The Chronicles of Jack McCool: The Amulet of Athlone

The Chronicles of Jack McCool: The Amulet of Athlone (Book 1) by R.E Devine (Bauer Media) PB RRP $14.95   ISBN 9781742459202

Reviewed by Kylie Buckley

Jack was an ordinary teenager with a regular life until one night, hiding from his brother in the attic, it all changed. Jack is transported back in time to find that he is the Prince of Tara. Not only does this regular school boy have to wrap his head around news of his elite status, he also comes to learn that the Fianna clansmen are relying on him to rid them of the evil High King’s reign.

The amulet that Jack finds in an old wooden trunk in the attic is pivotal to the story, hence the title. (Amulet, noun: 1. a small object worn to ward off evil, harm or illness or to bring good fortune; protecting charm). This gold bracelet permanently attaches itself to Jack’s wrist. Unfortunately, it is missing the six precious gemstones, ‘cut from the mines of the magical city of Athlone’, imperative for its magical powers. Jack soon discovers that all the gems must be replaced for an ancient curse to be broken – and it’s his job to find them! In his quest to seek the valuable gems Jack teams up with warrior Finn McCool, ‘the hero of the book of Irish folk tales he’d loved to listen to his mother read when he was younger’. Jack must find the strength and courage to do things he’s never attempted before and overcome many obstacles including one of the King’s evil and deceitful banshees.

The Amulet of Athlone is suitable for middle grade readers who enjoy tales of adventure and fantasy. This novel is the first in an upcoming six book series to be released over the next six months. An enticing first chapter of Book 2: The Tomb of the Emerald Scarab is included at the end of this book. For further information and exclusive news visit www.jackmccool.com

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545–38701-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Dak, Sera and Riq are this time transported to Scotland 1943, right in the middle of World War II. They will need to get close to the enemy, the Nazi Party and Hitler, to convince them that (false) papers recovered from a dead British airman are credible. If this allied plot fails, Hitler, and the SQ will win the war, again.   

But Hitler is not the only evil these time travellers are up against. Tilda reappears and she has her heart, and future, set on destroying the trio. Their Square breaks, Dak has his first remnants (an unsettling and often physically painful feeling that something is missing), and for the first time, all three children must run solo missions. They are split, in three different countries, with no guarantee of re-uniting.

Behind Enemy Lines is the sixth book in a time travelling, multi-platformed adventure series, Infinity Ring. Each book is written by a different author and continues the adventure undertaken by three children in an effort to save the world. There is a top secret clue, hidden inside the cover of the book, which may be opened at the conclusion of the story. This clue gives access to a new adventure awaiting the reader on www.infinityring.com.

This fast paced, time travelling adventure series is a good one for eight to fourteen year olds.

Infinity Ring: Cave Of Wonders

Infinity Ring: Cave Of Wonders by Matthew J. Kirby (Scholastic Inc)

HB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-0-545–38700-2

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

It is the year 1258. Europe is cloaked in the Dark Age while the great city of Baghdad has become a centre of learning for scholars, merchants and explorers. It is in this foreign Arab world, that Dak, Sera and Riq must now navigate the narrow alleyways and exotic spice and rug markets to identify SQ Agents from Hystorians and fulfil their next mission. They must prevent a great library, The House of Wisdom, from being destroyed by the enemy.

In their ‘own time’, the children's world is being split apart by cataclysmic events, caused by rips in history. It is up to them to travel time, repairing these gaps where they can. Along their journey Sera, Dak and Riq are helped by Hystorians, custodians of true history. But there are also SQ Agents at every turn, desperate to prevent the children from setting history straight.

Cave of Wonders is the fifth book in the time travelling, multi-platformed adventure series, Infinity Ring. Each book is written by a different author and continues the adventure undertaken by three children in an effort to save the world. There is a top secret clue, hidden inside the cover of the book, which may be opened at the conclusion of the story. This clue gives access to a new adventure awaiting the reader on www.infinityring.com 

This fast paced, time travelling adventure series is a good one for eight to fourteen year olds.

Infinity Ring: The Trap Door

Infinity Ring: The Trap Door by Lisa McMann (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545–38698-2
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Dak, Sera and Riq are still travelling through time and around the world trying to patch up glitches in history before their world of the future falls apart. In The Trap Door they are stranded in the United States in 1850, and caught up in the slavery wars.

Falling into a trap, they are captured and Riq is to be sold as a slave in the markets where he meets some of his ancestors. Dak and Sera escape but sensing that he is close to solving his ‘remnants’ (the horrible waves of despair that overcome the children sometimes), Riq chooses to stay to help his ancestor avoid the destiny he knows awaits them.

In this time period, the children have difficulty telling the evil SQ apart from the freedom fighters who trying to wrench the underground railway back from SQ control. Not knowing who to trust makes their work even more dangerous than ever.

The Trap Door continues the multi-platformed adventure series, Infinity Ring. Following the formula of the popular 39 Clues series, each book is written by a different author and continues the adventure undertaken by three children in an effort to save the world. The top secret clue to be opened at the conclusion of the story gives access to a new adventure on www.infinityring.com which the reader may then embark upon while waiting for the next instalment of the series.

This is a thrilling adventure ride for eight to fourteen year olds which promises many more journeys to come.

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2

Divide and Conquer : The Infinity Ring Book 2 by Carrie Ryan (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545– 38697-5
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

In order to save the future, Sera, Dak and Riq must fix the past and once again, the children have travelled into that past with the Infinity Ring. This time they find themselves in 885, where the Vikings are laying siege to Paris. Unable to break the code on their SQuare tablet, they cannot be sure about the task they have been set. According to history, the Vikings conquered Paris in a long and bloody battle. But should the children help Bishop Gauzelin defend Paris against the Viking attack, or should they help to ensure a smooth and bloodless transition of power?

Before long, however, Dak’s fascination with the realities of history gets him into trouble and separated from his friends. The challenge is then to stay alive among the Vikings and reunite with Sera and Riq.

As in their first adventure, much depends on recognising the Hystorians and SQ agents, remembering their history, remaining cool, and sticking to their priorities.

Another roller coaster ride, Divide and Conquer is the second instalment in the Infinity Ring series. There is no let up in the action; the friendship, humour and glimpses of historical events are just as strong as the first. The continuing ‘what if’ moments keep interest well piqued in this sequel.

After the story is read, there is the opportunity for continuing the adventure online with a fight for freedom and a race to save the first lady of the United States. Readers may use the enclosed top-secret map and log into www.infinityring.com to play along with the Hystorians in a race to save the future.

There will be much anticipation of the next book The Trap Door, where the children’s task will centre on the American Civil War and the underground railway.

The Infinity Ring is a great series for boys and girls (10+), particularly those with an interest in action, danger, historic events and time travel.