Review - Mac Slater Cool Hunter 2 I Heart NY
Book 2 in the Mac Slater Series by Tristan Bancks
Australian youth author Tristan Bancks has released a second book in his popular Mac Slater, Cool Hunter series, I Heart NY (Random House, 2009). As with the first book, The Rules of Cool (Random House, 2008), this book focuses on the trend of cool hunting and the conflicting demands of friendship, family expectations and living your dreams.
Mac Slater, Cool Hunter 2
In The Rules of Cool, Mac and Paul were selected to be part of a team of Cool Hunters uploading images, video and information about cutting edge trends and gadgets.
For would-be inventor Mac, the best part of the Cool Hunter job is a trip to New York. The novel begins within hours of Mac, Paul and Mac’s dad arriving in New York. Their plane was delayed, they lost their luggage and they end up facing the wrong way in a one way street with traffic rushing towards them. Not exactly how Mac had pictured his long awaited arrival in the home of cool.
In New York, Mac and Paul are pressured by the website owners to either upload trendsetting information to the site each day or be sent home to Australia. Mac stumbles across a group of kids working at The Hive on some innovative inventions, including transparent shoes, solar powered USB, roller ball shoes and a perpetual motion vehicle.
Mac knows that he has found the coolest thing in New York, but he has been sworn to secrecy and must choose between saving his job on Cool Hunters and keeping his promise to Melody, the young inventor who introduces him to everyone at The Hive.
Action, Fun, Gadgets, Trends and Friendships
The second instalment in the Mac Slater series carries on smoothly from the first, but could also be read independently. While Mac takes a central role and is a focus for the deeper themes of the novel, several secondary characters round the story out well and maintain a sense of fun, adventure and interest.
The gadgets and inventions help the Cool Hunter series to stand out from the crowd with Mac and Paul constantly on the look out for interest technology as their particular focus on Cool Hunters.
While the books are simply fun to read, Mac is also faced with several choices that give extra depth to the story.
More from the Author of Mac Slater
In addition to Mac Slater, Cool Hunter #1 and #2, Tristan Bancks has several other releases due in 2009. Nitboy 1: Lift Off and Nitboy 2: Bug Out are slated for release in May 2009 and feature a wild-haired kid called Lewis who has had nits for so long they are now like family pets. But what will happen with the first ever jumping louse is born and the nits plan to take over the world?
For slightly older readers, Bancks is co-authoring a book with Tempany Deckert. It’s yr life is due for release in June 2009. Full details of upcoming titles and Bancks’ previous books can be found at the Tristan Bancks website.
Fast-paced Stories for 10 – 14 Year Olds
Even more so than The Rules of Cool, I heart NY keeps up a hectic pace that keep readers involved. The characters are fun and likeable, each with their quirks and flaws, and there is certainly potential for this series to continue in the future with quality story lines and character development.
Mac Slater, Cool Hunter 2: I heart NY was released in Australia in February 2009 and is due for release in the US in 2010.
Mac Slater, Cool Hunter 2: I heart NY (ISBN: 978-1-74166-300-6, 240 pages)
Further Reading:
Book Review - It's Yr Life by Tempany Deckert and Tristan Bancks
Mac Slater Cool Hunter I Heart NY - Tristan Bancks
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