Omg talk about a roller coaster read wow this book kept me on the edge of my seat threw out I just couldn't put it down this writer keeps you hooked and once your hooked your not letting go I found this book thrilling the characters were fantastic and well thought out and the little clues all the way threw keep you guessing until the end this book stays with you long after you close the book this book is well worth the read I promise you wont be disappointed

Unfortunately I could not get into this book and did not finish it. Other readers may enjoy this more.

I rather enjoyed this book. I read through a number of reviews back before I read it and noticed some commenting on the fact they didn't find it realistic - surely that's part of the point of sci-fi and fantasy novels? You suspend your disbelief and enjoy books for what they are.

This has a decent pace, an interesting premise and entertaining characters. On the whole I thought it was well written and thoroughly enjoyable. I would happily buy this for young adults, mature children and fans of the genre. I look forward to reading more of the author's work.

With thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

The Haven by Simon Lelic is perfect for children (or adults ) whom like Harry Potter. Makes me want to find tunnels under london.

The haven by Simon lelic.
Snatched from his bed in the middle of the night, Ollie Turner is thrust into a world of danger and excitement.
Below the streets of London he discovers a secret city: a network of tunnels that lead him to the Haven, a sanctuary for kids run by kids, and the headquarters of an organisation that fights for justice everywhere.
A brilliant read. Loved the story and some of the characters. What a twist. Didn't expect that. I hope there is more to come. 5*.

This is a great book for Young Adults. A mix of Oliver Twist (on which it is very loosely based, really only borrowing character names) Alex Rider, and 101 Dalmatians, it is a thrill a minute adventure where the kids are in charge and it is only they who can save the world. I enjoyed being a part of the camaraderie of The Haven, and although I am a little (quite a lot!) over the age at which this is marketed, I found myself completely caught up in the plot and rooting for the youngsters as they battled the forces of evil.

Think I was expecting this to be like Alex Rider but it’s too young for me I’m sure some middle graders would love it

Good rollicking fun, if a little simplistic in parts. I'm not sure it needed the Oliver Twist names, as it made me try to work out how they reflected the original - sometimes yes, sometimes no - so kept pulling me outside the story. And I wonder, for the age group, how many would have read Dickens? Not so many, these days, I think. But worth recommending especially for pre-teen boys who are infamously difficult to find stuff for.

Gripping adventure book about a group of kids that live underground, great for both boys and girls 9+ , looking forward to another one in the series

Fast paced action story with no great surprises but entertaining enough to enjoy.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group!

This was a well-structured story with quite a few twists and turns to it and a plot that holds the attention throughout. The characters are fleshed out reasonably well given that there are a number of central characters taking an active role in plot development.

The big frustration with this story is the apparent attempt to re-write Oliver Twist. The characters have names that echo those of Dickens' despite the fact that there is little to suggest a parallel. This echo completely disturbed any attempt at empathy as there is always a comparison being made to a classic story. The story would have held up just as well, if not better, without this.

The story's conclusion requires much to be resolved in the background. All threads are handled, but there is a sense of dilution to the denouement. Nevertheless, the final confrontation and twist offered good pace and interest. The book rounds off without the requirement for a sequel but is sufficiently vague in some areas to leave a possibility.

A very fun and witty was to retell Oliver Twist. I read this to my 11 year old daughter as a buddy read with her and she enjoyed the magical properties the story held. Great work.

I ended up really enjoying this book though it got off to a shaky start. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. There’s nothing specific I can put my finger on, I just wasn’t very into the book. But then the characters and events started to work some magic and I fell in love with The Haven. The book is different than I was expecting (a sort of modern Oliver Twist) so it took a while to adjust. The characters are great, especially Ollie (see why I thought Oliver Twist). The book is also a lot darker than I was expecting, especially in the second half when The Haven find out about Maggie’s insane plan. This is a great read, totally unexpected.

I was happily reading along when I thought 'some of these names are surprisingly like ones from Oliver Twist'. How slow am I? I really enjoyed this contemporary take on the Dickens classic. Bravo.

A reimagined Oliver Twist, works without the references as well.

I've read 4 or 5 takes on Oliver Twist in the last year, from dramatised sequels to other contemporary versions. It's a tale that never fails to give, with such indelible characters and the theme of children fending for themselves.

Here, Ollie Turner doesn't run away, he's stolen from his London bed, his police-officer foster-parent along with him, and he ends up escaping from some unknown criminals, with the aid of some fellow teenagers. Brought to a hidden underground refuge, where young people run a network that protects other kids, Ollie and his own saviour, Dodge, get caught up in a plot to take over the city, with Ollie's own kidnapper, Maddy Sikes.

With the major names from Dickens' novel all given new personas here, though roughly corresponding to their roles and characteristics in the novel, the scene is set for an exciting book (and start of series) with an 'agency' of programmers/detectives/spies that can utilise their combined skills and thrill the reader with a 'Cherub'-like (Muchamore's series) plot of underage adventure and excitement.

It didn't need the comparison to Dickens to work, but as a fan, I did enjoy spotting the familiar names and plot points. Ollie is a little more assured a protagonist than in the book, Dodge as gregarious as ever. I enjoyed Fagin's role, a nice 'twist'.

Readable and moves along at a quick pace, the technology and high-octane drama will capture the interest of the target market.

With thanks to Netgalley for the sample reading copy.

A simply written YA action thriller.
The plot is very simple and has no great surprises.
Ideal for the younger readers.

A good book ticks many a box: solid plotline, great characterisation (both in establishing them and developing them as the novel progresses) and a great literary style - The Haven certainly ticks all three. Combining elements of traditional storylines in a modern-day setting, Lelic offers an action-packed exploration of key themes in an engaging and thrilling read.

I was never once put-off, overwhelmed or lost when reading The Haven, and that tells me that Lelic nailed the world creation. Sure, he didn't have an entire new universe to construct piece by piece, what with it being based on our contemporary Earth, yet there was much about the dominant setting that needed exploration and a background certainly needed establishing behind the organisation. In his craftiness, Lelic balanced these with momentum, an engaging plotline and some light-hearted character moments to keep the reader's interest whilst filling them in on all the requisite background knowledge.

Perfect for the middle-grade audience, I certainly have more than one recipient lined up for when the book is released (February 7th, 2019) - that's how much I recommend it!

An action-packed thriller which will thrill readers of a certain age.
Ollie Turner is nobody special. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time causes a mysterious set of circumstances. This results in Ollie’s guardian being shot and him kidnapped. Ollie then finds himself busy out of the place he’s been held, by a character called Dodge.
Early on the Oliver Twist links were something I was unsure about. This isn’t a retelling of the classic, but it borrows heavily from it. And, as the story progresses this lends another dimension to the story.
I’m not sure how credible the plot is and there are some parts I get needed further explanation, but it was an exciting read that looks like the beginnings of an interesting series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I seriously didn’t get the Oliver Twist link at all. I read this as a story in its own right and I’m so glad I did as I didn’t draw any conclusions as to how the story would go.

At its heart this is a well written young adult dystopian story. I found myself enjoying the story as it went on and willing the characters to triumph over the adults. I think teenagers will really take to the story.

I’m happy to see this is the first in a series and I look forward to reading more. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

It took me way too long to catch onto the Oliver Twist thing - idiot!
Action straight from the off, fast paced, rollercoaster, twists, turns and a generally great idea.
Definitely at the younger end of YA