What I Call Home

by Hanna M. Shields

"To them, I am nothing but a tragedy, a distant memory, a reminder of what could have been. I am nothing because I do not exist, just like this song I pray they will one day sing."

Avalon Winters is a criminal, but not by choice.
Kidnapped at a young age, she must sacrifice her freedom for the millions of people living in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, setting houses ablaze in order to strike fear into the hearts of a broken and dying society.
After fifteen years of captivity, hope is nothing but a reckless dream. Until a young Frenchman steps onto the scene as the first apprentice to the estate in over a decade.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2025

Reviews

[James Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tense, Emotional, and Amazingly Well-Thought-Out
What I Call Home by Hanna M. Shields is a tense, emotional, and amazingly well-thought-out book. The story is set in the not-too-distant future and focuses on Avalon Winters, a young woman who is held against her will and forced to commit violence. The villain, Arthur, raised Avalon after he murdered her parents. He now uses her in his schemes to overthrow the Scottish government. When Arthur brings in Rowan, a young accomplice, the situation becomes more intense. Avalon holds out hope for the “light that sines in the darkest of places.”

The characters are well-developed, particularly Avalon, and the story moves quickly while maintaining anticipation. You will appreciate the writing style. It is super easy to understand, and the narrative draws the reader in the world created by Hanna Shields and immerses you in the horror and desperation experienced in the world. Still, the author mixes in optimistic themes. There is a strong faith narrative running through the story which revolves around the protagonist: Avalon. The ending is wonderful and will leave you looking forward to the next book.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story, especially teen girls and young women.

[Autumn R Guoan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely, quick little read. I do wish there was some more meat to the story, but overall it was good for a debut novel. There were a few unexpected turns I didn't see coming that had me rewinding to make sure I read it right. I enjoyed following Avalon and Nolan. I'm excited to dive into the next book in the series and watch their story unfold.

[Elizabeth Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I Call Home is not just a story about villains and heroes it’s about people trapped by circumstance, making impossible choices. The writing is elegant, the pacing deliberate, and the emotional payoff deeply satisfying. If you enjoy morally complex stories with strong female leads, this book is a must-read.

[Emmy Mae · Rating 1 out of 5]

**SPOILER FREE REVIEW**

Rating: 1/5⭐

Final Thoughts: This book needs some work, but I can see the potential. I think with a good editor, this book could go somewhere. The author has some good choices of descriptive words, but they are overused at times. I would really love to see the author really dive into the world-building and expand on what makes this world dystopian. I also wish there was a more romantic aspect to the story, as romance is a big selling point nowadays. Overall, it was a quick read, and I am grateful that the author reached out to me to ask for my honest review.

Do I recommend it? Not right now, maybe with some improvements

Who would I recommend it to? People who like Christian fiction

Age Category: young adult

POV: dual POV, third person, past tense

Romance: straight romance

Spice: 0/5🌶️

Series/Standalone: first in a planned series

Trigger Warnings: mild violence