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No Entry
Broken-hearted after losing her only brother in a terrorist attack, 17-year-old Yael Amar seeks solace on an elephant conservation program in South Africa's Kruger National Park. She is soon catapulted into a world harmonious with nature where she can heal and devote herself to the wildlife that is so important for the continued existence of all mankind. She is dazzled by her new best friend, reunites with her devoted boyfriend, and is fascinated by a local ranger who peels back another layer of meaning in her surroundings with each lesson. Then, on a drive through the safari, she sees something shocking. Soon her haven on earth is seething with blood and betrayal and she is warned that she is no match for the evil that lurks in the men's hearts around her. Now she has a secret she must keep from the people she loves the most if she is to stand against the murderous forces that threaten Kruger, her new friends, and her own life. But will taking a stand do more harm than good?
266 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2019
4 people want to read
About the author
Gila Green
8 books59 followersGila Green, the author of six novels, presents her latest work With A Good Eye, a coming-of-age thriller featuring a daring heroine who must navigate life with her always-on-stage actress mother and PTSD-stricken father. This novel explores the poignant question: do any of us ever really leave home? Her anticipated sixth novel, The Inheritance, is set for publication in 2025. In this work a cryptic text pulls Gila's heroine into a past she'd left behind.
Gila's previous works include the novel-in-stories White Zion, and two adult novels, Passport Control and King of the Class. She has also published dozens of short stories and articles in various literary magazines and anthologies. Her environmental young adult novel, No Entry, published in Australia, follows a strong heroine who confronts a murderous poaching ring.
As the daughter of a Yemenite-Israeli father and an Ashkenazi-Canadian mother, Gila's writing often delves into themes of racism, alienation, and immigration. In her spare time, she shares author interviews, book reviews, and writer resources on her website. Visit her site to learn more!
Gila's previous works include the novel-in-stories White Zion, and two adult novels, Passport Control and King of the Class. She has also published dozens of short stories and articles in various literary magazines and anthologies. Her environmental young adult novel, No Entry, published in Australia, follows a strong heroine who confronts a murderous poaching ring.
As the daughter of a Yemenite-Israeli father and an Ashkenazi-Canadian mother, Gila's writing often delves into themes of racism, alienation, and immigration. In her spare time, she shares author interviews, book reviews, and writer resources on her website. Visit her site to learn more!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 3, 2020
This book was decidedly average. I enjoyed the premise of the story and was left wanting to go on holiday, book a safari and explore on adventures far and wide. However, there were a lot of elements that were missing from this story, meaning that there was plenty of promise but just not enough for me to fully enjoy it.
Our protagonist, Yael, has been sent to a conservation park in Africa. There are hints about what happened to her past, to her brother, and I think Green could have really developed this further. (With the book being just over 250 pages, I think there is plenty of space for expanding on the narrative.) I would have liked to have read a flashback about what happened to Yael’s brother, rather than the sketchy, third person accounts that eventually come through. Indeed, at times I wondered if I had missed part of the story because other characters appeared to know more than myself! Reenacting the story from Yael’s perspective, taking the reader back in time, would have definitely helped me connect with a character who I felt incredibly isolated from.
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on character clothing. It felt like a fashion show! I would have preferred more developed imagery – especially with the rich setting of the National Park. Instead of narrating character actions, I would have enjoyed reading more descriptions of the setting and Yael’s surroundings.
Overall, I felt the narrative was a little disjointed. It left me wondering whether there was a lot of story that had been edited out? It disrupted the flow of the plot and this left me feeling quite frustrated. Even more so, that I had guessed the outcome of the plot before about half way through.
The crime aspect of the story was interesting and certainly raised more awareness about poaching. Some of the elephant descriptions were appropriately horrific and this was required as part of shocking the reader about the circumstances. Yael is definitely impacted by it and I wished her boyfriend had been more present to offer her that emotional support.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the book but felt like plenty was missing. With added detail and more development, this novel would have been far more immersive. I was surprised to learn that this is the start of a series, so I wonder what will come next for Yael. However, as an example of young adult fiction, I imagine it will suit these readers, particularly as it is on such a different topic.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Our protagonist, Yael, has been sent to a conservation park in Africa. There are hints about what happened to her past, to her brother, and I think Green could have really developed this further. (With the book being just over 250 pages, I think there is plenty of space for expanding on the narrative.) I would have liked to have read a flashback about what happened to Yael’s brother, rather than the sketchy, third person accounts that eventually come through. Indeed, at times I wondered if I had missed part of the story because other characters appeared to know more than myself! Reenacting the story from Yael’s perspective, taking the reader back in time, would have definitely helped me connect with a character who I felt incredibly isolated from.
There seems to be a lot of emphasis on character clothing. It felt like a fashion show! I would have preferred more developed imagery – especially with the rich setting of the National Park. Instead of narrating character actions, I would have enjoyed reading more descriptions of the setting and Yael’s surroundings.
Overall, I felt the narrative was a little disjointed. It left me wondering whether there was a lot of story that had been edited out? It disrupted the flow of the plot and this left me feeling quite frustrated. Even more so, that I had guessed the outcome of the plot before about half way through.
The crime aspect of the story was interesting and certainly raised more awareness about poaching. Some of the elephant descriptions were appropriately horrific and this was required as part of shocking the reader about the circumstances. Yael is definitely impacted by it and I wished her boyfriend had been more present to offer her that emotional support.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the book but felt like plenty was missing. With added detail and more development, this novel would have been far more immersive. I was surprised to learn that this is the start of a series, so I wonder what will come next for Yael. However, as an example of young adult fiction, I imagine it will suit these readers, particularly as it is on such a different topic.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
I loved this book so much. The story is engaging and fast-moving, the characters well are drawn out, writing excellent, and it covers themes of conservation and animal protection. Can't wait for the sequel.
November 10, 2020
Gila Green takes her main character Yael Amar on a path to find courage to speak out and stand up for her beliefs and for truth, not an easy task in a world of power and corruption. Yael gets an education on South Africa’s Kruger National Park Reserve, and it’s more than about nature. It’s about elephant poaching, greed, intimidation and pain. Yael has grown in experience and in wisdom of the world around her. This growth was engendered by pain and by a betrayal of what she had known and trusted. Her photograph of the dead baby elephant becomes a symbol not only of the cruelties of elephant poaching, but of the Apartheid system, the time period of the novel. Green is an excellent writer creating wonderfully strong characters and a lush setting beautiful in its imagery.
December 13, 2019
No Entry is a young adult story dealing with elephant poaching in South Africa.
The setting appealed to me and the first few pages intrigued me enough to want to read on. The story is fast-paced, but sometimes the speed of movement between the scenes had me questioning how characters knew particular details while the reader was left behind. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-f7Z
The setting appealed to me and the first few pages intrigued me enough to want to read on. The story is fast-paced, but sometimes the speed of movement between the scenes had me questioning how characters knew particular details while the reader was left behind. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-f7Z
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews