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Where the River Runs Gold
Shifa and her brother, Themba, live in Kairos City with their father, Nabil. The few live in luxury, whilst the millions like them crowd together in compounds, surviving on meagre rations and governed by Freedom Fields - the organisation that looks after you, as long as you opt in.
The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat. But Nabil remembers Before and he knows that the soul needs to be nourished as much as the body so, despite the risk, he teaches his children how to grow flowers on a secret piece of land hidden beneath the train tracks.
The farm Shifa and Themba are sent to is hard and cruel. Themba won't survive there and Shifa comes up with a plan to break them out. But they have no idea where they are - their only guide is a map drawn from the ramblings of a stranger.
The journey ahead is fraught with danger, but Shifa is strong and knows to listen to her instincts - to let hope guide them home. The freedom of a nation depends on it . . .
The bees have long disappeared; instead children must labour on farms, pollinating crops so that the nation can eat. But Nabil remembers Before and he knows that the soul needs to be nourished as much as the body so, despite the risk, he teaches his children how to grow flowers on a secret piece of land hidden beneath the train tracks.
The farm Shifa and Themba are sent to is hard and cruel. Themba won't survive there and Shifa comes up with a plan to break them out. But they have no idea where they are - their only guide is a map drawn from the ramblings of a stranger.
The journey ahead is fraught with danger, but Shifa is strong and knows to listen to her instincts - to let hope guide them home. The freedom of a nation depends on it . . .
340 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2019
41 people are currently reading
871 people want to read
About the author
Sita Brahmachari
28 books97 followersSita was born in Derby in 1966, to an Indian doctor from Kolkata and an English nurse from the Lake District. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Arts Education. Her many projects and writing commissions have been produced in theatres, universities, schools and community groups throughout Britain and America. ARTICHOKE HEARTS is her first novel for young people. Sita lives and works in North London with her husband, three children and a temperamental cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 30, 2020
Upon finishing this book, I was speechless and completely emotional. I had just finished my favourite book of all time and I didn't want it to be over.
It's your turn now to turn over the page,
As we must do in every age,
To plant the seeds,
To have and to hold,
If you're to discover,
Where the river runs gold.
Sita Brahmachari writes that this book is inspired by youth environment activists, like Greta Thunberg, young wildlife conservationists, like Mya-Rose Craig, Sir David Attenborough, the process of urban re-wilding that is taking place, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, and the Syrian refugee, Dr Ryad Alsous, who is on a mission to save Britain’s bees.
Having had an interest in climate change (now crisis) and global issues/affairs from the age of 12, I went onto study Geography and World Development at A Level and then Politics and International Relations at university. Due to this, Where the River Runs Gold spoke to me on a level no other fiction book has before. Having studied the theories of Rostow, Boserup, and Malthus, this book echoes these theories in an accessible way for children, highlighting the brink of human history that we are currently edging towards. Although the book is based in a dystopian future, the storyline is so close to what we are already experiencing in the world today and I feel elements of the story are not far off happening in the near future.
I feel that if I had read this book as a young person, I would have felt so empowered by the storyline and the character of Shifa. Shifa is brave, protective, determined, resilient and exciting. I felt I was there with Shifa through all the obstacles she faces.
Similarly, I feel the character arc of Luca is sublime. Just like how I felt towards Jaime in Game of Thrones, you hate Luca in the beginning, but grow to love him throughout the book. I fully understand the message Brahmachari is trying to get across to children: sometimes people are not how they originally seem. I feel the author really tapped into the assumptions, judgements, and misunderstandings children have about people sometimes, to soon regret and reflect on these as we grow older.
Many reviews of this book talk about how they were disappointed by the ending. Although it may have been slightly rushed, I found Shifa’s discovery euphoric and thought the setting description of what she finds just brilliant.
Yes, some of the action sequences are a bit messy and not fully explained, however I found myself imagining what had happened myself and I enjoyed picturing scenes in my own way without the heavy description. Perhaps, this was intentional? Plus, children enjoy imagining and putting their own twist on events anyway!
I terms of use in school, the story definitely deals with some more mature themes and, at times, the story can become quite dark, so for this reason I would only use with UKS2 classes. Alongside other texts associated with the environment, I feel this book would be brilliant to use when discussing climate crisis, custodianship, responsibility, citizenship, refugees, migration, pollination, and nature/wildlife. In English, I would use this text as an example of setting descriptions, story mountains, character development, and introducing dystopian literature. There is so much Science, Art, History, PSHE, RE, and Geography to come out of this book too.
Overall, this is a 5/5 book for me. I have long awaited a children’s book that offers a story of this kind and I was not disappointed. The other reviews don’t do this book justice, so give it a chance.
It's your turn now to turn over the page,
As we must do in every age,
To plant the seeds,
To have and to hold,
If you're to discover,
Where the river runs gold.
Sita Brahmachari writes that this book is inspired by youth environment activists, like Greta Thunberg, young wildlife conservationists, like Mya-Rose Craig, Sir David Attenborough, the process of urban re-wilding that is taking place, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, and the Syrian refugee, Dr Ryad Alsous, who is on a mission to save Britain’s bees.
Having had an interest in climate change (now crisis) and global issues/affairs from the age of 12, I went onto study Geography and World Development at A Level and then Politics and International Relations at university. Due to this, Where the River Runs Gold spoke to me on a level no other fiction book has before. Having studied the theories of Rostow, Boserup, and Malthus, this book echoes these theories in an accessible way for children, highlighting the brink of human history that we are currently edging towards. Although the book is based in a dystopian future, the storyline is so close to what we are already experiencing in the world today and I feel elements of the story are not far off happening in the near future.
I feel that if I had read this book as a young person, I would have felt so empowered by the storyline and the character of Shifa. Shifa is brave, protective, determined, resilient and exciting. I felt I was there with Shifa through all the obstacles she faces.
Similarly, I feel the character arc of Luca is sublime. Just like how I felt towards Jaime in Game of Thrones, you hate Luca in the beginning, but grow to love him throughout the book. I fully understand the message Brahmachari is trying to get across to children: sometimes people are not how they originally seem. I feel the author really tapped into the assumptions, judgements, and misunderstandings children have about people sometimes, to soon regret and reflect on these as we grow older.
Many reviews of this book talk about how they were disappointed by the ending. Although it may have been slightly rushed, I found Shifa’s discovery euphoric and thought the setting description of what she finds just brilliant.
Yes, some of the action sequences are a bit messy and not fully explained, however I found myself imagining what had happened myself and I enjoyed picturing scenes in my own way without the heavy description. Perhaps, this was intentional? Plus, children enjoy imagining and putting their own twist on events anyway!
I terms of use in school, the story definitely deals with some more mature themes and, at times, the story can become quite dark, so for this reason I would only use with UKS2 classes. Alongside other texts associated with the environment, I feel this book would be brilliant to use when discussing climate crisis, custodianship, responsibility, citizenship, refugees, migration, pollination, and nature/wildlife. In English, I would use this text as an example of setting descriptions, story mountains, character development, and introducing dystopian literature. There is so much Science, Art, History, PSHE, RE, and Geography to come out of this book too.
Overall, this is a 5/5 book for me. I have long awaited a children’s book that offers a story of this kind and I was not disappointed. The other reviews don’t do this book justice, so give it a chance.
July 14, 2019
3.5
This book held within it so much passion. Passion for nature, equality and each other.
A well thought out dystopian world, in which a hurricane wipes out all natural resources, but most importantly the bees are gone. A new government comes into power, society is split, the ‘Paragon’s’ live in luxury whilst everyone else lives in poverty, practically forced into signing up to the ‘Freedom Fields Family’ which means you get (mediocre) benefits for sending your children to school to learn to pollinate in place of the bees. Then at age 11 the children are sent off to pollination farms and put to work. Shifa (our protagonist) knows that her brother Themba won’t cope with the brutality of the farms and starts to hatch a plan to escape. She soon starts to discover that there might be more going on behind the scenes, what secrets are the government trying so hard to keep?
A superb story, brilliantly thought out and well executed. My flaws with it were that a lot happened in the final few chapters and I found it difficult to keep up, let alone an 11 year old. I think it needed explaining more clearly and using much less metaphors. I also had to read the epilogue twice to remotely understand it and still feel a little bit peeved that we didn’t get more information on how Shifa’s discovery went about changing the world and why didn’t the girl narrating know who Shifa was ? Seemed like a pretty important person in the history 🤔
Would recommend but slightly disappointed by the final quarter of the book.
This book held within it so much passion. Passion for nature, equality and each other.
A well thought out dystopian world, in which a hurricane wipes out all natural resources, but most importantly the bees are gone. A new government comes into power, society is split, the ‘Paragon’s’ live in luxury whilst everyone else lives in poverty, practically forced into signing up to the ‘Freedom Fields Family’ which means you get (mediocre) benefits for sending your children to school to learn to pollinate in place of the bees. Then at age 11 the children are sent off to pollination farms and put to work. Shifa (our protagonist) knows that her brother Themba won’t cope with the brutality of the farms and starts to hatch a plan to escape. She soon starts to discover that there might be more going on behind the scenes, what secrets are the government trying so hard to keep?
A superb story, brilliantly thought out and well executed. My flaws with it were that a lot happened in the final few chapters and I found it difficult to keep up, let alone an 11 year old. I think it needed explaining more clearly and using much less metaphors. I also had to read the epilogue twice to remotely understand it and still feel a little bit peeved that we didn’t get more information on how Shifa’s discovery went about changing the world and why didn’t the girl narrating know who Shifa was ? Seemed like a pretty important person in the history 🤔
Would recommend but slightly disappointed by the final quarter of the book.
August 13, 2019
A wonderful concept with great characters but I found the writing/storyline very jumpy with bizarre gaps. Ends of chapters don’t marry up with the beginnings of next chapters and entire events are skipped leaving you to wonder ‘what happened?’ I found this frustrating especially as this is a MG book. I know most of the 8-10 year olds I teach would not have been able to follow this story. As I said - it’s a shame because it’s a brilliant concept.
November 2, 2019
I felt this had potential, but in an oversaturated genre, there were too many things that bugged me.
Like most dystopian books, society is divided: the Paragons (i.e. the rich ones), the Freedoms (i.e. the poor ones) and the Foragers. It is unclear exactly who the Foragers are, perhaps people who have not rejected this societies way of life? I was left wanting to know more about them. Exactly how this society works and came into existence is not explained.
There were lots of little things that irritated me. The Freedom Fields are advertised as something great, but in reality are not (what a surprise). But as the kids only go there for 5 years, surely word will get around from the returning kids as to exactly what it is like there?
If there are no bees, then how are there still various plants and weeds growing in her town. They could be pollinated by insects and moths, but it doesn't sound like it and if bees have gone then it’s quite likely other pollinators would have too. Shifa collects flower heads for their seeds. If the plant is in flower then the seeds will not have formed yet. Surely then it would be a better idea to pick the seed head later if you actually want a chance at growing anything from it? Producing food is a problem for this society, but they send lots of time pollinating roses and lilies?
These kids who have never eaten meat or spent time in nature manage to catch a fish and cook with no problems! They gather wild berries almonds, apples and pears, how lucky they are it’s the right time of year and that they all grow there! And lucky that none of those berries are poisonous. Given their background I'm surprised they successfully identify the various foods they gather. Yes they may have gathered similar ones back home, but there will be a lot more species of these plants than there were in the urban area. I also found Luca's personality transformation a bit unrealistic.
The twist doesn't make sense.
Maybe I'm being a bit pedantic, but as some of these issues relate to the its more unique premise of no bees and the typical unfair class system trope, it spoilt the book for me. It felt slightly like they had taken the interesting idea of a world without bees but didn't know quite how that society would work and gave us an unexplained, standard dystopian society set up. Given this is actually a children's dystopian novel, they will likely overlook some of these things and may enjoy the book a lot, as the writing is not bad. I always feel though, that writing for children does not give you can excuse to be lazy - they should be as well thought out as adults’ books can be.
Like most dystopian books, society is divided: the Paragons (i.e. the rich ones), the Freedoms (i.e. the poor ones) and the Foragers. It is unclear exactly who the Foragers are, perhaps people who have not rejected this societies way of life? I was left wanting to know more about them. Exactly how this society works and came into existence is not explained.
There were lots of little things that irritated me. The Freedom Fields are advertised as something great, but in reality are not (what a surprise). But as the kids only go there for 5 years, surely word will get around from the returning kids as to exactly what it is like there?
If there are no bees, then how are there still various plants and weeds growing in her town. They could be pollinated by insects and moths, but it doesn't sound like it and if bees have gone then it’s quite likely other pollinators would have too. Shifa collects flower heads for their seeds. If the plant is in flower then the seeds will not have formed yet. Surely then it would be a better idea to pick the seed head later if you actually want a chance at growing anything from it? Producing food is a problem for this society, but they send lots of time pollinating roses and lilies?
These kids who have never eaten meat or spent time in nature manage to catch a fish and cook with no problems! They gather wild berries almonds, apples and pears, how lucky they are it’s the right time of year and that they all grow there! And lucky that none of those berries are poisonous. Given their background I'm surprised they successfully identify the various foods they gather. Yes they may have gathered similar ones back home, but there will be a lot more species of these plants than there were in the urban area. I also found Luca's personality transformation a bit unrealistic.
The twist doesn't make sense.
Maybe I'm being a bit pedantic, but as some of these issues relate to the its more unique premise of no bees and the typical unfair class system trope, it spoilt the book for me. It felt slightly like they had taken the interesting idea of a world without bees but didn't know quite how that society would work and gave us an unexplained, standard dystopian society set up. Given this is actually a children's dystopian novel, they will likely overlook some of these things and may enjoy the book a lot, as the writing is not bad. I always feel though, that writing for children does not give you can excuse to be lazy - they should be as well thought out as adults’ books can be.
January 29, 2020
I was very disappointed with where this book chose to go. After a gripping opening, and a very interesting setup of a girl in a dystopian future, I was fully invested. Shades of Margaret Atwood's Maddaddam trilogy, with fairly heavily laid on themes of environmental responsibility.
However, after the book's opening gambit, and Shifa and Themba's journey out of the city, the story seemed to go nowhere. Every obstacle surmounted with unrealistic ease, whilst tensions and issues seemed fabricated from nowhere; we were told that there were issues, which were not backed up by the evidence of the characters & world of the book. I found Brahmachari's writing of action sequences extremely hard to follow, and this led to me finding it extremely difficult to feel invested and involved in what was happening- often events came from nowhere, and then disappeared immediately after without any impact on the narrative, or any of the characters.
It's a shame as I very much enjoyed the concept and the characters- and i feel that with a stronger narrative thread this book could have been really much approved. Personally I would not use this in a classroom setting, however I wouldn't have a problem in recommending it to UKS2 children who were passionate about environmental issues. I accept that some of the issues I thought to be inherent in the book may not be so problematic for younger readers- especially ones who have not previously been introduced to dystopian novels.
However, after the book's opening gambit, and Shifa and Themba's journey out of the city, the story seemed to go nowhere. Every obstacle surmounted with unrealistic ease, whilst tensions and issues seemed fabricated from nowhere; we were told that there were issues, which were not backed up by the evidence of the characters & world of the book. I found Brahmachari's writing of action sequences extremely hard to follow, and this led to me finding it extremely difficult to feel invested and involved in what was happening- often events came from nowhere, and then disappeared immediately after without any impact on the narrative, or any of the characters.
It's a shame as I very much enjoyed the concept and the characters- and i feel that with a stronger narrative thread this book could have been really much approved. Personally I would not use this in a classroom setting, however I wouldn't have a problem in recommending it to UKS2 children who were passionate about environmental issues. I accept that some of the issues I thought to be inherent in the book may not be so problematic for younger readers- especially ones who have not previously been introduced to dystopian novels.
May 19, 2019
An apt message for today - will life be like this when the bees die? A good mix of strong characters with a compelling story to make us think, I hope.
July 31, 2025
Rating: 3.5
When I was searching on my shelves for my next read Where the River Runs Gold jumped out at me & as soon as I started reading I was incredibly curious about where the story would go. This is a story about love, climate change, oppression & being strong. Main character Shifa encourages, within the reader, a pure joy for flowers & nature & the world where we live & her brother Themba fills you with hope & love. There were some hard scenes in this book that made me very angry & made me cry (more below), but overall, I loved the message of this story & the fact that I thought I knew where it was going, but I really did not. If one thing had been different then this would have been a five star read for me because the descriptions were beautiful, there was brilliant character development & the plot kept me on my toes.
⚠️ The consequences of global warming/climate change, aftermath of a Hurricane & vicious storm, some violence (mainly off-page), bullying, a form of child labour/slavery, a character with dementia struggling with her confusion & scenes of almost drowning ⚠️
‼️There is a character in this book, Themba, who appears to be Autistic (it is never stated outright), & in several chapters he is bullied & abused by other children, as well as adults who should be caring for him. There is some violence & rough handling in an attempt to “control” Themba & he displays signs of distress throughout much of the book. Themba does have friends looking out for him, & his sister loves him very much, & by the end of the book he is happy & safe, however there was one scene (in chapter seventeen) that made me cry & feel sick. I do feel that some of the scenes should have been softened as they did not need to be as full-on as they were, & that the evilness of the “Crows” was portrayed well-enough without Themba suffering like he did. Had there been more than one scene like the one in chapter seventeen then I would have stopped reading, & I think that everyone should be aware of how Themba is treated before picking up the book. I’m cross with the publisher for not including content warnings & I’m happy to discuss what Themba experiences with anyone who wants to know before reading the book. ‼️
When I was searching on my shelves for my next read Where the River Runs Gold jumped out at me & as soon as I started reading I was incredibly curious about where the story would go. This is a story about love, climate change, oppression & being strong. Main character Shifa encourages, within the reader, a pure joy for flowers & nature & the world where we live & her brother Themba fills you with hope & love. There were some hard scenes in this book that made me very angry & made me cry (more below), but overall, I loved the message of this story & the fact that I thought I knew where it was going, but I really did not. If one thing had been different then this would have been a five star read for me because the descriptions were beautiful, there was brilliant character development & the plot kept me on my toes.
⚠️ The consequences of global warming/climate change, aftermath of a Hurricane & vicious storm, some violence (mainly off-page), bullying, a form of child labour/slavery, a character with dementia struggling with her confusion & scenes of almost drowning ⚠️
‼️There is a character in this book, Themba, who appears to be Autistic (it is never stated outright), & in several chapters he is bullied & abused by other children, as well as adults who should be caring for him. There is some violence & rough handling in an attempt to “control” Themba & he displays signs of distress throughout much of the book. Themba does have friends looking out for him, & his sister loves him very much, & by the end of the book he is happy & safe, however there was one scene (in chapter seventeen) that made me cry & feel sick. I do feel that some of the scenes should have been softened as they did not need to be as full-on as they were, & that the evilness of the “Crows” was portrayed well-enough without Themba suffering like he did. Had there been more than one scene like the one in chapter seventeen then I would have stopped reading, & I think that everyone should be aware of how Themba is treated before picking up the book. I’m cross with the publisher for not including content warnings & I’m happy to discuss what Themba experiences with anyone who wants to know before reading the book. ‼️
October 6, 2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2019
A beautifully written dystopian novel with a very timely message behind it; what will we do when we no longer have need to pollinate our plants? A lot of books that I have read recently have climate change and environmental concerns at their core and I think this one tackles such an important topic with careful thought. My only disappointment with this book is that the pacing of the storyline is slightly off for me - it starts quite slowly and then the last few chapters contain lots of action which younger readers could find hard to keep track of.
August 20, 2019
3.5 out of 5 stars
A brilliant middle-grade dystopian story!
What ruined it for me was the blurb. The blurb says this is a story about 2 siblings who run away from a work farm, etc... BUT that's a massive spoiler! Yes, the children do escape the farm, but that only happens in the last third of the book! Who wrote this blurb???
Anyway, I'm uploading a proper review on my youtube channel soon. Watch this space :)
A brilliant middle-grade dystopian story!
What ruined it for me was the blurb. The blurb says this is a story about 2 siblings who run away from a work farm, etc... BUT that's a massive spoiler! Yes, the children do escape the farm, but that only happens in the last third of the book! Who wrote this blurb???
Anyway, I'm uploading a proper review on my youtube channel soon. Watch this space :)
September 8, 2019
I didn't enjoy this book. I have a lot of little niggles and things that are wrong with it, but ultimately we just didn't get on. I think my main issue was that the beginning was far too long and dull and dragged on and on, and then the end felt almost rushed. There were a lot of things that didn't click for me, but pacing might have saved it; as it was, reading this felt very much like a chore and not a joy, which was incredibly unfortunate because I had high hopes.
February 12, 2020
It was hard to get into and I had to push myself to pick it up again. I liked the idea but I don't feel like the world was developed well enough to understand why they were in the situation they were in. I found the characters a little two dimensional as well. I really wanted to love it. I just liked it. A lot of potential that I don't feel was realized.
March 8, 2023
3 stars
This was such a difficult book to get into. Themba saved the story for me.
I wouldn’t read it again nor will I read any more from this author.
This was such a difficult book to get into. Themba saved the story for me.
I wouldn’t read it again nor will I read any more from this author.
May 11, 2022
This novel is clumsy. It starts out as an uninspiring dystopia, borrowing indiscriminately from a well-saturated genre without contributing much back. It is lauded as an exception from the genre for its environmentalist focus, but really, aren’t most dystopias implicitly environmentalist? The message alone doesn’t seem like enough to redeem this book.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but the novel comes into itself in the final third. Here Brahmachari drops the futile attempts at worldbuilding (which, up until this point have been not only unoriginal and boring, consistently undermines its own logic) and transforms the story into something more whimsical, more suspended, more mythical. The final third reads very much like a fairytale. It has a hazy, lyrical quality of a story passed down orally. This matches the characters and themes of the books well: Shifa and Themba are raised on forbidden storytelling, and this is imbued in their moral code. If only the first two-thirds of the novel retained this quality, i would be a lot more forgiving.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but the novel comes into itself in the final third. Here Brahmachari drops the futile attempts at worldbuilding (which, up until this point have been not only unoriginal and boring, consistently undermines its own logic) and transforms the story into something more whimsical, more suspended, more mythical. The final third reads very much like a fairytale. It has a hazy, lyrical quality of a story passed down orally. This matches the characters and themes of the books well: Shifa and Themba are raised on forbidden storytelling, and this is imbued in their moral code. If only the first two-thirds of the novel retained this quality, i would be a lot more forgiving.
October 27, 2025
A well written book but i didnt like the first half of the book with themes of control and a dystopian world. Reminded me of concentration camps which was not nice. Improved towards end of book but annoyed by the ending when two main characyers werent mentioned and we never got to finish their story
June 29, 2019
This is an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking story which totally engrossed me right from the prologue which occurs 10 years before the main story when society is drastically changed by the catastrophic environmental damage caused by Hurricane Chronos.
The story is set in a dystopian aftermath where society has been firmly divided into three social groups: the Paragons, the Freedoms and the Outlanders. The inequality between these groups in terms of social status, power and wealth is evident. The Paragons rule ruthlessly through the ARK government, and control, not only the food supplies and wealth within Kairos City, but also the right to knowledge and perceptions of the landscape outside the City. The Outlanders refuse to conform to the expectations of the Paragons and live outside society, displaced and suffering social deprivation and hardship. Paradoxically, the group which is least free are the Freedoms, and it is to this group that the main protagonists, Shifa and Themba, belong.
Fighting his way through the eye of the storm, driven by his love for his infant son, Themba, Nabil survives the hurricane that devastates the very foundations of society. On his return, he discovers an abandoned baby with her cat, Daisy. There is no mother and her only possessions are a daisy chain strung around her body, a basket of edible leaves and a golden locket. He names her Shifa, and brings her up as his daughter.
Skip forward ten years … to Shifa and Themba’s tenth birthdays. It is on this day that the terrible, and heart-breaking, pledge their father has made to the ARK is realised. In exchange for the benefits of the food, money and education the family have received, Nabil’s children must give up four years of their lives to become Freedom Field Recruits. These recruits are needed to help with food production, including the pollination of plants as bees have become extinct due to climatic chaos. This is sold to the family as a vital part of the re-generation of society so that all can eventually enjoy the benefits currently only in existence for the Paragons.
Shifa and her family have a deep ingrained love of the natural environment and, defying ARK laws, have their own secret garden and ‘skep-heart’ code which becomes a powerful symbol of family love, loyalty and bonding threaded throughout the story.
'We’ve got to keep our family skepheart beating.'
What awaits the children on the Freedom Family Farm they are sent to is unbearably unjust as they struggle to cope in an oppressive regime where they are effectively dehumanised with any level of freedom they thought they had being cruelly ripped from them. The treatment of the children and the hopelessness of their situation is heart-wrenching; however, the resilience and strength of the majority of the children is uplifting. Torn from their families, they become a new family, taking care of each other, despite their hardships.
Shifa and Themba are just wonderful children who have made a lasting impression on me. They have an incredibly close bond and clearly adore each other: it is their love for each other that helps them survive. Shifa is kind-hearted, resilient and loving, but she also questions the society into which she has been born. Themba is artistic, impulsive and trusting, but also vulnerable. It is this vulnerability which gives his fiercely protective sister the strength, courage and determination to make an impossibly difficult decision. A decision which leads them on a terrifying journey, but also one of new discoveries, new friendships and perhaps towards hope of a new way of life.
The story’s central message is a very current one around the potential devastation that could be caused by inertia in tackling climate change. It really crystallises the effects this could have not only on the environment but also on the people who have to live in the aftermath, with the innocent bearing the brunt of mistakes made by their elders. Children are both the victims, and the redeemers, of this dystopian society.
'Not taking care of the planet felt like destroying the thing that most cared for you'.
The concept of freedom is also explored. Are you truly free if you don’t belong anywhere and don’t care about anyone? Can freedom be taken away if you have the love of your family in your heart? Can apparent freedom be nothing more than a façade? This theme is explored beautifully through the difficult and heartfelt relationship between Shifa and Luca, an orphan taken in by the ARK. Is he the enemy he appears, or just as much a victim as the other children?
This is an engrossing story of family, friendship and hope, set in deeply rooted themes of the effects of climatic change, societal injustice and an exploration of freedom, which captured me entirely. This story has incredible potential for classroom discussion. As a teacher, I can definitely see me using it with children of 9+.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Children’s Books/ Hachette Children's Group for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The story is set in a dystopian aftermath where society has been firmly divided into three social groups: the Paragons, the Freedoms and the Outlanders. The inequality between these groups in terms of social status, power and wealth is evident. The Paragons rule ruthlessly through the ARK government, and control, not only the food supplies and wealth within Kairos City, but also the right to knowledge and perceptions of the landscape outside the City. The Outlanders refuse to conform to the expectations of the Paragons and live outside society, displaced and suffering social deprivation and hardship. Paradoxically, the group which is least free are the Freedoms, and it is to this group that the main protagonists, Shifa and Themba, belong.
Fighting his way through the eye of the storm, driven by his love for his infant son, Themba, Nabil survives the hurricane that devastates the very foundations of society. On his return, he discovers an abandoned baby with her cat, Daisy. There is no mother and her only possessions are a daisy chain strung around her body, a basket of edible leaves and a golden locket. He names her Shifa, and brings her up as his daughter.
Skip forward ten years … to Shifa and Themba’s tenth birthdays. It is on this day that the terrible, and heart-breaking, pledge their father has made to the ARK is realised. In exchange for the benefits of the food, money and education the family have received, Nabil’s children must give up four years of their lives to become Freedom Field Recruits. These recruits are needed to help with food production, including the pollination of plants as bees have become extinct due to climatic chaos. This is sold to the family as a vital part of the re-generation of society so that all can eventually enjoy the benefits currently only in existence for the Paragons.
Shifa and her family have a deep ingrained love of the natural environment and, defying ARK laws, have their own secret garden and ‘skep-heart’ code which becomes a powerful symbol of family love, loyalty and bonding threaded throughout the story.
'We’ve got to keep our family skepheart beating.'
What awaits the children on the Freedom Family Farm they are sent to is unbearably unjust as they struggle to cope in an oppressive regime where they are effectively dehumanised with any level of freedom they thought they had being cruelly ripped from them. The treatment of the children and the hopelessness of their situation is heart-wrenching; however, the resilience and strength of the majority of the children is uplifting. Torn from their families, they become a new family, taking care of each other, despite their hardships.
Shifa and Themba are just wonderful children who have made a lasting impression on me. They have an incredibly close bond and clearly adore each other: it is their love for each other that helps them survive. Shifa is kind-hearted, resilient and loving, but she also questions the society into which she has been born. Themba is artistic, impulsive and trusting, but also vulnerable. It is this vulnerability which gives his fiercely protective sister the strength, courage and determination to make an impossibly difficult decision. A decision which leads them on a terrifying journey, but also one of new discoveries, new friendships and perhaps towards hope of a new way of life.
The story’s central message is a very current one around the potential devastation that could be caused by inertia in tackling climate change. It really crystallises the effects this could have not only on the environment but also on the people who have to live in the aftermath, with the innocent bearing the brunt of mistakes made by their elders. Children are both the victims, and the redeemers, of this dystopian society.
'Not taking care of the planet felt like destroying the thing that most cared for you'.
The concept of freedom is also explored. Are you truly free if you don’t belong anywhere and don’t care about anyone? Can freedom be taken away if you have the love of your family in your heart? Can apparent freedom be nothing more than a façade? This theme is explored beautifully through the difficult and heartfelt relationship between Shifa and Luca, an orphan taken in by the ARK. Is he the enemy he appears, or just as much a victim as the other children?
This is an engrossing story of family, friendship and hope, set in deeply rooted themes of the effects of climatic change, societal injustice and an exploration of freedom, which captured me entirely. This story has incredible potential for classroom discussion. As a teacher, I can definitely see me using it with children of 9+.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Children’s Books/ Hachette Children's Group for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 10, 2022
lovely book!!!!
August 18, 2019
The story revolves around Shifa and Themba, a sibling duo who are relentlessly exploited under harsh circumstances. Kairos City is not the same anymore after the hurricane Chronos destroyed everything ten years ago. Now the bees have disappeared forever and children are forced to work in the fields to make pollination possible and enhance food production.
The society has been divided into three classes with the Paragons ruthlessly reigning at the top and the Outlanders left out to scavenge for themselves in the outskirts. The Freedoms are the most oppressed in the name of development necessities. The social hierarchy mirrors our modern day turmoils where the privileged always dominates the needy and a dystopian outlook only heightens the matter.
What I adored the most is the bond shared between Shifa and Themba even though they did not share the same blood. Also, this book is a huge nudge to the conscience of humankind. We are all entitled to the free gifts of Nature which also entails the responsibility of keeping them safe.
The narration is vivid and haunting, leaving us to imagine the worst case scenario of an apocalypse which might drive us all beyond the edge of reasoning. The characters are deep-seated and almost instantly relatable.
Where The River Runs Gold is a fair warning against an inevitable fate, wrapped in familial warmth and an adventurous odyssey. Would rate it 4.5 out of 5 🌟.
The society has been divided into three classes with the Paragons ruthlessly reigning at the top and the Outlanders left out to scavenge for themselves in the outskirts. The Freedoms are the most oppressed in the name of development necessities. The social hierarchy mirrors our modern day turmoils where the privileged always dominates the needy and a dystopian outlook only heightens the matter.
What I adored the most is the bond shared between Shifa and Themba even though they did not share the same blood. Also, this book is a huge nudge to the conscience of humankind. We are all entitled to the free gifts of Nature which also entails the responsibility of keeping them safe.
The narration is vivid and haunting, leaving us to imagine the worst case scenario of an apocalypse which might drive us all beyond the edge of reasoning. The characters are deep-seated and almost instantly relatable.
Where The River Runs Gold is a fair warning against an inevitable fate, wrapped in familial warmth and an adventurous odyssey. Would rate it 4.5 out of 5 🌟.
December 15, 2021
This came highly recommended to me by several friends, and I’ve really enjoyed some of Sita’s writing in the past, so although I don’t read a lot of dystopian novels, this has been on my TBR pretty much since it came out. It’s the story of twins Shifa and Themba, who live in a world where a storm caused by the climate crisis has wiped bees from existence, leading to a government scheme that makes children go into service to pollinate plants by hand. The writing style is so engaging and beautiful even though the world it describes isn’t really , and although there are some things I’d have liked more details and explanation about, but it’s such an interesting concept and there are parts of the worldbuilding I thought were exceptional. I was also a big fan of the characterisation, especially that of Shifa. Her protectiveness over Themba even though she too was struggling being away from home, was so lovely, and I also loved her determination and bravery. Luca was also a really interesting character, and I think it wouldn’t be possible to not love Themba. There are some great twists and interesting developments as the book goes on, and I was absolutely gripped while reading it. Overall, this is so moving and I loved the hopeful ending, as well as the messages that nature and literature and art and history are all so very important.
August 1, 2023
Ah... Finally a book that brought me out of my reading slump. I bought this book from a local store, not knowing that it was a children's book, just because I liked it's cover, but I am so glad I picked it up, it's a lot better than some of the books I recently read(but could not finish :D)
The book is a dystopian fiction. Due to a natural calamity, vegetation is destroyed and has created a gap between rich(called Paragons in the book) and the poor, who have no other choice then to send their children to freedom fields, to pollinate flowers by hand just so that they can get proper food.
But what happens at freedom fields is inhuman, that's when Shifa, the protagonist, decides to break out with her brother and a series of event happens.
The only part which disappointed me is when Jax sees Shifa over the train, and the chapter ends suddenly, and then in the next chapter Shifa is at home, I wanted to know how she reached there, ending seemed a little rushed!!
But, I really enjoyed reading this!! It kept me engaged, kept me imagining and wanting to know what happens next, and that's what I love about reading.
The book is a dystopian fiction. Due to a natural calamity, vegetation is destroyed and has created a gap between rich(called Paragons in the book) and the poor, who have no other choice then to send their children to freedom fields, to pollinate flowers by hand just so that they can get proper food.
But what happens at freedom fields is inhuman, that's when Shifa, the protagonist, decides to break out with her brother and a series of event happens.
The only part which disappointed me is when Jax sees Shifa over the train, and the chapter ends suddenly, and then in the next chapter Shifa is at home, I wanted to know how she reached there, ending seemed a little rushed!!
But, I really enjoyed reading this!! It kept me engaged, kept me imagining and wanting to know what happens next, and that's what I love about reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2019
I received an ARC of this book.
An interesting look at what a future with no bees could bring. Our children working to pollinate flowers in special tunnels. Living in cities with no flowers or trees or green. Being separated into the haves and the have nots.
The life of Shifa and Themba as they experience this world is at times brutal and other times gentle and touching. This brother and sister team take in the world through their own special way of seeing.
I rated this book down because we had 300 pages of great story, followed by a super quick ending that I felt rushed it and did not do the rest of the tale, justice. It was this ending that let it down for me.
Good for kids 12+
An interesting look at what a future with no bees could bring. Our children working to pollinate flowers in special tunnels. Living in cities with no flowers or trees or green. Being separated into the haves and the have nots.
The life of Shifa and Themba as they experience this world is at times brutal and other times gentle and touching. This brother and sister team take in the world through their own special way of seeing.
I rated this book down because we had 300 pages of great story, followed by a super quick ending that I felt rushed it and did not do the rest of the tale, justice. It was this ending that let it down for me.
Good for kids 12+
August 21, 2019
I had to snatch a copy of this up as soon as I spotted it as I love Sita Brahmachari's storytelling. I was also fascinated to see that it focuses on environmental degradation and is set in a dystopian future where the extinction of bees and widespread natural disasters have led to food shortages.
I loved Shifa, Thembla and their family as well as their strong bonds and communication through story, art and rhymes. The ending felt a little rushed, but has left me thinking!
An interesting, densely-packed adventure with lots of opportunities for discussion.
I loved Shifa, Thembla and their family as well as their strong bonds and communication through story, art and rhymes. The ending felt a little rushed, but has left me thinking!
An interesting, densely-packed adventure with lots of opportunities for discussion.
September 28, 2019
I was really enjoying this book. Good characters and flowing writing gave a clear picture of a world after a global hurricane has wreaked havoc. Then i started to feel like there wasn’t enough book left for a proper ending, then it started to feel rushed.
Following the epilogue i uttered the following ‘so were they dead?’ followed by ‘what the hell was that ending?’
3.5 stars a good read for transitioning children to teen books but needs a better end!
Following the epilogue i uttered the following ‘so were they dead?’ followed by ‘what the hell was that ending?’
3.5 stars a good read for transitioning children to teen books but needs a better end!
May 6, 2021
This was a really nice book. I just wish it had a proper ending as I really wanted to know what was in Luca's future.
February 6, 2025
A huge thanks to Hachette India for a physical review copy of this book.
Actual Rating - 3.5
Where the River Runs Gold is a passionate book about the need to protect nature and save the environment, lest we fall into a state of dystopia like the characters in the book.
- Shifa and Themba are raised by their father Nabil as twins but Shifa is constantly watching out for Themba who is the more trusting and gentler of the two. Themba although never explicitly mentioned, is coded as autistic and the author beautifully depicts him as a boy who simply sees things in a different way. He is a wonderful artist and constantly takes to drawing and painting when he feels stressed. I particularly loved how he came up with rhymes to help himself remember more information. His utter innocence and ability to forgive people who have hurt him just tugged at my heart. PROTECT THIS CINNAMON ROLL.
- The bond between the brother and sister is just wonderful and I loved that even after Shifa finds out they're not related by blood, her feelings towards Themba never changes. (This is not a spoiler. It's mentioned in the first few pages). She is decidedly angry at Nabil for lying to her but she never once takes out her anger on Themba. It was beautiful how even when she got into trouble because of her brother, she wasn't mad at him. THE PURE SIBLING LOVE WAS JUST PRECIOUS.
- This dystopian world is one where the bees are dead. Where the only way of facilitating pollination of plants is by hand. And what better than little, delicate children's hands to do the job. The government paints quite a wonderful image to the public, of life on these "Freedom Fields" where children work and study but the truth is far from rosy. Within a few days of the duo's arrival at the Fields, Shifa realizes that the Fields are nothing short of a prison or labour camp.
- My biggest issue with the book was the number of unanswered questions about the world building. How did the so called caste system of Paragons, Freedoms and Foragers come to be? Why at the Freedom Fields there's no mention of food crops but rather of pretty flowering plants? (Considering the Freedom Fields were established to provide food to the people) And also the latter world building. The jump between the final chapter and the epilogue was so immense and we see there have been changes with the world but have no idea of how.
- Among the thing I liked is the author's descriptive prowess. The descriptions of places are so beautiful and vivid that I had an image of every scene in my head as I was reading. Another thing I really liked was how the author dealt with human nature. Generally in many middle grade books, the world seems to be in black and white but here there are morally grey characters. There are characters you think you will hate but then realize that they're nothing but victims of circumstance and I really appreciate how the authors portrays people.
Where the River Runs Gold is a beautiful book with important lessons on nature, love and family and would have been an exceptional read with more detail when it came to the world building.
Actual Rating - 3.5
Where the River Runs Gold is a passionate book about the need to protect nature and save the environment, lest we fall into a state of dystopia like the characters in the book.
- Shifa and Themba are raised by their father Nabil as twins but Shifa is constantly watching out for Themba who is the more trusting and gentler of the two. Themba although never explicitly mentioned, is coded as autistic and the author beautifully depicts him as a boy who simply sees things in a different way. He is a wonderful artist and constantly takes to drawing and painting when he feels stressed. I particularly loved how he came up with rhymes to help himself remember more information. His utter innocence and ability to forgive people who have hurt him just tugged at my heart. PROTECT THIS CINNAMON ROLL.
- The bond between the brother and sister is just wonderful and I loved that even after Shifa finds out they're not related by blood, her feelings towards Themba never changes. (This is not a spoiler. It's mentioned in the first few pages). She is decidedly angry at Nabil for lying to her but she never once takes out her anger on Themba. It was beautiful how even when she got into trouble because of her brother, she wasn't mad at him. THE PURE SIBLING LOVE WAS JUST PRECIOUS.
- This dystopian world is one where the bees are dead. Where the only way of facilitating pollination of plants is by hand. And what better than little, delicate children's hands to do the job. The government paints quite a wonderful image to the public, of life on these "Freedom Fields" where children work and study but the truth is far from rosy. Within a few days of the duo's arrival at the Fields, Shifa realizes that the Fields are nothing short of a prison or labour camp.
- My biggest issue with the book was the number of unanswered questions about the world building. How did the so called caste system of Paragons, Freedoms and Foragers come to be? Why at the Freedom Fields there's no mention of food crops but rather of pretty flowering plants? (Considering the Freedom Fields were established to provide food to the people) And also the latter world building. The jump between the final chapter and the epilogue was so immense and we see there have been changes with the world but have no idea of how.
- Among the thing I liked is the author's descriptive prowess. The descriptions of places are so beautiful and vivid that I had an image of every scene in my head as I was reading. Another thing I really liked was how the author dealt with human nature. Generally in many middle grade books, the world seems to be in black and white but here there are morally grey characters. There are characters you think you will hate but then realize that they're nothing but victims of circumstance and I really appreciate how the authors portrays people.
Where the River Runs Gold is a beautiful book with important lessons on nature, love and family and would have been an exceptional read with more detail when it came to the world building.
July 10, 2019
3.5 rounded up. Years after a devastating hurricane, Kairos City is divided into three strata; Paragons, Freedoms and Foragers. Freedom children labour on Freedom Farms, hand pollinating the plants that feed everyone. Shifa is determined that she and her brother Themba will not wither away there. She hatches a plan to run for it and expose the Farms.
I want to rate this higher, as it's fabulously written, looks at a very possible future for our planet, and covers a lot of good topics. However, two small things prevented me. Even after reading it, I'm not sure how the divisions came into play or how they're enforced. I think Shifa and Themba are Freedoms with a carer, so they don't have Freedom as a surname, but I'm not sure, and I don't know what Lottie is.
The other problem is that it doesn't seem to occur to anyone to wonder why a company whose mandate is to feed as many people as possible is wasting space and workers' time on lilies, roses and bird of paradise flowers. Sunflowers I can understand, as the seeds are a food source, but as far as I know the others just look pretty. Shifa evens notes that the smell has been bred out of them.
However, apart from those two things, this is an amazing book with a wonderful heroine and I recommend it to everyone. Even if I did cry a lot at the end.
Receiving a proof copy did not affect my review in any way.
"That's it then! You lot had better get your acts together when we're gone. You're on your own now with the bad apples!" Chirelle sighed. When they went off to shower, Shifa hovered by the door, listening.
Ailish's voice drifted through the shower water's flow. "I feel like we're abandoning a sinking ship. It was nothing like this when we got here. It's only when I see it though Shifa's eyes that I realise how bad it's got. It's like a whole new regime. I don't know how we survived it."
"We had each other! Shifa's not our problem now. We're out of here!" Chirelle said as the shower water cut out.
I want to rate this higher, as it's fabulously written, looks at a very possible future for our planet, and covers a lot of good topics. However, two small things prevented me. Even after reading it, I'm not sure how the divisions came into play or how they're enforced. I think Shifa and Themba are Freedoms with a carer, so they don't have Freedom as a surname, but I'm not sure, and I don't know what Lottie is.
The other problem is that it doesn't seem to occur to anyone to wonder why a company whose mandate is to feed as many people as possible is wasting space and workers' time on lilies, roses and bird of paradise flowers. Sunflowers I can understand, as the seeds are a food source, but as far as I know the others just look pretty. Shifa evens notes that the smell has been bred out of them.
However, apart from those two things, this is an amazing book with a wonderful heroine and I recommend it to everyone. Even if I did cry a lot at the end.
Receiving a proof copy did not affect my review in any way.
"That's it then! You lot had better get your acts together when we're gone. You're on your own now with the bad apples!" Chirelle sighed. When they went off to shower, Shifa hovered by the door, listening.
Ailish's voice drifted through the shower water's flow. "I feel like we're abandoning a sinking ship. It was nothing like this when we got here. It's only when I see it though Shifa's eyes that I realise how bad it's got. It's like a whole new regime. I don't know how we survived it."
"We had each other! Shifa's not our problem now. We're out of here!" Chirelle said as the shower water cut out.
December 31, 2019
❝𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓵𝓭𝓮𝓷 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓲𝓽 𝓼𝓮𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓹𝓪𝓲𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓼 𝓶𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓼 𝓪𝓼 𝓮𝔁𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓵𝓭 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓴𝓷𝓮𝔀 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓬𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓼 𝓯𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓭 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓲𝓽𝓼 𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓯𝓪𝓬𝓮?❞
.
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Extremely ravaged by the hurricane Kronos, the city of Kairo is not the same anymore. Bees have vanished and pollination can only be carried out artificially through hands for which children are enforced to work on the fields.
The siblings, Shifa and Themba are exploited and subjugated to work in the very same field. The government disguises the world by featuring an enticing epitome of 'Freedom Fields' where children carry out their studies and work at the same time but the reality was a long way off. Shifa realizes their lives are no less than living behind the bars and unravels a secret that can vindicate them and alter their fate.
I totally adored the bond between the siblings. When Shifa got into trouble because of Themba, even though they weren't related by blood Shifa's love for her brother remains unchanged. However, I liked the world-building in this book but the elucidation of the division of society into Paragons, Outlanders, and Scavage could have been more descriptive. The profound portrayal of the characters and human emotions drawn by the author was like a cascade that gave a beautiful flow throughout the read.
When the river runs gold is a book that facsimiles a dystopian world that could be possible in the near future if we don't put enough efforts to save our present thriving world. A tale that underlines the love of family and emerging out with valor. Recommending it for an adventurous read.
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Visit my blog for an extensive review. Link in bio.
Thanks to @hachette_india for the #gifted copy.🌻
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.
.
Extremely ravaged by the hurricane Kronos, the city of Kairo is not the same anymore. Bees have vanished and pollination can only be carried out artificially through hands for which children are enforced to work on the fields.
The siblings, Shifa and Themba are exploited and subjugated to work in the very same field. The government disguises the world by featuring an enticing epitome of 'Freedom Fields' where children carry out their studies and work at the same time but the reality was a long way off. Shifa realizes their lives are no less than living behind the bars and unravels a secret that can vindicate them and alter their fate.
I totally adored the bond between the siblings. When Shifa got into trouble because of Themba, even though they weren't related by blood Shifa's love for her brother remains unchanged. However, I liked the world-building in this book but the elucidation of the division of society into Paragons, Outlanders, and Scavage could have been more descriptive. The profound portrayal of the characters and human emotions drawn by the author was like a cascade that gave a beautiful flow throughout the read.
When the river runs gold is a book that facsimiles a dystopian world that could be possible in the near future if we don't put enough efforts to save our present thriving world. A tale that underlines the love of family and emerging out with valor. Recommending it for an adventurous read.
.
Visit my blog for an extensive review. Link in bio.
Thanks to @hachette_india for the #gifted copy.🌻
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May 6, 2023
This book was a real mix for me, as there were parts I loved, and other parts that I felt didn't quite make sense or didn't add up at the end.
Golden Moments:
The first two parts I thought were fantastic. I thought the setting, world description and variety of characters were amazing, and that the plot was super clear and well executed - as there were hints that Freedom Fields weren't all that they seemed, but at the same time, you wanted to believe that they had everyone's best interests at heart.
I also felt that the different places in Karios City were the perfect balance between familiar and futuristic, and (thanks to the brilliant and detailed description) effortless to become immersed in.
Not such Golden Moments:
However, after Shifa's daring escape from the Freedom Fields, I felt that the plot began to wane a little, as she had no proof of the conditions and intense regime that the children were placed under, but still expected to be able to convince people back in the city to make changes.
Also, the fact that her actual actions didn't result in the changes that did happen, and that she couldn't personally be involved in the freeing of the other children from the Farm, disappointed me too.
Finally, there were some loose ends which I really wanted tying up - like did she get to see Yara, Themba and Luca again, did she ever find out who her real mum was, and why wasn't she arrested after being spotted on the roof of the train.
So overall I'd give it 3.5 starts because while there were some parts that niggled at me, I did really enjoy the other parts; and thought that the environmental message, that ended with hope of rejuvenation, was powerful and uplifting :)
Golden Moments:
The first two parts I thought were fantastic. I thought the setting, world description and variety of characters were amazing, and that the plot was super clear and well executed - as there were hints that Freedom Fields weren't all that they seemed, but at the same time, you wanted to believe that they had everyone's best interests at heart.
I also felt that the different places in Karios City were the perfect balance between familiar and futuristic, and (thanks to the brilliant and detailed description) effortless to become immersed in.
Not such Golden Moments:
However, after Shifa's daring escape from the Freedom Fields, I felt that the plot began to wane a little, as she had no proof of the conditions and intense regime that the children were placed under, but still expected to be able to convince people back in the city to make changes.
Also, the fact that her actual actions didn't result in the changes that did happen, and that she couldn't personally be involved in the freeing of the other children from the Farm, disappointed me too.
Finally, there were some loose ends which I really wanted tying up - like did she get to see Yara, Themba and Luca again, did she ever find out who her real mum was, and why wasn't she arrested after being spotted on the roof of the train.
So overall I'd give it 3.5 starts because while there were some parts that niggled at me, I did really enjoy the other parts; and thought that the environmental message, that ended with hope of rejuvenation, was powerful and uplifting :)
Read
December 8, 2022Update 8/12/2022
I'm about 8 chapters in, not a fan of the writing style, infuriated with that Shifa, confused about the backstory filling, in short, not impressed. Maybe I'll carry on for 2 chapters, and if things don't get any better, this would be a DNF for me. Shame because I've been wanting to read this ever since I saw the cover 3 years ago. The story has great potential and it has the theme I'm passionate for, but it felt this book isn't particularly subtle in this -- it seemed the author is shoving the message in your face over and over again, and I'm not fond of it even though I care about nature and the environment. Anyhow, let's hope things get better or admit I've wasted time trudging through a messy plot again.
Can you believe this is an actual line from the book:
'Stephan' according to his name tag called to a worker at the back of the container and a pair of hands appeared holding a small box with Shifa and Themba's names written on the front.
It was like this nearly every sentence.
--------------------
I'm on chapter 9 now, and I'm deciding to mark this at DNF. What a shame. I just can't get invested. Reading this feels like a chore. You should never judge a book by its cover, as in the case of The Last Chance Hotel: a pretty cover doesn't mean the book is good.
I'm about 8 chapters in, not a fan of the writing style, infuriated with that Shifa, confused about the backstory filling, in short, not impressed. Maybe I'll carry on for 2 chapters, and if things don't get any better, this would be a DNF for me. Shame because I've been wanting to read this ever since I saw the cover 3 years ago. The story has great potential and it has the theme I'm passionate for, but it felt this book isn't particularly subtle in this -- it seemed the author is shoving the message in your face over and over again, and I'm not fond of it even though I care about nature and the environment. Anyhow, let's hope things get better or admit I've wasted time trudging through a messy plot again.
Can you believe this is an actual line from the book:
'Stephan' according to his name tag called to a worker at the back of the container and a pair of hands appeared holding a small box with Shifa and Themba's names written on the front.
It was like this nearly every sentence.
--------------------
I'm on chapter 9 now, and I'm deciding to mark this at DNF. What a shame. I just can't get invested. Reading this feels like a chore. You should never judge a book by its cover, as in the case of The Last Chance Hotel: a pretty cover doesn't mean the book is good.
July 2, 2022
It is great to see a dystopian novel directed at young people that addresses a world post climate change.
The descriptions and appreciation of the natural world is joyfully apparent across this book.
However, as an English teacher who teaches dystopian writing to my year 9s, I was a bit disappointed with the amount of detail in this world.
I felt like it would have been nice if there was a moment where we got details from Nabil's perspective of how the world started to unravel or how the Freedom Fields Family were an inspiring foundation at first. A story told by Nabil or a diary entry that Shifa finds would have been perfect.
I feel like by the end, it might be easy for some young readers to misunderstand the full extent of the crimes committed by the Freedom Fields organisation. It would be easy to miss that they lied to the population to make the natural world a commodity and that they restricted access to nature to control people and to break moral.
Therefore, I feel this book doesn't reach its full potential though it is a wonderful initial idea.
These details would make it a fully dystopian text rather than an ode to the natural world. It would also give young readers more of a taste for dystopian conventions.
The descriptions and appreciation of the natural world is joyfully apparent across this book.
However, as an English teacher who teaches dystopian writing to my year 9s, I was a bit disappointed with the amount of detail in this world.
I felt like it would have been nice if there was a moment where we got details from Nabil's perspective of how the world started to unravel or how the Freedom Fields Family were an inspiring foundation at first. A story told by Nabil or a diary entry that Shifa finds would have been perfect.
I feel like by the end, it might be easy for some young readers to misunderstand the full extent of the crimes committed by the Freedom Fields organisation. It would be easy to miss that they lied to the population to make the natural world a commodity and that they restricted access to nature to control people and to break moral.
Therefore, I feel this book doesn't reach its full potential though it is a wonderful initial idea.
These details would make it a fully dystopian text rather than an ode to the natural world. It would also give young readers more of a taste for dystopian conventions.
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