Matt McAvoy Book Review

Easy reading and inoffensive in any respect, this YA tale is no more or less than a modern-day, tech-arena Famous Five-style mystery, about an elite, teenage group of cyber-security gurus who investigate when their employer’s biggest client is targeted by an ominous, highly sophisticated hacker.  Whilst this may not sound like the most dramatic or action-packed storyline, it actually gets pretty exciting, and gripping, too.  Sue Loh clearly knows her subject, and is obviously something of a tech-wizard herself, yet thankfully she manages to prove her credentials without the temptation to baffle the reader; the tale is complex, sure, but never out of reach for most.  That is quite unusual in an author: to give full, heavy jargon weight to their story, yet at the same time ensuring it is simplified enough for all to understand without undermining any of its seriousness; she allows the reader into the world and expertise of her characters, without showing off, or alienating – think Doctor Who in the David Tennant years.  Raven engages, and is entertainment for its own sake, by a qualified author.  I have to say, in fact, that it is pretty good all round.

An undeniably well written, entertaining and quality work, with polished grammar and punctuation which are right on the button.  Loh is a good, professional author, who writes wonderfully, developing her characters well and crafting good banter and dialogue in their interactions – reminding us that whilst being system geniuses, they are also teenagers.  To tell the truth, I do feel a little bit bad, because there are many who will rate the book higher than my 4 stars, and good for them – I did perhaps base some of my rating on my own personal taste; this isn’t really my cup of tea, generally, if only because of the clichés which are analogous with this particular genre.  It is firmly aimed at a young adult audience, though not necessarily because its jargon is particularly out of reach of others – rather, the sci-fi pop culture references will not be on every reader’s wavelength (e.g. Marvel hero references, etc.).  That said, it will have something of a broad appeal, I think, and I can’t think that there will be many readers who won’t enjoy reading it.  Additionally, it is actually a pretty good idea for a story, with an interesting, and somewhat unique antagonist, for its most part.  Overall, I would summarize by saying that this book is something of a triumph for Loh, and certainly worth a read.