Terra-Farma
Gillian Rubinstein

Penguin Books: Viking 2001

268p pbk $19.95

ISBN: 0-670-88978-4

Terra-Farma by Gillian Rubinstien is the long awaited new sequel to the award winning Galax-Arena. It tells of how all three children Joella, Peter and Liane deal with life on the run from the influential Project Genesis Five. Conveyed from the viewpoint of both Joella and her brother Peter, the three escapees are still haunted by their past experiences at Galaxy Arena. Trying to locate their mother, Joella and Liane separate from their brother and unintentionally take shelter in a corrupt-breeding program 'Terra- Farma'. Whereas on the search for his sisters, Peter must use his survival instincts when he is forced to endure the harsh secret organization 'Birds of Prey'. Trying to expose Project Genesis Five and its control of both organizations, Joella, Peter and Liane must unite once more in their bid for freedom.  

Terra-Farma is an interesting following up of the Galax-Arena. It tells what happened after that 'happily ever after' ending, which brings into light what life is like simply being free and how people being 'inside' for so long take time to adjust to the outside world- like these children did. I would recommend this book for ages 12-16. I would rate Terra-Farma 7/10.  

Annie, Year 10, Canberra, ACT

Galax-Arena
Gillian Rubinstein     

Puffin Books 2001
(re-release)

162p pbk $16.95

ISBN: 0-14-131024-3

Joella, Sue and Peter were once part of a normal family.  That was until they were enticed into a car and kidnapped to be used as slaves for the great circus “Galax Arena” on far away planet of Vexak.  All hope is not lost, because every thing is not as it seems.

Galax-Arena was extremely interesting book and it captivated me from the very first page.  To me the story had a strong meaning, which I pondered for quite a few days.  The text is flowing and easy to read.  Any one from about 12 up would have no problem reading and understanding this book.  This was a brilliant book and I urge every teenager to read this as it is just so good.

Tristan, aged 15, Canberra, ACT

Galax-Arena is about a girl called Joella, her brother Peter, and sister, Liane.  The three of them get taken away to the planet Vexak to perform for the alien Vexa in the Galax- Arena.  They are treated like animals and forced to do dangerous and life threatening tricks to please the Vexa.  If they don’t, they get taken away by the aliens forever.  They meet many other children there, who, like them, are trapped and unable to escape from this alien world.  But things are not really what they seem.

This is a very creative book. It has a great story line and I really enjoyed reading it.  It’s exciting the whole way through and hard to put down.  The text is quite easy to read as well, but sometimes when the kids are talking with an accent, it gets hard to figure out what they are saying.  I think it would appeal to anyone around my age or older.

Overall, it is an exciting and interesting book that I would recommend people read.

Amy, aged 14, Canberra, ACT