Jawsome: Licence to Rock by R.J. Timmis

Title: Jawsome: Licence to Rock

Author: R.J. Timmis

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Published: 20^th February 2024

Format: Paperback

Pages: 272

Price: $15.99

Synopsis: Non-stop adventure, gill-splitting laughs and several krillion fans… Jawsome is AWESOME.

Finley, Hunter, Gilleon and Gnash are busy juggling their double lives as ordinary school sharks and as members of the sensational rock band, JAWSOME! But they soon find themselves deep in a sea of suspicious shark-nanigans.

From stopping evil A.B.B.A. agents to unmasking a strange new band, JAWSOME will need to use all their rockstar skills to save Chumville.

A fin-tastically entertaining adventure that’s perfect for emerging readers and shark enthusiasts of all ages!

~*~

Finley, Hunter, Gilleon and Gnash are off to the Euro-fishin competition in Shellbania in the first story of this book – but just as they are getting ready to leave, they find out that Gnash is helping a super-secret spy agency track down the evil organisation, A.B.B.A and stop them destroying the sea, and in the second book, Jawsome have to find out how the Killer Wails are taking their audiences and appearances – and why everyone suddenly likes them. It’s all fishtems go for a series of sharknanigans in Chumville – and only Jawsome can help.

Facing A.B.B.A – the Alliance of Brutally Bad Anglerfish with F.I.S.H  – Federal Investigators of Suspicious Hijinks with Agent Chip, James Frond, and Secret Agent Con forms the first story – and plays with the different talents Jawsome has, and how Gnash’s rhythm talent is useful – how it can be used to crack a code and stop A.B.B.A! Can they do it? And why do the anglerfish want to destroy the ocean? Using spy film tropes and puns, this story is a fun romp combined with a thrilling investigation, pressed against the clock – aren’t they always when the fate of the world is on the line? R.J Timmis has taken these elements from various films and television shows aimed at an older audience and created a fun version for kids that works on many levels. For readers who haven’t encountered them yet, it’s lots of fun and for those who have heard, read, or seen something involving the various aspects referenced, it can be like a treasure hunt to guess where things have come from. I liked the way they are obvious in some ways but still work and create an entertaining story that is filled with humour and action.

And then they must stop everyone in Chumville becoming mindless zombies thanks to the Killer Wails. What could be worse for a new band than a rival who has come out of nowhere? It’s all very odd – especially when everyone starts following the new band and wearing their merchandise. Something sinister is going on, and only Jawsome can get to the bottom of it. Just as they do in the first story, they come together to follow the clues and find out what is happening – and as I read it, I kept wondering if there was someone behind it, someone who was jealous of Jawsome – nothing else made sense to me. But you’ll have to read it yourself to find out.

Much like the first book, this was executed with humour and warmth, and the unity and power of good friends working together to resolve something and help those around them, which is a message these books have. They’re entertaining as well, which makes learning the lessons fun and allows the readers to connect with the characters. Each character has their own flaws and strengths, and there will always be something that a reader will see about themselves in these characters, and I think that is what makes this series work – it is fun and shows kids how they can overcome fears or worries, and get along with people.

Another fintastic book from R.J. Timmis.