissa.

Meanwhile, Clarissa’s mother’s health is in serious decline and widowed Aunt Lily seems to control everything and everyone in the house. Her strengthening tonic made from plants in the garden seems to not be working. The two girls must use all their intelligence and work together. But will they succeed? 

This is a gripping middle grade novel that is an original and captivating read.

The Lighthouse at Pelican Rock

The Lighthouse at Pelican Rock by Stephen Hart and illustrations by Kathy Creamer (Eagle Books) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 978-0-994528056

Reviewed by Stacey Gladman

The Lighthouse at Pelican Rock, geared towards young readers aged nine to 12, is a memorable story about a young girl - Megan Evans - who faces a health crisis and almost dies.

Megan is sent to live in a tiny coastal village called Pelican Rock with her aunt Rachel in a bid to recover after her near-death experience. On the long train ride, she encounters a man - Rhys - who not only grew up in Pelican Rock, but knows her aunt.

Upon arriving Megan learns a little about the history of Pelican Rock and becomes enthralled with the island’s pelican inhabitants and the mythical stories surrounding their place at Pelican Rock.

A day trip to visit the ruins of the old lighthouse leads Megan to wanting to discover more about its history and that's where the magic of this book really come into its own. It's not long before Megan finds out just how magical the pelicans are, and Megan finds herself back in time, or is it just a dream?

I really enjoyed the story, it evokes feelings as a reader as you learn more about Megan's home life and her yearning to find a place where she truly feels at home.

The scene that is set throughout the book feels historical and really lends itself well to the storyline. The writing is clean and easy to follow and keeps you guessing about what magic is happening on the little seaside town of Pelican Rock.

The images by Kathy Creamer help add to the storyline and give you a feel for Megan and what is being told.