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The Rules
A gripping thriller from WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE-SHORTLISTED Tracy Darnton, author of THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES.
Amber's an expert when it comes to staying hidden – she's been trained her whole life for it. But what happens when the person you're hiding from taught you everything you know?
When a letter from her dad arrives, Amber knows she's got to move – and fast. He's managed to find her and she knows he'll stop at nothing to draw her back into the extreme survivalist way of life he believes in.
All of a sudden the Rules she's spent so long trying to escape are the ones keeping her safe. But for how long?
Praise for THE TRUTH ABOUT 'Thought-provoking and crisply written' – Guardian
Perfect for fans of Karen McManus, E. Lockhart and A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER.
Amber's an expert when it comes to staying hidden – she's been trained her whole life for it. But what happens when the person you're hiding from taught you everything you know?
When a letter from her dad arrives, Amber knows she's got to move – and fast. He's managed to find her and she knows he'll stop at nothing to draw her back into the extreme survivalist way of life he believes in.
All of a sudden the Rules she's spent so long trying to escape are the ones keeping her safe. But for how long?
Praise for THE TRUTH ABOUT 'Thought-provoking and crisply written' – Guardian
Perfect for fans of Karen McManus, E. Lockhart and A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
13 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Darnton
7 books27 followersTracy Darnton is a writer for young adults who loves writing thought-provoking, intelligent thrillers.
A former solicitor, she has an MA in Writing for Young People. She enjoys discussing books with YA reading groups or appearing on panels. She teaches creative writing.
She loves board games, puzzles and escape rooms. Bookshops are her happy place.
Tracy lives in the countryside near Bath where she dreams up her killer endings.
Ready or Not
May 2022
The Truth About Lies - reprinted with new cover in 2023
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
World Book Night title 2020
'Thought-provoking and crisply written'
Guardian
The Rules
'Heart-thuddingly nervy thriller' The Financial Times
'This tense, taut novel is chillingly believable' The Irish Times
'Tense, suspenseful and explosive, Darnton's electrifying novel is a page-turner of the highest order.' Waterstones
A former solicitor, she has an MA in Writing for Young People. She enjoys discussing books with YA reading groups or appearing on panels. She teaches creative writing.
She loves board games, puzzles and escape rooms. Bookshops are her happy place.
Tracy lives in the countryside near Bath where she dreams up her killer endings.
Ready or Not
May 2022
The Truth About Lies - reprinted with new cover in 2023
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
World Book Night title 2020
'Thought-provoking and crisply written'
Guardian
The Rules
'Heart-thuddingly nervy thriller' The Financial Times
'This tense, taut novel is chillingly believable' The Irish Times
'Tense, suspenseful and explosive, Darnton's electrifying novel is a page-turner of the highest order.' Waterstones
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 3, 2020
I was kindly sent a physical ARC of The Rules for review by the publishers!
3.5 stars!
This is a UKYA Thriller novel and we follow Amber, who has escaped from her Dad who is controlling and abusive towards her. While on the run, she has to stay hidden away from the majority of the outside world while her Dad tries to track her down and force back to his extreme ways of living. It was quite fast-paced and told in a diary-ish format. I was scared at times and also was reading this kind of storyline during a pandemic a good idea or not?? I'm not sure about that. Overall, it was OK however I struggled to connect with the characters well throughout. Imagery and world-building were good. I would say it is a good thriller introduction to anyone new to the genre!
3.5 stars!
This is a UKYA Thriller novel and we follow Amber, who has escaped from her Dad who is controlling and abusive towards her. While on the run, she has to stay hidden away from the majority of the outside world while her Dad tries to track her down and force back to his extreme ways of living. It was quite fast-paced and told in a diary-ish format. I was scared at times and also was reading this kind of storyline during a pandemic a good idea or not?? I'm not sure about that. Overall, it was OK however I struggled to connect with the characters well throughout. Imagery and world-building were good. I would say it is a good thriller introduction to anyone new to the genre!
April 4, 2020
Not sure whether reading this during a global pandemic was the best or worst idea but either way, it was an intriguing read!
TW: domestic abuse, fatphobic comments, ableist language, emotional and physical parental abuse
TW: domestic abuse, fatphobic comments, ableist language, emotional and physical parental abuse
May 10, 2020
Thank you so much to Stripes Publishing for sending me a copy of The Rules, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review!
Amber has finally started to fit in somewhere, when a letter arrives from her father. The father she never wanted to see again. The father who she knows will stop at nothing to track her down. Alone again and on the run, she knows how to survive – her father taught her how to survive, because he’s a prepper, and Amber always had to live by The Rules. The only problem is, her father knows the rules too, he created them after all.
The Rules was a fast paced and engaging book that had me reading late into the night. The father’s fanaticism was utterly terrifying to me – especially knowing there are actually people in the world who live this way. Seeing the toll it took on his wife and daughter, who were much more likely to be in danger from him than any perceived worldwide threat, made this a scary book indeed.
As the story follows Amber, she reluctantly allows the charismatic and optimistic wanderer, Josh, to tag along. Josh was by far my favourite character. His happy go lucky attitude, that masked his own rough path, was just as interesting as Amber’s story. With some relevant nods to recent world events – such a toilet paper hoarding and conspiracy theories – and an explosive conclusion, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend picking this one up!
Amber has finally started to fit in somewhere, when a letter arrives from her father. The father she never wanted to see again. The father who she knows will stop at nothing to track her down. Alone again and on the run, she knows how to survive – her father taught her how to survive, because he’s a prepper, and Amber always had to live by The Rules. The only problem is, her father knows the rules too, he created them after all.
The Rules was a fast paced and engaging book that had me reading late into the night. The father’s fanaticism was utterly terrifying to me – especially knowing there are actually people in the world who live this way. Seeing the toll it took on his wife and daughter, who were much more likely to be in danger from him than any perceived worldwide threat, made this a scary book indeed.
As the story follows Amber, she reluctantly allows the charismatic and optimistic wanderer, Josh, to tag along. Josh was by far my favourite character. His happy go lucky attitude, that masked his own rough path, was just as interesting as Amber’s story. With some relevant nods to recent world events – such a toilet paper hoarding and conspiracy theories – and an explosive conclusion, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend picking this one up!
January 28, 2023
It’s a shame this book is so unheard of. I read it ages ago, rented it from a library because I wanted to feel nostalgic, and I thought it was really good.
The plot was pretty exciting, the main character was well written, it wasn’t overloaded with pointless, cringeworthy romance (there was a bit although for YA standards of romance in a book that doesn’t fall under the category of romance it wasn’t painful. I would say that the small snippets of romance from what I can remember were palatable).
It had serious themes and was depressing, but not to a suffocating degree. I also really liked how it was structured : the chapters alternated between the present and the past, and the past chapters all discussed one of “the rules.” Usually I don’t really like it when books do something like this, but I think this chapter structure was used really effectively here.
All in all, it was a really enjoyable read. Would recommended.
The plot was pretty exciting, the main character was well written, it wasn’t overloaded with pointless, cringeworthy romance (there was a bit although for YA standards of romance in a book that doesn’t fall under the category of romance it wasn’t painful. I would say that the small snippets of romance from what I can remember were palatable).
It had serious themes and was depressing, but not to a suffocating degree. I also really liked how it was structured : the chapters alternated between the present and the past, and the past chapters all discussed one of “the rules.” Usually I don’t really like it when books do something like this, but I think this chapter structure was used really effectively here.
All in all, it was a really enjoyable read. Would recommended.
June 30, 2020
This book is well written and has a fast pace , it’s told in both past and present expressing sensitive topics like obsession
It tells a story of Amber , a girl who’s been raised to be a survival by following a set of rules set by her father and always be prepared for the worst runs away from home to live a new life..
2 years later she’s on the run again when she receives a letter from her dad , she knows her surviving techniques but how can she hide from him when “𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺“
This book is definitely a 5 star for me and I will always recommend it to others
My most favorite character is josh because he’s really quick witted and always managed to stay cheerful even in the hardest times
And he is definitely the reasons for most of my laugh
It tells a story of Amber , a girl who’s been raised to be a survival by following a set of rules set by her father and always be prepared for the worst runs away from home to live a new life..
2 years later she’s on the run again when she receives a letter from her dad , she knows her surviving techniques but how can she hide from him when “𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺“
This book is definitely a 5 star for me and I will always recommend it to others
My most favorite character is josh because he’s really quick witted and always managed to stay cheerful even in the hardest times
And he is definitely the reasons for most of my laugh
May 10, 2023
I enjoyed this quick paced ya thriller! I seen a few things coming but was also surprised by a lot. Definitely worth the read
January 16, 2021
Well damn.
May 6, 2020
“What tips someone from the rational to the irrational?” (p. 234)
Amber knows how to survive. She’s 17 and is trained to outwit and outlast anything and everything. But the one who taught her everything is the same person she has to run away from.
“Who was the monster? Me or him?” (p. 278)
The Rules piqued my interest because of its premise. I’ve never read a book about preppers, the people who prepare for the absolute worst, for the ending of the world. And boy did this book deliver!
We’re introduced to Amber, a 17-year-old, kind of your typical teenager. During the first chapters of the book you come to realize that Amber isn’t your typical teen with the typical teen problems. She’s been trained by her father to be a prepper, to be ready for anything.
Amber loves school, loves the normalcy of her days. She’s been in and out of foster families, but is now settled in a school, she even has a friend. Well, sort of. Her days are predictable, and she likes that. But everything is turned upside down when she gets a letter from her father, the only person she doesn’t want in her life. So she utilizes her training and goes into hiding. And then the SHTF.
There are more people to this story than just Amber and her father, but in the end they are the only ones that matter.
“There is no one else.” (p. 271)
I read this book almost at one go. It’s captivating and fast-paced, and well written. It hits home with the situation we’re in right now, with the mentions of toilet paper hoarding, killer flu and even Greta Thunberg.
There are quite a list of trigger warnings for this one, including domestic violence, emotional abuse, shooting, fatphobic commenting, and so on. So keep those in mind and read with care.
Amber knows how to survive. She’s 17 and is trained to outwit and outlast anything and everything. But the one who taught her everything is the same person she has to run away from.
“Who was the monster? Me or him?” (p. 278)
The Rules piqued my interest because of its premise. I’ve never read a book about preppers, the people who prepare for the absolute worst, for the ending of the world. And boy did this book deliver!
We’re introduced to Amber, a 17-year-old, kind of your typical teenager. During the first chapters of the book you come to realize that Amber isn’t your typical teen with the typical teen problems. She’s been trained by her father to be a prepper, to be ready for anything.
Amber loves school, loves the normalcy of her days. She’s been in and out of foster families, but is now settled in a school, she even has a friend. Well, sort of. Her days are predictable, and she likes that. But everything is turned upside down when she gets a letter from her father, the only person she doesn’t want in her life. So she utilizes her training and goes into hiding. And then the SHTF.
There are more people to this story than just Amber and her father, but in the end they are the only ones that matter.
“There is no one else.” (p. 271)
I read this book almost at one go. It’s captivating and fast-paced, and well written. It hits home with the situation we’re in right now, with the mentions of toilet paper hoarding, killer flu and even Greta Thunberg.
There are quite a list of trigger warnings for this one, including domestic violence, emotional abuse, shooting, fatphobic commenting, and so on. So keep those in mind and read with care.
May 10, 2020
Amber has, for as long as she remembers, been prepared by her father to expect the unexpected. As a survivalist he insisted on teaching her how to prepare for the worst. Her key rule was to ensure she followed his rules.
We’re not sure what happened, but we see Amber is in foster care. She is in the UK, and we learn her mother has died. A letter from Amber’s father has arrived from America and it immediately puts Amber on alert. She realises she will have to leave.
We follow Amber on her journey to try and learn more about her father’s plans. She doesn’t trust him, and journeys to familiar places in her attempt to learn what she needs.
For someone who is meant to be so well-trained she seems to make some silly mistakes. She places her trust in another person who used to be in foster care with her, and this results in some crazy decisions being made. Before too long, Amber’s father catches up with her and we start to glimpse for ourselves the extent to which one man’s delusions can impact on the lives of those around him.
Throughout the story I got a sense that things weren’t quite what we thought. Amber made some strange decisions, and the details of her past indicated there may be more to the story that she was telling us.
When we get to the rather explosive finale it seems to justify what Amber had told us, but it also suggested that perhaps Amber was better prepared than she wanted to let on!
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this, and I’m curious to see how this goes down (particularly in light of recent events that may have led people to question the extent to which they are reliant on others).
We’re not sure what happened, but we see Amber is in foster care. She is in the UK, and we learn her mother has died. A letter from Amber’s father has arrived from America and it immediately puts Amber on alert. She realises she will have to leave.
We follow Amber on her journey to try and learn more about her father’s plans. She doesn’t trust him, and journeys to familiar places in her attempt to learn what she needs.
For someone who is meant to be so well-trained she seems to make some silly mistakes. She places her trust in another person who used to be in foster care with her, and this results in some crazy decisions being made. Before too long, Amber’s father catches up with her and we start to glimpse for ourselves the extent to which one man’s delusions can impact on the lives of those around him.
Throughout the story I got a sense that things weren’t quite what we thought. Amber made some strange decisions, and the details of her past indicated there may be more to the story that she was telling us.
When we get to the rather explosive finale it seems to justify what Amber had told us, but it also suggested that perhaps Amber was better prepared than she wanted to let on!
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this, and I’m curious to see how this goes down (particularly in light of recent events that may have led people to question the extent to which they are reliant on others).
June 26, 2020
Amber is on the run. After her mother died, she was put in foster care, bouncing from family to family, until she was placed in a boarding school. Her social worker is excited to tell her they've finally found her father, but Amber knows this means she has to leave. Her father is a survivalist, preparing for the end of the world, and Amber knows how dangerous he is. Following the rules he set, she goes into hiding.
This was so good, maybe not the best book to read during a pandemic, but if you want a distraction from our worldwide catastrophe with a book about survivalists then this is the one for you. We follow Amber in the past and present, as she recalls the rules her father taught her, and the ones he still lives by. I enjoyed the tension and the build up. I didn't necessarily like Amber but i don't think she was meant to be a likeable character, and it's obvious why she acts the way she does. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and would 100% recommend it.
This was so good, maybe not the best book to read during a pandemic, but if you want a distraction from our worldwide catastrophe with a book about survivalists then this is the one for you. We follow Amber in the past and present, as she recalls the rules her father taught her, and the ones he still lives by. I enjoyed the tension and the build up. I didn't necessarily like Amber but i don't think she was meant to be a likeable character, and it's obvious why she acts the way she does. I was pleasantly surprised by this book and would 100% recommend it.
April 5, 2024
3.25 stars. I actually quite enjoyed this book. I'm going to wait a couple days b4 writing the review bc I need to know what I'm going to rate it. This book is so difficult to rate. I'm not rlly sure what to say. I quite enjoyed the book but the actual plot only started in the last 70 pages. Okay so this is what happens. While reading, you already know what's going to happen. The first 200 pages is just a build up to something we already know will happen. It was really boring reading conversation back and forth knowing what would eventually happen. In short - it was guessable and had a lot of ramble. It was going to be quite a low rating book but then there was the ending. It wasn't that the ending was a plot twist but rather it was "out of the box". The ending was very unique and I started noticing little hints that was left throughout the book. I guess that's why I gave it a higher rating. It wasn't the worst book but it defo wasn't the best! I think the author could've made the book better by giving more plot throughout the story and not making the ending so guessable. I know that this is a children's book and it is made for developing minds and anything too confusing would be a pain but from a teen's perspective, these are my thoughts.
July 12, 2020
A heart-gripping story that had me turning page after page. It's fast-paced, suspenseful and the characters are well rounded. The protagonist, Amber, is smart, quirky and determined to put as much distance as she can between her and her troubled father. The storyline alternates between the present and flashbacks from Ambers past. She had a traumatic upbringing, growing up under her dad's strict rules (he is a prepper). But one good thing he thought her is how to survive the worst and those skills come in handy when she was is on the run. This book was definitely a rollercoaster, with twists and turns, angst and thrilling moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. I am looking forward to reading more books by Tracy Darnton.
September 16, 2020
At that point where I've read a few underwhelming and meh books in a row that I'm questioning myself. This is the third book in as many days that I've finished and decided to give 2 stars to...is it me or is it the books?! Whenever this happens I get into a bit of a funk/slump.
Anyway, The Rules is an absolutely ok book. It's nothing special, it's nothing awful, it's just fine. I was expecting the ~secrets~ alluded to throughout the book to be something more, even more content in the secret(s). There was unnecessary fat-shaming that added nothing to the story and just made the main character seem like an awful person so why should I want to care about her? She's bland and boring, and brought no life to the story. I liked Josh for the most part, and found the ending mostly satisfying.
Anyway, The Rules is an absolutely ok book. It's nothing special, it's nothing awful, it's just fine. I was expecting the ~secrets~ alluded to throughout the book to be something more, even more content in the secret(s). There was unnecessary fat-shaming that added nothing to the story and just made the main character seem like an awful person so why should I want to care about her? She's bland and boring, and brought no life to the story. I liked Josh for the most part, and found the ending mostly satisfying.
July 11, 2020
Thank you to @stripesbooks for my #gifted copy of The Rules.
Amber is running from her father. Her father has been preparing amber to fight, trap & survive her entire life....now the only thing she needs to survive is him.
What a fab YA thriller this is!! Lovely relationship between her and Josh. That kept the book nice & light. There’s some mild language but nothing a 13+ couldn’t handle. It’s got lots of suspense and a few twists. Nice short chapters and lovely chatty writing style. I think younger readers will really enjoy this!
Amber is running from her father. Her father has been preparing amber to fight, trap & survive her entire life....now the only thing she needs to survive is him.
What a fab YA thriller this is!! Lovely relationship between her and Josh. That kept the book nice & light. There’s some mild language but nothing a 13+ couldn’t handle. It’s got lots of suspense and a few twists. Nice short chapters and lovely chatty writing style. I think younger readers will really enjoy this!
June 15, 2021
Rating: 3.5
I admit to being a bit torn about this one. It was very readable (I read the whole thing in just over a day), but I wouldn't say that it was well written. The characters were interesting, but not overly surprising, and some of the plot twists at the end weren't all that twisty, either. Still though, this is an easy and suspenseful read. Fans of mystery and suspense should get a kick out of it!
I admit to being a bit torn about this one. It was very readable (I read the whole thing in just over a day), but I wouldn't say that it was well written. The characters were interesting, but not overly surprising, and some of the plot twists at the end weren't all that twisty, either. Still though, this is an easy and suspenseful read. Fans of mystery and suspense should get a kick out of it!
August 26, 2023
Loved the ending really threw me for a twist, read it twice and damn it was fantastic
I definitely recommend reading this book
Amber's character is fantastic and I love seeing her life and how she deals with it in the end (I won't spoil it go read it)
I definitely recommend reading this book
Amber's character is fantastic and I love seeing her life and how she deals with it in the end (I won't spoil it go read it)
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Want to read
November 1, 2024🍓Pre-read:
I found this in a charity shop and I don’t know why I haven’t seen anyone talking about it bc it looks so cool! Looking forward to reading this oneeventually
I found this in a charity shop and I don’t know why I haven’t seen anyone talking about it bc it looks so cool! Looking forward to reading this one
June 29, 2024
Intriguing premise, I really enjoyed the structure of how it was set up.
Satisfying ending.
Overall, it warmed my heart (literally).
Satisfying ending.
Overall, it warmed my heart (literally).
January 19, 2025
dnf. it was good at the start then lost interest.
November 29, 2025
Great ending
July 18, 2020
I thought The Rules was an exciting thriller that teenagers would absolutely love. Amber is a great character – not particularly nice to her social worker or Josh (the boy she meets while she is on the run) but she has been through a lot and has learnt not to rely on other people. As we get filled in on Amber’s back story, we hear about how her dad got more and more extreme with his survivalist way of life, treating Amber and her mum terribly, until Amber’s mum ended up in a psychiatric unit.
I’m sure there are people like Amber’s dad around, who store food and try and live off grid so as to survive any disasters. Reading this in the middle of a pandemic (one of the disasters he is guarding against) was a little unnerving!
The pacing of the story was good and while the book is aimed at younger teenagers, I felt it dealt with issues like abuse well. I liked the fact that the book didn’t shy away from the things that happened to Amber, and I felt it was just as thrilling as many adult books I have read. I was never entirely sure what would happen next and I liked the fact it didn’t feel safe. I will be definitely be recommending it to the teenagers in my life!
I’m sure there are people like Amber’s dad around, who store food and try and live off grid so as to survive any disasters. Reading this in the middle of a pandemic (one of the disasters he is guarding against) was a little unnerving!
The pacing of the story was good and while the book is aimed at younger teenagers, I felt it dealt with issues like abuse well. I liked the fact that the book didn’t shy away from the things that happened to Amber, and I felt it was just as thrilling as many adult books I have read. I was never entirely sure what would happen next and I liked the fact it didn’t feel safe. I will be definitely be recommending it to the teenagers in my life!
July 4, 2020
ʀᴜʟᴇ: ᴛʀᴜꜱᴛ ɴᴏ ᴏɴᴇ.
Amber is one of life's survivors, she is literally prepared for anything, her Dad has made sure of that. He set The Rules. The Rules Amber follows.
But how does someone stay one step ahead of the person who taught them everything they know?
Amber's Dad is a controlling and abusive Father and also an obsessive prepper. (someone who actively prepares for emergencies) He is looking for her, whilst she is trying to get as far away from him as possible. But what happens when her past catches up with her and the survivalist lifestyle her father follows goes too far?
Reading this at the time of a global pandemic was interesting! This story was gripping and different from any other I've read before. The author feeds the reader with small amounts of information whilst flicking between past and present which really helped to build the tension and allow you to see exactly why Amber was afraid of her Father. The explosive ending was a real highlight, showing Amber as a dedicated "Rule" follower right up until the end!
Amber is one of life's survivors, she is literally prepared for anything, her Dad has made sure of that. He set The Rules. The Rules Amber follows.
But how does someone stay one step ahead of the person who taught them everything they know?
Amber's Dad is a controlling and abusive Father and also an obsessive prepper. (someone who actively prepares for emergencies) He is looking for her, whilst she is trying to get as far away from him as possible. But what happens when her past catches up with her and the survivalist lifestyle her father follows goes too far?
Reading this at the time of a global pandemic was interesting! This story was gripping and different from any other I've read before. The author feeds the reader with small amounts of information whilst flicking between past and present which really helped to build the tension and allow you to see exactly why Amber was afraid of her Father. The explosive ending was a real highlight, showing Amber as a dedicated "Rule" follower right up until the end!
June 4, 2020
Page turning, gripiing, visceral thriller. Yep, all those boxes are ticked here. As are the aspects of a great YA book that make one stand out. Voice. Realistice dialaogue. Plenty of sass and 'tude, and convincing relationships between the younger characters and then their interactions with the older folk and the outside world.
All great. Tick, tick, tick. But there are of aspects of the book beyond these must haves, that significantly make it stand out; that make it tuly original and compelling.
All stories need an antagonist, a 'monster'. And those monsters need to be both believable and truly monstrous. What if that monster is your own father?
Secondly, is the narrator truly reliable? There's grit in the oyster of Amber, she isn't always likeable, but she IS relatable, and oh, boy, do we get to see why she is how she is..
Thirdly, The Rules. These are the rules of survival, taught to Amber by her father. They give the book structure, and the events context. I'll say no more about that other than They Are Important! So pay attention. The pace and action build to a brilliant ending.
If you loved The Truth about Lies (TD's previous, Waterstones prize shortlisted book) and/or thrillers, you'll love it.
All great. Tick, tick, tick. But there are of aspects of the book beyond these must haves, that significantly make it stand out; that make it tuly original and compelling.
All stories need an antagonist, a 'monster'. And those monsters need to be both believable and truly monstrous. What if that monster is your own father?
Secondly, is the narrator truly reliable? There's grit in the oyster of Amber, she isn't always likeable, but she IS relatable, and oh, boy, do we get to see why she is how she is..
Thirdly, The Rules. These are the rules of survival, taught to Amber by her father. They give the book structure, and the events context. I'll say no more about that other than They Are Important! So pay attention. The pace and action build to a brilliant ending.
If you loved The Truth about Lies (TD's previous, Waterstones prize shortlisted book) and/or thrillers, you'll love it.
August 17, 2020
When Amber lived with her Dad her life was dictated by his self-imposed strict 'prepper' rules, but she left that life behind....or so she thought. Having survived the care system and happily living at boarding school Amber's life is flipped on it's axis when her support worker says they have received a letter from her Father.
Unable to understand how he has managed to track her down and fearing for her life, Amber knows she has to draw upon every trick she knows to evade her Father. The only problem being that he knows all the rules too; he created them.
Putting into action the plan which she has long hoped not to have to use Amber leaves the comfort and security she has come to rely on, heading out alone. Along the way she meets a face from the past, drifter Josh, who somehow bags himself a seat on her personal journey. But will she be able to outrun her ruthless fanatical Father? or will her past manage to catch up with her?
The synopsis of this book was intriguing as whilst I've never read anything about 'prepper' culture it's something that has always piqued my interest. It doesn't give much away and to be honest that's an ongoing theme throughout the story which slowly drip feeds snippets along the way to create the whole picture at it's conclusion.
The story is set over only 22 days in the run up to Christmas with each chapter alternating between the present and the past, interspersing chapters focusing on The Rules and what they mean to Amber's Dad. The writing is atmospheric which add's to the mystery and air of tension throughout, keeping me turning the pages to discover what would happen next.
Josh's character was by far my favourite as he often brought some much needed 'light relief' from what is a book laced with some heavy topics. Despite his own traumatic past his never ending 'Tigger-like' optimism was a wonderful addition to this story and certainly something that Amber needed - even though I know she didn't always see it that way!
I felt the execution of this extreme glimpse into the world of 'preppers' was fantastic, offering the perfect balance of intrigue, mystery and action. The final chapter was simply amazing and threw me off balance significantly with a twist I didn't see coming; not something that happens very often!
The Rules was a fabulous and unexpected read that had me gripped. I'd highly recommend this to thriller fans, although please do be aware of the trigger warnings mentioned in the front of the book and also noted below if this is a book you'd like to read. It's the first book by Tracy Darnton I have read and I will certainly be checking out her previous book The Truth About Lies as well as eagerly anticipating any future releases.
**TRIGGER WARNING: REFERENCES TO & INSTANCES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE & VIOLENCE, PSTD & PANIC ATTACKS
Unable to understand how he has managed to track her down and fearing for her life, Amber knows she has to draw upon every trick she knows to evade her Father. The only problem being that he knows all the rules too; he created them.
Putting into action the plan which she has long hoped not to have to use Amber leaves the comfort and security she has come to rely on, heading out alone. Along the way she meets a face from the past, drifter Josh, who somehow bags himself a seat on her personal journey. But will she be able to outrun her ruthless fanatical Father? or will her past manage to catch up with her?
The synopsis of this book was intriguing as whilst I've never read anything about 'prepper' culture it's something that has always piqued my interest. It doesn't give much away and to be honest that's an ongoing theme throughout the story which slowly drip feeds snippets along the way to create the whole picture at it's conclusion.
The story is set over only 22 days in the run up to Christmas with each chapter alternating between the present and the past, interspersing chapters focusing on The Rules and what they mean to Amber's Dad. The writing is atmospheric which add's to the mystery and air of tension throughout, keeping me turning the pages to discover what would happen next.
Josh's character was by far my favourite as he often brought some much needed 'light relief' from what is a book laced with some heavy topics. Despite his own traumatic past his never ending 'Tigger-like' optimism was a wonderful addition to this story and certainly something that Amber needed - even though I know she didn't always see it that way!
I felt the execution of this extreme glimpse into the world of 'preppers' was fantastic, offering the perfect balance of intrigue, mystery and action. The final chapter was simply amazing and threw me off balance significantly with a twist I didn't see coming; not something that happens very often!
The Rules was a fabulous and unexpected read that had me gripped. I'd highly recommend this to thriller fans, although please do be aware of the trigger warnings mentioned in the front of the book and also noted below if this is a book you'd like to read. It's the first book by Tracy Darnton I have read and I will certainly be checking out her previous book The Truth About Lies as well as eagerly anticipating any future releases.
**TRIGGER WARNING: REFERENCES TO & INSTANCES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE & VIOLENCE, PSTD & PANIC ATTACKS
June 26, 2020
Oh boy, I was not prepared to read this book during a global pandemic, but here we are.
‘The Rules’ by Tracy Darnton is a fast-paced thriller detailing the life of Amber, a teen who is trying to outrun her ‘prepper’ father by following the survivalist rules he has taught her to live by.
The book opens with Amber, a seemingly normal (if a little cynical) teenage girl. She’s out bowling with her social worker. We learn that her mother has died, meaning that Amber has been placed in the social care system. The tone quickly shifts from one of mild annoyance (from Amber) to a rising panic that lasts the entire book until the explosive ending. What has caused this panic? Amber’s social carer has tracked down her father and given Amber a deceivingly sweet letter from him. From the moment she receives the letter, the survival instincts that her father, a self-confessed ‘survivalist’, ingrained in her kick start and she flees the life she was beginning to feel comfortable and safe in. First stop is an older foster home of hers, ‘The Haven’, where she meets Josh, a happy-go-lucky teen with baggage of his own, who tags along for the ride. Amber knows that it’s only a matter of time before her father catches up with her, and that anxiety-inducing threat looms over Amber and the reader throughout the novel.
I thought this book was very cleverly written with nods to the current climate (Greta Thunberg and hoarding toilet roll) and the way it brings the reader along for the dizzying ride. I found myself on many occasions in a pool of panic-stricken sweat, with my heart hammering in my chest. However, this book was also quite difficult to read at times when realising the extent of abuse Amber had suffered, and the rules that governed her life - rules that her father had created. Ultimately, he created the rules for this cat and mouse chase and seems to have an unfair advantage, but we find out that Amber isn’t as behind as the author would have you think.
Initially, I didn’t really like the character of Amber (I’m a teacher and seem to have less and less patience and time for teenage angst and attitude) and this made it difficult to get stuck into for the first few chapters, but it soon becomes clear why she is the way that she is. And, if I’m being honest, during this current pandemic she has given me a lot to think about…
All in all, this was a fast-paced, thrilling read that will leave you thinking about the characters beyond the last page.
‘The Rules’ by Tracy Darnton is a fast-paced thriller detailing the life of Amber, a teen who is trying to outrun her ‘prepper’ father by following the survivalist rules he has taught her to live by.
The book opens with Amber, a seemingly normal (if a little cynical) teenage girl. She’s out bowling with her social worker. We learn that her mother has died, meaning that Amber has been placed in the social care system. The tone quickly shifts from one of mild annoyance (from Amber) to a rising panic that lasts the entire book until the explosive ending. What has caused this panic? Amber’s social carer has tracked down her father and given Amber a deceivingly sweet letter from him. From the moment she receives the letter, the survival instincts that her father, a self-confessed ‘survivalist’, ingrained in her kick start and she flees the life she was beginning to feel comfortable and safe in. First stop is an older foster home of hers, ‘The Haven’, where she meets Josh, a happy-go-lucky teen with baggage of his own, who tags along for the ride. Amber knows that it’s only a matter of time before her father catches up with her, and that anxiety-inducing threat looms over Amber and the reader throughout the novel.
I thought this book was very cleverly written with nods to the current climate (Greta Thunberg and hoarding toilet roll) and the way it brings the reader along for the dizzying ride. I found myself on many occasions in a pool of panic-stricken sweat, with my heart hammering in my chest. However, this book was also quite difficult to read at times when realising the extent of abuse Amber had suffered, and the rules that governed her life - rules that her father had created. Ultimately, he created the rules for this cat and mouse chase and seems to have an unfair advantage, but we find out that Amber isn’t as behind as the author would have you think.
Initially, I didn’t really like the character of Amber (I’m a teacher and seem to have less and less patience and time for teenage angst and attitude) and this made it difficult to get stuck into for the first few chapters, but it soon becomes clear why she is the way that she is. And, if I’m being honest, during this current pandemic she has given me a lot to think about…
All in all, this was a fast-paced, thrilling read that will leave you thinking about the characters beyond the last page.
May 23, 2020
What a time to read about preparing for a lockdown – whilst in a lockdown because of a global virus pandemic! However, Amber’s case is different in that her Dad became more and more obsessed with the Government, and indeed the whole world, watching and controlling his life and was determined to avoid that. He, however, took this to the extreme and it became a one-man cult. He was a ‘Prepper’, someone prepared to be cut off from society by being self-sufficient, not just in providing food and energy for the family, but also in skills aimed at surviving outdoors if necessary, or indoors under lockdown.
We learn this early on, and that Amber has managed to escape his clutches, only to experience the death of her Mother and being left alone in the world. The authorities have no option but to contact her Father, unaware of his extreme views and lifestyle. Unaware, because Amber has never talked about it, still under her Father’s influence of never trusting or talking to anyone. So when she knows her Father is on his way to be reunited with her, Amber leaves her happy place – the school where she felt safe, taking her Grab-and-go bag in which she always has packed rations, change of clothes, survival tent, shovel, matches and cooking gear.
Amber heads for a holiday cottage where she spent some time with a foster family whilst her Mum was in hospital. She knows she can stay there for a while before carrying out the rest of her plan, the details of which she doesn’t reveal. However, what is not in the plan is being joined in the holiday home by another foster child – Josh, who seems the complete opposite of Amber – happy-go-lucky, taking advantage of anyone who offers to help, and some who don’t. Josh is much more talkative and open than Amber and we soon learn that his life hasn’t been plain sailing. But they don’t see eye to eye and after an argument soon split.
Keeping to The Rules her Dad made, Amber tries to carry out the remainder of her plan. Unfortunately, if The Rules were made by her Dad, he also knows them and their paths once more cross.
Amber and Josh have a different outlook on life but end up working together. Their relationship didn’t turn into a romantic one which was refreshing.
This book is fast paced and powerful, taking quite a few surprising twists and keeping the reader on their toes.
We learn this early on, and that Amber has managed to escape his clutches, only to experience the death of her Mother and being left alone in the world. The authorities have no option but to contact her Father, unaware of his extreme views and lifestyle. Unaware, because Amber has never talked about it, still under her Father’s influence of never trusting or talking to anyone. So when she knows her Father is on his way to be reunited with her, Amber leaves her happy place – the school where she felt safe, taking her Grab-and-go bag in which she always has packed rations, change of clothes, survival tent, shovel, matches and cooking gear.
Amber heads for a holiday cottage where she spent some time with a foster family whilst her Mum was in hospital. She knows she can stay there for a while before carrying out the rest of her plan, the details of which she doesn’t reveal. However, what is not in the plan is being joined in the holiday home by another foster child – Josh, who seems the complete opposite of Amber – happy-go-lucky, taking advantage of anyone who offers to help, and some who don’t. Josh is much more talkative and open than Amber and we soon learn that his life hasn’t been plain sailing. But they don’t see eye to eye and after an argument soon split.
Keeping to The Rules her Dad made, Amber tries to carry out the remainder of her plan. Unfortunately, if The Rules were made by her Dad, he also knows them and their paths once more cross.
Amber and Josh have a different outlook on life but end up working together. Their relationship didn’t turn into a romantic one which was refreshing.
This book is fast paced and powerful, taking quite a few surprising twists and keeping the reader on their toes.
April 27, 2020
*Actual Rating 3.5/5*
** I was gifted this book by the publisher but not obligated to review**
I have never read a book that explores the idea of 'Preppers' and 'Prepper life' before. The Rules* was a first for me. To preface a 'Prepper' is someone who believes that there is going to be an event that ends civilisation as we know it, anything from an alien invasion or huge volcanic explosion. They plan for this in stockpiling essentials, having a self-sufficient home and quite frequently seem to be wary of outside authority.
The story's protagonist Amber is on the run from her Dad, a prepper. Her life with him was abysmal, constantly under his thumb and stuck following his Rules. Everything has its place, checks every week, tests the lot. Including being locked in a dark cave with no light. She managed to get away from him but now it seems he has an idea of where she is. Now she has to leave her life at her new school and the friends she's made.
Whilst I really enjoyed this book I was left feeling a little wanting. The end, whilst clever completely negated the arc that Amber appeared to go on. Was it all a ruse? Probably. Was it clever? Yep. But it made me dislike her as a character which after growing to like her felt a little deflating. I understand why the book ended the way it ended. I was more upset with how she viewed her 'friend' in the end. A witness. Nothing more. My copy of this book is 192 pages long and when I checked it's stats on Goodreads it said on publication it was due to be over 300. So I'm not sure if there have been changes or not on the plot front. It also felt very YA, which isn't a bad thing. I imagine six years ago I wouldn't have felt this but now being nearly twenty-four it's something you notice.
I loved Josh. I found him charming and funny, the lightness this novel certainly needed. He was surprisingly helpful and was necessary for Amber's journey. Not just in the sense of he had skills but the book wouldn't have been the same with Amber alone. That being said I thought the plot, up until the end was excellently paced. I like how it moved, what caused changes and the twists that occurred.
Simply, I wish that the ending had been different.
I regularly review at www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
** I was gifted this book by the publisher but not obligated to review**
I have never read a book that explores the idea of 'Preppers' and 'Prepper life' before. The Rules* was a first for me. To preface a 'Prepper' is someone who believes that there is going to be an event that ends civilisation as we know it, anything from an alien invasion or huge volcanic explosion. They plan for this in stockpiling essentials, having a self-sufficient home and quite frequently seem to be wary of outside authority.
The story's protagonist Amber is on the run from her Dad, a prepper. Her life with him was abysmal, constantly under his thumb and stuck following his Rules. Everything has its place, checks every week, tests the lot. Including being locked in a dark cave with no light. She managed to get away from him but now it seems he has an idea of where she is. Now she has to leave her life at her new school and the friends she's made.
Whilst I really enjoyed this book I was left feeling a little wanting. The end, whilst clever completely negated the arc that Amber appeared to go on. Was it all a ruse? Probably. Was it clever? Yep. But it made me dislike her as a character which after growing to like her felt a little deflating. I understand why the book ended the way it ended. I was more upset with how she viewed her 'friend' in the end. A witness. Nothing more. My copy of this book is 192 pages long and when I checked it's stats on Goodreads it said on publication it was due to be over 300. So I'm not sure if there have been changes or not on the plot front. It also felt very YA, which isn't a bad thing. I imagine six years ago I wouldn't have felt this but now being nearly twenty-four it's something you notice.
I loved Josh. I found him charming and funny, the lightness this novel certainly needed. He was surprisingly helpful and was necessary for Amber's journey. Not just in the sense of he had skills but the book wouldn't have been the same with Amber alone. That being said I thought the plot, up until the end was excellently paced. I like how it moved, what caused changes and the twists that occurred.
Simply, I wish that the ending had been different.
I regularly review at www.a-novel-idea.co.uk
July 12, 2020
Rating: 2.5 stars
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/20...
Thanks to Stripes Publishing for the review copy of this book, it hasn't affected my honest review.
This book was coasting at a steady 2.5 stars for me for most of it, to be honest, but for some reason I just couldn't put it down. I bumped it up to a 3 stars on Goodreads for the ending though, which I really liked. I liked the premise of the book and I've always enjoyed books with a split timeline, in this case split between the current timeline where Amber is on the run from her father and the past where she is trying to escape him. It kept me reading, because there were little hints dropped throughout of stress-tests and Amber's other secrets, and I was keen to find out exactly how they unravelled. I wasn't totally blown away by the secrets that were revealed. I guess I kind of expected something more intense or for it to be covered in a more detailed memory section, but that might be my own preference for dark and horrible books showing through!
The plot was interesting, with Amber's estranged father finally finding her after she'd run away to safety with her mother, a well-intended but ultimately unhelpful attempt by local foster services to reconnect them - with no idea of the truth about her father. I actually really enjoyed the 'prepper' aspects of this book, because I love watching tv shows about preppers and while I'm not an expert it felt like Tracy Darnton put in the research on this book. It was also easy to see how Amber's father fell from regular prepper to a little too far. It was especially on the nose in the current climate!
I think my only real issue was a problem with connecting to the characters. I liked Amber just fine, but felt like she was constantly going against her own rules and thought processes. For someone who 'trusts no one', she sure did trust a lot of people! And Josh was kind of, the worst? He tricked her into going to see the father she was running away from. Which like, don't do that? But I concede that it probably would have been much less interesting if Amber had been sprinting around completely alone in the Brecon Beacons for the entire book or something. And I'm glad that it wasn't a romance between Amber and Josh. The ending was excellent, and the kind of resolution I was hoping for for Amber, with twists that I didn't predict. So overall, a shaky three stars for a fairly quick read.
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/20...
Thanks to Stripes Publishing for the review copy of this book, it hasn't affected my honest review.
This book was coasting at a steady 2.5 stars for me for most of it, to be honest, but for some reason I just couldn't put it down. I bumped it up to a 3 stars on Goodreads for the ending though, which I really liked. I liked the premise of the book and I've always enjoyed books with a split timeline, in this case split between the current timeline where Amber is on the run from her father and the past where she is trying to escape him. It kept me reading, because there were little hints dropped throughout of stress-tests and Amber's other secrets, and I was keen to find out exactly how they unravelled. I wasn't totally blown away by the secrets that were revealed. I guess I kind of expected something more intense or for it to be covered in a more detailed memory section, but that might be my own preference for dark and horrible books showing through!
The plot was interesting, with Amber's estranged father finally finding her after she'd run away to safety with her mother, a well-intended but ultimately unhelpful attempt by local foster services to reconnect them - with no idea of the truth about her father. I actually really enjoyed the 'prepper' aspects of this book, because I love watching tv shows about preppers and while I'm not an expert it felt like Tracy Darnton put in the research on this book. It was also easy to see how Amber's father fell from regular prepper to a little too far. It was especially on the nose in the current climate!
I think my only real issue was a problem with connecting to the characters. I liked Amber just fine, but felt like she was constantly going against her own rules and thought processes. For someone who 'trusts no one', she sure did trust a lot of people! And Josh was kind of, the worst? He tricked her into going to see the father she was running away from. Which like, don't do that? But I concede that it probably would have been much less interesting if Amber had been sprinting around completely alone in the Brecon Beacons for the entire book or something. And I'm glad that it wasn't a romance between Amber and Josh. The ending was excellent, and the kind of resolution I was hoping for for Amber, with twists that I didn't predict. So overall, a shaky three stars for a fairly quick read.
December 24, 2021
The Rules by Tracy Darnton is a what I would deem a thriller novel, minus the spine-chilling thrill. The book follows Amber Fitzpatrick, starting when she receives a letter from her abusive father. She leaves her boarding school, and finds shelter at the vacation home of one of her past foster parents. She meets Josh, another foster kid who also stayed with these foster parents at the same time as Amber. She introduces him to the 'prepper' way of life that her father implanted in her mind. We are constantly introduces to 'the Rules'. They are obviously a set of rules that Amber's dad made her follow so that she was always prepared for any sort of crisis, that being alien invasions, civil unrest, or an outright apocalypse. The rules are kind of presented as mantra's, because they are repeated every other chapter, and Amber repeats them to herself. Amber is aware that her fathers lifestyle is harmful, because it is what drove her mother into a hospital (on her fathers account) and then lead her mother to committing suicide. I like the Handmaid's Tale reference of page 144, when Amber thinks that the first piece of clothing her mother should sew is a Gilead uniform. It's connecting back to the first part of the book, when Amber mentions a hardback copy of the Handmaid's Tale. And Amber's mother is treated badly by her father, treated like a stereotypical 1950's housewife, or a Handmaid or a Martha (in the Gilead). I did pause reading the Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood to read this, knowing it would be a quick read. I'm glad that I know a little bit about that book so that I was able to connect the two pieces of literature. The plot was quite slow, dragging bits of information and story that didn't really feel necessary, such as when Josh was almost mugged and Amber had to beat up the "bullies". I liked the plot, and I found it to be original. The writing was a little too modern for my taste, and a little bit too casual. If the writing had been done a little more ornate, I might've appreciated the text a bit more. But the story is what sucked me in.
July 18, 2020
trigger warning: domestic abuse and violence, PTSD, panic attacks
The protagonist is Amber and she's 17. She's been trained by her father, who is a prepper, to be always ready for the worst. After what happened to her mother, she ends up in different foster care homes and continues to hide from her father. Just when she thought she's finally found her happy place, a letter from her father arrives. She is left with no choice but to leave. She uses all the things she has learned, follow "the rules", and goes into hiding. But how can she outwit the same person who has trained her and created those rules she's been following her whole life?
This was a very suprising read for me. It's fast-paced and very gripping. The story is told in alternating timelines but in a pretty clever way. It added enough tension in the story. The entire book is set during Christmas season and it definitely gave me some holiday vibes. I personally liked Amber. She's a true fighter and her mistakes just made her character more realistic. Josh was also a delightful character to read. He's the complete opposite of Amber. He's funny and I like his attitude. They argued a lot but still ended up helping each other. I was also very thankful that their relationship didn't turn into a romantic one. It would be a deal-breaker for me if it had. It's possible for two people of opposite sex to be just good friends.
I didn't know about preppers until I read this book. I even checked online if these people exist in real life and they do. I think there's nothing wrong with being prepared but I hope they're not as extreme as Amber's father because he's terrifying af! I was not sure what to expect towards the end but it did not disappoint! The build up towards the ending and the ending itself were brilliant! I highly recommend this book if you love YA thrillers.
I received an advance copy of this book from Little Tiger. This did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
The protagonist is Amber and she's 17. She's been trained by her father, who is a prepper, to be always ready for the worst. After what happened to her mother, she ends up in different foster care homes and continues to hide from her father. Just when she thought she's finally found her happy place, a letter from her father arrives. She is left with no choice but to leave. She uses all the things she has learned, follow "the rules", and goes into hiding. But how can she outwit the same person who has trained her and created those rules she's been following her whole life?
This was a very suprising read for me. It's fast-paced and very gripping. The story is told in alternating timelines but in a pretty clever way. It added enough tension in the story. The entire book is set during Christmas season and it definitely gave me some holiday vibes. I personally liked Amber. She's a true fighter and her mistakes just made her character more realistic. Josh was also a delightful character to read. He's the complete opposite of Amber. He's funny and I like his attitude. They argued a lot but still ended up helping each other. I was also very thankful that their relationship didn't turn into a romantic one. It would be a deal-breaker for me if it had. It's possible for two people of opposite sex to be just good friends.
I didn't know about preppers until I read this book. I even checked online if these people exist in real life and they do. I think there's nothing wrong with being prepared but I hope they're not as extreme as Amber's father because he's terrifying af! I was not sure what to expect towards the end but it did not disappoint! The build up towards the ending and the ending itself were brilliant! I highly recommend this book if you love YA thrillers.
I received an advance copy of this book from Little Tiger. This did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
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