Scan barcode
archie_author's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to have an interesting premise but lacking depth. Too much of the story is telling the feelings of the characters instead of showing their actions and reactions and letting the reader perceive the character. In many places this description went on too long and caused me to skip a lot.
I kept wanting to know more of the political background but only got generalizations about what was going on. The government is bad, wants power and is taking away the freedoms of the people. Reality is a lot more complex.
About half way I put it down but being on a long flight I didn't have much else to read so I finished it. The plot was predictable, from recruit to rebel.
I kept wanting to know more of the political background but only got generalizations about what was going on. The government is bad, wants power and is taking away the freedoms of the people. Reality is a lot more complex.
About half way I put it down but being on a long flight I didn't have much else to read so I finished it. The plot was predictable, from recruit to rebel.
ozias's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
writingwwolves's review against another edition
5.0
I was obsessed with this story from the outset & am completely taken with the plot & characters; this isn’t necessarily the type of book I would normally read, but I’m so glad I have done & I wish I could read all the books back-to-back starting now. I love Our Girl & the start of the book started off feeling quite similar to the show... but after a short while this book became incredibly unique & I can’t believe I have to wait until September (which may not seem like a long time) to read the next book. This is yet another book published by an indie author that should be a high profile mainstream read, Rachel Churcher is awesome.
⚠️ This book contains violence, death & scenes containing gun shooting & killing ⚠️
I was sent a copy of this book to review as part of a blog tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2Rm
⚠️ This book contains violence, death & scenes containing gun shooting & killing ⚠️
I was sent a copy of this book to review as part of a blog tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2Rm
gbhcool12's review against another edition
5.0
This is a bang up to date dystopian vision of a future that almost appears to be here right now. It’s a nightmare post Brexit Britain that feels tantalisingly real. In fact, the reality of the setting is incredibly convincing. For me, the book it most brings to mind is Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses.
The main character, Bex, is a girl plucked from a private school to be a soldier; one of a new force established to protect the public from “terrorists”. But who exactly are the terrorists and how much “soldiering” her squad will get to do? These are just two of the issues Bex is forced to confront in a world filled with propaganda and differing versions of the truth.
Bex is an engaging lead and a fine example for readers to follow. She’s strong, brave, loyal and self-reliant, but we never lose sight of the fact that Bex is a child — a young person forced into an impossible position and made to grow up, literally overnight.
Don’t let the subjects covered fool you. Yes, there’s politics, militarism, how “facts” can be twisted by the powers that be, the nature of childhood, the power of friendship — but nothing here is preachy. Battle Ground is an exciting, pacy adventure. Best of all, it’s just the first book in an impressive YA series. Thoroughly recommended!
The main character, Bex, is a girl plucked from a private school to be a soldier; one of a new force established to protect the public from “terrorists”. But who exactly are the terrorists and how much “soldiering” her squad will get to do? These are just two of the issues Bex is forced to confront in a world filled with propaganda and differing versions of the truth.
Bex is an engaging lead and a fine example for readers to follow. She’s strong, brave, loyal and self-reliant, but we never lose sight of the fact that Bex is a child — a young person forced into an impossible position and made to grow up, literally overnight.
Don’t let the subjects covered fool you. Yes, there’s politics, militarism, how “facts” can be twisted by the powers that be, the nature of childhood, the power of friendship — but nothing here is preachy. Battle Ground is an exciting, pacy adventure. Best of all, it’s just the first book in an impressive YA series. Thoroughly recommended!
bishopjoey's review against another edition
5.0
Set in a near future Britain where teenagers are conscripted into the government’s front-line against terrorism, Battle Ground is a compelling read that feels like it’s not too far off from current events. Bex Ellman is a believable hero and her antagonists equally so. It looks like this is going to be a series and it’s off to a great start. (My review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher.)
paperbacksandpinot's review against another edition
4.0
Battle Ground is a story that immediately resonated with me as a huge fan of Dystopia and especially to have one in an UK, near future setting ticked so many boxes. To start with I was so happy that the Author had put a pronunciation guide at the FRONT of the book, so often these are at the end and then I find out I've been saying something wrong in my head for hundreds of pages! With the UK on the verge of martial law everything feels very bleak, empty and cold. The very stark "them and us" feel apparent from the opening pages as we get drips and drops of information which starts to paint a picture of where we are at and with a bombshell that the UK has returned to the death penalty the reader is under no illusion that things are far from well.
Bex is a great protagonist and ticks very few of the YA heroine tick boxes, she not all about running into danger without a backward glance for others, she seldom if ever mentions her appearance, if only to lament her "front line barbie" moniker, and it's not about catching the eye of a cute boy. Bex has a strong morality and a curiosity about what is going on and it's amazing to have a book where a romantic element isn't the ultimate goal. She questions and is open to suggestion that there has to be some way of making things better.
With chapters heavy on military training, I liked how the author took the time to remind us that Bex is still very much a child underneath. The passages where we return to the school setting and her finding joy in the simpler things, the mundane such as homework really brought home her plight and those of the others. It's one of many frightening near life scenarios that we are shown in this tale, children "enlisted" giving them little to no choice or say in the matter, made horribly parallel scenario to the drafting of the first and second world wars. The whole training camp had an uncomfortable feel with very little sympathy, but plenty of brainwashing and propaganda feeding. The concept of forcing the humanity out of the children, encouraging them to abandon anyone other than themselves, is a distressing idea. The indication that caring for someone is somehow obtuse in an environment that breeds disassociation from what they may have to do as part of the "greater good" all whilst putting on a good show for the camera's, is one of many difficult topics the author covers and it is done incredibly well.
Whilst the start is a teeny tiny bit slow with the recruitment and training aspect, it's still captivating and knowing that these are rapid release books means that there will be pay off from establishing the world building in this book. I did find that I struggled with how quickly Bex gained the military prowess displayed towards the closing chapters but then adrenaline probably speaks for a lot, but it was the only time that I felt the story stepped outside of what could actually happen.
There are obvious connotations with the current political climate, which is clear when reading the blurb - whichever side of the fence you are on, this book isn't preaching about that, it's putting across a scenario and a pretty great one at that. The story contains enough of current and recent affairs to give it a realistic turn without specifying enough to date it in future, especially with the imaginative combination of guns and armour which had an almost sci-fi feel at times. This coupled with the weaponry makes it feel like it might not be quite just around the corner, but in these uncertain times, who knows.
I'm very much looking forward to book 2 and give book one a very strong 4*
Bex is a great protagonist and ticks very few of the YA heroine tick boxes, she not all about running into danger without a backward glance for others, she seldom if ever mentions her appearance, if only to lament her "front line barbie" moniker, and it's not about catching the eye of a cute boy. Bex has a strong morality and a curiosity about what is going on and it's amazing to have a book where a romantic element isn't the ultimate goal. She questions and is open to suggestion that there has to be some way of making things better.
With chapters heavy on military training, I liked how the author took the time to remind us that Bex is still very much a child underneath. The passages where we return to the school setting and her finding joy in the simpler things, the mundane such as homework really brought home her plight and those of the others. It's one of many frightening near life scenarios that we are shown in this tale, children "enlisted" giving them little to no choice or say in the matter, made horribly parallel scenario to the drafting of the first and second world wars. The whole training camp had an uncomfortable feel with very little sympathy, but plenty of brainwashing and propaganda feeding. The concept of forcing the humanity out of the children, encouraging them to abandon anyone other than themselves, is a distressing idea. The indication that caring for someone is somehow obtuse in an environment that breeds disassociation from what they may have to do as part of the "greater good" all whilst putting on a good show for the camera's, is one of many difficult topics the author covers and it is done incredibly well.
Whilst the start is a teeny tiny bit slow with the recruitment and training aspect, it's still captivating and knowing that these are rapid release books means that there will be pay off from establishing the world building in this book. I did find that I struggled with how quickly Bex gained the military prowess displayed towards the closing chapters but then adrenaline probably speaks for a lot, but it was the only time that I felt the story stepped outside of what could actually happen.
There are obvious connotations with the current political climate, which is clear when reading the blurb - whichever side of the fence you are on, this book isn't preaching about that, it's putting across a scenario and a pretty great one at that. The story contains enough of current and recent affairs to give it a realistic turn without specifying enough to date it in future, especially with the imaginative combination of guns and armour which had an almost sci-fi feel at times. This coupled with the weaponry makes it feel like it might not be quite just around the corner, but in these uncertain times, who knows.
I'm very much looking forward to book 2 and give book one a very strong 4*
ksmarsden's review against another edition
2.0
Bex is drafted in, to protect people from the terrorists. Surely the government wouldn't lie about what is best for the country, and their agenda.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bex and her best-friend Dan are drafted into the army, to help battle against terrorists. They are pulled away from college and marched to a training camp. Despite the intense work, they are proud to be doing their part for their country.
Coincidentally, their close friend (and stirrer of trouble) Margie, left before they did, to join the terrorists. They will soon be fighting on opposite sides.
I liked how this near-future dystopian story felt like it could be the next step for the UK. In the face of so much unrest and uncertainty, the government have imposed a military presence, to help calm the populace and bring peace.
All the while, there are little niggles that things are not as they appear. They are not allowed to call this a civil war, they have to vilify their enemy and call them terrorists.
Media portrays the army recruits as heroes, good people doing their duty; but they are rounded-up, herded into training camps and hammered into tools for the government.
I really wanted to love this, and it is well-written, with a great idea, but I just didn't connect with it.
The beginning was too slow, focussing on Bex's training. It was interesting enough, and helped to add to the layers of distrust, but it was bogged down in the minutiae.
I think my main problem was Bex herself. She is a tool.
In the description it says she has "been drafted into an army she doesn't support and a cause she doesn't believe in". This didn't really ring true for the first half of the book. I got the feeling that Bex was a mind-washed girl, with a vague happiness, content to be pushed into the role of soldier.
In contrast to the flashbacks with Margie, Bex is bland and disconnected from everything happening around her. And some of the flashbacks made me question Bex's attitude at the beginning.
She gets much better in the second half, but it was too late for me to be invested.
I won't be continuing with this series, but I would be open to reading more of Churcher's work.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bex and her best-friend Dan are drafted into the army, to help battle against terrorists. They are pulled away from college and marched to a training camp. Despite the intense work, they are proud to be doing their part for their country.
Coincidentally, their close friend (and stirrer of trouble) Margie, left before they did, to join the terrorists. They will soon be fighting on opposite sides.
I liked how this near-future dystopian story felt like it could be the next step for the UK. In the face of so much unrest and uncertainty, the government have imposed a military presence, to help calm the populace and bring peace.
All the while, there are little niggles that things are not as they appear. They are not allowed to call this a civil war, they have to vilify their enemy and call them terrorists.
Media portrays the army recruits as heroes, good people doing their duty; but they are rounded-up, herded into training camps and hammered into tools for the government.
I really wanted to love this, and it is well-written, with a great idea, but I just didn't connect with it.
The beginning was too slow, focussing on Bex's training. It was interesting enough, and helped to add to the layers of distrust, but it was bogged down in the minutiae.
I think my main problem was Bex herself. She is a tool.
In the description it says she has "been drafted into an army she doesn't support and a cause she doesn't believe in". This didn't really ring true for the first half of the book. I got the feeling that Bex was a mind-washed girl, with a vague happiness, content to be pushed into the role of soldier.
In contrast to the flashbacks with Margie, Bex is bland and disconnected from everything happening around her. And some of the flashbacks made me question Bex's attitude at the beginning.
She gets much better in the second half, but it was too late for me to be invested.
I won't be continuing with this series, but I would be open to reading more of Churcher's work.
pixiejazz's review
5.0
Battle Ground is the first book in a new series set in a dystopian future where the army recruits teenagers and trains them to make citizens feel safe from the terrorist threats that seem to be happening more and more frequently.
Bex, the main character, is in the army with her friend Dan. Their other friend, Margie, has deserted them and taken off with a school teacher who believes the government is lying about the threats.
Dan is determined to prove his worth in the army, but Bex doesn't care either way. She just wants to finish school and move on with her life. Instead, she has to deal with more than she ever could have bargained for.
I don't want to spoil anything, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I flew threw it faster than any other book I've read this year (if I recall correctly), and that's saying something. I honestly couldn't put it down. It's engaging, thrilling, intense, and wild.
I felt bad for Bex throughout a lot of the story. She wants to do what's right while training, but more often than not, she gets punished for it. It's actually kind of ridiculous what she has to put up with.
I didn't care much for the higher-ups in the army that Bex and Dan had to deal with. They were all terrible characters who aren't hard to dislike. Although, after reading the synopses for the upcoming books, I have a feeling one of them may come around and end up not so bad in the end. I could be wrong, though.
If you love YA dystopian fiction, or books that will immediately suck you in and take you on an action-packed ride, you'll definitely want to grab a copy of Battle Ground today.
5 very well-deserved stars from me!
Bex, the main character, is in the army with her friend Dan. Their other friend, Margie, has deserted them and taken off with a school teacher who believes the government is lying about the threats.
Dan is determined to prove his worth in the army, but Bex doesn't care either way. She just wants to finish school and move on with her life. Instead, she has to deal with more than she ever could have bargained for.
I don't want to spoil anything, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I flew threw it faster than any other book I've read this year (if I recall correctly), and that's saying something. I honestly couldn't put it down. It's engaging, thrilling, intense, and wild.
I felt bad for Bex throughout a lot of the story. She wants to do what's right while training, but more often than not, she gets punished for it. It's actually kind of ridiculous what she has to put up with.
I didn't care much for the higher-ups in the army that Bex and Dan had to deal with. They were all terrible characters who aren't hard to dislike. Although, after reading the synopses for the upcoming books, I have a feeling one of them may come around and end up not so bad in the end. I could be wrong, though.
If you love YA dystopian fiction, or books that will immediately suck you in and take you on an action-packed ride, you'll definitely want to grab a copy of Battle Ground today.
5 very well-deserved stars from me!
More...