This book is available in bookstores now and is a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
Set in an alternative future, Calling the Gods by Jack Lasenby is about the story of a teenage girl, Selene, who is banished from her home village.
As the story progresses, we learn more about Selene, her people and about the situation they’re in. We follow Selene as she stealthily returns to her village to get her younger brothers.
The writing style of this book is confusing. It is mainly Selene telling the story herself and this is the most used style. But also there is some flashback sort of things, Jack Lasenby shows and writes in Italics. The last 3rd or so of the book introduces a new voice, the voice of an older man. He might come from the future, or perhaps the past. He watches Selene and her group (though they can’t see him) and observes what is going on.
This book had the potential to be so good. But it really disappointed me. I have heard that Jack Lasenby can be an excellent author, and this book had a great storyline, but it just didn’t pull it off.
I would rate it a 3/5 stars.
Reviewed by Aleisha Cotterill, a Facebook fan of The New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards.
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