(Book Review) Clear and Present Danger

I haven’t done a book review in quite a while, so here is a masterpiece which awarded itself a movie as one of the best political conspiracy novels out there. Besides, Tom Clancy is a flawless author who has tons of games praising his works!

With election year on the horizon, we learn about the President’s failure to administer the war on drugs, resulting in a losing streak behind a though, sophisticated Senator Fowler, leaving the President with no choice but to authorize Defence Minister Cutter to begin a list of covert operations in Columbia, with the exclusive and secretive help of Robert Ritter, CIA Deputy Director of Operations and Arthur Moore, the Director of the CIA with intent to disrupt the illegal drug trade in Columbia.

Just before that, the US Coast Guard discovers a yacht with an American Entrepreneur and his whole family murdered by 2 Columbians. Through intense interrogation, the druggies eventually spilled the beans with an adequate confession which could give them the Electric Chair! The intentions, however, weren’t yet clear at that time…

We are then introduced the Domingo ‘Ding’ Chavez, a light infantry sergeant who gets chosen to go along with an entire Hispanic Covert Squad, who all had dark roots or relations to drugs and precisely sought revenge. Operation SHOWBOAT gives them the chance to show what they were made off through sabotage missions in enemy territory! Going along is also Operation Taper and Eagle Eye, which involves some reconnaissance by CIA agents and intercepts by F15 fighters respectively.

With this operation being an eyes-only, most of the CIA and FBI have no clue on what is really going on just yet.

Similarly, Escobedo, one of the drug kingpins, are also noticing weird coincidences taking place, such as ‘magically’ disappearing flights, destroyed airports and more. Yet, both he and his intelligence officer, Felix Cortez have no idea either. However, when Cortez learns that the FBI director Jacob’s would be visiting Bogota, Escobedo plans an ambush on Jacob’s convoy, which results in Jacob’s death and many other high FBI figures.

Enraged, the President lets Operation Reciprocity go through, which is considered a direct attack on the cartel, beginning an all out war!

Unfortunately, Cortez, being an intelligent and skilled officer of his own, has his own plans that would startle you!

Overall, this book is filled with plot twists that’s really a brain stretcher that would leave you in awe!

Name: Clear and Present Danger

Author: Tom Clancy

Age Group: 13+

Genre: Politics, Suspense

(Book Review) Halfmen of O

Sometime ago, my class and I studied this adventurous fantasy novel called Halfmen of O, together, we read this widely sought out book and I have to say, it was really the experience it was renowned for!
Set in the New Zealand countryside by a kiwi author, we are introduced to the 2 protagonists of the story, a weird yet fascinated girl called Susan and her adventurous cousin Nick, the duo, on an average summer holiday are doing the mediocre things, like swimming and walking!

However, the dopey girl soon meets this suspicious old man who works near an unused mineshaft while she was exploring the vast forest. Gaining his trust, Susan starts to meet the elder more often before finally, the old man pounces.

Subduing Susan, he forces her to drink an uncharted potion and wow, did things get hectic from there. Nick, aware of Susan’s predicament after sneakily stalking her decides to aid her as he, too drinks the remarkable elixir and enters the dull World of O, a land in black and white, Nick, appalled by the missions, shoves his thoughts aside in a ditch effort to save Susan, who is under the arms of ferocious men, called the Deathmen, led by a despicable yet lethal Odo Cling.

After Nick meets up with some new allies called the highlanders, they go on a quick covert mission to get Susan and escape the clutches of Odo Cling temporarily as they get chases to the Highlander’s homelands, there, both of them are introduced to a flower that gives the gift of colour as the duo learn about their inevitable mission they will have to take to save this cursed world from utter doom, a heavy burden, but a necessary one, especially for Susan…

Overall, this book is the real deal and really keeps your eyes tuned to the imaginative world created by Maurice Gee.

Name: Halfmen of O

Author: Maurice Gee

Genre: Fantasy

Age Group: 8-15

(Book Review) The Rule of Three: Will to Survive

During the 2 week school holiday, I honestly had lots of free time. So I decided to occupy some of that well-earned yet restless period with some exciting reads. I borrowed 2 books from the library one called The Rule of 3: Will to Survive and Ithaca.

I had just finished both books and they are worth the look at! Anyways, let me talk about the first book, The Rule of 3: Will to Survive.

6 months after a global blackout which shut down all electric-run systems everywhere, Adam Daley, a teenager of a suburban town, was forced to kill 2 fugitives, who, along with a group of other outlaws escaped the maximum security grounds in town. Brett, an arch-enemy of the Daley family has made things personal for Adam and his friend Herb. He was the leader of the escapees and was making his way to “The Division,” an ex-military group’s base. According to Adam, they were ruthless and sophisticated, something to be feared from.

Adam was kidnapped by the 2 prisoners and Herb was assassinated in his bedroom and presumed dead. After the dark display of dead bodies had been cleared off and Adam being checked. He visits Herb’s remains to miraculously find him alive!

With the duo still alive and well, they hatch a plan to destroy The Division’s base once and for all! With the Cessna Adam was supposedly forced to fly the previous night, they make their way to the division’s base with bombs instead of the fugitives and successfully survive the suicide mission obliterating the base into ashes.

When Brett learns about what Adam has done, he starts to make things personal for them, which would lead to the fate of the town’s future.

Will Adam take down Brett and his remaining allies or will Brett eliminate Adam in cold blood? Well you got to read the book!

Overall, I have to say the book was better than I expected and had lots of action which was worthwhile. I can’t wait to read its 2 prequels!

Name: The Rule of 3: Will to Survive

Author: Eric Walters

First Published: 2016

Age Groups: 10-16

Adventurous Wanaka

Well, based on the title of this entry, you’ll know where we are heading to next. Yep. To the lakeside town of Wanaka. The bothersome weather at Mt Cook was just to risky for us to bet on.

Leaving Lake Tekapo in the morning, we survived the two-hour ride to Wanaka, which featured the partially windy mountain ranges that overlooked Mt Cook, passing by the serene Lake Pukaki too.

From the outskirts of the lakeside township, we noticed a lot of holiday traffic, which meant that the town was going to be real busy, which supported the fact that there was going to be a festival nearby at Cardrona Valley.

Checking-in on the spot, we were grateful the campsite still had lots available, as it was running out of vacancies by the second.

Having lunch at the famous Big Fig, which served us small servings in my opinion, we had dessert at the chocolatey Patagonia Café, which, you would’ve guessed served sweet ice-cream.

Returning to camp, we pitched our tent, observing that we had some boisterous neighbours. Hopefully they wouldn’t be that outspoken over the period of our stay.

Before dinner, we had a dip at the lake’s cool 20 degree waters, which refreshed us on the scorching day. Dinner itself was simple, with my mom whipping up an easy meal.

That night, sleep came easy for us, although our neighbours came back pretty loud and drunk, which irritated security. Despite that, everything was hushed within half an hour and I was back in dreamland.

After breakfast the next morning, we made our way to town, where we were ready to go on a bike along the lake’s bay. Hiring bikes from a sport outlet, we were soon on the road, excited for a leisure cycle. We were about to be bamboozled.

Taking the route the guide suggested, we were led through sandy beaches, rough terrain and edgy cliffs, which put our fitness…my parent’s fitness to the test.

Eventually, we arrived at our checkpoint, Albert Town through thick and thin without much injury. There, we ate at its renowned bakery which served fresh pastries before making our way back, although exhausting as well, was easier since we knew the trail.

Fatigued after our, I should say ‘traumatising’ biking experience, we had kebabs for lunch and once again, having ice-cream as dessert at a different gelato store before heading back to the park.

Most of the afternoon went through with a snap, with me just journaling and mom preparing dinner.

With my parent’s muscles really sore from all that painful biking, they decided to use the parks’ hot tub as their last thing of the day while I loitered at the playground.

That night, sleep came much harder than expected, with our neighbours talking like elephants. Thankfully, they were kicked out by security after an hour of non-stop screaming as we dozed off, recuperating energy for our New Year’s stop of Queenstown.

Pristine Lake Tekapo

With the suspenseful ride seemingly miles away from ending, the turquoise blue waters of Lake Tekapo suddenly appeared over the horizon and my oh my was it breath-taking!

The lake was formed 17 millenniums ago, back in the primitive ice age, when the glaciers melted while its distinct turquoise colour can be attributed to glacial flour suspended in the water. The reflection from the lake made it much more impressive.

 

Driving into the holiday park which overlooked the lake with astounding views, we had a quick check-in before going to our tent site, located at the far end of the park, crowded with other sites nearby. All in all, that park had approximately 200 plus sites, and none of them were available. Imagine that!

Setting up the tent quickly to reveal the phone’s whereabouts, we found in right where my mom guessed it was, which resulted rants from her that would last the rest of the afternoon.

Hanging around at the park’s playground, I finally got to meet other kids, which satisfied me greatly before having steak for dinner.

With the sky clear for the night, we hope the weather would remain consistent for the night as we anticipated constellation of stars in the night sky. Our wish was granted.

That night, the sky was crystal clear, and countless stars could be spotted everywhere. Changing the camera’s settings, my dad tweaked the camera so it could capture the milky way galaxy, which worked like a charm. Since it could not be seen with the naked eye, seeing the galaxy live for the first time was jaw dropping.

Admiring the sky for the next couple of hours, we slept at midnight,

The next morning, we had the normal breakfast before doing our typical morning walks.

Today, we walked through the center of Lake Tekapo, first stopping at the historical Church of the Good Shepherd, an icon in the town. Built in the 1800s, it is an old building that had gone through many renovations to look modern and still conducts mass regularly.

After having our packed lunch there, we continued trailing out of town, in search for Lupins in the masses. In case you have no idea what’s that, it’s a purple flower that looks rather pretty and has a refreshing aroma my mom loves.

Just outside town, we found the grand prize. Following a trail that was supposed to lead to a beach and a ski area nearby, we came across Lupins in abundance.

Elated with our findings, we captured some pictures before heading back to camp, first passing by the supermarket to get some groceries and ice cream to cool down ourselves. I also tried the flying fox.

Back at the park, I hung out at the playground for the rest of the afternoon before doing some journaling. We had dinner and, looking at the sky, felt blessed that we came yesterday. It was cloudy that evening and seemed not to be differing.

Settling down for the night, we were faced with a new dilemma. Mount Cook or Wanaka? We had this problem as Cook had some fantastic views that topped Wanaka, but at the same time was having some rough weather forecast.

Of course, we preferred better weather as we did not want to face wet or windy weather, we just weren’t up for it. We would only make our final decision tomorrow.