• click here to return to the homepage •
Home > Categories > Books > Fantasy > Red Rocks review
While holidaying at his father's house, Jake explores Wellington's wild south coast, with its high cliffs, biting winds, and its fierce seals. When he stumbles upon a perfectly preserved sealskin, hidden in a crevice at Red Rocks, he's compelled to take it home and hide it under his bed, setting off a chain of events that threatens to destroy his family.
Red Rocks takes the Celtic myth of the selkies, or seal people, and transplants it into the New Zealand landscape, throwing an ordinary boy into an adventure tinged with magic. With its beautiful writing and eerie atmosphere, junior readers will be thrilled and moved by this captivating story.
The Flamingo Anthology of NZ Short Stories - Extended Edition
Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2007
100 Easy Ways To Get Your Kids Reading - A Busy Mom's Guide
The Luxe
Jim Springman and the Realm of Glory
Nerdy Ninjas vs the Really, Really Unreal Guys
Ready-To-Read Level 2 Avengers Assemble!
He Rakiraki kei te Puna
The Gobble Gobble Moooooo Tractor Book
Bunny vs Monkey: Book One
Happily Ever After: The Princess and the Pea
Sun Shower
Because You are YouProduct reviews...
Members are welcome to post a review. You will need to log in to post yours.
Review by: mizim (Miriam)
Dated: 19th of October, 2012
I asked to review this book as I love old myths and legends, and this has selkies in it.
For those of you who haven't heard this particular tale, it is about seals and how they can shed their skin, hiding it away, and spend some time walking around as a human. But should someone hide their skin (generally someone who has fallen in love with them) then they are trapped, eventually starting to waste away.
I like that it is set in New Zealand, showing how these stories are now worldwide, and also that it is set in the perfect place for it, windy Wellington. The story follows a young boy who is down on holiday, staying with his dad, and free to roam as his dads job consumes all of his time. He finds a seal skin and takes it home, having no idea of the events that he has set in motion. Jake is a very believable character, easy to like and accept as a viable character. It's so easy to feel in the moment and believe that he is feeling what is written down on paper. His father, whilst not being the main character, is also a very real character.
Random listing from 'Books'...
For the first time in his life, Jacob Reckless is afraid. For years he's stolen across to another world. A dark enchanted place he's loved for its treasure, secrets and dangers.
Until now.
Will, his younger brother, has followed him with terrible consequences: the boy will turn to beast; the girl he loves will break her heart and chaos will rule forever, unless Jacob can spin a fairytale to save them.
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."
George S. Patton (1885 - 1945)
