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Calm
In this enthralling dystopian YA thriller where emotions become weapons, the fight for humanity's true essence takes centre stage.
In a near-future Britain, society’s calm facade conceals a sinister the state maintains its control by meddling with the nation's water supply. The result? A population lulled into apathy. Lulled, apart from a courageous few known as the Resistors.
New Resistors, Owyn, a young black man, and Tiegan, a young white woman, are pulled into a fierce quest for freedom. Their individual journeys are spurred on by the promise of an organized Resistance. As their paths converge, they ignite a chain of events that will shake the foundations of Britain’s oppressive regime. One thing is the price of freedom is higher than they ever imagined.
In a near-future Britain, society’s calm facade conceals a sinister the state maintains its control by meddling with the nation's water supply. The result? A population lulled into apathy. Lulled, apart from a courageous few known as the Resistors.
New Resistors, Owyn, a young black man, and Tiegan, a young white woman, are pulled into a fierce quest for freedom. Their individual journeys are spurred on by the promise of an organized Resistance. As their paths converge, they ignite a chain of events that will shake the foundations of Britain’s oppressive regime. One thing is the price of freedom is higher than they ever imagined.
- GenresDystopiaYoung Adult
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2024
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29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 13, 2024
Calm by S.J. Baker
3/5 stars
Calm is a dystopian young adult novel. When I read the premise of the book I was instantly drawn to it. And just needed to read it straight away.
It's about a near-future Britain where the government puts something in the water supply that suppresses your emotions and feelings. They call it the Great Calm.
But a growing part of the population becomes naturally resistant to the drug and they start to feel again. They are called the Resistors. And people that purposely don't drink the water are called Abstainers. And both groups are ruthlessly hunted by the government.
Owyn Caldwell has started to feel feelings for about a month now. His teacher Miss Kennedy calls him out and sends him away. But right before he walks out of the classroom she presses a piece of paper in his hand that says: Leave now. If you stay, you'll be lost. And he heeds that advice and runs.
Meanwhile Tiegan Archer gets a message from her mother that says pick up your brother Joel. Tiegan is 14 and Joel is only 8. Their father was caught months ago. And when the siblings come home they see their mother taken away as well. And they run.
And that is what kickstarts this story. They both find people that help them out and help them run. They are both on a quest to survive and find the resistance to find a sense of safety.
But people aren't what they seem. Who can you trust? Who tells the truth? And is there room for your own feelings and desires?
I did enjoy this story. My favorite character was by far Ellen and her dog Dickens. They stole my heart from the second they appeared on the page and they have a special place in my heart. If there is a sequel I hope Ellen makes another appearance.
But even though it is a really enjoyable story. I did miss a few things here and there.
The book has a great writing style and I loved the story telling. But it felt quite flat. The difference between characters feeling something and characters not feeling anything is nonexistent. It was all written in the same way, the same tone and that was a huge missed opportunity. I was constantly waiting on feeling something, on feeling the difference, but also feeling something that the characters were supposed to be feeling. It was written all very matter of factly.
There also wasn't barely any world building. The entire book is about them being on the run. Small things happen here and there. But the book doesn't build up to something big or grand or some sort of great finale.
I wish there was more of a backstory. Why did the government decide to eradicate feelings in its entire population? Is there a certain group or leader that decided to go on that course? Was there any sort of resistance when it started? How does it exactly work? It's been twenty years. And nothing is really explained.
I really hope that if there comes a sequel these elements will be added. Because the idea of the story is amazing and kinda epic. And I think a sequel could become epic if emotions and worldbuilding are added.
But all in all it's still a really fun and enjoyable book. 3 big stars from me for this beauty!
3/5 stars
Calm is a dystopian young adult novel. When I read the premise of the book I was instantly drawn to it. And just needed to read it straight away.
It's about a near-future Britain where the government puts something in the water supply that suppresses your emotions and feelings. They call it the Great Calm.
But a growing part of the population becomes naturally resistant to the drug and they start to feel again. They are called the Resistors. And people that purposely don't drink the water are called Abstainers. And both groups are ruthlessly hunted by the government.
Owyn Caldwell has started to feel feelings for about a month now. His teacher Miss Kennedy calls him out and sends him away. But right before he walks out of the classroom she presses a piece of paper in his hand that says: Leave now. If you stay, you'll be lost. And he heeds that advice and runs.
Meanwhile Tiegan Archer gets a message from her mother that says pick up your brother Joel. Tiegan is 14 and Joel is only 8. Their father was caught months ago. And when the siblings come home they see their mother taken away as well. And they run.
And that is what kickstarts this story. They both find people that help them out and help them run. They are both on a quest to survive and find the resistance to find a sense of safety.
But people aren't what they seem. Who can you trust? Who tells the truth? And is there room for your own feelings and desires?
I did enjoy this story. My favorite character was by far Ellen and her dog Dickens. They stole my heart from the second they appeared on the page and they have a special place in my heart. If there is a sequel I hope Ellen makes another appearance.
But even though it is a really enjoyable story. I did miss a few things here and there.
The book has a great writing style and I loved the story telling. But it felt quite flat. The difference between characters feeling something and characters not feeling anything is nonexistent. It was all written in the same way, the same tone and that was a huge missed opportunity. I was constantly waiting on feeling something, on feeling the difference, but also feeling something that the characters were supposed to be feeling. It was written all very matter of factly.
There also wasn't barely any world building. The entire book is about them being on the run. Small things happen here and there. But the book doesn't build up to something big or grand or some sort of great finale.
I wish there was more of a backstory. Why did the government decide to eradicate feelings in its entire population? Is there a certain group or leader that decided to go on that course? Was there any sort of resistance when it started? How does it exactly work? It's been twenty years. And nothing is really explained.
I really hope that if there comes a sequel these elements will be added. Because the idea of the story is amazing and kinda epic. And I think a sequel could become epic if emotions and worldbuilding are added.
But all in all it's still a really fun and enjoyable book. 3 big stars from me for this beauty!
September 14, 2024
First of all, I do love the cover of this book and have to admit that along with the title it was what initially attracted me to the book. Then I read the blurb and knew I just had to read the book, I found the idea of a future government putting chemicals into the nations water fascinating, scary and sadly quite possible!
The government have decided the only way to stop riots etc is to put something in the water that dulls/removes emotions from people, it is referred to as Calmaspring. However, Calmaspring doesn’t work on everyone, some are naturally resistant to it, hence they are referred to as “Pure” or “Natural” Resistors. Other people rebel against drinking the Calmaspring and refuse it and are known as “Abstainer” Resistors. Naturally the government isn’t too keen on either type of resistor being in existence and want to round them up before they can spread their rebellion to others. The resistance made up of both types of Resistor has people in all walks of life and in most places who are willing to help those who wish to or need to escape. There are Resistors who unwilling drink the Camaspring not fully aware of what it is doing to them or that there is something else, somewhere else out there to live. There are also those who “live in plain sight” dulling down their reactions and actions to what is going on around them to remain hidden and not be arrested and taken away to who knows where. Those that watch everyone, and arrest those who are not conforming are called servants and they wear a distinctive blue uniform and can be quite ruthless and violent in their actions.
The book is told from two points of view, Owyn Caldwell and Tiegen Archer.
Owyn Caldwell is an orphan, his parents died in what is referred to as “the Great Calm” when the drugs were still experimental and not fully tested with side effects unknown. Some people paid the ultimate price with their lives at the hands of a government that some would say were desperate to help and others would say were too eager to implement a resolution that was untested and turned out to be unsafe for many. Owyn and others who were orphaned in the Great Calm are sent to residential schools. Owyn is called before his teacher Mrs Kennedy, the room they are in has a visible camera so when she tries to give him a drink of water, he initially refuses, but when insists, he takes a mouthful out of the bottle, and a jolt of resistance goes through him. Mrs Kennedy sees his reaction and asks how long it's been going on he replies a month. Mrs Kennedy tells him he will have to report to the council where he will be 'refocused'. Mrs Kennedy firmly instructs him to go to his dorm & pack an overnight bag, and that he must not speak to anyone. However as he steps out of the range of the camera Mrs Kennedy slips him a note that says, “Leave now. . . . .if you stay you’ll be lost”
At first Owyn ponders who reported him, as people are encouraged to betray friend and family. There are the posters and slogans such as “A Problem Shared is a Problem Solved” and the “Report Resistance Right Away” too. Owyn realises theres no point in wondering who betrayed him as it doesn’t change his present situation so he decides to take heed of the note and get away from the school as quickly as possible, which is how he ends up on the road alone until he bumps into Will Chapman and his son Allen. Allen an abstainer but has to be watched and if needed prevented from just drinking the water is still struggling with his emotions and is resentful when Owyn joins him and his father.
Owyn faces the worry of being caught as a resistor and also stands out more due to the colour of his skin which Will Chapman points out is another reason his son Allen tries to keep a distance between himself and Owyn. When Allen doesn’t drink the water, the “old ways” come back so along with the emotions of anger, jealousy, and fear the old racial prejudices resurface too.
Tiegen Archer’s story is different in that she still has and lives with her parents and younger brother Joel. Both Tiegen and Joel have been taught how to stay under the radar and keep a tight control on their emotions and reactions. However, life becomes more dangerous when first their father is taken away on suspicions of being a resistor, then when Joel has an outburst at school and Tiegen lets her control slip and rushes to her brother Joel’s side, grabs him and runs. When they reach their neighbourhood they approach their house slowly and that’s when they witness their mother being dragged from their home. Mr Khan their next door neighbour who it turns out is part of the rebellion smuggles them into his house and hides them when the servants come looking, but he knows he cannot keep them safe long term so Tiegen & Joel need to be moved quickly. They are transported to a “safe house” that suddenly becomes under imminent discovery so they flee with Rachel whose safe house it is and one of their previous guides who is still nearby and hears about the imminent raid.
The rest of the book is told from the alternating points of view of Owyn and Tiegen as they head North to what is apparently a hub of the rebel resistors. There’s lots of action and many close calls from rabid hungry dogs chasing them, to people who would lure them in then ring for the servants! Owyn and Tiegen end up together trying to rescue Joel and Johann when they are captured. Owyn and Tiegen end up having to literally walk into the servants headquarters in a rescue attempt that could see them caught or even killed!
As I’ve said there’s plenty of action, but I really loved the way the characters are introduced to us, the readers. You slowly become more attached to them and really want them to succeed meaning there are some edge of seat sections that have you really worried. There are also some sad losses and betrayals along the way too.
A couple of characters other than the main characters that I really loved were Mr Khan and Ellen. Mr Khan lives and hides in plain sight the fact he is a resistor and part of the rebel resistance means he is a very private but watchful man who keeps himself to himself and keeps his emotions, movements and reactions under control to fit in with the emotionless, non-reactive, slower moving people that drink the Calmaspring water! When he sees the predicament and danger that Tiegen and Joel are in he doesn’t hesitate to intervene and help hide them and get them in touch with those in the rebellion that can spirit them away from the eyes of the servants.
Ellen & her husband chose to live an isolated life, living off the land so have been for the most part been overlooked. When Ellen’s husband became seriously ill, they could have gone to a nearby town to help but that would have meant giving up all they had worked for, their freedom and where they wanted to remain in case their grown-up children could ever make it home. When her husband died Ellen was alone until a stray dog turned up one day whom she called Dickens! It’s sad when Tiegen, Joel, Rachel and Johann have to move on from Ellen’s little haven but they need to get to the rebel resistance hub in the North.
There are conformist that blindly follow the government, that drink the Calmaspring, losing their emotions, themselves and their freedom, almost blindly plodding forward day by day. Being told who to marry and create a family with to continue the line and supply of conformists.
Then there are the rebels, some that are small cogs in the larger wheel. Teacher Mrs Kennedy slipping a forbidden note to Owyn, Mary who transports Tiegen and Joel on her boat, Ellen who chooses to live alone rather than in a community where she has to conform and drink the Calmaspring. Johann describes the rebels well when he explains it all to Tiegen and says that all these little people in the rebellion chain would gladly give their lives to save people like Tiegen and Joel.
I know it is the circumstances the characters have found themselves in but I also enjoyed disliking Allen and later in the book Rachel too.
To say Calmaspring dulls and eventually removes emotion there is plenty of emotion in this book! From fear that the rebels will be caught, the rebels camaraderie, their belief there is a better way to live life and their willingness to give their life for the greater good. The book has elements of mystery and I feel there is so much more still to be revealed too. There’s some “hold your breath”, “nail biting”, “edge of seat” sections too. I think theres even more backstory to be revealed about the Archer family and why Tiegen and Joel are so important that the government is sending so many resources and servants to recapture them. This book pulled me in slowly and then I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down! I really want to read more!
Summing up this book may be aimed at a Teens & YA audience but I have to say as an adult reader I really loved reading this book. Yes, you can tell it is aimed at a younger audience at times but it has characters that are easy to care about and become attached to, along with an intriguing plot that pulls you in and keeps you hooked to the very end, making it a fantastic read. Wow! Please tell me this is just the beginning of the series, that there is a book 2 coming soon! Very soon please?!
The government have decided the only way to stop riots etc is to put something in the water that dulls/removes emotions from people, it is referred to as Calmaspring. However, Calmaspring doesn’t work on everyone, some are naturally resistant to it, hence they are referred to as “Pure” or “Natural” Resistors. Other people rebel against drinking the Calmaspring and refuse it and are known as “Abstainer” Resistors. Naturally the government isn’t too keen on either type of resistor being in existence and want to round them up before they can spread their rebellion to others. The resistance made up of both types of Resistor has people in all walks of life and in most places who are willing to help those who wish to or need to escape. There are Resistors who unwilling drink the Camaspring not fully aware of what it is doing to them or that there is something else, somewhere else out there to live. There are also those who “live in plain sight” dulling down their reactions and actions to what is going on around them to remain hidden and not be arrested and taken away to who knows where. Those that watch everyone, and arrest those who are not conforming are called servants and they wear a distinctive blue uniform and can be quite ruthless and violent in their actions.
The book is told from two points of view, Owyn Caldwell and Tiegen Archer.
Owyn Caldwell is an orphan, his parents died in what is referred to as “the Great Calm” when the drugs were still experimental and not fully tested with side effects unknown. Some people paid the ultimate price with their lives at the hands of a government that some would say were desperate to help and others would say were too eager to implement a resolution that was untested and turned out to be unsafe for many. Owyn and others who were orphaned in the Great Calm are sent to residential schools. Owyn is called before his teacher Mrs Kennedy, the room they are in has a visible camera so when she tries to give him a drink of water, he initially refuses, but when insists, he takes a mouthful out of the bottle, and a jolt of resistance goes through him. Mrs Kennedy sees his reaction and asks how long it's been going on he replies a month. Mrs Kennedy tells him he will have to report to the council where he will be 'refocused'. Mrs Kennedy firmly instructs him to go to his dorm & pack an overnight bag, and that he must not speak to anyone. However as he steps out of the range of the camera Mrs Kennedy slips him a note that says, “Leave now. . . . .if you stay you’ll be lost”
At first Owyn ponders who reported him, as people are encouraged to betray friend and family. There are the posters and slogans such as “A Problem Shared is a Problem Solved” and the “Report Resistance Right Away” too. Owyn realises theres no point in wondering who betrayed him as it doesn’t change his present situation so he decides to take heed of the note and get away from the school as quickly as possible, which is how he ends up on the road alone until he bumps into Will Chapman and his son Allen. Allen an abstainer but has to be watched and if needed prevented from just drinking the water is still struggling with his emotions and is resentful when Owyn joins him and his father.
Owyn faces the worry of being caught as a resistor and also stands out more due to the colour of his skin which Will Chapman points out is another reason his son Allen tries to keep a distance between himself and Owyn. When Allen doesn’t drink the water, the “old ways” come back so along with the emotions of anger, jealousy, and fear the old racial prejudices resurface too.
Tiegen Archer’s story is different in that she still has and lives with her parents and younger brother Joel. Both Tiegen and Joel have been taught how to stay under the radar and keep a tight control on their emotions and reactions. However, life becomes more dangerous when first their father is taken away on suspicions of being a resistor, then when Joel has an outburst at school and Tiegen lets her control slip and rushes to her brother Joel’s side, grabs him and runs. When they reach their neighbourhood they approach their house slowly and that’s when they witness their mother being dragged from their home. Mr Khan their next door neighbour who it turns out is part of the rebellion smuggles them into his house and hides them when the servants come looking, but he knows he cannot keep them safe long term so Tiegen & Joel need to be moved quickly. They are transported to a “safe house” that suddenly becomes under imminent discovery so they flee with Rachel whose safe house it is and one of their previous guides who is still nearby and hears about the imminent raid.
The rest of the book is told from the alternating points of view of Owyn and Tiegen as they head North to what is apparently a hub of the rebel resistors. There’s lots of action and many close calls from rabid hungry dogs chasing them, to people who would lure them in then ring for the servants! Owyn and Tiegen end up together trying to rescue Joel and Johann when they are captured. Owyn and Tiegen end up having to literally walk into the servants headquarters in a rescue attempt that could see them caught or even killed!
As I’ve said there’s plenty of action, but I really loved the way the characters are introduced to us, the readers. You slowly become more attached to them and really want them to succeed meaning there are some edge of seat sections that have you really worried. There are also some sad losses and betrayals along the way too.
A couple of characters other than the main characters that I really loved were Mr Khan and Ellen. Mr Khan lives and hides in plain sight the fact he is a resistor and part of the rebel resistance means he is a very private but watchful man who keeps himself to himself and keeps his emotions, movements and reactions under control to fit in with the emotionless, non-reactive, slower moving people that drink the Calmaspring water! When he sees the predicament and danger that Tiegen and Joel are in he doesn’t hesitate to intervene and help hide them and get them in touch with those in the rebellion that can spirit them away from the eyes of the servants.
Ellen & her husband chose to live an isolated life, living off the land so have been for the most part been overlooked. When Ellen’s husband became seriously ill, they could have gone to a nearby town to help but that would have meant giving up all they had worked for, their freedom and where they wanted to remain in case their grown-up children could ever make it home. When her husband died Ellen was alone until a stray dog turned up one day whom she called Dickens! It’s sad when Tiegen, Joel, Rachel and Johann have to move on from Ellen’s little haven but they need to get to the rebel resistance hub in the North.
There are conformist that blindly follow the government, that drink the Calmaspring, losing their emotions, themselves and their freedom, almost blindly plodding forward day by day. Being told who to marry and create a family with to continue the line and supply of conformists.
Then there are the rebels, some that are small cogs in the larger wheel. Teacher Mrs Kennedy slipping a forbidden note to Owyn, Mary who transports Tiegen and Joel on her boat, Ellen who chooses to live alone rather than in a community where she has to conform and drink the Calmaspring. Johann describes the rebels well when he explains it all to Tiegen and says that all these little people in the rebellion chain would gladly give their lives to save people like Tiegen and Joel.
I know it is the circumstances the characters have found themselves in but I also enjoyed disliking Allen and later in the book Rachel too.
To say Calmaspring dulls and eventually removes emotion there is plenty of emotion in this book! From fear that the rebels will be caught, the rebels camaraderie, their belief there is a better way to live life and their willingness to give their life for the greater good. The book has elements of mystery and I feel there is so much more still to be revealed too. There’s some “hold your breath”, “nail biting”, “edge of seat” sections too. I think theres even more backstory to be revealed about the Archer family and why Tiegen and Joel are so important that the government is sending so many resources and servants to recapture them. This book pulled me in slowly and then I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down! I really want to read more!
Summing up this book may be aimed at a Teens & YA audience but I have to say as an adult reader I really loved reading this book. Yes, you can tell it is aimed at a younger audience at times but it has characters that are easy to care about and become attached to, along with an intriguing plot that pulls you in and keeps you hooked to the very end, making it a fantastic read. Wow! Please tell me this is just the beginning of the series, that there is a book 2 coming soon! Very soon please?!
September 25, 2024
Calm by S.J. Baker
Book Info
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Thriller
Length: 288 Pages
Published: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/h6Cmfmk
Blurb
In this enthralling dystopian YA thriller where emotions become weapons, the fight for humanity’s true essence takes centre stage.
In a near-future Britain, society’s calm facade conceals a sinister truth: the state maintains its control by meddling with the nation’s water supply. The result? A population lulled into apathy. Lulled, apart from a courageous few known as the Resistors.
New Resistor Owyn joins lifelong Resistor Tiegan in a fierce quest for freedom. Spurred on by the promise of a mass Resistance, they ignite a chain of events that shakes the foundations of Britain’s oppressive regime.
One thing is clear: the price of freedom is higher than they ever imagined.
About the Author
S. J. Baker teaches English in a secondary school in Hull, where she does her best to pass on her own love for reading and writing to her students. Books have always loomed large in Ms. Baker’s life, so it was perhaps inevitable that after completing a degree in English Literature at Cambridge she should train as a teacher and spend her career sharing her love of story-telling with young people. Reading aloud to her own children as they grew up confirmed her in the belief that we learn much about life and how to live well from the books that we read. She lives in East Yorkshire with her husband and two exuberant black Labradors.
I picked this book as part of the write reads tour. This is the first time I have been part of a book tour and very thankful to have that opportunity.
The storyline interested me and I thought it would be the perfect book to read after as busy day. At first I found it difficult to fully get stuck in but after putting it down for a few days before trying again ... how wrong I was!! I found myself finding that I hadn't given the book a proper chance and I got glued to it. It's YA book and felt like I was reading a book that got me into reading. Along with fantasy, romance, thriller, crime and many more genres this really had me!
If you like suspense dystopian thrillers this honestly the book for you.
The narrative switches from two main characters that keeps the book interesting and you get a feel for both characters throughout.
I won't give spoilers but would heavily recommend as I was surprisingly shocked by how much I ended up liking the concept. It did leave the ending a little rushed but with the feeling like another may follow this one.... which I will be keeping a eye out for if it does.
Again a huge thank you to write reads, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and enjoy this book.
Book Info
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Thriller
Length: 288 Pages
Published: September 19, 2024
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/h6Cmfmk
Blurb
In this enthralling dystopian YA thriller where emotions become weapons, the fight for humanity’s true essence takes centre stage.
In a near-future Britain, society’s calm facade conceals a sinister truth: the state maintains its control by meddling with the nation’s water supply. The result? A population lulled into apathy. Lulled, apart from a courageous few known as the Resistors.
New Resistor Owyn joins lifelong Resistor Tiegan in a fierce quest for freedom. Spurred on by the promise of a mass Resistance, they ignite a chain of events that shakes the foundations of Britain’s oppressive regime.
One thing is clear: the price of freedom is higher than they ever imagined.
About the Author
S. J. Baker teaches English in a secondary school in Hull, where she does her best to pass on her own love for reading and writing to her students. Books have always loomed large in Ms. Baker’s life, so it was perhaps inevitable that after completing a degree in English Literature at Cambridge she should train as a teacher and spend her career sharing her love of story-telling with young people. Reading aloud to her own children as they grew up confirmed her in the belief that we learn much about life and how to live well from the books that we read. She lives in East Yorkshire with her husband and two exuberant black Labradors.
I picked this book as part of the write reads tour. This is the first time I have been part of a book tour and very thankful to have that opportunity.
The storyline interested me and I thought it would be the perfect book to read after as busy day. At first I found it difficult to fully get stuck in but after putting it down for a few days before trying again ... how wrong I was!! I found myself finding that I hadn't given the book a proper chance and I got glued to it. It's YA book and felt like I was reading a book that got me into reading. Along with fantasy, romance, thriller, crime and many more genres this really had me!
If you like suspense dystopian thrillers this honestly the book for you.
The narrative switches from two main characters that keeps the book interesting and you get a feel for both characters throughout.
I won't give spoilers but would heavily recommend as I was surprisingly shocked by how much I ended up liking the concept. It did leave the ending a little rushed but with the feeling like another may follow this one.... which I will be keeping a eye out for if it does.
Again a huge thank you to write reads, the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and enjoy this book.
October 5, 2024
I loved this! It was fast-paced and I enjoyed how the characters grew & developed throughout 🙂
October 6, 2024
I had the pleasure of meeting the author in a bookshop and purchasing this book on the spot after a lovely conversation, and she did not disappoint. Set in a near future dystopia where society has been drugged into apathetic submission, a handful of resistors try and escape to freedom. Told from the perspectives of dual protagonists, Calm had me wanting to read page after page, devouring every Chapter and still hungry for more. Baker maintains the tension and thrill throughout, while still finding time to leave you pondering on the social commentary of apathy we see in the present day and what it truly means to live a human life. An excellent debut.
January 6, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️
The first few chapters had me hooked. I love a good dystopian novel. However, wished there was more interaction between the characters we follow, and the ending was not the best.
Thanks Net Galley and Neem Tree Press for a copy of this book.
The first few chapters had me hooked. I love a good dystopian novel. However, wished there was more interaction between the characters we follow, and the ending was not the best.
Thanks Net Galley and Neem Tree Press for a copy of this book.
October 5, 2024
A dystopia with a lot of heart! Not a genre I typically lean to but one I thoroughly enjoyed and devoured in the space of a day.
October 1, 2024
I was half way through another novel when this arrived in the post. I sat down to read a few pages, and the next thing I knew I was eight chapters in! The writing keeps you hooked from the first page, and seamless world building paints a future dystopian Britain that is eerily believable. Dog lovers are in for a treat, too, with the addition of Dickens. A very good boy, indeed. It’s been a while since I’ve been this attached to a fictional pooch… Fantastic story. Excellent pacing. Brilliant new author. Can’t wait for the next book!
September 26, 2024
“Calm” delves into a dystopian world where the government has been adding chemicals to the water supply to subdue the population’s emotions and feelings. However, some individuals have developed resistance to the water, and a few are actively resisting by refusing to drink it.
The story follows two teenagers, Teigan and Owyn, who have become immune to the effects of the water and are now on the run to avoid the consequences of being caught by government officials. I found the concept of the book intriguing and thought it was well-written. It was interesting to follow Teigan and Owyn as they navigate their new life on the run, but I did feel that their individual stories felt somewhat disconnected, and I wished for more intertwining of their narratives.
While the book had plenty of twists and turns, I found some of them to be predictable, which slightly diminished the surprise factor for me. Additionally, I had many unanswered practicality-related questions about the characters’ survival.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but it hinted at the possibility of a sequel, which piqued my interest. Overall, “Calm” is a unique and enjoyable read, especially for fans of young adult mystery thrillers.
I want to express my gratitude to The Write Reads and Neem Tree Press for allowing me to read and review this book.
The story follows two teenagers, Teigan and Owyn, who have become immune to the effects of the water and are now on the run to avoid the consequences of being caught by government officials. I found the concept of the book intriguing and thought it was well-written. It was interesting to follow Teigan and Owyn as they navigate their new life on the run, but I did feel that their individual stories felt somewhat disconnected, and I wished for more intertwining of their narratives.
While the book had plenty of twists and turns, I found some of them to be predictable, which slightly diminished the surprise factor for me. Additionally, I had many unanswered practicality-related questions about the characters’ survival.
The ending felt a bit rushed, but it hinted at the possibility of a sequel, which piqued my interest. Overall, “Calm” is a unique and enjoyable read, especially for fans of young adult mystery thrillers.
I want to express my gratitude to The Write Reads and Neem Tree Press for allowing me to read and review this book.
September 16, 2024
“There’s a rumour on the corner
But it’s always been denied
‘Cause they don’t want you any wiser
You’re just toeing the party line”.
Word of Mouth – Mike and the Mechanics
“Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel”
Silent Running – Mike and the Mechanics
The lyrics in both these songs came to mind as I read Calm.
In order to quell ongoing violence and disturbances across Britain, the government add chemicals to the water to calm the population, removing any emotional responses the people may have.
Owyn lost his parents and was brought up in a boarding school, knowing nothing else but compliance. However his resistance to the drugs starts to wear off.
Tiegan lives with her family but has a resistance to the drugs in the water. To keep her safe, her parents train her to keep her face calm and not react to anything emotionally.
Calm is told as dual perspective, alternating Owyn and Tiegan’s stories. It follows them as they end up on the run, being hunted by the Servants, being helped by other resistors and some others from the more organised Resistance. As they both separately head north to where they believe there is a Resistance stronghold, we follow their fight for survival.
As well as a lack of knowledge of anything beyond his well controlled boarding school experience and the usual teenage hormones to deal with, the sudden arrival of ALL the emotions is a lot for Owyn to deal with. Anger, betrayal, grief, jealousy, confusion, shame and hate swirl inside his brain whilst he attempts to build trust in others on the run.
The story is riveting, full of well crafted characters and action sequences. I am full of hope for a sequel…please!
Thank you to Neem Tree Press and @The_WriteReads for the eARC to read and review
But it’s always been denied
‘Cause they don’t want you any wiser
You’re just toeing the party line”.
Word of Mouth – Mike and the Mechanics
“Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel”
Silent Running – Mike and the Mechanics
The lyrics in both these songs came to mind as I read Calm.
In order to quell ongoing violence and disturbances across Britain, the government add chemicals to the water to calm the population, removing any emotional responses the people may have.
Owyn lost his parents and was brought up in a boarding school, knowing nothing else but compliance. However his resistance to the drugs starts to wear off.
Tiegan lives with her family but has a resistance to the drugs in the water. To keep her safe, her parents train her to keep her face calm and not react to anything emotionally.
Calm is told as dual perspective, alternating Owyn and Tiegan’s stories. It follows them as they end up on the run, being hunted by the Servants, being helped by other resistors and some others from the more organised Resistance. As they both separately head north to where they believe there is a Resistance stronghold, we follow their fight for survival.
As well as a lack of knowledge of anything beyond his well controlled boarding school experience and the usual teenage hormones to deal with, the sudden arrival of ALL the emotions is a lot for Owyn to deal with. Anger, betrayal, grief, jealousy, confusion, shame and hate swirl inside his brain whilst he attempts to build trust in others on the run.
The story is riveting, full of well crafted characters and action sequences. I am full of hope for a sequel…please!
Thank you to Neem Tree Press and @The_WriteReads for the eARC to read and review
December 2, 2024
This book was recommended to me by a relative of the author, so I read it thinking I was doing them a favour. Turns out they were doing me a favour, as this is one of the most page turning books I've read this year!
I really enjoyed the style of writing, with the story being told from the perspective of the two distinct characters and their story arcs. I think the boy/girl protagonist setup is probably why in my mind this feels very His Dark Materials, which in my mind can only be a good thing.
For a young adult book, I was surprised at how much emotional turmoil there is in this, with the characters facing plenty of loss and other emotional challenges.
Would 100% recommend reading for any fans of fantasy and dystopia novels, not just young adults.
I really enjoyed the style of writing, with the story being told from the perspective of the two distinct characters and their story arcs. I think the boy/girl protagonist setup is probably why in my mind this feels very His Dark Materials, which in my mind can only be a good thing.
For a young adult book, I was surprised at how much emotional turmoil there is in this, with the characters facing plenty of loss and other emotional challenges.
Would 100% recommend reading for any fans of fantasy and dystopia novels, not just young adults.
October 28, 2024
A beautifully written novel, which carries you through the journeying of it's main characters. I was totally caught up in the narrative, willing Tiegan and Owen forward in this dystopian picture of a future Britain.
Looking forward to the sequel!
Looking forward to the sequel!
November 25, 2024
Calm is superb - in a dystopian society which drugs its citizens into compliance, we follow two young characters on the run: one of whom, Tiegan, the drug has never worked on, who is able to express herself freely for the first time; and the other of whom, Owyn, has just begun to resist its effects, finding himself newly feeling the full spectrum of human emotion.
While remaining a page-turning read, the book tackles some of the obvious questions arising from its premise - issues of the power of the state, personal choice, and others more typical of adventure-thrillers like family and self-sacrifice. Underpinning it all though, and lending the book an effectiveness uniquely its own, is that these things are experienced by two characters who experience things more intensely than the average YA protagonist - in one effective scene early on, Owyn, angry for the first time in his life, must learn to control an emotion he doesn't understand almost as soon as he feels it. Both the good and the bad of Calm's world, the thrilling and the peaceful, are experienced by its characters and written about by Baker as if for the first time - everything feels new, and fresh, and different.
Calm is a terrific debut novel, which offers no easy answers to the dire state of the world which it envisions - but then, maybe we'd learn more about that in a sequel...
While remaining a page-turning read, the book tackles some of the obvious questions arising from its premise - issues of the power of the state, personal choice, and others more typical of adventure-thrillers like family and self-sacrifice. Underpinning it all though, and lending the book an effectiveness uniquely its own, is that these things are experienced by two characters who experience things more intensely than the average YA protagonist - in one effective scene early on, Owyn, angry for the first time in his life, must learn to control an emotion he doesn't understand almost as soon as he feels it. Both the good and the bad of Calm's world, the thrilling and the peaceful, are experienced by its characters and written about by Baker as if for the first time - everything feels new, and fresh, and different.
Calm is a terrific debut novel, which offers no easy answers to the dire state of the world which it envisions - but then, maybe we'd learn more about that in a sequel...
September 18, 2024
Calm has such a fascinating premise, and it’s explored in a really interesting way. In a world where the population is drugged into apathy, there is no love – or hate – and the population drifts through life. The whole world was set up really well and I thought the consequences of a life like this were explored really well too.
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I also really liked the two main characters, who are drawn into the resistance via very different routes. They each had their own motivations and reasons for joining the resistance, and I enjoyed seeing how those played out over the course of the whole book. That being said, I would have liked if their storylines had interacted a little bit more, as they felt quite detached from each other for most of the book.
While the start and the end were really engaging I did feel that the story began to lag a little bit in the middle. Overall though it was an enjoyable read, and a refreshing entry into the YA dystopia genre.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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I also really liked the two main characters, who are drawn into the resistance via very different routes. They each had their own motivations and reasons for joining the resistance, and I enjoyed seeing how those played out over the course of the whole book. That being said, I would have liked if their storylines had interacted a little bit more, as they felt quite detached from each other for most of the book.
While the start and the end were really engaging I did feel that the story began to lag a little bit in the middle. Overall though it was an enjoyable read, and a refreshing entry into the YA dystopia genre.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
September 16, 2024
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with The Write Reads.
This is a gripping dystopian thriller. At the start, I was intrigued by the scenario presented to me, and there was something about it that seemed ominous. It seemed to me that the world portrayed here should have been just like the world we already know, and yet it was not. I found it a little bit mind-boggling to contemplate the Great Calm and what it was.
The narrative switches between Tiegan and Owyn, and both of them felt real to me. When I read books with YA characters, I feel nostalgic for my own teenage years, as though it's the teenage version of myself connecting with them. I felt the author did an excellent job at creating an atmosphere, and I tried to picture the characters and their surroundings.
There was an element of suspense that kept me turning the pages, and certain points in the story when I felt afraid for the characters. I think this book will definitely appeal to a young adult audience, and I'm curious to see if there will be a sequel.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a gripping dystopian thriller. At the start, I was intrigued by the scenario presented to me, and there was something about it that seemed ominous. It seemed to me that the world portrayed here should have been just like the world we already know, and yet it was not. I found it a little bit mind-boggling to contemplate the Great Calm and what it was.
The narrative switches between Tiegan and Owyn, and both of them felt real to me. When I read books with YA characters, I feel nostalgic for my own teenage years, as though it's the teenage version of myself connecting with them. I felt the author did an excellent job at creating an atmosphere, and I tried to picture the characters and their surroundings.
There was an element of suspense that kept me turning the pages, and certain points in the story when I felt afraid for the characters. I think this book will definitely appeal to a young adult audience, and I'm curious to see if there will be a sequel.
Thank you to The Write Reads, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
December 2, 2024
First of all, I absolutely love the cover. I totally judged the book by it, and I think it represents the story well. 3.5 stars
What I liked:
- I'm not sure how to describe the writing other than effective. There's nothing super distinctive about the style but somehow the understated descriptions still made me have a lot of strong emotional reactions.
- This is less of a traditional dystopia series starter and more of an on-the-run adventure. Not fully what I expected.
- Ellen and everything around her.
- Everyone knows that they drug the water. I feel like in dystopias, it's normally a surprise and I thought it was so interesting
What I didn't like:
- The side characters are all much more memorable than Owyn and Tiegan. Owyn is getting there, but the focus on his race was a little messily integrated. I think it should've been a stronger plot point in general.
- The worldbuilding isn't super creative or memorable.
- There's no ending. There was all this running, but the most compelling emotional scenes happen earlier so there's no tension release.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked:
- I'm not sure how to describe the writing other than effective. There's nothing super distinctive about the style but somehow the understated descriptions still made me have a lot of strong emotional reactions.
- This is less of a traditional dystopia series starter and more of an on-the-run adventure. Not fully what I expected.
- Ellen and everything around her.
- Everyone knows that they drug the water. I feel like in dystopias, it's normally a surprise and I thought it was so interesting
What I didn't like:
- The side characters are all much more memorable than Owyn and Tiegan. Owyn is getting there, but the focus on his race was a little messily integrated. I think it should've been a stronger plot point in general.
- The worldbuilding isn't super creative or memorable.
- There's no ending. There was all this running, but the most compelling emotional scenes happen earlier so there's no tension release.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
Thank you to Edelweiss Plus for lending me a copy of the book.
I thought this was interesting for a dystopian world, and it really brings a sort of terror that you don't think that would happen, but it might (similar to The Handmaid's Tale and Divergent). It was fast paced, and the plot and the actions for survival really drag you in. The concept of having our own drinking water to be drugged so that we would become complacent is something that I would hear conspiracy theorists talk or mention about. I liked most of the characters and the characters seemed well written. I found it really surprising at the end, and I wonder if there would be a sequel or if it would be planned to keep it as it is.
I do wish there were content or trigger warnings on a couple things such as mentions of rape, violence, deaths, racist comments, etc. I do hope there was more world building as there weren't much except just knowing that all of the characters are on the run, and it is hard to keep track of where they are going.
Thank you to Edelweiss Plus for lending me their copy.
I thought this was interesting for a dystopian world, and it really brings a sort of terror that you don't think that would happen, but it might (similar to The Handmaid's Tale and Divergent). It was fast paced, and the plot and the actions for survival really drag you in. The concept of having our own drinking water to be drugged so that we would become complacent is something that I would hear conspiracy theorists talk or mention about. I liked most of the characters and the characters seemed well written. I found it really surprising at the end, and I wonder if there would be a sequel or if it would be planned to keep it as it is.
I do wish there were content or trigger warnings on a couple things such as mentions of rape, violence, deaths, racist comments, etc. I do hope there was more world building as there weren't much except just knowing that all of the characters are on the run, and it is hard to keep track of where they are going.
Thank you to Edelweiss Plus for lending me their copy.
September 24, 2024
The great writing drew me in straightaway to this scarily real, thought-provoking, dystopian world. The characters who inhabit it are captivating, brave, and resilient as they fight for their freedom and for the very core of what it means to be human.
We meet Owyn and Tiegan as they traverse living in a society where conformity is paramount and free thinking is not permitted. Those who cannot be controlled are eradicated. It was a fast-paced story switching between each perspective, and I had to keep reading to find out where they would end up next as they navigate their emotions in a world that erases them at all costs!
We feel the tension, panic, loss and desperation as they are on the run. There’s danger everywhere, risks wherever they turn and traitors in their ranks. I loved seeing the kindness of strangers along the way giving hope and a community feel as the Resistors take them under their wing.
Calm is vivid, reflective, and brilliantly plotted – a page-turning read packed with intriguing and sinister concepts. It terrifyingly shows how fragile society is and how one change can destroy our freedoms and lead to a fight for survival. I’m hoping for a second instalment!
With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @NeemTreePress and @SJBaker_Author for my copy and place on the Tour
We meet Owyn and Tiegan as they traverse living in a society where conformity is paramount and free thinking is not permitted. Those who cannot be controlled are eradicated. It was a fast-paced story switching between each perspective, and I had to keep reading to find out where they would end up next as they navigate their emotions in a world that erases them at all costs!
We feel the tension, panic, loss and desperation as they are on the run. There’s danger everywhere, risks wherever they turn and traitors in their ranks. I loved seeing the kindness of strangers along the way giving hope and a community feel as the Resistors take them under their wing.
Calm is vivid, reflective, and brilliantly plotted – a page-turning read packed with intriguing and sinister concepts. It terrifyingly shows how fragile society is and how one change can destroy our freedoms and lead to a fight for survival. I’m hoping for a second instalment!
With thanks to @The_WriteReads, @NeemTreePress and @SJBaker_Author for my copy and place on the Tour
July 22, 2024
Can you imagine a Britain where there is never any interruption to the water supply? In this dystopian YA thriller, the state maintains calm in the population by drugging everyone through the drinking water. Teigan and Owyn are resistors – they are no longer affected by the water and so they can feel real emotions which puts them in danger from the regime. Their aim to join the Resistance leads to a tense “cat and mouse” existence, trying to keep one step ahead of a cruel regime which seeks to repress them.
I enjoyed the twists and turns as Teigan and Owyn find out who they can trust and who will betray them. Whilst I was invested in the story and I liked the characters who helped them, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and unsatisfying almost as if a sequel was planned.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
I enjoyed the twists and turns as Teigan and Owyn find out who they can trust and who will betray them. Whilst I was invested in the story and I liked the characters who helped them, I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and unsatisfying almost as if a sequel was planned.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC
October 24, 2024
After a period of violence and unrest the UK government has quelled the masses by drugging the water supply to create the ‘Great Calm’ - a numbed and docile population. However, some people, like Tiegan and her family, are immune to the drugs and have to pretend to comply, and some people, like Owyn, develop a resistance. When Tiegan’s mother is arrested for being part of the Resistance, Tiegan and her little brother Joel run away before they are captured too. When the Servants become suspicious of Owyn, he too takes to the road to head north in search of the Resistance.
‘Calm’ is perhaps a little quieter than some of the traditional fast-paced YA dystopian books, but it is a beautifully written and thought-provoking read.
(There is one mention of a character who is raped and falls pregnant but this is not described explicitly - as per book guidelines I’d recommend for age 13+.)
‘Calm’ is perhaps a little quieter than some of the traditional fast-paced YA dystopian books, but it is a beautifully written and thought-provoking read.
(There is one mention of a character who is raped and falls pregnant but this is not described explicitly - as per book guidelines I’d recommend for age 13+.)
September 23, 2024
A fantastic and compelling read. In different ways, Owen and Tiegan embody a lot of the struggles that teens go through with heightened hormones and emotions - the danger of showing any emotion and the situations in which they find themselves intensify this, but it's still relatable.
As a teacher, while reading this I was immediately thinking about elements I'd want to discuss with my students, and which bits they'd particularly enjoy and engage with. Committing to teaching it to a bunch of teenagers every year just goes to show how highly I think of the book!
As a teacher, while reading this I was immediately thinking about elements I'd want to discuss with my students, and which bits they'd particularly enjoy and engage with. Committing to teaching it to a bunch of teenagers every year just goes to show how highly I think of the book!
October 31, 2024
This is a gripping story that expertly weaves the story of Tiegan and Owyn as they both try to escape the government forces. I was drawn into the action with characters and scenes that were described in a vivid way that brought it all to life. This is a dystopian novel that is fully relatable.
November 19, 2024
Hard to put down. Especially liked the short chapters. (Just one more, before I have to...)
I do admit to knowing the author, though that has not swayed my review.
Fully recommended, even if you are no longer a teenager/young adult. (I'm 67, but much younger at heart).
I do admit to knowing the author, though that has not swayed my review.
Fully recommended, even if you are no longer a teenager/young adult. (I'm 67, but much younger at heart).
September 14, 2024
Wow! Gripping, thrilling, and with fantastically drawn characters - I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!
September 24, 2024
When I saw the email for Calm I was intrigued as my track record for reading a Dystopian has been bleak to the say the least but when coupled with a thriller which I thoroughly enjoy especially if it is a YA.
The first thing that struck me was that what was enfolding in Calm was that this could scarily happen in real life and all I could think of was control the water control everything I am not going to go in full detail as people really need to read this book for themselves.
I loved the main character of Owyn and Tiegan as main characters but would of like to know what happened to Monika, Allen and Ash.
For all the above reasons Calm receives 4 stars
The first thing that struck me was that what was enfolding in Calm was that this could scarily happen in real life and all I could think of was control the water control everything I am not going to go in full detail as people really need to read this book for themselves.
I loved the main character of Owyn and Tiegan as main characters but would of like to know what happened to Monika, Allen and Ash.
For all the above reasons Calm receives 4 stars
December 28, 2024
I’m a student and met the author through a writing workshop that myself and about 10 other pupils attended at my school. I bought the book then and also got it signed! I loved the pace of the book and read it in a day. I also loved how you included the town I live in at the end. I’m so glad you didn’t kill the dog and overall 5/5
October 21, 2024
In a dystopian world after the Great Calm, where your emotions can be dangerous, how well can you hide your angee or frustration when it is a matter of life and death? YOUR life.
When her little brother loses his calm due to bullies at school, Tiegan grabs him and runs.
Talking about dystopian realities where one is drugged to be calm, this book takes me back to a film where people need to take pills to stay tranquil. I do not remember the name. Perhaps you do?
While we tag along with the siblings running off to the great unknown, we are also following someone else on their own less than pleasant journey, and I can’t help but hope that they meet.
If this happened today, would you run off alone?
The threats are always present, and they are well presented. Will they be able to stay away from humans? Are they really this lucky to escape? Will they make it all the way to the north? Will they ever see their parents again? There are so many good things about this book. Surely there is no room for them all.😉
Amazon says reading age is 12-18. I am not quite in that group. Still, I enjoyed the uncertainty of their journeys. Cowered and hid with them in tunnels, ditches, and forests, holding my breath. I found the book and the descriptions of what they experience is well done. I have no doubt this will be a very exciting and new favourite book of many in the targeted age group.
Had it not been for the fact that I started reading this in the evening, I probably would have read the book in one go, and now I am wondering if there will be another book?
I was pleasantly surprised by a reader’s guide at the end of the book. Perhaps this is a good suggestion for your next book club read? If you enjoy dystopian excitement, you are in for a treat.😊 Even if you are over 18.
When her little brother loses his calm due to bullies at school, Tiegan grabs him and runs.
Talking about dystopian realities where one is drugged to be calm, this book takes me back to a film where people need to take pills to stay tranquil. I do not remember the name. Perhaps you do?
While we tag along with the siblings running off to the great unknown, we are also following someone else on their own less than pleasant journey, and I can’t help but hope that they meet.
If this happened today, would you run off alone?
The threats are always present, and they are well presented. Will they be able to stay away from humans? Are they really this lucky to escape? Will they make it all the way to the north? Will they ever see their parents again? There are so many good things about this book. Surely there is no room for them all.😉
Amazon says reading age is 12-18. I am not quite in that group. Still, I enjoyed the uncertainty of their journeys. Cowered and hid with them in tunnels, ditches, and forests, holding my breath. I found the book and the descriptions of what they experience is well done. I have no doubt this will be a very exciting and new favourite book of many in the targeted age group.
Had it not been for the fact that I started reading this in the evening, I probably would have read the book in one go, and now I am wondering if there will be another book?
I was pleasantly surprised by a reader’s guide at the end of the book. Perhaps this is a good suggestion for your next book club read? If you enjoy dystopian excitement, you are in for a treat.😊 Even if you are over 18.
December 5, 2024
Firstly, I would like to say that I love this book!
Although YA dystopian fiction is something well-explored in our world of reading, I believe this book does something particularly special in terms of character development and arcs. The ways in which each of these characters evolved is fascinating to read.
For example, Tiegan begins as a child who wants to be appreciated as something more than this fact and ends the novel as a matured character, able to work with her team instead of against it. Additionally, Owyn starts in this story as an unknowing and naïve persona, innocent to life outside of the regime. However, by the end of the book, Owyn becomes somewhat of a leader and symbol of strength for the reader to root for.
Overall of course, the whole novel is magic and I loved every second of it the two times I read it! I hope it gets all the love it deserves.
Although YA dystopian fiction is something well-explored in our world of reading, I believe this book does something particularly special in terms of character development and arcs. The ways in which each of these characters evolved is fascinating to read.
For example, Tiegan begins as a child who wants to be appreciated as something more than this fact and ends the novel as a matured character, able to work with her team instead of against it. Additionally, Owyn starts in this story as an unknowing and naïve persona, innocent to life outside of the regime. However, by the end of the book, Owyn becomes somewhat of a leader and symbol of strength for the reader to root for.
Overall of course, the whole novel is magic and I loved every second of it the two times I read it! I hope it gets all the love it deserves.
December 31, 2024
This was a surprising page turner. As a "not so young anymore" adult, I did not expect that this book would be so compelling. The writing style is extremely accessible and I felt transported to this not so alternative world. It is a talent in story telling which presents a familiar world with a dystopian twist, as if this literally could be happening in the very near future, if not already! A great debut novel and I look forward to the next book.
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