Ken was born in Auckland, in 1944, but now lives in South Canterbury. Ken was the 2007 Storylines Margaret Mahy Award winner.
Ken's many interests are reflected in the books he writes - history, war, crime and science fiction, mainly.
Historical
The legendary Trojan war seen through the eyes of slaves.
Pyrrhus has finally been lifted up to be a great warrior prince since the death of his father. The war of Troy is still on and Pyrrhus must lead them into Victory. On the way, he is joined by is female slave (Chryseis) and other enemies and allies. Oddysseus finally comes up with the plan of tricking the enemy with the horse statue and because the enemy really believed they'd left defeated, it would be brought inside the unattackable walls of Troy. The plan works and the surprise attack is launched. Though on the way, Pyrrhus learns a lot about himself and his father.
Best character: Pyrrhus
Jean, 14
Set during World War I, this is book mostly contains letters sent between Henry Wainwright and Jessica Collingwood. Henry is one of the soldiers sent to Gallipoli, while Jessica goes on to become a nurse and help the wounded soldiers from the war.
Best character: Frederick 'Hooter' Muller
Vivien, 16
Matt dreams he is a fighter pilot in World War Two - at exactly the same time as his grandfather, who was one, dies. What did the dream mean? Will it help Matt clear his grandfather's name?
A young midshipman, loyal to Captain Bligh, is cast adrift with Bligh and other loyal crew members.
Emmett longs to escape the insular world of Boston high society - but not by being abducted to be on the crew of a whaling ship under a harsh captain.
Another historical novel is Voyage with Jason
The Moran family books:
 Four generations of Morans go to war in this hard-hitting series looking at the realities and horrors of war through the eyes of soldiers.
Jacko tells his story of life in World War One: from the hell of Gallipoli to the bloody fields of France.
Jacko's son Robert has been affected by his father's war experiences and vows to do things differently, if war ever comes to him. When it does, he gains new insight into his father's attitude.
The third generation of Morans to go to war - Jimmy's platoon is ambushed in the jungle of Vietnam.
Teresa is stationed in Timor and Iraq. Can she break the patterns of violence in her family?
Crime & adventure
Jamestown is famous for the baby killer, Amy Duncan, who they hanged - a baby killer who cursed the town that killed her for her crimes. 100 years later Joe Redmond is searching for a fresh angle on the case, a new angle that could win him a scholarship to university - if he lives that long. Black sister has come to Jamestown, a part of the Amy Duncan story that involves a giant black dog that brings disaster and can not be killed. A twisted tale that will leave you guessing until the last pages from the pen of a New Zealand story teller.
She was the youngest axe-murderer ever and everyone thought she died after escaping from the loony bin - but did she really? Now Danny has a new girl at his school, one who looks a lot like Liggie Tanner. Danny tries to convince himself that it is not true, but he can't resist digging deeper into her life. Another short but high impact novel from this great New Zealand author that will pull you in, twist you 'round, and spit you out.
Halloween - time for evil to walk. And the strangeness around town seems to be coming for Brad.
It's the end of the world - Bruce's uncle has been saying it for ages. But no-one listened and now Earth is unprepared for the impact of Comet GABRIEL. Only the strong will survive.
Recommended for ages 14+
Reviewed by Annie
It's about Mike and Blue. Blue talks to Mike on his mobile. Mike doesn't tell anyone that Blue talks to him. Mikes parents died about a year ago so Mike lives with his Auntie. He starts to think Blue is Roy but is wrong. Blue kills people who wear blue, so people don't wear blue. At the end of the story there's a strange ending that people think Mike was Blue.
Best character: Mike
Followed by Blue murder and Blue blood
Emily, 17
Another crime novel is Road kill
Science fiction
It's set in the future, where kids have V strips to play games. But there is a person who selling a different V strip to kids which gets them lost into it forever. Preben wants to find out where the kids are getting them from. Rhoda travels around on an antique Harley decides to find out as well. So Preben has to put his life on the line because he's the only one who can do it.
Best character: Rhoda
Rhoda, 17
Declan was woken from cryo sleep in the normal way - but what he finds is anything but normal. The ship is not where it is meant to be and there is a message for him - a message that he left for himself! The message is strange to watch, especially when he is drawn into the disappearances of the crew in suspicious circumstances. What is going on in the ship - has an alien force invaded the ship determined to kill the crew?
A slow start builds to a fast paced ending that will rock you in your tracks.
If you enjoy this book then you should try reading The onager - also by Ken Catran.
Gone are the days when people are free. Now all there is is a world of fear. The dry things have invaded and the wet things are coming too. Jon is a warrior he must fight the things. Bronwyn and the passies don't think fighting is right and together they must find a way to get through this.
Best character: Bronwyn
Anita, 13 |
