Fierce September by Fleur Beale

This is the second book in the futuristic Juno series written by popular kiwi author Fleur Beale. The first book, Juno of Taris, won the Esther Glen Award in the 2009 LIANZA Children's Book Awards. Fierce September follows the lives of the 500 Tarians rescued from their failing dome by the ship from Aotearoa. The leader of the rescue mission, Willem Brasted, shows a keen interest in sisters Juno and Hera and their telepathic abilities. Hera's insight saves the ship from a terrorist plot but nothing can help the refugees when a pandemic hits the country just days after they land.

Fierce September (Random House, 2010)

   The whole country shuts down under quarantine laws which make life stressful for the people of Taris. They had hoped for a life of freedom. The Tarians are blamed for the disease outbreak and animosity towards them esculates. Juno and her friends are able to tap into the new technology available and attempt to thwart the hate campaign that is raging against them.

   This book doesn't fit the theme of an island story as neatly as its predecessor, however it still has a strong and engaging plot. The mystery of who is behind the hate campaign holds the reader till the end and makes it a well plotted thriller.

   I feel that if you haven't read the first book you may struggle with the huge list of characters. There are genuine blog sites listed at the end of each chapter, which is a good way of connecting with computer savvy readers who want to interact more with the story. I must say I enjoyed this book a lot. It's a pacey read and has relevance in our current political climate where assylum seekers are treated so badly.