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Eagle Swamp
Geology expert Professor Mike Rackman is studying the Alpine Fault, a 600 km long crack that runs the length of New Zealand’s South Island. Every 300 years or so, the fault cracks causing massive earthquakes. Mike hopes his studies will help predict the next big one. Unfortunately, after being shot by a local hunter, the professor disappears.Twelve-year-old Jack Stewart and his cat, Chainsaw, have had earlier adventures with the professor when they travelled back in time to the Taupō Eruption. Jack thinks that the professor has once again jumped through time and is trapped somewhere in the past. He and Chainsaw set out to save him.They end up in the year 1409, just hours before the fault is about to crack. Not only must Jack save the injured professor, he must also convince the local whanau of the coming disaster. The problem is, if he succeeds then the only way he and his friends can return to the 21st century will be blocked for the next 300 years.Eagle Swamp is the second book involving Jack Stewart, Professor Rackman and Chainsaw. The previous story, Crown Park, featured the Taupō eruption. While Eagle Swamp mentions the earlier adventure it can be read independently.
200 pages, Unknown Binding
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About the author
Des Hunt
34 books49 followersDes Hunt was a science and technology teacher for many years, interspersed with periods of curriculum development both in New Zealand and overseas. During this time he had several textbooks published to support the New Zealand curriculum. In recent years he has looked at other ways of interesting youngsters in science, creating computer games and writing non-fiction and fiction with scientific themes.
After living in Auckland for much of his life he moved with his wife, Lynne, to Matarangi on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. He retired from the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on writing fiction for children. He continues his aims of fostering young peoples’ natural interest in the science of their surroundings by visiting schools and libraries where he runs workshops and presentations.
After living in Auckland for much of his life he moved with his wife, Lynne, to Matarangi on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula. He retired from the classroom in 2007 to concentrate on writing fiction for children. He continues his aims of fostering young peoples’ natural interest in the science of their surroundings by visiting schools and libraries where he runs workshops and presentations.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2021
Des Hunt's stories are always powerful and they always have a strong sense of being in New Zealand.
Eagle Swamp follows on from Crown Park and is another time travel story. Jack and his cat Chainsaw (who feature in Crown Park which is set in Taupo) return to try and find old friend Professor Mike Rackman who has disappeared whilst studying the Alpine Fault in the South Island.
When they are propelled back in time they become embroiled in an adventure which features 15th Century Maori, a massive earthquake and a terrifying tsunami.
As always with Des Hunt it is an exciting read!
Eagle Swamp follows on from Crown Park and is another time travel story. Jack and his cat Chainsaw (who feature in Crown Park which is set in Taupo) return to try and find old friend Professor Mike Rackman who has disappeared whilst studying the Alpine Fault in the South Island.
When they are propelled back in time they become embroiled in an adventure which features 15th Century Maori, a massive earthquake and a terrifying tsunami.
As always with Des Hunt it is an exciting read!
August 17, 2021
Professor Mike Rackman is fascinated in the NZ Alpine Fault that runs the length of the South Island. He is hoping to see the fault in action for his Geology studies, his next book, and hopefully a prediction for the next big earthquake.
Another reason he is camping there is the possibility he will travel back in time to another shake centuries in the past. This too would be a perfect way to observe and study the fault. Unfortunately this happens when he least expects it, at the sound of a gunshot.
Jack Stewart and his large ginger tomcat called Chainsaw are good friends of the eccentric Geologist, and when they learn he’s gone missing, they are quick to join Mike’s partner Felicity in her search.
As they have done before, Adam and his cat follow Mike into an Aotearoa centuries before. Adam’s te reo lessons are useful with the young Maori who have found Mike, but not good enough to explain the cellphone he uses to photograph and film the area, or the coming earthquake and tsunami.
Even if he can save the local tribe, how will he and Mike get home again?
Eagle Swamp is the sequel to Crown Park (2018), but is perfectly readable on its own. Des Hunt’s signature style of NZ, Environment and Adventure also takes us back in time to Aotearoa of 1409. This is a time of the giant Haast Eagle, able to carry off a full grown man, the NZ Raven, and early Maori.
I enjoyed the liberal use of te reo in the novel, often translated in the text by main character Adam. This is intentional by Des Hunt, even as he admits in his Author’s note that the language would have been different back then. His hope is that the reader learns a little te reo as they read.
Another reason he is camping there is the possibility he will travel back in time to another shake centuries in the past. This too would be a perfect way to observe and study the fault. Unfortunately this happens when he least expects it, at the sound of a gunshot.
Jack Stewart and his large ginger tomcat called Chainsaw are good friends of the eccentric Geologist, and when they learn he’s gone missing, they are quick to join Mike’s partner Felicity in her search.
As they have done before, Adam and his cat follow Mike into an Aotearoa centuries before. Adam’s te reo lessons are useful with the young Maori who have found Mike, but not good enough to explain the cellphone he uses to photograph and film the area, or the coming earthquake and tsunami.
Even if he can save the local tribe, how will he and Mike get home again?
Eagle Swamp is the sequel to Crown Park (2018), but is perfectly readable on its own. Des Hunt’s signature style of NZ, Environment and Adventure also takes us back in time to Aotearoa of 1409. This is a time of the giant Haast Eagle, able to carry off a full grown man, the NZ Raven, and early Maori.
I enjoyed the liberal use of te reo in the novel, often translated in the text by main character Adam. This is intentional by Des Hunt, even as he admits in his Author’s note that the language would have been different back then. His hope is that the reader learns a little te reo as they read.
February 16, 2022
Good book with earthquakes and thunderstorms and tsunamis and travelling in time how much worse can it get.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews