AUTHOR: James Phelan (Aust)
PUBLISHED: 2013
SERIES: The Last Thirteen
FIRST BOOK: Thirteen
PLOT:
The premise of the series is that there are some people (called Dreamers) who dream 'true dreams' in that their dreams predict the future and come true. The Last Thirteen (TLT) are 13 teenage Dreamers who not only dream 'true dreams', but are part of a prophecy that will prevent the ultimate evil, Solaris, from destroying the world.
In the first book, 'Thirteen', we are introduced to Sam, the first of TLT, Alex (a character who adds nothing to the storyline), and Eva (another Dreamer, but not one of the precious Thirteen).
Two groups, the not-evil but not-good-guys-either Enterprise, and the Good Guys (who operate out of 'the Academy' and are led by 'the Professor' in a way that is blatantly borrowed from the X-men in a way that tries too hard and misses the mark) need TLT to defeat Solaris.
REVIEW:
I was very underwhelmed by the first book. The characters lack development and the plot lacks depth and explanation. The author has borrowed vaguely from the Matrix (dreams), the X-men (the Academy), and Harry Potter (the prophesy). Overall, it has nothing to grip the reader and maintain their engagement.
Some children (particularly boys) may like it, especially those for whom character development and quality writing doesn't mean anything. However, for the time spent reading and the effort needed to get some children engaged in reading, there is FAR better material to promote (I would recommend an X-men comic before this series).
It lacks qualities that would appeal to a wide audience.
AGE: 9-11
GENRE: in the vein of Fantasy
RATING: 3 stars
PUBLISHED: 2013
SERIES: The Last Thirteen
FIRST BOOK: Thirteen
PLOT:
The premise of the series is that there are some people (called Dreamers) who dream 'true dreams' in that their dreams predict the future and come true. The Last Thirteen (TLT) are 13 teenage Dreamers who not only dream 'true dreams', but are part of a prophecy that will prevent the ultimate evil, Solaris, from destroying the world.
In the first book, 'Thirteen', we are introduced to Sam, the first of TLT, Alex (a character who adds nothing to the storyline), and Eva (another Dreamer, but not one of the precious Thirteen).
Two groups, the not-evil but not-good-guys-either Enterprise, and the Good Guys (who operate out of 'the Academy' and are led by 'the Professor' in a way that is blatantly borrowed from the X-men in a way that tries too hard and misses the mark) need TLT to defeat Solaris.
REVIEW:
I was very underwhelmed by the first book. The characters lack development and the plot lacks depth and explanation. The author has borrowed vaguely from the Matrix (dreams), the X-men (the Academy), and Harry Potter (the prophesy). Overall, it has nothing to grip the reader and maintain their engagement.
Some children (particularly boys) may like it, especially those for whom character development and quality writing doesn't mean anything. However, for the time spent reading and the effort needed to get some children engaged in reading, there is FAR better material to promote (I would recommend an X-men comic before this series).
It lacks qualities that would appeal to a wide audience.
AGE: 9-11
GENRE: in the vein of Fantasy
RATING: 3 stars
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