The last sound I ever heard wasn't what I expected.
If I'd been on one of those stupid game shows risking a million pounds on the final question, I'd probably have guessed it would be the cry of gulls.
Those monsters haunted the skies above the island like pale ghosts, swooping down to steal fish from the trawlers coming home to the harbour before the teams could unload. Dive-bombing in unison, they tore at the nets bulging with fresh-caught herring, snatching the silver fish and swallowing them whole as they wheeled back into the sky for the next attack...
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AN ADVENTUROUS ECO-THRILLER FROM AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN’S AUTHOR VICTORIA WILLIAMSON
On a remote Scottish island, fourteen-year-old Max’s life changes forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. Struggling to make sense of his new life and finding it hard to adapt in school, he begins to notice other — even stranger — changes taking place when a new wind farm appears off the island’s coast.
With the help of three school friends with additional support needs, Max discovers that a sinister scientist, Doctor Ashwood, is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders. They must find a way to shut down the government’s secret test before it spins out of control…
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When I was offered the chance to read this book for a blog tour, I jumped at the chance. I have read a few of Victoria Williamson's books before. They have all been excellent (I will provide links to those reviews at the bottom of the page) and I was very excited to read this.
This book was no exception to the high standard I have come to expect from this author. I was hooked by the story from the very first page and I remained enthralled to the very last.
The main character is fourteen year old Max who loses his hearing in an accident on his father's fishing boat. He has much to deal with in adjusting to life as a non-hearing person. His friends seem to shun him, and he is allocated to the group at school who have learning difficulties. He is full of anger by the way people treat him, particularly with his father who seems to refuse to try to communicate with him.
Not only was Max a great character but the secondary characters were also excellent. His 'new' friends Erin, Beanie and David, all with their individual special needs, are well drawn and highly likeable. Although Max kicks back at having to become part of their group, the reader soon ascertains that they will become close friends.
There is also an element of mystery concerning the wind turbines which have recently been installed close to the Scottish Island where the book is set. It was enjoyable to observe how Max and his friends put the pieces together and attempt to foil the plot.
In many ways, I think the main theme of the book is communication. Not only the different ways in which we can convey meaning to one another through speech, lip reading, sign language and so on but this is also about the way in which the villagers were communicated with via the wind turbines.
It is a powerful book aimed at young adults. I think anyone of secondary school age or above would enjoy this very much.
ISBN: 978 1911107507
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Formats: e-book, paperback and audio
No. of Pages: 250 (paperback)
Links to Previous Reviews
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