Blood Hunters [Paperback]

This story begins deep in a Mexican jungle where a team of scientists are exploring the world's deepest sinkhole. A little unmanned submarine is sent down but it's cameras pick up strange dark shapes swimming at the bottom just before they short-circuit. When the machine re-emerges one of the scientists, William Sims, notices a strange green goo stuck to the bottom. He scoops it up and smuggles it back to Britain.

Two big thing happened to Joe in just one day. First of all he makes a friend in the new boy at school, Giles. Secondly his scientist father is arrested for the murder of William Sims. Convinced of his innocence Joe and Giles set
out to discover the real culprit.

Meanwhile savage attacks are being carried out against members of the public and the police are baffled. The boys suspect that something unusual is happening. Their investigations lead them to the canal where they are suddenly and violently attacked by a giant wormlike creature that surges from the waters intent on killing them. Narrowly escaping they are forced to turn to the police who are forced to face facts and an armed team is sent in to destroy this new threat. But the reality is far worse than they thought and Joe's father believes the monsters to be the Earth's reaction to human overpopulation.

Blood Hunters is fast paced, packed with action and the thrill of danger. There are plenty of fight scenes against these scary and revolting invaders with everything from guns, helicopters to cricket bats used in the attempt to beat them back. The characters are interesting and believable with a well developed background to all of them no matter how insignificant a part they may play. Giles was a particular favourite with his constant optimistic view of the world and his bravery. Joe, who is normally self-effacing, becomes determined and a bit aggressive when put in a life threatening situation. There is a strong eco message as the author deals with the theme of overpopulation and the way humankind abuses the earth. He compares the appearance and rapid reproduction of the worms to the actions of white blood cells when faced with an infection. The monsters are the Earth's attempt to curb the spread of humans over its surface.

There are some drawbacks however. It's difficult to decide just what age range the book is for with it's huge writing and simple plot indicating a younger age than its sometimes gory moments may allow for. There is also a rather repetitive element to the story with some action scenes seemingly recycled and losing originality, especially with regards to the strange fixation of fighting cricket bat and many other cricket related moments. At one point the two boys employ the bat and some bricks to good effect as one throws the bricks up for the other to hit, shooting giant beasts out of the sky. If this had been written differently it could have been comedy genius but as it was it seemed very much out of place with the feel of the book. The same could be said for the use of swords (twice), that are conveniently hanging on a wall in a house where children live. All very bizarre when mingled with the impressive firepower of a helicopter gunship.

All in all this was a reasonable enjoyable read suitable for children over ten, unless the reader is of a sensitive nature, in which case we would recommend a 12+ limit.

I enjoyed this novel as it is dark and gruesome in places but is ultimately about finding the light in the darkest of situations.

Joe's father is accused of the murder of his colleague and so Joe, with the help of his charming and resourceful friend Giles, sets out to prove his fathers innocence and find out what really happened. At the same time, a series of bloody, vicious attacks leave the police dumbfounded and confused. Are the two linked? And what does the expedition in Mexico to explore the worlds deepest unexplored sink hole have to do with it all?

Voake expertly weaves the strands of the narratives together to give an action packed, thrilling adventure story that keeps the reader eagerly turning page after page.

Darker than any of his other novels - it's closer to Voake's 'The Starlight Conspiracy' than his Dreamwalker novels - this is an intriguing story with a human story at its heart.

This book is most definitely not aimed at my age group but, even so, I quite enjoyed this very far-fetched yarn which I imagine will entertain younger readers. It's written for young teenage boys, though in this PC age, the blurb also states 'and young girls'. Well, why not?

Something brought from the depths of a sinkhole in Mexico begins to terrorize the inhabitants of a UK village, where the canal rolls calmly on and where, unfortunately, these creatures begin also to multiply and to kill.

It's all good fun for the two lads who take up arms and help win the day. But not before the author manages to introduce a few moral aphorisms: a new day brings a new dawn, look forward not backward, etc. This is good, of course because his story shows that this is the way to deal with life, even when life throws a hard ball at you.

It reminded me of the Famous Five or the Secret Seven in its simplicity but brought right up to date with all-action adventure.

If I'd had these books when I was fourteen, I'm sure I'd have devoured them. But then, I love books but do today's youngsters? Perhaps such publications as these will help.