Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Reading Time
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Highly Recommended
      • CBCA Short Listed
      • Early Childhood Books
      • Younger Readers
      • Intermediate Readers
      • Older Readers
      • Great Read Alouds
      • Information Books
      • Picture Books
      • Professional Development
    • Interviews
    • Suggestions
    • News
    • Meet The Review Team
    • Contact Us
    Reading Time
    You are at:Home»Reviews»LGBTQIA+»Rebel Gods (Monuments #2)

    Rebel Gods (Monuments #2)

    2
    By Admin on October 2, 2020 LGBTQIA+, Older Readers, Reviews

    Will Kostakis, Rebel Gods (Monuments, #2), Lothian Children’s Books, August 2020, 256 pp., RRP $19.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780734419262

    Rebel Gods moves at a brisk pace, with only two very early pages starkly summing up Monuments, confidently expecting readers to be on board and up to date. Connor, Sally and Locky are aware of what’s at stake and no time is wasted. Initially the heroes continue their quest to find more information to help them defeat their foes, but when Locky draws their attention by performing ‘a miracle’, the stage is set for a tense game of cat and mouse. Who will blink first?

    I love the writing style employed here: it’s fun, it’s witty and it’s authentic. Connor’s thoughtful narrative reflects the snarky teenager, the caring son, and the loyal friend. But he’s not immune to whining, teasing or to blowing off school, and these flaws add significantly to his character. When faced with the huge ethical issue of the possibility of having to kill their enemies, Connor baulks, and Locky too, seems determined to find another solution. Sally appears resolute, but even she exposes her vulnerabilities, and we know this task will impact heavily on all their hearts. Can these baby gods actually kill the rebel gods? Should they? Although there’s little enough down time to ponder these issues, Kostakis does provide some space in the build up to enable readers to confront their own course of action. His sharp asides covering political happenings, social media controversies, and the impact of blind faith also challenge us, but they are not intrusive or preachy.

    The character of Locky is a triumph. What does it mean to give godlike powers to someone who wants to enter politics? We’re all ‘woke’ enough to realise that people who enter public life with the best of intentions struggle to maintain their principals in the face of systemic structures that seem to reward corporations and largely ignore smaller communities. It might be easy to take Locky down a path of temptation, but Will creates a glorious road for him that is both perfect and difficult.

    The other important element of these novels is, of course, the representation of clever, resilient young adults who crush the slacker, smartphone obsessed stereotype. These teenagers are resourceful, socially aware, and prepared to sacrifice for the greater good. We want our young people to see themselves depicted this way. They need to know we aren’t pushing them into boxes that don’t offer hope or a way forward. It’s a really strong message, and it’s up to those of us who work with teenagers to provide them with books through which they can feel good about their generation. Each of Will’s books do this. Admirably, actually.

    Reviewed by Trish Buckley

    Related Posts

    Moonlight Riders

    The Butterfly and the Ants

    Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

    2 Comments

    1. Mel on October 2, 2020 5:14 pm

      I love this author and this review really made me want to pick up the book, but can we please stop calling today’s teenagers millennials? The youngest of the millennial generation are now in their 20s, the oldest ones nearly 40 years old. Today’s teens are gen Z and I’m super proud of them, they deserve recognition that their issues and experiences are different to the Xs and Ys.

      Reply
    2. Reading Time Ed. on October 3, 2020 2:51 pm

      Okay. Noted. TB.

      Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    • Themes
    • Curriculum
    Action adventure Airplanes Alphabet Anxiety autism Bullying CBCA Awards Coming of age Dystopian emotions family fantasy friendship grief Historical humour magic Mystery Post apocalyptic Readers Cup reluctant readers school Sci-Fi series of books siblings Sport Starting school Teacher Notes
    ANZAC Australian animals Australian history Biography Culture & Diversity Disabilities First Nations Geography health Humanities mental health Poetry Reconciliation resilience Science STEM Stolen Generation sustainability Wordless books



    Recent Comments
    • Barbara on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    Recent Posts
    • Moonlight Riders
    • The Butterfly and the Ants
    • Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
    • Everything You Want to See
    • The Cult of Romance
    Recent Comments
    • Barbara on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    © Copyright 2021 The Children’s Book Council of Australia - All rights reserved

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.