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Becoming
The old world has gone. All that remains is the community - a harsh, brutal, primitive regime that governs through control and fear. Gaia is one of the young, trapped on an island off the coast of Northumberland. Gaia longs to escape before ‘becoming’ - the time when she is forced to serve the society she despises. Time is running out but hope arrives with Aran. He offers escape, freedom, a new life. This is Gaia’s last chance. Can she find her own destiny? Who will she become?
325 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2018
6 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ord
5 books84 followersAcclaimed northern author Chris Ord writes dark, atmospheric page turners set in wild and rugged Northumberland.
He has published five novels: Becoming (2016) and Awakening (2019) are both part of the dystopian fantasy Gaia series; The Storm (2018) is a supernatural thriller set in the nineteenth century; Shadowfolk (2022), a haunting adult fairytale, was shortlisted for a Northern Writers' Award in 2021; and his latest The Deal (2022) is a folk horror set on the Northumberland coast. His current work in progress, a middle-grade adventure titled, Cuddy's Jewels was shortlisted for the Sid Chaplin Award in 2022. All his novels have received excellent reviews and widespread critical acclaim.
Chris has presented his work in schools, libraries, at writing events such as Noir at the Bar and The Stanza, and has featured in several magazines including, Writing Magazine, Living North, NARC, and Northumbria University’s OnEdge. In 2017, he was commissioned to write a series of short stories for Woodhorn Museum’s Wonderfolk exhibit.
When Chris is not plotting new storylines and killing off characters, he likes to toot his horn in his hometown brass band. Chris has always loved exploring the world and has lived and taught in Turkey, Portugal and India, and travelled far beyond. He currently lives in his beloved Northumbria with his wife, four boys, and Monty the mad, ever-hungry labrador.
Further information on Chris and his work can be found at: http://chrisord.wixsite.com/chrisord or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/chrisordauthor/. You can also follow him on Twitter: @theOoblet and Instagram: theooblet1
He has published five novels: Becoming (2016) and Awakening (2019) are both part of the dystopian fantasy Gaia series; The Storm (2018) is a supernatural thriller set in the nineteenth century; Shadowfolk (2022), a haunting adult fairytale, was shortlisted for a Northern Writers' Award in 2021; and his latest The Deal (2022) is a folk horror set on the Northumberland coast. His current work in progress, a middle-grade adventure titled, Cuddy's Jewels was shortlisted for the Sid Chaplin Award in 2022. All his novels have received excellent reviews and widespread critical acclaim.
Chris has presented his work in schools, libraries, at writing events such as Noir at the Bar and The Stanza, and has featured in several magazines including, Writing Magazine, Living North, NARC, and Northumbria University’s OnEdge. In 2017, he was commissioned to write a series of short stories for Woodhorn Museum’s Wonderfolk exhibit.
When Chris is not plotting new storylines and killing off characters, he likes to toot his horn in his hometown brass band. Chris has always loved exploring the world and has lived and taught in Turkey, Portugal and India, and travelled far beyond. He currently lives in his beloved Northumbria with his wife, four boys, and Monty the mad, ever-hungry labrador.
Further information on Chris and his work can be found at: http://chrisord.wixsite.com/chrisord or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/chrisordauthor/. You can also follow him on Twitter: @theOoblet and Instagram: theooblet1
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 11, 2017
I keep trying to read this book and my adult children keep stealing it to read.
They keep telling me how good this book is and I really must read this book while I silently snarl and have nasty thoughts running through my head.
Based on what two of my daughter's have told me this book is simply awesome.
Think I am about half way through the book myself and I have carefully concealed it this time so I get to finish the story.
I will leave an update if I think it deserves another rating but from what I have read so far I think the book is extremely good.
One night I was reading it and I fell asleep just after the giant rats and boy did I have a bad dream that night.
Really enjoying this book and I think my daughter's have very good taste when it comes to books.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author for this book it was really appreciated.
They keep telling me how good this book is and I really must read this book while I silently snarl and have nasty thoughts running through my head.
Based on what two of my daughter's have told me this book is simply awesome.
Think I am about half way through the book myself and I have carefully concealed it this time so I get to finish the story.
I will leave an update if I think it deserves another rating but from what I have read so far I think the book is extremely good.
One night I was reading it and I fell asleep just after the giant rats and boy did I have a bad dream that night.
Really enjoying this book and I think my daughter's have very good taste when it comes to books.
Thank you to Goodreads and the author for this book it was really appreciated.
February 3, 2017
i'm rating this book 2 stars, not because the story was especially bad, but because of the atrocious editing and punctuation. "their" instead of "there" is just one example of a typo that should not have not have escaped the writer's, the beta readers', and the editor's notice. and did nobody ever tell you, Chris, that you should use a comma when addressing someone by name? (see what i did there?)
tldr: book was unreadable due to terrible editing and punctuation, and i had only one capital letter left.
tldr: book was unreadable due to terrible editing and punctuation, and i had only one capital letter left.
February 5, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this debut novel from new writer Chris Ord. He has created engaging characters I really cared about, and unexpected plot twists which kept me guessing right to the end, and have me longing to read the sequel - I hope I won't have to wait too long! All set against the background of the beautiful county of Northumberland, where I was born and raised, giving me the added bonus of being able to recognise locations I know and love. All in all a great read and I highly recommend it.
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December 9, 2024I think this is a ray which has ended with me. I am grateful to the UK readers still willing to send to Europe post-Brexit! I gather the author was meant to speak at the Uncon this year in Durham but was not able to attend due to illness. I hope he is fully recovered!
As is often the case for me, between my signing up for a book and my turning the first page, time passes and I forget what led me to sign up for it. Perhaps mischieviously, I refrain from trying to find out what it was before diving in, so the book ends up being a surprise. This was certainly the case here. (I don't read the comments or reviews either, until I've written my own, which I might edit if I want to react to something someone else has written).
I felt like this was a cross between The Uglies and Harry Potter (I guess it was the spiders that did that...). I suppose I could add Maze Runners to the mix too. I don't mean it was unoriginal, but it slotted nicely into that mainly dystopian YA genre.
The story ends on a decided cliff-hanger, which is rather frustrating...
Not my usual fare (although while I worked as a teacher I read a lot of YA either to share with students or to understand what they were interested in), but an adventure nonetheless.
I would be curious about the sequel(s?).
As is often the case for me, between my signing up for a book and my turning the first page, time passes and I forget what led me to sign up for it. Perhaps mischieviously, I refrain from trying to find out what it was before diving in, so the book ends up being a surprise. This was certainly the case here. (I don't read the comments or reviews either, until I've written my own, which I might edit if I want to react to something someone else has written).
I felt like this was a cross between The Uglies and Harry Potter (I guess it was the spiders that did that...). I suppose I could add Maze Runners to the mix too. I don't mean it was unoriginal, but it slotted nicely into that mainly dystopian YA genre.
The story ends on a decided cliff-hanger, which is rather frustrating...
Not my usual fare (although while I worked as a teacher I read a lot of YA either to share with students or to understand what they were interested in), but an adventure nonetheless.
I would be curious about the sequel(s?).
August 12, 2018
The Becoming is not a book I would normally choose but I enjoyed another book by the author & decided to give it a go. The story reminded me of The Hunger Games a bit, this didn’t take anything away from the story though. It was action packed and some very tense scenes. Looking forward to the sequel
October 4, 2016
'Becoming' is a thoughtful, unique book regarding identity, morals and the idea of "community".
The setting of Holy Island, and Northumberland in general, made this book more enjoyable for me because, thanks to Ord's descriptions, I could imagine the action taking place in the wild coastal and countryside settings.
The characters in this novel are well-drawn and Gaia, the main protagonist, is a brilliant representation of a teenage girl. Comparisons may be drawn between Gaia and Katniss Everdeen but for all the right reasons. Chris Ord manages to capture the juxtaposition between being a vulnerable teenager and headstrong, principled young woman well.
If you like your books fast-paced and full of moral dilemmas alongside some excellent character development and beautiful imagery, 'Becoming' is the book for you!
The setting of Holy Island, and Northumberland in general, made this book more enjoyable for me because, thanks to Ord's descriptions, I could imagine the action taking place in the wild coastal and countryside settings.
The characters in this novel are well-drawn and Gaia, the main protagonist, is a brilliant representation of a teenage girl. Comparisons may be drawn between Gaia and Katniss Everdeen but for all the right reasons. Chris Ord manages to capture the juxtaposition between being a vulnerable teenager and headstrong, principled young woman well.
If you like your books fast-paced and full of moral dilemmas alongside some excellent character development and beautiful imagery, 'Becoming' is the book for you!
October 31, 2016
My mam says it was fantastic, she's just finished and loved it. I've just started and I already think its great, well written and the fact that it's set in Northumberland makes me feel very familiar with the book. :)
February 14, 2018
Enjoyable debut novel, with plenty of twists and turns, of which I will say no more. Very easy to read, felt I got to know the main characters personally. cannot wait to read the follow up.
August 28, 2024
Becoming by Chris Ord - not my thing
The last bookray for the authors that will speak at the Durham Bookcrossing Unconvention in September 2024.
I rarely read YA and I'm afraid this book reaffirms why - for me. I find it difficult to empathise with teenage protagonists and in this case, I just didn't like any of the characters. Really didn't care what happened to them. If it hadn't been a bookray, I would have given up. Instead I sped read my way through.
We are in a dystopian future where GM crops have poisoned the world, people have died and the natural world has changed. There's a group living on Lindisfarne. A leadership of adults and their young charges being raised in isolation before their 'becoming' and moving back to settlements on the mainland as adults. Life is regimented and constantly watched. They work hard to survive.
Unsurprisingly, there are those that want to rebel against this life and soon a little escape party is formed. They head off one night aiming to reach a different settlement in the hills of Northumberland. Of course, nothing runs smoothly and they have a number of obstacles to overcome, not to mention the various mutant creatures.
Maybe a younger person would enjoy it more, although I suspect it's a little 'wordy' for its target audience.
This was the author's first book, it will be interesting to hear him speak and see how his style has developed over the last 8 years.
#review
The last bookray for the authors that will speak at the Durham Bookcrossing Unconvention in September 2024.
I rarely read YA and I'm afraid this book reaffirms why - for me. I find it difficult to empathise with teenage protagonists and in this case, I just didn't like any of the characters. Really didn't care what happened to them. If it hadn't been a bookray, I would have given up. Instead I sped read my way through.
We are in a dystopian future where GM crops have poisoned the world, people have died and the natural world has changed. There's a group living on Lindisfarne. A leadership of adults and their young charges being raised in isolation before their 'becoming' and moving back to settlements on the mainland as adults. Life is regimented and constantly watched. They work hard to survive.
Unsurprisingly, there are those that want to rebel against this life and soon a little escape party is formed. They head off one night aiming to reach a different settlement in the hills of Northumberland. Of course, nothing runs smoothly and they have a number of obstacles to overcome, not to mention the various mutant creatures.
Maybe a younger person would enjoy it more, although I suspect it's a little 'wordy' for its target audience.
This was the author's first book, it will be interesting to hear him speak and see how his style has developed over the last 8 years.
#review
October 19, 2023
Quite a gruesome tale this, more horror than sci-fi in my opinion and the ending leavess you hanging as to the fate of the main character but then I remembered it was classed as Gaia Book 1 so I guess it was meant to be that way and you need to buy book 2 for answers. Not sure that I'll do that as don't think it's really my cup of tea.
October 17, 2018
Boring and repetitive
A very monotonous read, using a repetitive dialogue style that didn’t go anywhere. I skipped large chunks (due to boredom) without feeling I had missed anything significant within the storyline.
A very monotonous read, using a repetitive dialogue style that didn’t go anywhere. I skipped large chunks (due to boredom) without feeling I had missed anything significant within the storyline.
November 20, 2016
Good enjoyable read
Becoming was an interesting, fairly action packed storey, which had me gripped to the end.
Pityvthr storey stopped where it did.
Becoming was an interesting, fairly action packed storey, which had me gripped to the end.
Pityvthr storey stopped where it did.
February 5, 2017
This is just one of those books that's simply not for me. I didn't find any fault with the writing itself, it was clear and easy to read. It just seemed a bit shallow to me, I felt there could have been so much more depth to the characters, the world, the situation as a whole if the right 'tone' had been set from the start. Personally, I would have preferred to see much more of the world and mutations, felt more horror at the changes, but that's just my opinion.
I've only given 3 stars due to personal taste, but its still a book I'd recommend if its the style and genre you like.
I've only given 3 stars due to personal taste, but its still a book I'd recommend if its the style and genre you like.
February 5, 2017
Just loved this book - waiting in anticipation for the next.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews