[(The Territory)] [By (author) Sarah Govett] published on

The Territory #1

by Sarah Govett

From Book 1: Limited space requires limited numbers. The year is 2059. Noa Blake is just another normal 15 year-old. Except in The Territory normal isn't normal. The richest children have a node on the back of their necks and can download information and bypass the need to study. In a flooded world of dwindling resources, Noa and the other 'Norms' have their work cut out to even compete. And competing is everything - because anybody who fails the TAA exam at 15 will be shipped off to the disease-ridden Wetlands, which means a life of misery, if not certain death. But how to focus when your heart is being torn in two directions at once?

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Book Club, Romance

Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noa Blake tells the story of her last year in education in Britain.. in 2059! A flooded, and now post-apocalyptic overpopulated world with very limited resources - In what's left of Britain (The Territory) it is decided that anyone that fails the final exams at 15+ will be shipped off to the barbaric and environmentally compromised Wetlands!

Having Noa narrate the story from a first person Point Of View works really well, the thinking, feeling and talking like a 15 year old is executed magnificently by Govett; as the darkness and unfairness of this world is revealed slowly, sometimes just randomly, as it would by someone living there all their lives. A thought provoking and captivating read that sees Govett create an entire new and absorbing reality, as well as a multi faceted and complex (i.e 'real') female protagonist; and to top it all off, raises issues like authoritarianism for the better good, wants and needs, elitism, complicity, secrets and lies for the better good etc.

I was gifted this book by Sarah Govett in exchange for a review, and I can honestly say of all the gifted books I've had, this is easily the best... I'm ordering the rest of the series ASAP. Thank you for introducing me to The Territory. Four Stars. 2020 update Now I have bought the 2 other books, I had to reread this, and confess I like it even more! 9 out of 12, Four Star Read.

2020 and 2019 read

[Sarah Churchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having interviewed Sarah Govett on a panel a couple of years ago, I know that this series has its very loyal following and I figured it was time to give it a try.

Being British it always helps to read dystopian novels that are set here as it aids in the mental world building, however I don't think it specified where on the remaining land it's based, so I missed out on picturing the characters with accents and the rest of the package.

In a nutshell, the polar ice caps have melted, leaving much of the world underwater. For small islands like GB that means very little dry land, so at the age of 15 every teenager must sit a test to determine whether they're smart enough to stay in the Territory (and become scientists or big thinkers to future the society) or will be sent out to the Wetlands to almost certain death with all the mosquitos, malaria and criminals. Rich people give their kids upgrades so they can plug in and upload the data directly to their brains, so it's not entirely a fair system between classes either. Sort of the opposite of the film Idiocracy. Good luck getting someone with a doctorate to empty your bins.

The main character Noa is likeable in an annoying teenager kind of way, but she's definitely smart - if still a bit too naive by the end of book 1. Best friends Daisy and Jack I could take or leave; Daisy not being that big of a player despite having Best Friend status, and Jack being a hot-headed neanderthal a great deal of the time. The love interest is an interesting dude, I probably liked him as an actual person the most out of everyone.

Despite my non-love for the characters themselves, there's enough going on in this book for me to have wanted to know more, and it's a pretty quick read. Easy, enjoyable - probably not gripping but definitely interesting. Of course it ends on a cliffhanger, so I'll have to read book 2 soon.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick little dystopian read I really enjoyed. Recommended for younger teens.

[Kadi P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly haunting and thought-provoking. I think that if I’d read this as a child it would’ve given me nightmares.

The dystopian setting of a flooded England in the near future was made all the more creepier by the fact that it’s a now very real possibility due to global warming. The government system felt very Orwellian and a lot of the technology integration into everyday life felt like an active warning that is more prevalent now than it probably was when the book was first published. This was especially the case when the government began to use the technology to control people’s minds.

The characters were fantastic in the sense that their flaws, no matter how irritating, made them even more real. This made the plot even more impactful and heart-wrenching when things completely out of their control impacted them in a horrifying way. The unpredictable twists came out of nowhere with not one, not two, but three sucker punches.

I’m almost wary to read the second book because I loved this and I know how hard it is to carry on the subtly horrifying undertones of a government overlord in a nuanced story, especially when it’s edging towards the cornerstone of rebellion.

[Rebecca R · Rating 4 out of 5]

2059, much of England is now underwater, there is not enough land to support a large population and so at 15 all children write an exam to determine whether they are allowed to stay or whether they are expelled into the dangerous Wetlands to almost-certain death. Noa is a 'norm' which mean she hasn't received the modification rich kids have that allows her to download information straight into her brain, and so she has to study twice as hard to keep up with the kids with nodes. The author creates a compelling dystopian world and it's a tense, gripping story.

[anareadlover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book a few days ago!! First I would say I don't normally read dystopian books but the story is intriguing and kept my interest.
Noa Blake, the protagonist, she was a normal teenage girl. Noa is facing her end of term examinations, she's studying as much as she can, because she doesn't want to fail it, but if she fails she'll be banished to the Wetlands, where resources are scarce and death is certain. The pressure is slowly building when the exam date is coming closer. Noa and her friends are struggling to survive in a world that becomes more and more insensitive.
I adore the characters and world.
Although this book read as though it would suit young teens, i still really enjoyed this.

[Siân · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the structure of this book quite confusing as there were no chapters, but i did get used to it by about the 100 page mark. I also felt the writing style was aimed at younger people, but it still explored some themes that were not so much.

[Beth Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://thebooksareeverywhere.com/201...

I have been provided with a copy of the book and payment by the author in exchange for an honest review. This has not changed my review in any way.

I started this book thinking it might take me a while to get into. Thinking it might be a little young and not something I'd usually read. But soon enough, I was picking this book up whenever I had a spare minute just to find out what was happening next.

Rather than this book being in chapters, it had a break every couple of pages and I loved that. It meant that I didn't have to committ myself to sitting down and finishing 20+ pages, and that I could literally read this book whenever. And that's one of the reasons I finished this one in under 2 days!

I also found the writing utterly captivating. Although this book read as though it would suit young teens, I still enjoyed it immensely. Because of this, the book was only 200 pages long and very easy to read, which I loved!

I adored the characters and world. The world had just enough relating to Earth as we know it to ensure I could picture everything clearly, but enough differences to make it stand completely on it's own as something unique. And this book is just that - unique.

Noa lives in a difficult, dangerous and terrifying world and I felt I could really relate to her feelings. Her thoughts shone through incredibly in the writing and I felt her emotions clearly. Noa isn't the only character I loved - this book actually has some really great side characters. I felt close to Noa's friends and family and I felt everything they went through right along with them.

Overall, The Territory is intense, emotional and unique. It left me with tears in my eyes, and now I'm absolutely hooked and can't wait to continue with the story! I would highly recommend this book for teens aged 12-16 and are readers of dystopia.

★★★★

-Beth

May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽

[Lindsey Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one - intelligent dystopia with a believable premise and likeable characters and an excellent quick read.

[Michael Mckenna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fantastic toilet book if you run out of toilet paper, sooo many spelling mistakes, zero chapters and a plot line so terrible its like speaking to that chatty friend that cant keep a story straight. Shame theres no such thing as minus stars.

[Ellie MH · Rating 1 out of 5]

The romance was awful and the plot was executed so badly and the whole way through it was giving "I'm trying to appeal to young people" and failing miserably.
I hated this book

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I've just order the other two in the trilogy.

[Eesher · Rating 4 out of 5]

(31/2)
Better than I thought it would be tbh.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book as dystopian novels have lost interest for me a little lately with so many being published in such a short space of time. However, I really liked the characters and the story was just dark and brutal enough to hold my interest throughout. I felt so sorry for Jack as he loves Noa so much and is desperate to do well and stay in the city. I thought Noa could have been a better friend to him when Raf comes onto the scene as she just starts to think of herself. Daisy was lovely and I was devastated by what happens to her. Noa's reaction to the news was so well written and vivid. The descriptions of the wetlands sounded horrendous and you really fear for Noa's cousin when her Aunt comes to her house seeking a place to stay, with the references to Anne Frank very poignant. You can absolutely see it from both sides as of course they want to look out for themselves if it means banishment. It was so shocking when Noa and Raf find out what has been going on at the lab where Noa's Mum works. It adds tension and drama to the story as her family life starts to fall apart and she realises that not everything is how it seems. I can't wait to read the next instalment to find out what happens to Noa, Jack and Raf...

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

I gave this book to one of my students (aged 12) as a reward, they read it in less than 24 hours and said they loved it! Their review is as follows

This book is about an average teenage girl and also the struggles she will face in modern society even though it is set in 2059. This is more a sci-fi book as it shows the power of robot brains. This book also has modern and historical links, such as having to have rations but still having things we have such as buses. This book will have me waiting for books 2 and 3. This book will also make you wonder what would happen if this happened to us and the quote 'limited space requires limited number' will surely be the tagline of a future box office hit. This book will leave you wanting more.

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After my student read this book I decided to give it a go myself. For me it doesn't have huge crossover appeal but I think kids would enjoy it and get some good messages out of it re:education etc.

[Hayalshamsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

1 star- idea
1 stars- actual prose
1 star- deeper meaning and the exam stress was portrayed so well, and I just had the SAT this June so RELEVANT!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Territory is first in a series of three books by Sarah Govett.

It is 2059 in the UK, most of the country is underwater so space is limited. Only the smartest get to stay dry. The rest are sent off to live in the wetlands where disease and crime are rife and survival is slim.

Noa Blake is preparing to take her exams. She is smart but that's because she studies extra hard and has the advantage of parents who can afford to send her to a good school. She is however still at a disadvantage. She is a norm. She doesn't have a node, a port in her neck that allows her to upload information straight to her brain. Noa has to study the old fashioned way. Will her hard work and determination be enough to keep her on dry land?

The story is told from Noa's perspective. I felt that the author captured the language of a 15 year old brilliantly. Teens do love their slang terms and there were plenty of those! I loved that Noa, like most 15 year olds, felt she was grown up, felt she was ready to take control of her own life and make her own decisions. As an outsider looking in we see Noa is still developing her sense of self, she is experiencing her first taste of love and trying to live as normally as she can in this harsh world, but most importantly, she still has so much to learn. Which is what makes this book so frightening... a 15 year old is not old enough to be sent away to live in such dangerous conditions, alone!!

I would have liked to get to know some of Noas friends a little better. Daisy is Noas best friend but I didn't feel a connection to her. Jack, Noas other best friend had a habit of punching walls or lashing out when things didn't go as planned which no one seemed to address until it was too late. But then again, why in a world where 15 years olds are coldy sent to die would someone be the slightest bit concerned about something as minor as anger issues and the reasons behind it? And then there's Raf, the mysterious new boy. He was my favourite of Noas friends. He was edgy and pushed the boundries but had a kind heart.

The story takes a few dark turns here and there, particularly on the subject of medical experimentation and basic human rights. Prioritisation means that medication is no longer available to the wetlands. How are new medicines tested? Certainly not on the intelligent Territory folk, that's for sure. While in the book the situation is more more severe than in real life it made me think of medicines in todays world. A persons postcode can determine how quickly they are treated. A persons bank balance can determine whether they get the best treatment available.. or not. And then there's the touchy subject of how the medicines are tested. If they are not tested on humans and animals, how will we ever know if they work but what about the humans and animals that are made to suffer so that we don't have to??

This book was one of my favourite YA reads of 2018. It was exciting, heartbreaking and thought provoking.

I can't wait to pick up books 2 and 3 to see what becomes of Noa and her friends.

Thank you to Sarah Govett for sending me this copy for review.

This review can also be found at https://unashamedbookhoarder.blogspot...

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book set in a dystopian future where sea levels have risen and dry land has decreased. The climate has also clearly changed and diseases such as Malaria have spread to Britain, and all other kinds of eco disasters are coming true. The eco-apocalypse, in short.

Noa Blake is just a normal 15 year old in 2059. Only normal is not good in this world. Children of the rich and powerful these days have nodes inserted into their heads where their brain meets their spine, and through these nodes they can instantly upload libraries of data into their brains.

The Territory is built on former high ground in Britain. The book is not specific where but perhaps the English Penines, rather than Scottish or Welsh Highlands. It does not really matter where though. What matters is that dry land ins limited and the population is too large, so all 15 year olds must go through an exam called the TAA and only those who pass can stay in the territory. The remainder are shipped off to "The Wetlands", a lawless dangerous area outside the safety of the territory where there is disease and a miserable subsistence existence waiting.

The book focuses on Noa and her norm friends, as well as the friction between them and the enhanced children, who are more or less guaranteed to pass their TAA.

This is a book that is about many things. It has love and loss, hope and despair, prejudice, bullying and a struggle against an authoritarian government.

In some ways the story failed to fully satisfy me. There were questions I had when it was all over, and I would have liked to have read more, but the story that is told is clearly the one the author intended, and ultimately it is a good one.

This is a first novel by this author, and published with the help of the Welsh Books Council. I think I picked it up at a book fair so maybe it is not widely known outside of Wales (which would explain why only I have a copy). Although not perfect, I thought the characterisation of Noa was very good, funny in parts, realistic in the main. her internal dialogue was a real strength of this book, and I would hope others might be interested enough to give it a go (and it is available for Kindle, so no need to worry about international orders).

[Isobel Ramsden · Rating 3 out of 5]

'The Territory' is a gripping dystopian novel that recently won the Trinity Schools Book Award. I particularly liked the witty, down-to-earth voice of the narrator, Noa. Set in the near future in a Britain that has been shrunk by flooding to a small parcel of land known as 'the Territory', the story is narrated by teenager, Noa - one of the few 'norms' left in a school full of 'freakoids' (people whose brains have been altered so they can 'upload' facts instead of having to learn them). Noa has to pass her TAA exams with at least 70% or be eliminated from the Territory and sent to an almost certain death in the Wetlands. For in this new Britain space is at a premium and only the most intelligent are allowed to survive. I found this book easy to get into as the dialogue and narrative voice are so engaging. The world-building was also credible and intriguing. However towards the end I found the narrative less convincing. There is a lot of Noa's inner voice in the first half of the book - her thoughts and feelings - but by the end she's just narrating the awful things that happen without revealing so much of her reactions to them. This made the narrative less convincing somehow - as if she reacted with more equanimity than she actually did. This is probably a minor quibble though.

[Camilla Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book…this book…I’ve gone back and forth between 3 and 4 stars.

It started strong because I was totally intrigued about the dark, dystopian future I was in. The world building was great and even though the actual geography was a bit vague, the society details and how we’d ended up there was scarily believable.


I loved the language used like malc and freakoid and fish. I loved the concept of the whole set up - dividing society because of the scarcity of resources.

I was less keen on the backtracking structure. The author often started a chapter with a statement of something that had already happened, then went back to explain.

The characters were a bit non I’m afraid - apart from Raff- and I kept wishing we were inside his head instead of Noa’s who was bland.

Lots of things happened but it didn’t seem to link to an overarching story rather more an explanation of the unfair world. I wanted an uprising- some kind of secret resistance that the characters get drawn into but instead it was all about the exams they had to pass to survive.

There were some really dark concepts but somehow it felt a little glossed over at times. Maybe the following books will get more into it.

Worth a read though. I did enjoy it!

[Rebecca Travers · Rating 3 out of 5]

The territory was a decent YA dystopia, but I had some issues wihh the way it was written. The beginning of the book hits you with a lot of slang terms early on, and because if the teen (slightly annoying) voice, these all blurred into one for me. But they were actually terms I needed to know about the hierarchy of society, as they were introduced so quickly and not always explained I didn't keep up.
Also without chapters it felt a little stream of consciousness-esque. Also because each section is read a little like a diary entry, the action has happened to the protagonist already and she's relaying events. This ruins a lot of the suspense around the middle section of the book, which is regained towards the end, as scenes are relayed to the reader after they've happened. This diary format would work well, if perhaps made a little more explicit. But, having said that, I've read the first book and the ending had me rooting for the protagonist so I will continue onto book 2.

[Shannen PotterwatchUK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book! Although, like most dystopian novels, it's a sort of familiar theming to it it's still brilliant!

I'm gutted with what happened to Daisy, although whatever direction they went in with her character she was always going to end up down a horrible path anyway.

I'm gutted about Jack but at the same time I feel like he needs to stop acting like such a cry baby all the time. Running off like that towards the end and then ending up in the wetlands for desertion anyway, all because his childhood sweetheart hasn't got the same feelings for him? Regardless of this I can't wait to see what happens with Noa and Raf and their search for Jack!

[Laura M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just read "The Territory" and I would say that this is one of the best and most gripping books I've read in a long time. I love that Noa's character is funny and sarcastic as well as very clever too. I will be sitting my exams next year so it's nice to see that Noa's hard work paid off instead of other rich parents buying their way to clever kids. The book had me gripped from the beginning and I ended up reading it all in one day. I would definitely recommend it to any teenager...or adult, as my Mum is now reading it too.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tense page-turner calls to mind ‘The Hunger Games’ - teens competing against one another for survival, a malevolent government, clear divisions along class lines, even a love triangle. The important distinction is that Noa Blake is always likeable as a protagonist. The author has given her such an authentic, honest voice. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of climate change and social class - important and interesting themes for teen literature, wrapped in a compelling and exciting story.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noa Blake is a normal 15 year old with the usual obsessions and language only understood by other 15 year olds. The difference is, it's 2059, polar caps have melted and there is little dry land on which to live. So, students aged 15 have to take a TAA (like SATS only worse). Those who fail are sent to the wetlands and will die. Wealthy students have 'nodes' implants, allowing knowledge to be uploaded directly to the brain. Really good young adult dystopian read; about control, really. And a warning about technology.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
this was fun! i didn't realise it was a series and if i can find it cheap, i'll read the sequel. definitely not high literature but i love a dystopian and i feel like it went quite deep for a YA. i do agree with some reviews that say the content is definitely aimed at older readers than the writing style, which feels more juvenile. there was one plot point that genuinely made my jaw drop - the author wasn't afraid to make some CHOICES. reminds me a little bit of the eve of man series even though the premise is completely different. a quick read and an interesting dystopian idea.

[Brittany Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick and easy read. There were a few bits in the beginning that had me thinking “oh no I’m not too sure now” but I quickly worked it about was able to get past it.

The book does read like a 15 year old is narrating it so it’s on point there-and you do find yourself holding a breath at the end. The story flowed very well and wasn’t broken at all. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

All in all a very good read!

[filipa]

Working for the past years in schools, I had the impression that this was really popular everywhere, but going on goodreads I see that it isn't? Anyway, had to read this for work, the plot was interesting and I was invested on what would happen and how it would end but I am not a fan of the writing or the main character. I think it's a little problematic to be portraying teenage girls into so many stereotypes but that's me.

[Angela Oatham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the story line of this book I was just a little put off by the constant use of teenage slang. I still have no idea what "malc" is. However the build up to the exam was tense and brilliant and the comment on the modern education system was very apt.
It was a thrilling read and I look forward to discovering exactly what goes on in the dreaded Wetlands in the sequel.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book!! While writing style may be an issue for some, do not let that put you off. I have all the feels for this book. The dystopian world is something that I feel is very realistic with climate warming and the rising sea levels. Picking up this book will not disappoint, I can not wait to read the next in the series.