- Paperback
- Publisher: Bodley Head Children's Books; Airport / Export Ed edition (1 Jun 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0370328981
- ISBN-13: 978-0370328980
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
The Fourth Horseman
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Product Description
Book Description
A chilling tale about terrorism, the consequences of genetic experimentation and the riders of the apocalypse, from Whitbread Children's Book Award winner Kate Thompson
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
The first time Laurie and her dad see the white rider watching them from the deep, cool shadows of the trees, he is alone. Laurie is convinced that his appearance has a meaning, that somehow he is trying to tell them something - something her dad needs to pay attention to. Is the rider somehow linked to the genetic research into squirrels that Laurie is helping her dad with in the lab?
When a second rider with a bloody sword appears alongside the first, and then a third and a fourth, Laurie knows she must try to understand who they are and what they represent. With the help of her brother and his best friend, she discovers what the riders mean but will it be too late to stop the inevitable chain of events that has been set in motion . . .?
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
I thought that this was a thought provoking book that mixes fantasy with two topics all too pertinent to modern life (namely genetic experimentation and the western approach to fundamentalism and terrorism).
The book starts off with Laurie, her brother Alex and her brother's friend Javed being arrested for burning down the laboratory belonging to Laurie's father. Through flashbacks, we see how the three of them get to that point and just why they driven to take such drastic action.
I particularly admired the way Thompson doesn't patronise her readers with the material - you're shown the kind of things that happen in a scientific laboratory and I felt that the reactions of both Laurie and her father to the testing being done on squirrels was believable. When the first horseman appears, it's a genuinely chilling moment, more so for the reaction of Laurie's father and you can easily buy into Laurie's frustration as her father refuses to accept what's happening whilst at the same time recognising his reasons for doing so.
My biggest criticism related to the cricket element of the story and that's more because I am not a particular fan of the game and so did not find myself easily able to relate to the main character's enjoyment. However, this is purely a personal thing more than anything the author has done and whilst I think Thompson over-eggs the idea of sport bringing people together, there is some truth to the message. I also think that the main characters were a little too slow in realising the relevance of the four horseman and I'd have liked to see them pick up on the obvious symbolism earlier on than they do so that the apocalyptic significance is stronger.
That said, it's a tightly paced book that makes you want to read on to see what happens next (even though you know what they're ultimately moving to) and I felt that the main characters were believable. Definitely a book that deserves a look.
The book starts off with Laurie, her brother Alex and her brother's friend Javed being arrested for burning down the laboratory belonging to Laurie's father. Through flashbacks, we see how the three of them get to that point and just why they driven to take such drastic action.
I particularly admired the way Thompson doesn't patronise her readers with the material - you're shown the kind of things that happen in a scientific laboratory and I felt that the reactions of both Laurie and her father to the testing being done on squirrels was believable. When the first horseman appears, it's a genuinely chilling moment, more so for the reaction of Laurie's father and you can easily buy into Laurie's frustration as her father refuses to accept what's happening whilst at the same time recognising his reasons for doing so.
My biggest criticism related to the cricket element of the story and that's more because I am not a particular fan of the game and so did not find myself easily able to relate to the main character's enjoyment. However, this is purely a personal thing more than anything the author has done and whilst I think Thompson over-eggs the idea of sport bringing people together, there is some truth to the message. I also think that the main characters were a little too slow in realising the relevance of the four horseman and I'd have liked to see them pick up on the obvious symbolism earlier on than they do so that the apocalyptic significance is stronger.
That said, it's a tightly paced book that makes you want to read on to see what happens next (even though you know what they're ultimately moving to) and I felt that the main characters were believable. Definitely a book that deserves a look.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
From the time yopu get through the first Chapter you (well I) was gripped by the mystery of the tale. It is all assembled in a way which makes you keep reading. A great edition to Kate Thompsons Books
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