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After the Snow #0.5
One Crow Alone
“They say it's going to get worse. That it's not going to end."
The snow won't stop falling in this dangerous-new-world.
The long, bitter winters are getting worse, and a state of emergency has been declared across Europe. In Poland, the villagers are subject to frequent power cuts and fuel shortages. After the death of her grandmother and the evacuation of her village, fifteen-year-old Magda joins forces with the arrogant, handsome Ivan and smuggles her way onto a truck bound for London - where she hopes to find her mother. But London, when they reach it, is a nightmarish world, far from welcoming. Riots are commonplace and the growing chaos is exploited by criminals and terrorists alike. Magda's mother is not to be found, and as the lost girl struggles to come to terms with her changing situation, she eventually becomes friends with a rag-tag group of travellers planning a new home and future. They will need all the cunning and know-how they possess as they realise that the frozen wilderness of Britain has become just as lawless as the as the city.
The snow won't stop falling in this dangerous-new-world.
The long, bitter winters are getting worse, and a state of emergency has been declared across Europe. In Poland, the villagers are subject to frequent power cuts and fuel shortages. After the death of her grandmother and the evacuation of her village, fifteen-year-old Magda joins forces with the arrogant, handsome Ivan and smuggles her way onto a truck bound for London - where she hopes to find her mother. But London, when they reach it, is a nightmarish world, far from welcoming. Riots are commonplace and the growing chaos is exploited by criminals and terrorists alike. Magda's mother is not to be found, and as the lost girl struggles to come to terms with her changing situation, she eventually becomes friends with a rag-tag group of travellers planning a new home and future. They will need all the cunning and know-how they possess as they realise that the frozen wilderness of Britain has become just as lawless as the as the city.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
7 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Crockett
3 books69 followersSophie D. Crockett was born in 1969. She graduated from London University’s Royal Holloway and Bedford New College with a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies.
On leaving university she travelled to Russia as a timber buyer in the Caucasus Mountains but after the birth of her son in 1996 she returned to the East Coast of Suffolk where she spent five years restoring a derelict Ancient Scheduled Monument - a Martello Tower on the mouth of the River Deben.
After moving to a smallholding in Tunstall Forest and with her son now at school, she started a business selling walnut gunstocks from Eastern Armenia.
Currently living in the beech forests of the Montagne Noir of Southern France, she still regularly travels to Armenia buying timber. Her experiences in far-flung places inform much of her writing.
SD Crockett is married to artist, Timothy Shepard, and has two children.
AFTER THE SNOW is her first novel.
On leaving university she travelled to Russia as a timber buyer in the Caucasus Mountains but after the birth of her son in 1996 she returned to the East Coast of Suffolk where she spent five years restoring a derelict Ancient Scheduled Monument - a Martello Tower on the mouth of the River Deben.
After moving to a smallholding in Tunstall Forest and with her son now at school, she started a business selling walnut gunstocks from Eastern Armenia.
Currently living in the beech forests of the Montagne Noir of Southern France, she still regularly travels to Armenia buying timber. Her experiences in far-flung places inform much of her writing.
SD Crockett is married to artist, Timothy Shepard, and has two children.
AFTER THE SNOW is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 14, 2019
It took me 70 pages to realize this was supposed to be set in the present day. I think this may be the least realistic book I've ever read?
A summary of my issues with it, in no particular order.
- What the fuck happened to cell phones? I know they exist in this world, because that was the mention that made me realize that this wasn't set in an alternate version of the 1930s or 1960s or something. And no, particularly cold winters and snowstorms do not affect cell coverage. I've had wonderful cell coverage in all of the coldest and worst winters I've experienced. And, for the record, cell phone coverage was at 91% in Poland in 2015 and I'm sure it's only gone up.
- Speaking of!!! I am not buying the idea of anyone living in such a remote village in modern day Poland!!! That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. I've been to Krakow. In fact, I've been all over Europe, and I have yet to see a village that is completely unconnected from technology and lives the same as they did in the early 1900s. I think we call that "being Amish."
- Obviously trains are still running, because they take a metro. 3000 zloty is nearly $800 at current conversion rates, you could very easily take trains across the continent for that sum.
- Listen. I'm super here for the idea of an endless winter, and how that impacts the world at large, because it's the mirror of our current climate issues and it reminds me of that one Twilight Zone episode. But none of these repercussions make any sense. How are they facing fuel shortages and not food shortages? Why has this led to the EU completely breaking down and flights being grounded? None of this weather sounds that extreme, to be quite frank. White out blizzards are common in many parts of the world, and the temperatures obviously aren't that cold based on the descriptions. Snow in September isn't that big a deal. Climate change is also a gradual process, and I don't understand how none of these characters had any idea this was happening until society had completely broken down.
Nothing about this book made any sense and it was infuriating. I usually like dystopia, but I need some degree of internal consistency, and this one was sorely lacking.
A summary of my issues with it, in no particular order.
- What the fuck happened to cell phones? I know they exist in this world, because that was the mention that made me realize that this wasn't set in an alternate version of the 1930s or 1960s or something. And no, particularly cold winters and snowstorms do not affect cell coverage. I've had wonderful cell coverage in all of the coldest and worst winters I've experienced. And, for the record, cell phone coverage was at 91% in Poland in 2015 and I'm sure it's only gone up.
- Speaking of!!! I am not buying the idea of anyone living in such a remote village in modern day Poland!!! That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. I've been to Krakow. In fact, I've been all over Europe, and I have yet to see a village that is completely unconnected from technology and lives the same as they did in the early 1900s. I think we call that "being Amish."
- Obviously trains are still running, because they take a metro. 3000 zloty is nearly $800 at current conversion rates, you could very easily take trains across the continent for that sum.
- Listen. I'm super here for the idea of an endless winter, and how that impacts the world at large, because it's the mirror of our current climate issues and it reminds me of that one Twilight Zone episode. But none of these repercussions make any sense. How are they facing fuel shortages and not food shortages? Why has this led to the EU completely breaking down and flights being grounded? None of this weather sounds that extreme, to be quite frank. White out blizzards are common in many parts of the world, and the temperatures obviously aren't that cold based on the descriptions. Snow in September isn't that big a deal. Climate change is also a gradual process, and I don't understand how none of these characters had any idea this was happening until society had completely broken down.
Nothing about this book made any sense and it was infuriating. I usually like dystopia, but I need some degree of internal consistency, and this one was sorely lacking.
May 7, 2019
Three stars from me means I did enjoy the read and wasn’t overwhelmed by any outstanding gripes with the story or the writing itself. I didn’t find the nature of this post-apocalyptic tale to be overly reminiscent of others, though originality was lacking as was a any sort of deeper explanation of just how they came to be in the world-wide predicament we found them in. I’d expected more layers to the groundwork after reading that this book is an afterthought; book .5 in the series and created as a means to fill in some blanks in book 1 (which I have not read).
While there are some unnecessary scenes that seem to drag on, as well as large gaps in time left untouched, there were moments where I got lost in the story telling in a positive respect. I cared about the characters and found myself pulling for them and a good outcome. That is an important aspect to me when reading. All too many times and in too many books,I may feel compelled to carry on but, without much concern for the lives of the cast. I can’t say for certain but, I think it may be important that I had no advance knowledge of where they story would eventually go, having not read previously written books in the series.
Overall, while it was evident this was a case of playing catch-up, I was content to carry on reading.
While there are some unnecessary scenes that seem to drag on, as well as large gaps in time left untouched, there were moments where I got lost in the story telling in a positive respect. I cared about the characters and found myself pulling for them and a good outcome. That is an important aspect to me when reading. All too many times and in too many books,I may feel compelled to carry on but, without much concern for the lives of the cast. I can’t say for certain but, I think it may be important that I had no advance knowledge of where they story would eventually go, having not read previously written books in the series.
Overall, while it was evident this was a case of playing catch-up, I was content to carry on reading.
February 19, 2013
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“A winter’s day has become a winter’s nightmare…”
Teenage Magda Krol is living in her quiet, Polish village until strange men arrive. She hides in her cellar, and upon emerging realises that they were not thieves, but people evacuating the village because of the harsh weather! She ventures across the frozen wasteland to the next village, in the hope of getting on the next evacuation truck, when she encounters Ukrainian boy Ivan. Together they smuggle themselves onto a truck bound for London, where they will search for Magda’s only remaining relative; her mother. But London is a whole lot worse than Poland…
*REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS *
I really loved S. D. Crockett’s first book, After The Snow, and I loved this one just as much. Although I expected the sequel (Well… technically this is a Prequel) to be about the further adventures of Willo and Mary- but it wasn’t. In fact, they only had three short chapters in total. The whole of the book was about a minor character, Magda (Willo’s step-mum), from ATS. It was unexpected, but great to delve into a story of a different character. It’s was really great to see how she accidentally fell into Willo’s future.
The character of Madga was great; she made for a really adventurous, determined protagonist! She was really love-able, and I was rooting for her, hoping that she would find her mother, all the way through the book. I also really liked Ivan, the love interest- although when he decided to run off and leave Magda alone my mind really changed about him. He was portrayed as quite caring, and always stuck by Magda’s side- so it kind of confused me as to why he left for no given reason. The way all of Willo’s family fell into the story at the end was absolutely brilliant, and quite unexpected, too!
As for the plot, it was great, and I really enjoyed the adventure and action. It was dark and scary, and all about hope, survival, and loss. There was even an essence of romance in there too! I was also given a much better insight into S. D. Crockett’s dystopic world, actually giving us the date in which it’s set (late 2030′s and onward!). Overall it’s a really great, thrilling read from an author I love. Highly recommended!
“A winter’s day has become a winter’s nightmare…”
Teenage Magda Krol is living in her quiet, Polish village until strange men arrive. She hides in her cellar, and upon emerging realises that they were not thieves, but people evacuating the village because of the harsh weather! She ventures across the frozen wasteland to the next village, in the hope of getting on the next evacuation truck, when she encounters Ukrainian boy Ivan. Together they smuggle themselves onto a truck bound for London, where they will search for Magda’s only remaining relative; her mother. But London is a whole lot worse than Poland…
*REVIEW MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS *
I really loved S. D. Crockett’s first book, After The Snow, and I loved this one just as much. Although I expected the sequel (Well… technically this is a Prequel) to be about the further adventures of Willo and Mary- but it wasn’t. In fact, they only had three short chapters in total. The whole of the book was about a minor character, Magda (Willo’s step-mum), from ATS. It was unexpected, but great to delve into a story of a different character. It’s was really great to see how she accidentally fell into Willo’s future.
The character of Madga was great; she made for a really adventurous, determined protagonist! She was really love-able, and I was rooting for her, hoping that she would find her mother, all the way through the book. I also really liked Ivan, the love interest- although when he decided to run off and leave Magda alone my mind really changed about him. He was portrayed as quite caring, and always stuck by Magda’s side- so it kind of confused me as to why he left for no given reason. The way all of Willo’s family fell into the story at the end was absolutely brilliant, and quite unexpected, too!
As for the plot, it was great, and I really enjoyed the adventure and action. It was dark and scary, and all about hope, survival, and loss. There was even an essence of romance in there too! I was also given a much better insight into S. D. Crockett’s dystopic world, actually giving us the date in which it’s set (late 2030′s and onward!). Overall it’s a really great, thrilling read from an author I love. Highly recommended!
Want to read
October 13, 2012Really looking forward to how this series progresses. It was a real rollercoaster ride reading After the Snow.
December 9, 2018
Veľmi som sa na knižku tešila, sľubovala akčnú dystopiu z pohľadu šestnásťročného dievčaťa. Začala sľubne, ničnetušiacim dňom počas tuhej zimy, kedy bola Magda zrazu na všetko sama. Pokračovalo to zaujímavo, stretla chlapca. No počas celého diela som čakala na niečo, čo ma ozaj dostane, čo bohužiaľ neprišlo.
Všetky problémy (zápletky), čo autorka načala - svetová kríza, hľadanie matky, rozpadajúca sa krajina - všetko sa stalo iba putovaním za ničím. Akoby zrazu autorka nevedela, čo ďalej, vyriešila to veľmi plocho a zasa sa neúspešne ďalej posunula na ďalšiu tému.
Dielo obsahuje veľa zaujímavých myšlienok, ktoré som si zapísala, predovšetkým rieši medziľudské vzťahy počas ťažkých časov, no nikdy nevniká do hĺbky čohokoľvek a deju tak pridáva na nezáživnosti a nezmyselnosti.
Knižka ku mne neprehovorila, ale rozhodla som sa ju dočítať. Bolo zaujímavé naraziť zasa na niečo iné v tomto žánri, no predsa len sa vrátim k tomu, čo poznám.
Čítali ste niekdo After The Snow, čo autorka napísala skôr? How was that?
Všetky problémy (zápletky), čo autorka načala - svetová kríza, hľadanie matky, rozpadajúca sa krajina - všetko sa stalo iba putovaním za ničím. Akoby zrazu autorka nevedela, čo ďalej, vyriešila to veľmi plocho a zasa sa neúspešne ďalej posunula na ďalšiu tému.
Dielo obsahuje veľa zaujímavých myšlienok, ktoré som si zapísala, predovšetkým rieši medziľudské vzťahy počas ťažkých časov, no nikdy nevniká do hĺbky čohokoľvek a deju tak pridáva na nezáživnosti a nezmyselnosti.
Knižka ku mne neprehovorila, ale rozhodla som sa ju dočítať. Bolo zaujímavé naraziť zasa na niečo iné v tomto žánri, no predsa len sa vrátim k tomu, čo poznám.
Čítali ste niekdo After The Snow, čo autorka napísala skôr? How was that?
February 12, 2017
Bought this because it had "crow" in the title and I haven't been disappointed. Not sure what the Crow is supposed to represent in the story but this prequel to "After the Snow" is a touching story about young Magda in the run up to what appears to be a next ice age or something. It makes me want to read "After the Snow".
May 15, 2018
The style of the writing in this series is hard to read for me. I think a 16 year old would be a lot more life savvy than Magda was, no matter how rural a setting nor what time period she was in. With that said, I tell stories, and I recognize the difference in how a tale being told sounds from a written story that one reads. The story is good. The delivery is awkward.
October 13, 2018
I couldn't quite reconcile the fact that 'winter is long' with all of the anarchy and social breakdown, but the story was good. I liked the characters, especially as technology (like greenhouses) and such would be available to extend the growing season... I don't know. I guess I was overthinking. If you don't overthink, it's a good book.
June 25, 2024
This is another book that I wanted to like more than I did. It was a good book to read on a hot day since the world seemed to be stuck in a Snowmaggedon. I shivered with Magda as she tried to get to England only to find out her mother had returned to Poland. I found the English slang quite incomprehensible. Maybe that's for the best.
August 16, 2024
This is another book that I wanted to like more than I did. It was a good book to read on a hot day since the world seemed to be stuck in a Snowmaggedon. I shivered with Magda as she tried to get to England only to find out her mother had returned to Poland. I found the English slang quite incomprehensible. Maybe that's for the best.
November 7, 2017
I enjoyed this book because of the many adventures and challenges Magda went through. I recommend this book for anyone who likes thrills. There were many surprises and twists to this story and it was hard to put the book down because I wanted to know what happened next.
December 31, 2020
I love that this filled in the blanks from After the Snow. It was a great addition to After the Snow and made for a beautiful story. I did enjoy this book a lot more, mainly because it was easier to read than in the 1st person tone of Willo.
I would definitely recommend this set!
I would definitely recommend this set!
June 29, 2017
Now this is a love story that's up my alley. Full of adventure. One of my favorite (and only) love stories that I've read.
December 6, 2018
The writing style was a little askew, but I liked the story well enough to not mind.
May 28, 2020
Easy reading. Didn't want to stop.
July 16, 2020
ok this was wayyy too bleak & depressing even for me. especially since i read after the snow first. i liked the first book more.
September 30, 2020
I didn't like the ending and some parts of the book didn't make any sense.
April 7, 2022
ivan can suck deez nuts for leaving magda
March 21, 2024
2,5 ✨️
May 9, 2014
I was sent this from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
When I was sent this book I thought it looked really interesting. It wasn't something that I would normally read but I was looking forward to it.
'One Crow Alone' is about a girl called Magda a Polish girl who discovers that her village has been abandoned, with the country in a state of emergency because of the weather and no family left, she decides to make the journey to London to find her mother who is working there. Along the way she meets a boy who tags along for the journey.
When I began reading the book I realised that this is the prequel of 'After the Snow'. I had not read this so read 'One Crow Alone' in isolation. Sometimes I think that it is better to read a prequel first as you have no preconceived ideas about the characters.
'One Crow Alone' I felt was a little out of my comfort zone, I don't normally read dystopian novels or stories set in different worlds. I feel that this book crossed over into this genre, I struggled with this concept personally as I kept trying to make sense of things. At points I felt the story had been set in the past but then there were comments that made it seem as if it was in the future, such as electric cars..
I loved Magda as a character, I felt that she was very real, I felt like I was with her in her head and really felt for her. Her character was well developed, the only negative I would say about Magda is that at times I felt she could be naive, saying this she was sixteen and many sixteen year olds can be naive at times. Being an older reader, however it was a little frustrating as you could see things that were going to happen and you just wanted to shout at her, such as the man with the car...
Personally I struggled a little with the concept of this book as I think it was out of my comfort zone, saying this I think it was cleverly written and looking back I understand why the author structured the book in this way. I also realised once finishing that I had enjoyed the book more than I originally thought, it has stayed with me a long time after I had finished the book.
While reading the book the descriptions of the setting and emotions were beautiful, I found that it is a very descriptive and vivid book. You felt like you were in the room with Magda, or hiding in the cupboard with Alice.
After reading 'One Crow Alone' I would be interested in reading 'After the Snow' and think if you have not read 'After the Snow' I would encourage you to read this one first.
I would recommend this as a good cultural novel, it covers the struggle for some migrants to relocate, highlights to teenagers that we are not all as lucky, some of us have to work very hard in order to make something of our lives and teaches you to be grateful for what you have got.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this to review.
When I was sent this book I thought it looked really interesting. It wasn't something that I would normally read but I was looking forward to it.
'One Crow Alone' is about a girl called Magda a Polish girl who discovers that her village has been abandoned, with the country in a state of emergency because of the weather and no family left, she decides to make the journey to London to find her mother who is working there. Along the way she meets a boy who tags along for the journey.
When I began reading the book I realised that this is the prequel of 'After the Snow'. I had not read this so read 'One Crow Alone' in isolation. Sometimes I think that it is better to read a prequel first as you have no preconceived ideas about the characters.
'One Crow Alone' I felt was a little out of my comfort zone, I don't normally read dystopian novels or stories set in different worlds. I feel that this book crossed over into this genre, I struggled with this concept personally as I kept trying to make sense of things. At points I felt the story had been set in the past but then there were comments that made it seem as if it was in the future, such as electric cars..
I loved Magda as a character, I felt that she was very real, I felt like I was with her in her head and really felt for her. Her character was well developed, the only negative I would say about Magda is that at times I felt she could be naive, saying this she was sixteen and many sixteen year olds can be naive at times. Being an older reader, however it was a little frustrating as you could see things that were going to happen and you just wanted to shout at her, such as the man with the car...
Personally I struggled a little with the concept of this book as I think it was out of my comfort zone, saying this I think it was cleverly written and looking back I understand why the author structured the book in this way. I also realised once finishing that I had enjoyed the book more than I originally thought, it has stayed with me a long time after I had finished the book.
While reading the book the descriptions of the setting and emotions were beautiful, I found that it is a very descriptive and vivid book. You felt like you were in the room with Magda, or hiding in the cupboard with Alice.
After reading 'One Crow Alone' I would be interested in reading 'After the Snow' and think if you have not read 'After the Snow' I would encourage you to read this one first.
I would recommend this as a good cultural novel, it covers the struggle for some migrants to relocate, highlights to teenagers that we are not all as lucky, some of us have to work very hard in order to make something of our lives and teaches you to be grateful for what you have got.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me this to review.
August 1, 2017
Okay, so this one's about Europe right before an ice age. It's winter and cold and snow, and people are not getting food and so on. And it's about a girl trying to find her mom, and find a place to call her home after her grandma dies and the rest of the village is hoarded off to "someplace better" for the winter. She goes from Poland to London with this guy she meets because her mother was last known to work in London.
The absolutely worst about this novel is the bad language. It's like reading an entire book in Eastern European English. Short short sentences that doesn't really work. I'm from Norway, so English is only my second language, and maybe I'm wrong here? But the language really felt staccato and plain bad. The other thing that felt off for me is "the first snow comes already in October". Uhm, yeah? It always does here in Norway. We're not starving or dying. In this book snow this early means the end of the world is near. Did they mistake the first snow of the year with the first snowfall that will lay and stay? Two very different things! Okay, so it's about Poland and England, not Norway. Still feels exaggerated.
The story isn't all that bad. And I liked the parts about crows in between chapters.
The absolutely worst about this novel is the bad language. It's like reading an entire book in Eastern European English. Short short sentences that doesn't really work. I'm from Norway, so English is only my second language, and maybe I'm wrong here? But the language really felt staccato and plain bad. The other thing that felt off for me is "the first snow comes already in October". Uhm, yeah? It always does here in Norway. We're not starving or dying. In this book snow this early means the end of the world is near. Did they mistake the first snow of the year with the first snowfall that will lay and stay? Two very different things! Okay, so it's about Poland and England, not Norway. Still feels exaggerated.
The story isn't all that bad. And I liked the parts about crows in between chapters.
February 18, 2014
I brought home 'After the Snow' and 'One Crow Alone' from the library and decided to read the prequel first. I am so glad I did.
They are totally different books and I disliked 'After the Snow' so much I couldn't read all of it.
'One Crow Alone' has its own distinct style that reminds me of poetry, folk lore, wise-woman knowledge, and an adventure book all rolled into one. Even though it is supposed to be in the future it could very well have been set in the past. They live out in the country where the Polish grandmother has a basement full of potatoes and pickled mushrooms. Only one neighbor in the village has a radio. Magda's English isn't written with a Polish accent so the writing is fluid between the description of what is happening, the things she says and the thoughts she has.
The whole poetry part about the crow I didn't get at all. But the sayings of her grandmother that Magda holds in her heart and listens to in her mind, help us to understand Magda's reasoning when she makes various choices in a world that is rapidly changing. She is a bit of an innocent and I loved her sweetness. She needs Ivan to help her on her journey because he is street wise and she is anything but. When he tracks her down you really get the feeling that things will not end well. He makes fun of the fact that she shouts out for God to have mercy when she feels threatened. Times are uncertain and it may be the mercy of God that sees her through the hard times to come. Ivan is not quite as reliable.
They are totally different books and I disliked 'After the Snow' so much I couldn't read all of it.
'One Crow Alone' has its own distinct style that reminds me of poetry, folk lore, wise-woman knowledge, and an adventure book all rolled into one. Even though it is supposed to be in the future it could very well have been set in the past. They live out in the country where the Polish grandmother has a basement full of potatoes and pickled mushrooms. Only one neighbor in the village has a radio. Magda's English isn't written with a Polish accent so the writing is fluid between the description of what is happening, the things she says and the thoughts she has.
The whole poetry part about the crow I didn't get at all. But the sayings of her grandmother that Magda holds in her heart and listens to in her mind, help us to understand Magda's reasoning when she makes various choices in a world that is rapidly changing. She is a bit of an innocent and I loved her sweetness. She needs Ivan to help her on her journey because he is street wise and she is anything but. When he tracks her down you really get the feeling that things will not end well. He makes fun of the fact that she shouts out for God to have mercy when she feels threatened. Times are uncertain and it may be the mercy of God that sees her through the hard times to come. Ivan is not quite as reliable.
December 26, 2014
Fans of After the Snow are sure to like this one, its prequel, which follows Willo's stepmother Magda Krol, as she journeys from Poland to London to Wales. After her grandmother's death, Magda misses the government evacuation of her village, and ends up leaving her home in order to find her mother. She and Ivan, a boy from the Ukraine, join forces, and set off across the countryside in search of food, shelter, and safety. The many encounters they have with untrustworthy individuals leave them unprepared for the kindness of Anwen and Bran, an elderly couple that takes them in. Magda, who is pregnant but doesn't tell Ivan, becomes content with their lives on the farm while Ivan grows discontent and wants to leave. While the cities are filled with violence and marauders, violence comes to the farm too after one of the slaughter men notes how well the family is doing. While some readers may find the beginning of the story a bit slow, it picks up quickly and then never really slows down. It's clear that the snows are coming earlier and earlier, and that there are strict governmental controls on everything even while lawlessness rules the land. The scenes of horror that are described near the novel's conclusion show just how far some men will go to get what others have and they want. In reading this one and After the Snow it's hard not to wonder if this may well be our own world's future.
October 4, 2014
In one crow alone by S.D Crockett,the storyline is somewhat complex.Basically the main protagnist named Magda who is left stranded in the village she lived in she meets someone else named Ivan she accompanies him to find her mother and find family.She has to overcome many obstacles that she encounters.I never read the first book(After the snow).But my theory of the theme is that.Although life may get difficult there is always a way out you must stay strong.As to prove this theory of the theme is that one of Magdas loved ones.She is hit with this obsatcle and overcomes it.In the 10 page it states that.The book one crow alone the story line is somewhat complex but is still atention-drawing, the protagist is flooded with obstacles and paths that she must take.What is very memorable about this story there is plot twist or a cliffhanger and draws you in with its descriptive colorful words.Although this was a fast read is very worth the time because it brings your imagination alive.
January 28, 2015
A companion book to After the Snow, One Crow Alone follows the story of Magda, a Polish girl who lives with her grandmother. When her grandmother dies she is left behind in an evacuation caused by a national state of emergency declared after global weather patterns shift to cause very difficult winters. Magda makes her way to England in search of her mother but failing to find her she eventually makes it to a safe place where, presumably, she lives many years until the events of After the Snow. Throughout the book, she is helped by Ivan, a Ukrainian boy who has made it on his own for some time.
The book was written in an engaging manner and interspersed passages connect the symbolism of the crow in the title with Magda and her experiences. I was a bit turned off by some of the minor characters' language use. I also had not read Before the Snow before, and though I had no problems following Magda's story, I think I would have gotten more out of it if I had the context from it.
The book was written in an engaging manner and interspersed passages connect the symbolism of the crow in the title with Magda and her experiences. I was a bit turned off by some of the minor characters' language use. I also had not read Before the Snow before, and though I had no problems following Magda's story, I think I would have gotten more out of it if I had the context from it.
March 10, 2014
One Crow Alone is an incredible story about a girl who must overcome the impossible. Magda’s narration is so different from the typical YA post-apocalyptic story. She is facing certain death every day of her life, all by herself, but she is so strong. Magda is practical and focused. She does what she must to survive, to keep living, despite the threat of freezing to death, of never finding her mother, or losing her grandmother. I have so much respect for Magda, and her strength in the face of insurmountable challenges kept me turning the pages until the very end.
I would highly recommend One Crow Alone to fans of The Book Thief, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and Not a Drop to Drink. It would also make a great book for a class assignment, or for those looking for something a little different than the typical YA dystopia.
I would highly recommend One Crow Alone to fans of The Book Thief, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and Not a Drop to Drink. It would also make a great book for a class assignment, or for those looking for something a little different than the typical YA dystopia.
July 5, 2014
I...was so confuseddd....I obviously hasn't read after snow...maybe that might have helped me understand the book a bit more. I liked magda, interesting character. Ivan....just depressed me...his actions were sort of unexpected. I think that s.d Crockett could've developed parts a bit more...like what was going on with the world at the time. Or what Ivan went to go and do. The last bit too...what happens to the ponies? And callum's mum?
Oh gosh...I feel like hazel in tfios :'(
Oh gosh...I feel like hazel in tfios :'(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2013
This is a prequel to the fantastic After the Snow. I liked this and was engaged with Magda’s story, but I liked After the Snow better. One Crow alone didn’t have the same experimental language of After the Snow and felt more like a traditional dystopian novel. That said, I really do like this author and will keep reading the series.
September 23, 2013
I have not read After the Snow, so I had no expectations for One Crow Alone. This is the story of Magda, a Polish girl who is working her way to London to find her mother after the snows come and her village is abandoned. Along her journey she meets a boy (of course) named Ivan who vows to help her get to London. A complex story about hope and loss.
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