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The Consequence Girl
The world of Colony is in ruins. No one knows what caused society to begin tearing itself apart – but the secret may lie with Cora, a girl living on the mountainside far away from others. Cora possesses an extraordinary gift: the power to see back in time, from an event back to its causes. Even more incredibly, sometimes she can change events. But the present is looking for Cora, and she is forced on the run – and must decide who she is, what she can do … and how to fix the future.
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2022
9 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Chisholm
85 books85 followersAlastair is an award-winning children's author and puzzle creator. He's the author of the sci-fi middle-grade adventures ORION LOST and ADAM-2 , and children's picture books THE PRINCE AND THE WITCH AND THE THIEF AND THE BEARS and INCH AND GRUB, as well as books of Sudoku, Kakuro and other puzzles, including the Kids' Book of Sudoku and Kids' Book of Kakuro series.
Alastair lives in Edinburgh with his wife (who is lovely), two children (who are lovely but very loud), and a cat who is yowling at him even though there is clearly food in her bowl, look, it’s right there, *look*.
You can follow him on Twitter at @alastair_ch
Alastair lives in Edinburgh with his wife (who is lovely), two children (who are lovely but very loud), and a cat who is yowling at him even though there is clearly food in her bowl, look, it’s right there, *look*.
You can follow him on Twitter at @alastair_ch
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
February 3, 2023
I don't want to spoil it for you, but I really really like the ending and how it supports the theme, and I love the theme. A topical book when published in 2022, but the message is timeless.
And, oh, yes, it's an exciting adventure with complex characters who have interesting relationships in a believably built world.
And, oh, yes, it's an exciting adventure with complex characters who have interesting relationships in a believably built world.
January 4, 2023
This was by far one of the best books I've read this year, and it's a children's book! This sci-fi story tells the tale of Cora who has the ability to change the world without even knowing it as she has been brought up in seclusion in the woods by Seleen. The mystery surrounding Cora and Seleen and the other characters is intriguing and kept me guessing all the way through. The world they live in is different to ours, but the message rings true about consequences of our actions and makes for an impactful ending.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Thank you to Netgalley, Nosy Crow and the author.
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
Thank you to Netgalley, Nosy Crow and the author.
June 1, 2022
Thank you to @nosycrow and @netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
Alastair Chisholm is fast approaching becoming and auto buy sci-fi author, this just confirms it.
Consequence girl revolves around a girl called Cora who has the power to make or to destroy the world and she does not even know it.
This book was everything I was looking for, it was high stakes it had good characters and it had an amazing world. If you have little ones who like sci-fi they need to read this book.
I loved the interactions with the characters all of which felt very real if you were faced with this predicament and the choices that you are faced with.
All I will say is there better be a second book because like orion lost if you have read the ending I need more.
I will be awaiting with baited breath for the next book middle grade sci-fi that comes out from this author because we need more, and we need to expose children to more, because it shows children messages that we all as humanity need to hear. For children and adults read this book and then be left with the feeling of what happens next.
June 23, 2025
A gripping sci-fi adventure with strong female characters.
The opening prologue does a great job of engaging readers. We get an idea of the setting which gave me Firefly vibes with it's combination of low tech and hi tech and rival factions vying for power. But it's the action which gets your attention. In just a few pages we learn that Lillith is is willing and able to kill and that this is not going to be a book which shys away from violence and death. There is nothing really graphic but nor does it shy away from the results of the character's actions.
We then skip forward 13 years to meet Cora. She is living in a cabin with her guardian Seleen, living off the land and their smallholding. They are far away from others and Cora has grown up isolated and hidden away. Cora is not only gifted with numbers but has the ability to look back in time and alter past events to different outcomes. But Seleen has warned her not to use her gift.
When their hideout is exposed they must flee. They seek refuge in the larger settlements and there is action and danger along the way. Cora also learns the truth about who she is and must decide who she will help from the many who want her on their side. There are big decisions to make about when and how to use her power and the consequences of her actions.
A really enjoyable read, good pacing and a good ending.
The opening prologue does a great job of engaging readers. We get an idea of the setting which gave me Firefly vibes with it's combination of low tech and hi tech and rival factions vying for power. But it's the action which gets your attention. In just a few pages we learn that Lillith is is willing and able to kill and that this is not going to be a book which shys away from violence and death. There is nothing really graphic but nor does it shy away from the results of the character's actions.
We then skip forward 13 years to meet Cora. She is living in a cabin with her guardian Seleen, living off the land and their smallholding. They are far away from others and Cora has grown up isolated and hidden away. Cora is not only gifted with numbers but has the ability to look back in time and alter past events to different outcomes. But Seleen has warned her not to use her gift.
When their hideout is exposed they must flee. They seek refuge in the larger settlements and there is action and danger along the way. Cora also learns the truth about who she is and must decide who she will help from the many who want her on their side. There are big decisions to make about when and how to use her power and the consequences of her actions.
A really enjoyable read, good pacing and a good ending.
July 24, 2022
Having read Adam-2 by Alistair Chisholm, I was pleased to have the opportunity to read his latest book.
Cora is a young girl with mysterious powers - she can look into the past and change small details, thus changing outcomes for those involved. But there are people after her, people who want to use her powers for their own means. Can Cora decide on the best way forward?
This was an enjoyable book and an interesting concept. For children who enjoy sci-fi, this would be a great read. As a teacher, I wouldn't recommend this to all of my class as there are some themes that could be tricky (violence, injury, death.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
Cora is a young girl with mysterious powers - she can look into the past and change small details, thus changing outcomes for those involved. But there are people after her, people who want to use her powers for their own means. Can Cora decide on the best way forward?
This was an enjoyable book and an interesting concept. For children who enjoy sci-fi, this would be a great read. As a teacher, I wouldn't recommend this to all of my class as there are some themes that could be tricky (violence, injury, death.
Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
March 30, 2023
A suspenseful dystopian/sci-fi thriller for capable year 6 and up.
Cora has lived a quiet and purposeful life on a secluded mountainside property. Seleen has kept Cora and her incredible powers hidden from neighbours and the authorities. The people of Colony struggle to survive under a harsh government that holds elections but does not promote democracy. Cora's unique ability could make the world a better place, but those who are looking for her will stop at nothing to get their hands on her power. When Cora is forced to go on the run, it is up to her to figure out who she really is and how to change the world.
Cora has lived a quiet and purposeful life on a secluded mountainside property. Seleen has kept Cora and her incredible powers hidden from neighbours and the authorities. The people of Colony struggle to survive under a harsh government that holds elections but does not promote democracy. Cora's unique ability could make the world a better place, but those who are looking for her will stop at nothing to get their hands on her power. When Cora is forced to go on the run, it is up to her to figure out who she really is and how to change the world.
July 15, 2023
Quite a nice book, revolving around a girl named Cora who possesses the power to look back in time and tweak little details, preventing/causing something from happening.
Mr Chisholm did not disappoint with this but the one thing that prevents The Consequence Girl from reaching the maximum stars for me are the couple of small details which may have been missed out in the story's falling action and conclusion (e.g. why is she addressed as Nadia instead of Cora?) and a minor, minor plothole towards the end.
Recommended to all book-enjoyers, especially those new to Sci-fi looking to get into the genre but don't know where to start.
Mr Chisholm did not disappoint with this but the one thing that prevents The Consequence Girl from reaching the maximum stars for me are the couple of small details which may have been missed out in the story's falling action and conclusion (e.g. why is she addressed as Nadia instead of Cora?) and a minor, minor plothole towards the end.
Recommended to all book-enjoyers, especially those new to Sci-fi looking to get into the genre but don't know where to start.
June 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. An interesting, original story, cleverly written.
Cora has been brought up alone in the mountains by Seleen. She has been taught to survive, hide and above all, never use her particular powers. But when the outside world catches up to them, Cora will have to adapt and figure out who she wants to be. And maybe, just maybe she can change the world. At least, that’s what the people hunting them think.
Set in a futuristic dystopia, after the collapse of a powerful society of “glories”, the world is vivid and characters varied.
Cora has been brought up alone in the mountains by Seleen. She has been taught to survive, hide and above all, never use her particular powers. But when the outside world catches up to them, Cora will have to adapt and figure out who she wants to be. And maybe, just maybe she can change the world. At least, that’s what the people hunting them think.
Set in a futuristic dystopia, after the collapse of a powerful society of “glories”, the world is vivid and characters varied.
November 19, 2023
To say this is classed as a children's book, I'm impressed.
The plot is similar to The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke but it's written and adapted far better.
This book has so many good highlights e.g. character development and personality differentiations, plot, writing, visual descriptions and a dytopian world. (one of my fav kind of worlds to read about!)
Overall, I'd reccomend highly and it really is up there with young adult books, I underestimated this book and ended up absolutely shook with how amazing it is!!!
The plot is similar to The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke but it's written and adapted far better.
This book has so many good highlights e.g. character development and personality differentiations, plot, writing, visual descriptions and a dytopian world. (one of my fav kind of worlds to read about!)
Overall, I'd reccomend highly and it really is up there with young adult books, I underestimated this book and ended up absolutely shook with how amazing it is!!!
December 5, 2022
Interesting concept of a world where humans lived alongside Gods until they unexpectedly left, leaving all of their tech behind that one really knew how to use.
The plot as slightly stretched with the "Chosen One" aesthetic. I wasn't really sure why Cora and Lilith had to hide so far in the mountains. I'm sure Cora could have hidden in plain sight as she didn't overtly stand out.
With the richness and complexity of the set up I was expecting more of an ending but what was there was good.
Great characters with enough flaws to render them believable (Cora as a teen needed a damn good slap around the back of the head).
I'd say it was an engaging read for a mid-schooler who likes science fiction.
The plot as slightly stretched with the "Chosen One" aesthetic. I wasn't really sure why Cora and Lilith had to hide so far in the mountains. I'm sure Cora could have hidden in plain sight as she didn't overtly stand out.
With the richness and complexity of the set up I was expecting more of an ending but what was there was good.
Great characters with enough flaws to render them believable (Cora as a teen needed a damn good slap around the back of the head).
I'd say it was an engaging read for a mid-schooler who likes science fiction.
January 2, 2023
Set in a world where the Glories have gone and people are governed by those who have their own best interests at heart, some long for the Glories to return. The Glories had advanced technologies, with only a fraction of them usable now. Cora has been kept away from civilisation but has now been found. People would use her skills for their own benefit but Cora has to decide what sort of world she wants to live in. Using Glory technology, she must decide which path she takes.
A well-paced story about family, friendship, hope and power.
A well-paced story about family, friendship, hope and power.
January 20, 2023
A pretty ok book. It started out pretty average and the writing in some parts was also rather questionable, some of the dialogue was pretty weird too. I wasn't really feeling it at first and was going to give it three stars but nearing the end it really started picking up, although there were still some odd choices when it came to the actions the characters chose the ending was also quite satisfying and what made me rate it four stars.
March 13, 2023
Not as good as Orion Lost. Not as bad as Adam-2.
Magic system was about as explained as Stonehenge. The reason not many things involve any kind of time travel is because it gets messy.If you go back and change something, why would you have changed it in the first place? *paradoxical mind blowing*
Still a fun little quest story with little real story and very forgettable. But not bad.
Magic system was about as explained as Stonehenge. The reason not many things involve any kind of time travel is because it gets messy.If you go back and change something, why would you have changed it in the first place? *paradoxical mind blowing*
Still a fun little quest story with little real story and very forgettable. But not bad.
May 1, 2023
What happens when everything goes wrong?
Cora lives with Seleen in an isolated cabin, away from the rest of the world. A world of the future, a world that could be our future.
Cora can see how things go wrong, she has a power... But what can she do with that power and who will want to take control of that power?
A superb book, set in a world where it seems like noone has control. A corrupt world of the future with amazing characters who you will root and cheer for.
Cora lives with Seleen in an isolated cabin, away from the rest of the world. A world of the future, a world that could be our future.
Cora can see how things go wrong, she has a power... But what can she do with that power and who will want to take control of that power?
A superb book, set in a world where it seems like noone has control. A corrupt world of the future with amazing characters who you will root and cheer for.
May 21, 2023
A superb story, in the same class as Orion Lost.
I'd found Adam-2 as a bit of a letdown considering how good Orion Lost had been, but Chisholm more than made up for it with The Consequence Girl.
We get to follow Cora's story as she tries to come to grips with this power she has, and the secrets of Seleen, who has been looking after her all her life. It's an enjoyable journey through understanding consequences and picking the option that works best for the future.
Really enjoyed it!
I'd found Adam-2 as a bit of a letdown considering how good Orion Lost had been, but Chisholm more than made up for it with The Consequence Girl.
We get to follow Cora's story as she tries to come to grips with this power she has, and the secrets of Seleen, who has been looking after her all her life. It's an enjoyable journey through understanding consequences and picking the option that works best for the future.
Really enjoyed it!
May 22, 2022
The creativity of Alastair Chisholm is something else. He gradually builds an imaginative new world in The Consequence Girl but somehow manages to link it to our lives now. An ambitious fantasy with a strong message about the effect of the choices you make. So different but just as brilliant as Orion Lost and Adam-2.
June 18, 2024
I loved this book and have actually met and got it signed by the author (Alastair Chisholm) and that definitely made it more, I don’t know, something I felt like I had to read? I actually loved it and would recommend! I found the characters interesting but would’ve liked to have more history on Seleen (as in all the stuff she did when she was younger) overall great
November 18, 2022
This is another thrilling adventure from the highly talented author. There is page-turning action, great characters and an immersive setting. A thought-provoking, up-lifting message for children who care for and stress about the future. Highly recommended
May 28, 2022
Phenomenal
July 16, 2022
Ik vond de minste van zijn drie sci-fi boeken. Maar blijft toch een interessant verhaal.
August 2, 2022
Chisholm has once again come up with a fascinating concept and a well executed story which intriguingly builds to an exciting finish.
October 27, 2022
A suspenseful story incorporating important theme about the consequences of our decisions, the environment and the way we treat each other.
February 8, 2023
3.5 stars
Interesting idea but it didn’t grab me as much as Orion Lost. I love learning about how dystopian societies function. Not a fan of the ending.
Interesting idea but it didn’t grab me as much as Orion Lost. I love learning about how dystopian societies function. Not a fan of the ending.
September 24, 2023
“You can’t change peoples past it’s what they ARE”
lovely lil book so cute
lovely lil book so cute
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2024
So mysterious, I was gripped trying to find out who Cora is and why she's been hidden for so long. Everything was very well described, I could almost see it all happening.
August 8, 2025
Outstanding. Emotional, moral, challenging, so many jumping off points for excellent conversations... read to 8yo twins and they were spellbound by the end
August 27, 2025
Amazing 🤩 mysterious as well ! Definitely read !
Read
August 31, 2025Brilliant
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews