The Defender

by Alan Gibbons

Guns, violence, mob rule, or defending the cause? We all have choices. Or do we? Who would choose blood, sacrifice, and exile? At the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland Ian's dad did. In this real-life thriller, 14-year-old Ian Moore walks a tightrope of fear as two strangers reveal the shocking truth about his father. His father thought he was fighting for a cause, for his people. But the price was too high—after the murder of his sister's husband and his own wife's death, he's paying for trying to get out. Somewhere along the line the cause got blurred by organized crime and revenge, and all it's left is a bitter taste. He's still a target, still a victim. Now he faces a lifetime of running with nowhere to go and constantly putting at rish the son he loves. This page turner tackes a controversial topic head-on and makes for powerful and memorable reading.

Genres: Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Alan Gibbons is an author of children's books and a Blue Peter Book Award. He currently lives in Liverpool, England, where he used to teach in a primary school. His father was a farm laborer, but was hurt in an accident when Alan was eight years old. The family had to move to Crewe, Cheshire where Alan experienced bullying for the first time. He began to write for his pupils as a teacher, but never tried to get any of his work published.

Gibbons trained to be a teacher in his mid-thirties and starting writing short stories for his students. Later, he began to write professionally. In 2000, he won the Blue Peter Book Award in the category "The Book I Couldn't Put Down" category for Shadow of the Minotaur. He was a judge for the 2001 Blue Peter Book Awards. He was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2001 and 2003 and shortlisted twice for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. He has also won the Leicester Book of the Year, the Stockport Book Award, the Angus Book Award, the Catalyst Award, the Birmingham Chills Award, the Salford Young Adult Book Award and the Salford Librarians' Special Award.

Reviews

[John Naylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished reading this thinking it was a good idea that could have been better.

To try and teach young adults about "The Troubles" is a difficult task. The world does seem removed from them and the history is not what they will be learning in school even if they are mentioned. I think the author did frame them in a fictional account reasonably well. I also feel that some of it could have been expanded upon to make a clearer picture.

The framework and the flashbacks in the book mostly worked. It left enough intrigue. The ending was too abrupt and left a few questions but not enough to inspire a sequel.

It would be easy to recommend this book as a concept but harder to recommend it as a reality. It isn't bad. It just lacked a few things that would have made it great.

[Josh Heng · Rating 3 out of 5]

During a big social divide between Catholics and Protestants. The protagonist's dad helped in the war between these sides when he was younger, also taking part in a £250,000 bank heist with his friends. He ended up stealing this from his friends and ran away. His friends were arrested, but once they were released, decided to kill him and his son (the protagonist). As well as this, the police are still after him.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

A meh book that isn't really about much of anything. Thin threads hold the book but it's 180 or so pages feel like 400. Back to a donation bin with this one.

[Benjamin Siddall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gibbons weaves Ian Moore's story into the history of The Troubles without talking down to a younger audience. The characters, whilst only semi-developed, are very readable. Some of the flashback scenes have a 'noir' feeling to them which I liked, but Gibbons never shies away from the reality of warfare which is important. If there was a party-political slant, I didn't detect it.

[Bookproject_seebacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Run

“The Defender” written by Alan Gibbons is one of the best English books I have read. It is a real-life thriller for teenagers and adults.

The 14-year old Ian and his dad Kenny have moved from town to town, which made it very hard for Ian to find friends. But now they were staying in the same city for 2 years, until one day when he is strolling home from school, he gets surprised by three men. They ask him so many questions about his life and especially his dad. Ian is confused at first but then he notices the gun one of the men has. That day will change his life completely.
Who are these men and what do they want from Kenny?

This book has a real background it also gives information about historical things like the IRA, which also plays an important role in the story. The IRA (Irish Republican Army) was an organisation with the aim of the independence of Ireland.
I think this book is very recommendable, because it is exciting and thrilling, especially the beginning, which starts directly with action, and the ending.

Thomas

[Fern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but felt very contrived. I found the flashbacks to be more interesting than the main story, both were enjoyable though. Would have worked better as a historical novel or if it just followed Kenny's life chronologically.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say there was anything really amazing about the book, but I enjoyed it all the same. I found myself tense with anticipation a few times, and I appreciated the message behind the story.

[Sanoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moderately-paced throughout the book. Ending was a bit disappointing and no insight to what exactly happened after Peter Moore was thrown in jail.

Overall - Good Read.