11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Serial novel for teens, January 15, 2010
This review is from: January (Conspiracy 365) (Hardcover)
Kiwi Magazine Review:
Although Kane/Miller Publishers are very familiar to me for some of the wonderful and unique picture books they have imported from around the globe, I was completely surprised by the content and concept of this new series. So many books leave you begging for more, but the publishers haven't so cleverly set up a monthly release date for a 12-book series as Kane/Miller has. A teen's "24' (television show), I love the idea of a serial book or novel, which is actually not a `novel' idea. According to Wikipedia, many of Charles Dickens' novels were published as serial installments in a magazine.
Although some of the drama was a bit too far-fetched to be believed, this book was hard to put down. You also have to be a diligent reader because, being a serial in nature, there will not be any tidy ending until the last installment in December 2010. But, I look forward to seeing if this series can sustain the momentum.
And, as with all of the latest chapter books, it has its own website. Unfortunately, all contests are for Australia and New Zealand residents only, but the site content is available for everyone.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get in On The Conspiracy, January 26, 2010
This review is from: January (Conspiracy 365) (Hardcover)
A very quick and short read, the concept of the Conspiracy series has great appeal to me and excellent potential. It's very 24-esque -- meaning there will be twelve books over the course of the year each covering one month in the life of Callum as he attempts to solve the mystery of the Ormond Singularity.
As is the case with most mystery stories there is a bit of violence. There are mobsters and any number of nefarious individuals all chasing after Callum and inevitably friends and family get in the way. The level of violence and criminal activity in the story are befitting the plot it is not overwhelmingly excessive or needless.
One of the downfalls of this story is that it was extremely predictable. What I can't decide is if that predictability is included in the plot as a way to deflect the reader from what is really going on. Will we find out in hours two or three that what we were told or thought in hour one is completely false? There are still eleven books worth of story to tell so it can't be that everything is going to be laid out before us in book one. At least not if the author doesn't want us to get bored and abandon the series, that is.
At this point, it's certainly, intriguing enough to want to stick with it to find out.
Where did the book excel? The author did a great job of creating a cliffhanger ending that has readers on the edge and wanting answers that may be provided in book two. Having said that, I think it's safe to make some assumptions on at least one of those answers. The story would be considerably altered if the immediate resolution didn't go a certain way and the reader will know that as they put book one away and wait for book two.
One of the other elements I enjoy (and the one I liked most frankly) about this story are the relationships Lord built between Callum and his best friend Boges as well as his relationship with his mother and sister. Callum has such love for them that he's willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good of seeking out answers. And Boges has personality galore. He could turn out to be my favorite character in the series. I'm just hoping he is who he says he is!
While this isn't the most suspenseful book I've read I believe that it's compelling enough to continue the series. I do want to know how it progresses and where all the loose ends get tied up. I also believe that it's target audience (older pre-teens and teens) will likely enjoy the fast paced atmosphere and action based plot.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flamingnet.com Top Choice Book-a best seller series in the making, February 25, 2010
This review is from: January (Conspiracy 365) (Hardcover)
On December 31st, fifteen year old Callum Ormond heard his
name being called by a stranger he didn't even know.
Before he could run away he shouts out to him "They
killed your father. They're killing me! You must go into
hiding until December 31st next year." After hearing
those devastating words, he must uncover the mysterious
history of his family and do so by using the few clues his
father left behind. Now being framed for a crime he didn't
commit, Callum is the most wanted fugitive and not just by
the authorities. While Callum races against time to
uncover the secret, he must also be aware of the people
who are willing to get to him by any means necessary. Will
Callum uncover the dark secret which his father died over?
Will he even survive the next 365 days?
Wow.. that's all I pretty much have to say about this book!
It got directly to the point at the beginning, and it started picking up
pace immediately. It sort of reminded me of a Bourne
Identity, but the story is totally different. It was
definitely a quick read because it only took me a couple
of hours to read, but it sure keeps you on the edge of
your seat. I definitely think this book is a best seller
series in the making, and anyone who likes books with tons
of action and a mysterious twist to it will really enjoy
Conspiracy 365. I would recommend this for ages 12 and
up.
Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
Flamingnet Book Reviews
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