Razorbites (Robo-Runners) by Damian Harvey - Revision history

Sue at 12:55, 18 April 2018

2018-04-18T12:55:56Z

Sue at 13:02, 13 November 2014

2014-11-13T13:02:07Z

Keith: 1 revision

2009-10-24T17:15:17Z

1 revision

Keith at 15:13, 3 October 2009

2009-10-03T15:13:19Z

New review

{{infobox
|title=Razorbites (Robo-Runners)
|author=Damian Harvey
|reviewer=Keith Dudhnath
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary=A rip-roaring adventure of four robots in search of contentment. It's pacy and dramatic, but suffers (as all series do) from a cliffhanger ending that means you either have to buy the whole series or none of it.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Maybe
|format=Paperback
|pages=112
|publisher=Hodder Children's Books
|date=April 2009
|isbn=978-0340944882
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340944889</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>0340944889</amazonus>
}}

We pick up book 3 in the Robo-Runners series with Crank, Al, Torch and Grunt driving through the Wastelands. As in all past and future books in this series, they're in search of Robotika - a safe place for old robots. When they run out of fuel, Bouncer and softie (human) Quill are kind enough to give them a lift, but are they everything they appear? What will they find in the colosseum they're heading towards? And what should they make of the deadly Razorbites that can tear a robot to shreds in seconds?

''Razorbites'' is a rip-roaring adventure. From first page to last, every word is dedicated to the action. Any... well, let's stereotype... boys who aren't interested in those boring things like emotions and the way people interact with each other, will find ''Razorbites'' is ideal for them. A leads to B, which leads to C, which leads to D. It's all very exciting, especially as it deals with robots. The story is detailed enough for it to interest slightly older confident readers, yet still direct enough to be accessible to all. The characters are writ large, the foreshadowing telegraphed enough to be clear, but not patronisingly spelled out.

This was my first experience of the Robo-Runners series, but I didn't feel left out. I was quickly brought up to speed (although I didn't quite get why they were searching for Robotika, other than it being a nice place). As with any series, it's best to start from the beginning, but it's good to know that you don't have to. What I was less keen on - as with all series - is the cliffhanger ending, designed to sell the next book. By highlighting the episodic nature of the overall tale, it lessens the impact of THIS episode. It's a criticism that isn't exclusive to this series, but it bears comment.

If you're willing to buy the whole series, ''Razorbites'' and its fellow books are excellent for adventurous boys. They'll enjoy the toned-down Mad Max world, the jolly romp, and the quirky characters. The series continues in [[Aquanauts (Robo-Runners) by Damian Harvey|Aquanauts]].

My thanks to the publishers for sending it too Bookbag.

Robot fans won't go far wrong with [[Dot Robot by Jason Bradbury]]. For a pacy adventure with a more sciencey twist, check out [[Felicity Frobisher and the Three-headed Aldebaran Dust Devil by Marcus Chown]]. Slightly older readers will love [[The Sky Inside by Clare B Dunkle]].

{{amazontext|amazon=0340944889}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6248764}}

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-{{infobox
+{{infobox1
 |title=Razorbites (Robo-Runners)
 |author=Damian Harvey
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 |date=April 2009
 |isbn=978-0340944882
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0340944889</amazonuk>
+|cover=0340944889
-|amazonus=<amazonus>0340944889</amazonus>
+|aznuk=0340944889
 }}

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 |buy=Maybe
 |borrow=Maybe
 |pages=112
 |publisher=Hodder Children's Books
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 Robot fans won't go far wrong with [[Dot Robot by Jason Bradbury]]. For a pacy adventure with a more sciencey twist, check out [[Felicity Frobisher and the Three-headed Aldebaran Dust Devil by Marcus Chown]]. Slightly older readers will love [[The Sky Inside by Clare B Dunkle]].
-{{amazontext|amazon=0340944889}}  {{waterstonestext|waterstones=6248764}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=0340944889}}
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