Changeling by Steve Feasey

The Blurb On The Back:

Is he a boy or is he a beast?

Trey thinks he is an ordinary teenager. THen he meets Lucien Charron - a mysterious stranger with eyes that seem flecked with fire, and skin that blisters in sunlight. Suddenly Trey finds himself living in a luxury penthouse at the heart of a strange and sinister empire build on the powers of the Netherworld - vampires, demons, sorcerers, djinn. And Trey discovers his own secret: a power that's roaring to break free.

Meet the last hereditary werewolf. One thing's for sure: Trey Laporte will never be ordinary again ...

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The Verdict:

Although the characters sometimes slip into caricature, there's much to enjoy in this novel and while it's a shame that Feasey uses a cliffhanger as a reason to get readers to continue with the series, the story and world-building is strong enough to appeal to boys and girls alike.

Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

The Blurb On The Back:

Fourteen-year-old Will Burrows lives with his family in London. He has little in common with them except for a passion for digging which he shares with his father.

When his father suddenly disappears down an unknown tunnel, Will decides to investigate with his friend Chester. Soon they find themselves deep underground, where they unearth a dark and terrifying secret - a secret which may cost them their lives.

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The Verdict:

The first 150 pages are really slow and the endless establishing scenes could and should have been pared back. That said, the underground society created by Gordon and Williams is sinister and brutal, the family secrets that Will uncovers creates a nice dilemma for him and there's a shocking twist towards the end that should establish a fascinating conflict. I'd read on, but the pacing does need to improve.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Blurb On The Back:

In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent.

And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her.

And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded by so much death?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

The bleakness of this zombie survival novel may put some readers off, but this is a strong character-driven novel with some excellent world-building, a refreshing attitude towards its central love triangle and some wonderful key scenes. I eagerly await the sequel.