Duty Calls: Dunkirk by James Holland

The Blurb On The Back:

Friday 24 May, 1940

Private Johnny Hawke, aged sixteen, awakens to artillery fire.

Hours later, Stukas scream down from the sky.

Messerschmitt fighters roar towards them. Trucks burst into flames.

Now men and mules lay dead and dying, severed limbs twisted grotesquely as blood soaks into the cobbled streets.

As Private Hawke – and his fellow soldiers – prepare to stop the German advance, there’s only one question on everyone’s lips …

How will they survive?

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

James Holland has produced a boy-friendly military adventure story that recreates the feel of the period and what soldiers would have gone for (although at times the detail was a little too much and worked to slow the action). It’s not particularly deep from a character and emotional perspective, but I doubt the target boy readership will care about that. All in all, anything that gets teens into history is a good thing and I’d be interested in reading more about the characters.

DUTY CALLS: DUNKIRK will be released in the UK on 2nd June 2011. Thanks to Puffin for the ARC of this book.

Undead by Kirsty McKay

The Blurb On The Back:

It was just another school trip – stuck on a bus with a bunch of freaks …

When their ski-coach pulls up at a roadside café, everyone gets off except for newbie Bobby and class rebel, Smitty.

They’re hardly the best of friends, but that all changes when through the falling snow, they see the others coming back.

Something has happened to them. Something bad. Soon only a pair of double doors stands between those on the bus and the Undead outside.

The time has come to get a life …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Hardcore zombie fans may be disappointed with this YA zombie novel, predominantly because it doesn’t bring anything new to the genre. That said, it’s an okay read with some strong scenes but all in all, I didn’t feel drawn enough to the characters and the conspiracy element storyline didn’t work for me.

UNDEAD will be released in the UK on 1st September 2011. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.