Review: Paraglide - Peter Anthony Kelley

 

Today's review is written by one of our new reviewers here on The Phantom Paragrapher - Hannah Sutton.

 

Review: Paraglide - Peter Anthony Kelley - January 2012

When Jim and Erica's mother decides to take them on a trip to the UK to visit her aunt, Jim is unhappy. He would rather have gone to Paris and he expects he will have to follow his mother and sister around. His mother used to be cool, but since their father left eight months ago, she has become paranoid and insists on keeping them in her sights at all time.

But when their mother is kidnapped, Jim and Erica discover that their father's leaving and this trip isn't all that it seems. They have one week to deliver a message to their father, but they have no idea where he is. The kidnappers aren't their only problem, other people are also after their father. Dangerous people who threaten to hurt the siblings to get to their goal.

The pace of the story, the vividly described places and interesting characters will keep you glued to the page, as the siblings are chased across Europe trying to find their father and discover the truth of who he really is.

The story is almost like an old fashioned adventure story, but with modern characters and problems. It would be suitable for kids 12+

The downsides with this book. 

1. The POV starts firmly with Jim, but after a few chapters there are little incursions of Erica's POV. This sorts itself out later when Erica takes over the story for awhile, but early on it is a bit jarring.
2. The title of the book means you are constantly looking for Paraglides to play a substantial role - so it isn't really surprising when they are used as means of escape.  
3. There are a few unresolved points that would be nice if they were mentioned towards the end (not necessarily resolved but indicated they will be dealt with in future books) - for instance Jim's desire to be a chef, which conflicts with his father's desire that Jim follow in his footsteps.
4. I was disappointed that he didn't decide to go after the girl in the end! Or at least say he would at some point.

I wouldn't say the book would be a best seller, but it's fun-fast paced book that maintains the tension until the very end. I also really liked the quirks of the characters - making them very individual and rounded out.