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Border 7
An overcrowded planet. Dwindling resources. England isolated and divided. Dominant corporations controlling food, medicine and work. Those on the outside scrabbling to survive. In this companion novel to The Keepers, Pauline Kirk captures the stark reality of a world that is not too far away.
Jude is a skilled member of the corporation's security force. Cracks are beginning to appear in the system and dissatisfaction is growing. Soon even Jude begins to doubt the benevolence of the omnipotent Corporation to which she is pledged until the day she dies. In this world of subterfuge, traitors, and spies, trusting the wrong person can be a death sentence. Jude has to learn to trust and to earn the trust of people who have every reason to be suspicious of an agent of The Corporation.
Jude is a skilled member of the corporation's security force. Cracks are beginning to appear in the system and dissatisfaction is growing. Soon even Jude begins to doubt the benevolence of the omnipotent Corporation to which she is pledged until the day she dies. In this world of subterfuge, traitors, and spies, trusting the wrong person can be a death sentence. Jude has to learn to trust and to earn the trust of people who have every reason to be suspicious of an agent of The Corporation.
276 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 6, 2020
A thought provoking and thrilling future dystopia.
England, 150 years in the future, and Jude is preparing for life with the man she is supposed to bond with. The sky scraper refuge is home, and she is a valued, obedient worker, until the day her well-organised existence is shaken. Sent on a secret mission deep into the heart of the Corporation, to report on possible corruption, her loyalties are put to the test.
This is a compelling page turner, with all the subterfuge of a spy novel. As with all good dystopia novels, ethical questions are raised, in this case, the question: what is the value of human life, and are any lives expendable? It is a chilling account of the power of propaganda, as Jude’s courage and humanity are tested. The world inside the refuges demands conformity and living your designated role; outside is an unenviable place.
Jude is a strong main character, relatable and with plausible motivations that carry the twists and turns of the novel with ease. Her personal journey was one I felt greatly invested in, rooting for her each step of the way and wanting to know more about the choices she faced. The futuristic setting is highly imaginative, yet so richly described that it felt familiar. A compelling read and one I would highly recommend.
England, 150 years in the future, and Jude is preparing for life with the man she is supposed to bond with. The sky scraper refuge is home, and she is a valued, obedient worker, until the day her well-organised existence is shaken. Sent on a secret mission deep into the heart of the Corporation, to report on possible corruption, her loyalties are put to the test.
This is a compelling page turner, with all the subterfuge of a spy novel. As with all good dystopia novels, ethical questions are raised, in this case, the question: what is the value of human life, and are any lives expendable? It is a chilling account of the power of propaganda, as Jude’s courage and humanity are tested. The world inside the refuges demands conformity and living your designated role; outside is an unenviable place.
Jude is a strong main character, relatable and with plausible motivations that carry the twists and turns of the novel with ease. Her personal journey was one I felt greatly invested in, rooting for her each step of the way and wanting to know more about the choices she faced. The futuristic setting is highly imaginative, yet so richly described that it felt familiar. A compelling read and one I would highly recommend.
January 11, 2020
An excellent Sci Fi adventure. Reminds me of Logan's Run in that the security officer understands more about her lifestyle and the costs involved.
The only downsides I'd warn you about is once you start it you'll start cancelling plans to finish it (I only took two days) and you'll be reduced to begging for a sequel!
If you enjoy near future sci fi with interesting commentaries on future evolution of our society and the implications on the human condition, then this is for you!
The only downsides I'd warn you about is once you start it you'll start cancelling plans to finish it (I only took two days) and you'll be reduced to begging for a sequel!
If you enjoy near future sci fi with interesting commentaries on future evolution of our society and the implications on the human condition, then this is for you!
March 19, 2020
Compelling, chillingly plausible and a cracking good read if you like your English dystopia authentic and local and with a touch of Zamyatin and Orwell. I thought I spotted Manchester and York though am willing to be corrected – while the capital retains its name. Certainly the North of the book has resonances with its own former border history and reiving past and with the strength and courage of the those deemed to live in the outer reaches: those who, apparently, need pacifying and containing.
In an England hundred and fifty years hence, government and democracy hardly exist and Corporations have taken control by offering apparent freedom after the deposing of the Junta. The miles high sky-scraping blocks are run as self-contained and all-encompassing microcosms for the benefit of the companies that own them. Conformity is demanded and maintained with the threat of the world of warlords and chaotic subsistence-level living outside.
However, it seems, the propaganda inside the 'refuges' conceals what is actually going on. Jude is a great central character and the story of her journey and the cast of characters she meets kept me reading. Will her self-determination and independence of spirit survive the odds stacked against her?
In an England hundred and fifty years hence, government and democracy hardly exist and Corporations have taken control by offering apparent freedom after the deposing of the Junta. The miles high sky-scraping blocks are run as self-contained and all-encompassing microcosms for the benefit of the companies that own them. Conformity is demanded and maintained with the threat of the world of warlords and chaotic subsistence-level living outside.
However, it seems, the propaganda inside the 'refuges' conceals what is actually going on. Jude is a great central character and the story of her journey and the cast of characters she meets kept me reading. Will her self-determination and independence of spirit survive the odds stacked against her?
January 11, 2020
I am actually the editor and publisher of this book and saw it in its earlier form. That so-called rough draft (very polished) kept me on the edge of my bed for 2 nights - as commented elsewhere, in those days i had insomnia which had abated around then, so my sleeplessness was due to nail biting thrills. What a ride.
The mark of an excellent and indeed amazing book is that i enjoy editing it and re-reading it the 4-5 times it can take to catch every inconsistency or typo. As i reached a section i'd think, "Goody! This part again!" whereas a less-successful book has me thinking "Ah... not this again". Yet Pauline's rollicking adventure stands up to repeated reads. I found myself thinking of Jude for many days.
This is dystopian in a realistic way, and is feminist in that the hero is female, but this is not a 'worthy' read: it's fun! Perfect for a train journey, a vacation, or as a gift. But be warned: you won't want to put it down.
The mark of an excellent and indeed amazing book is that i enjoy editing it and re-reading it the 4-5 times it can take to catch every inconsistency or typo. As i reached a section i'd think, "Goody! This part again!" whereas a less-successful book has me thinking "Ah... not this again". Yet Pauline's rollicking adventure stands up to repeated reads. I found myself thinking of Jude for many days.
This is dystopian in a realistic way, and is feminist in that the hero is female, but this is not a 'worthy' read: it's fun! Perfect for a train journey, a vacation, or as a gift. But be warned: you won't want to put it down.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews