Still every bit as good as I remember it being. Love this book. ( )

enjoyed reading this and would re read, as enjoyable as the Half Men of O ( )

“Mr Jones” is the last surviving member of a benevolent alien race. The evil Wilberforces want to reduce the Earth to mud. Mr Jones’ people have ensnared the Wilberforces, and designed the only weapon which can destroy them. Unfortunately the weapon can only be wielded by twins who have red hair. Rachel and Theo are the chosen ones- the only pair who can save our world from destruction. And the Wilberforces, bound by magic under Auckland’s volcanoes, are waking up…

The story is full of action and excitement. There is always a sense of imminent danger, and the deadline to be met. The twins must complete their training with the weapon in time to deploy it before the last of the Wilberforces breaks free of the enchantment which stops them from taking over the Earth.

Some of the Wilberforces are free already, and have noticed Mr Jones working with the red-headed twins. As Theo and Rachel attempt to enjoy the sights of Auckland during their brief holiday they encounter neighbours, sharks, and a policeman, none of whom are quite what they seem.

Twins hold a certain fascination for everybody, and in this story the reader finds out more about the way in which they relate to each other. The characters of Rachel and Theo are similar but of course not identical, and indeed their weapon is based on the notion of “poles” : opposites in balance. So Theo is “practical”, analytical, while Rachel is more sentimental, “the dreamer”. However, for all their differences, the two are devoted to each other and understand each other in a way which surpasses any ordinary sibling relationship.

The character of Mr Jones is also important throughout the story. He is the twins’ saviour, their guardian, and their teacher. Although only Rachel and Theo can use the weapon, only Mr Jones can prepare them to do so, and explain how it must be used when the time comes. The twins trust him completely, but he is old, and makes mistakes. He always seems sad at having brought this enormous burden and considerable danger into the lives of the two 11-year-olds.

This story is particularly meaningful to New Zealanders, who have first-hand experience of Auckland’s many “extinct” volcanoes. The author is very specific about the setting, with references to landmarks such as Takapuna beach and the Harbour Bridge, as well as the numerous mountains. The story is all the more disconcerting for having such unlikely events taking place in such familiar settings: it’s difficult to decide which parts of the story are realistic, and which aren’t.

I would recommend this story to all kiwi kids around Intermediate age. It also makes a gripping serial to be read aloud. ( )

Rachel & Theo are red haired twins that are rescued as babies from being lost in the woods by a strange man who mentions that they are destined for greatness. When they go to stay with their aunt and uncle and cousin Ricky they discover that only they can prevent a terrible catastrophe from befalling the earth, when they meet up with the old man "Mr Jones " again. He tells them to watch out for the sinister neighbours the Wilberforces who make Rachel & Theo's skin crawl. What do they have to do with the volcanic eruptions and how can Rachel and Theo fulfil their destiny when the crystals they must hold burn their hands when they touch them. An exciting sci-fi as interesting today as when it was written 28 years ago![Chapter 4 : Things that go Quack in the Night. R & T wake up and hear Mr Jones calling for help and the venture over to the Wilberforces and discover a tunnel & trap door.]

Possibly the best science fiction book to come out of New Zealand, Under the Mountain is a beautiful and scarytale set solidly around Auckland's volcanos.