The Seven Signs, Book 1: Skyfire

 The Seven Signs, Book 1: Skyfire by Michael Adams (Scholastic Australia) PB RRP $7.99   ISBN 978-1-74362-801-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

The Seven Signs is a new explosive and action packed series for middle grade readers by Australian author Michael Adams. Skyfire kicks the series off with the seven winners of the mysterious DARE competition all meeting for the first time and receiving amazing prizes. But this group of 15 year old geniuses are about to discover that there is something sinister lurking beneath the glitter, wealth and prestige of the award. That something will not only put their own lives in peril, but also the lives of those close to them. Will their combined intelligence be enough to solve the cryptic ‘signs’ being texted to them? And is there a connection between these signs and the shocking public attacks which are throwing whole countries into chaos?

By combining thrilling adventures, edge-of-your-seat action, exotic locations and unshakable friendship bonds, this series promises to deliver the same satisfying ‘teens save the world’ experience as The Last Thirteen series. The seven central characters are all likeable, not perfect and quirky enough to be interesting. Once you suspend your disbelief enough to allow for the post apocalyptic world which includes Space Skimmer ultra fast-jets, driverless taxis and other futuristic advances, it is not a big leap to fifteen year-olds who can save the world. And within this context, they do act in a believable way.

Jumping from character to character and location to location, keeps the action tight and constant. This is a book to speed-read cover to cover, with cliff hangers making it hard to put down. Skyfire is a thrilling read, perfect for adrenaline junkies and lovers of mystery, good versus evil plots and epic races to save the world.

The Last Thirteen Book 8: 6

The Last Thirteen Book 8: 6 by James Phelan (Scholastic Australia)

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-1-74283-191-6

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

13 books. 13 nightmares. 1 destiny.

In the battle for the Dreamscape a new threat has been uncovered. In his search for the eighth Dreamer, Sam discovers a group Hypno, who have found a way to remove dreams from Dreamers. Arianna, the newest member of the Last Thirteen, still has dreams, but cannot remember them. This could be disastrous to the search and all they have worked to achieve so far. It becomes an arduous race from Moscow to Siberia, for Sam and Arianna to try to reclaim her dreams and those of many other Russians.

While they are battling in the wilds of Russia, the other Dreamers are continuing the fight back at the Academy and in New York. Alex and Shiva are working on the Telsa coils, feeling they will have an important part to play in the upcoming battle for the Gate. The Last Thirteen members are still unsure of where Cody's allegiances lie and struggle with that.  And Eva has a dream which may be her most important one yet. They just have to find the right interpretation.

And it is beginning to look like controlling their dreams may become the most important weapon yet.

This series is barrelling on towards the conclusion and instead of revealing any answers, the plot is getting thicker, more complex. Rather than making the series hard to follow, however, it is making the story more exciting. The increase in the number of Dreamers has not been hard to follow either. Although they are not mentioned too much in books following their initial introduction, the characters are so well formed in their first adventure that when they are referred to in a later book it is easy to place them. The story feels like it is building up towards an epic last confrontation which will involve all thirteen Dreamers and other important personalities.