What do you think?
Rate this book
Haywired #1
Haywired
In this steampunk fairy tale set in an alternate world, things are not always what they seem. Ludwig is a lonely boy who is shocked to discover that his father, Mandrake, whom he trusts with all his heart, has been deceiving him for years. Far from being the good-hearted scientist Ludwig admires, Mandrake instead has been busy creating an army of HELOTs, sinister machines that duplicate themselves and do the bidding of their master in order to wage a brutal war. First Ludwig takes refuge with a traveling circus; then he sails with adventurers and pirates and entertains foreign royalty. Ultimately his quest leads to a rebellion against his father, the deranged Mandrake, and the evil HELOTs so that peace may be brought to his country.
169 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Alex Keller
7 books9 followersI studied Ancient History and Archaeology, Egyptology, and Global Politics at Exeter, Birmingham, and Birkbeck universities respectively. I've written two children's books called Haywired and Rewired, and also I'm a freelance writer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 20, 2012
This book had been sitting in my 'to read' pile for quite some time, and it being quite short I felt it would be a nice one to plough through in a day or two.
This book had some promising elements though overall I found it a little lacking and empty. The characters were good, though they didn't feel all that real and failed to jump off the page. Although I don't think that every book has to have romance, but I felt it lacking in strong female characters. Maybe one turns up in the second book, and I agree not every book has to have one, but I definitely felt this book would benefit from one. It all felt a little too man-centric.
The plot was overall rather good, and I imagine would be exciting to a younger child (who the book is aimed at) though it failed to appeal to a wider audience. Again although not integral to a children's book (after all that's what they are) but I think it really boosts books of that genre if they can cross said boundaries. It boosts the experience for the child reading as they are not being talked down to and it brings a fuller experience. Though that is not to say that this book was talking down to kids, some of the scenes and issues were quite adult.
The ending also came along very quickly and also felt a little rushed, the last meeting between the father and his son came to a head and ended in a page. Which I felt was not enough to do a decent plot justice or to get any realistic closure, even as part 1 of a series.
I think the main issues I have with this book could be solved had it been longer, I get the impression it may have been heavily edited. Though I also did not find the writing particularly stellar (I know it's only for ages 8+ but still I think there could be improvements).
Overall I would not rate this book particularly highly though I wouldn't say it was dire. It is a harmless easy read, that would be good for the younger, less experienced reader to enjoy.
This book had some promising elements though overall I found it a little lacking and empty. The characters were good, though they didn't feel all that real and failed to jump off the page. Although I don't think that every book has to have romance, but I felt it lacking in strong female characters. Maybe one turns up in the second book, and I agree not every book has to have one, but I definitely felt this book would benefit from one. It all felt a little too man-centric.
The plot was overall rather good, and I imagine would be exciting to a younger child (who the book is aimed at) though it failed to appeal to a wider audience. Again although not integral to a children's book (after all that's what they are) but I think it really boosts books of that genre if they can cross said boundaries. It boosts the experience for the child reading as they are not being talked down to and it brings a fuller experience. Though that is not to say that this book was talking down to kids, some of the scenes and issues were quite adult.
The ending also came along very quickly and also felt a little rushed, the last meeting between the father and his son came to a head and ended in a page. Which I felt was not enough to do a decent plot justice or to get any realistic closure, even as part 1 of a series.
I think the main issues I have with this book could be solved had it been longer, I get the impression it may have been heavily edited. Though I also did not find the writing particularly stellar (I know it's only for ages 8+ but still I think there could be improvements).
Overall I would not rate this book particularly highly though I wouldn't say it was dire. It is a harmless easy read, that would be good for the younger, less experienced reader to enjoy.
September 22, 2010
Impressive debut work, a book young and old alike can enjoy.
To read my full review (as well as a small author interview) check out my blog:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
To read my full review (as well as a small author interview) check out my blog:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...
May 26, 2012
Haywired is a little bit different to what I usually read but I love it.
The story reminds me quite a bit of the childhood frolics of Darren Shan mixed with the fairytale-come-horror of Big Fish.
I consumed the story in one evening and can't wait to start the second book.
Awesome!
The story reminds me quite a bit of the childhood frolics of Darren Shan mixed with the fairytale-come-horror of Big Fish.
I consumed the story in one evening and can't wait to start the second book.
Awesome!
August 21, 2010
Haywired is a stunning debut YA novel. At just under 200 pages it's by no means long but Keller has done a fine job at packing loads and loads in. It's not what I'd usually read - it's predominantly aimed at boys and probably those at the younger end of YA. However, I did enjoy it immensely and would recommend it to you all.
The book begins in a tiny village called Little Wainesford which seems, to begin with, sweet and idyllic. Not for long. Just a few chapters in and things are already going disastrously wrong. Right at the beginning a character dies in a fatal accident during the harvest. I won't say who or why but it's all explained by the end of the book. It throws young Ludwig's life into mayhem as he tries to save himself and protect his new found relative.
Although I think this book is most suitable for younger teens, getting to grips with YA, it still is an incredibly dark story. At times I was anxious and perhaps even scared by Mandrake's (Ludwig's father) crazy creatures - the HELOTS. I won't say any more about them but they're pretty terrifying.
I finished this book pretty quickly because I was completely gripped. Keller has a fantastic writing style which draws you right into the story. The pace is phenomenally fast too and I was never bored. It was exciting and full of suspense - it's certainly not one of those books where you can guess the ending.
I'm already excited for the sequel, Rewired, which you can look out for in spring 2011. In the meantime get your copies of Haywired on September 1. You won't be disappointed.
The book begins in a tiny village called Little Wainesford which seems, to begin with, sweet and idyllic. Not for long. Just a few chapters in and things are already going disastrously wrong. Right at the beginning a character dies in a fatal accident during the harvest. I won't say who or why but it's all explained by the end of the book. It throws young Ludwig's life into mayhem as he tries to save himself and protect his new found relative.
Although I think this book is most suitable for younger teens, getting to grips with YA, it still is an incredibly dark story. At times I was anxious and perhaps even scared by Mandrake's (Ludwig's father) crazy creatures - the HELOTS. I won't say any more about them but they're pretty terrifying.
I finished this book pretty quickly because I was completely gripped. Keller has a fantastic writing style which draws you right into the story. The pace is phenomenally fast too and I was never bored. It was exciting and full of suspense - it's certainly not one of those books where you can guess the ending.
I'm already excited for the sequel, Rewired, which you can look out for in spring 2011. In the meantime get your copies of Haywired on September 1. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews