It’s 2070 and our post-apocalyptic world is different. Aliens secretly invaded with a lethal biological weapon. A terrifying virus annihilated almost every living creature in its path. People still believe it was a natural virus, oblivious to aliens and the truth. Humanity’s survival is in the hands of the alliance, a team of humans and aliens who stand against the evil arch-enemy alien leader. Orphaned children are raised in army-style schools. But from this barren wasteland, a few shall rise…
Tammy and Mikie are half human and half alien siblings, with immense metaphysical powers and a crystal weapon. Their powers are extraordinary alone, but together they are unstoppable. At twelve, these two are already too powerful to ignore. Can Mikie overcome his inner conflict? Will his compulsion to protect put those closest to him in even more danger? Can Tammy rise above her animal instincts and maintain her humanity? This adventure will take them across the world and maybe into the stars beyond. They must reunite their family and decide where their loyalties lie. The seekers are coming…
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A must have read, I purchased for my 2 children but once I started I could not put the book down (I am 49yrs), its well written and draws you in from the beginning with a good plot and well thought out characters whilst reading it was like watching it on the big screen
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Going into the story the readers is given part of an origin story, which becomes important over a decade later. The characters move parallel in time, but at all times on a path towards each other.
Tammy, who has caught the interest of a couple after many years of waiting to be adopted, has an affinity for animals. It is more than just liking them – they see her and she sees them. A collective communication appears to take place, one that others aren’t privy to.
Then there is Mikie, a young boy who can read minds and control them. The two of them have something in common, something elemental that is full of possibilities. They are an enhanced version of those around them, which means they are valuable asset or are they a dangerous weapon, depending on the path they choose?
It’s an ambitious series with plenty of potential – a crossover and melding of genres. A futuristic, speculative tale, a dystopian world with elements of sci-fi. The author has drawn a tentative thread of humanity throughout, and only time will tell if they will be able to sustain it in themselves, each other – or whether it will be submerged by natural instincts.
I like the fact it is story that is suitable for younger readers too. What a way to experience creativity and expand horizons, and a multi-genre world. It will be interesting to see where the next part in the series takes the Children of Pisces.
*Disclosure – I received a courtesy copy of this book for purposes of an honest review*
Amazon –
The Children of Pisces is an action packed YA book about siblings Mikie and Tammy. Growing up in an orphanage the siblings haven’t had it easy. Mikie can read and control the minds and thinking of others and as a result ends up being homeschooled to keep him safe and avoid him meddling with others minds. Tammy has never had it easy and lives a troubled and unhappy life at the orphanage. I loved seeing her character development throughout this book and how much she grew into a force to be reckoned with! Her relationship with animals is amazing and I loved her bond with them.
The book travels around a bit which was fun and interesting. The author has done a fantastic job of setting out the backbone for a new fantasy adventure series for YA and I’m really excited to see where the next book will take us!
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The Children Of Pisces is a book that caught my attention with the cover alone. The blurb then truly drew me in. I haven’t come across R E Lewin before so, wasn’t even sure if this book would really be for me. I just know that I am a reader who only needs a great story and I can fall in love with any book easily.
A book that’s aimed at 10 to 14 year olds. The Children of Pisces is a story that blends genres together. It is speculative story set in a dystopian world that has dashes of sci-fi throughout. Such a wondrous tale that I can see Children really becoming immersed in the stories of Tammy and Mikie, our two young main characters.
The plot slowly builds as the story unfolds and we follow both children in their adventures. Mikie is a boy who can read minds and also has the power to control them. Tammy has the power to connect and communicate with animals. This alone means animals trust her and will a fully follow her around. An adopted child, her new parents are more than amazed as they see it happening on their safari park.
These two characters are separate but their story arcs run alongside each other as they move on a path closer and closer to each other. Tammy and Mikie share something,it’s not physical and neither of them are just a run of the mill child. They are more than that and have possibilities to be weapons or assets. They each have a path to chose but which will it be?
This is not just a simple adventure book. This is heartwarming, interesting and its one that brings humanity into question. The humanity in Tammy and Mikie, will that be the saving of them, or will their instincts overpower the humanity they have inside?
The world building immersed me to the point that I didn’t want to leave these kids. I can really see a child adoring this world that transcends normal life. It is a book that can open their minds to things they wouldn’t normally think off.
From the start this is a well written, dramatic and well paces book that held me there until I had read the last page! I am looking forward to the next book and wondering what it will bring.
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As I was reading this, I was thinking of only giving it four stars because of how long it takes to get to the action. The prologue is excellent, pulling the reader into the story. I would have liked more action in the middle, or for the parts with Tammy exploring the island and learning about her powers to be a little shorter, but at the same time, I can’t say what I would have eliminated. I wanted more of Mikie throughout. Once I got to the last part of the book, I didn’t want to put it down. It takes a while to get to the action; but when it comes, it hits hard and fast. I’m looking forward to the second book in this series.
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Really enjoyed this book, it’s a really clever concept and an original idea, well written. The pace is good and keeps you interested and engaged, and the characters are individual and well created. I’m really looking forward to reading more of the series!
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I was really impressed with this book – it looked nice, it was well presented with a justified right margin, and nice text chapter headings and page headers. Furthermore, it was well written and edited. I would happily give such a book as a present to a child.
This was a delightful story. Tammy was like a female Dr Doolittle with her rapport with animals.
I loved how Mikie helped Kate with her family problems, but not so much when he embarrassed the bully trying to impress a prospective girlfriend (from an adult perspective, children will probably love it).
There was plenty of action and some humour as well, plus the little mysteries regarding the children’s powers and their siblings, why were the seekers looking for them and who was their father? However, as with many series, these questions were left unresolved at the end of the story… to be continued, as they say.
My only reserve is that at times it becomes a little preachy such as on issues such as vegetarianism versus meat eating, something that children need to decide for themselves when they are mature enough to understand all the health implications of a limited diet; as youngsters they need to eat all food groups (including meat for the proteins it contains unavailable elsewhere otherwise they will not grow to be adults). It touched on animals needing to eat meat as it is all part of the food train – as are people.
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Why should I read it? A story which vaguely links to the pandemic, might not seem like the most relaxing read, but there is much more to this than that. The story arc slowly builds all the way through as you get to know the two children – Tammy and Mikie and follow their adventures. Mikie’s life seems harder to connect with, he’s almost like a trainee superhero. However, I really enjoyed finding out more about Tammy and her special ill of connecting with animals – she is able to communicate with all animals (apart from crocodiles) and they therefore trust her and follow her around, much to the amazement of her adoptive parents on their safari park. The love shown between the nuclear family is wonderful to read about and must relate to some readers out there. Sometimes, I found the speech a little clunky, but the description is lovely and I could really picture where the events were taking place and how each character was feeling. The start of the story is brilliant and really grabs you right from the get-go: it’s pacy, dramatic and startling! If you like books that set in the normal world, but with a slight twist (like Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights trilogy), then this is the story for you. And there are more on the way!
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I absolutely loved this exciting, emotive, multi-layered story – I was captivated by Tammy, intrigued by Mikie, and amazed by the author’s vivid imagination and attention to detail throughout!
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My grandson was very excited to meet the author at her visit to his school recently and to come away with his signed copy of The Children of Pisces- The Two Pendants. At 12 years old, he has never been a great reader but fired with enthusiasm after the visit, he did read the book and was very enthusiastic about it! In fact, so much so that he brought the book to show me a few weeks ago and was telling me how much he was enjoying it. He asked if I would like to read it too and when I saw him a couple of weeks ago, he brought the book for me to borrow – I had to promise to look after it very carefully! As soon as I started to read, I understood why he loved it so much and I did not want to put it down either! I have always had a love of books shared with his older sister and now, it seems that my grandson may be tempted to leave the screen games for a while and engage his brain and imagination by reading books as well. As an energy healer, I love that references to this are included in the story as it is such a wonderful thing which is often pooh-poohed and misunderstood. However, my grandson does understand the concept of energy manipulation because of his karate training. We are both very much looking forward to the next book in the series coming out soon which I have promised to buy for him in due course. Keep up the good work Rachel! You have really helped a young man to learn to enjoy his reading! Thank you.