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booksbybindu's review
5.0
‘No Child Of Mine’ is a blistering, unflinching look at a future dystopian world that is battling an unknown disease. Even though it is set in a future world it reads to me as an historical novel as there are so many nods and references to the USSR. As I studied Soviet Russia at uni I can tell you they hit right on the mark and due to Olga’s background this story comes across as so authentic. I wouldn’t have cared if this book was double the size as I would have wanted to carry on reading it, I was seriously impressed with the writing and the quality of the narrative.
Set after ‘the collapse where half of England fell into the seas after a series of earthquakes, you enter a world with secret police, designated marches for independence day, political coercion and propaganda to the masses. Judy and Tom are married and have been allowed to have a child called Tilly. We find them on an anniversary of Independence Day where all residents of New Bristol are expected to match. Judy has been allocated to look after the children of the nurseries but when her and Tilly reach them she finds them upset and needs to try and calm them down. Their hands are covered in blisters but doesn't mention this as they need to calm the children down as it is seriously frowned upon. After, the march Judy forgets about the blisters until the secret police raid the flat during the middle of the night, taking blood tests and asking questions she doesn't want to answer. This sets off a fast-paced, dynamic and highly entertaining thriller. I really enjoyed seeing the change in Tom’s perspective throughout the journey. The nods to glasnost and perestroika were a nice touch I thought.
This is one not to be missed! Let me know if you read it.
Set after ‘the collapse where half of England fell into the seas after a series of earthquakes, you enter a world with secret police, designated marches for independence day, political coercion and propaganda to the masses. Judy and Tom are married and have been allowed to have a child called Tilly. We find them on an anniversary of Independence Day where all residents of New Bristol are expected to match. Judy has been allocated to look after the children of the nurseries but when her and Tilly reach them she finds them upset and needs to try and calm them down. Their hands are covered in blisters but doesn't mention this as they need to calm the children down as it is seriously frowned upon. After, the march Judy forgets about the blisters until the secret police raid the flat during the middle of the night, taking blood tests and asking questions she doesn't want to answer. This sets off a fast-paced, dynamic and highly entertaining thriller. I really enjoyed seeing the change in Tom’s perspective throughout the journey. The nods to glasnost and perestroika were a nice touch I thought.
This is one not to be missed! Let me know if you read it.
silenttardis's review
4.0
This was the kind of story that makes us dread the future and what can happen.... and its true!, power changes the heart of rulers this is the example of what could happen if oposition didnt exist anymore.
Judy and Tom are a normal couple living under such governement, the "great party" gave them the oportunity of having a child, Tilly (their child) and she spends way too much more time under the care of the "disciplinarians" than with her parents, when we first hear about her in the book we learn that Judy last time left her baby during one month in the nursery T_T (because of work, she needs to leave her baby in there without being able to bring her home) and when she went to get her baby last night, she cried because she didnt recognize her mother, this is heartbreaking... what kind of good does this do for a family, for society?
Tom is in love with the great party, he sees inclusion where I see dispair, I dread to imagine such a world to live in, really... Judy in the other hand she has doubts, she cant really voice them because of the love Tom has for the great party... A strange sickness erupts and Tom puts his family and Tilly above all...
There were some parts in this book that dragged a bit, and others just flew by, I didnt really understand Tom, well I did understand him, but I didnt connect with him, overall the ideia for the book was excelent, scary but faultless, I can understand the fear and the way Judy reacted but Tom, I dont really know.... I guess I needed a bit more of background of him or about his feelings, why he choose to do what he did, its not an easy read, and is quite sad , but at least we feel the love this father has for his little girl...
I wont enter in more details because that would give spoilers of the story, but it's well worth of our time, you'll fear, dread for this governement and the people living under such a governement as well...
I did like this book very much, and I recomend it for the fans of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, behare of what you wish for...
I recieved an ARC for this book, through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarely.
Judy and Tom are a normal couple living under such governement, the "great party" gave them the oportunity of having a child, Tilly (their child) and she spends way too much more time under the care of the "disciplinarians" than with her parents, when we first hear about her in the book we learn that Judy last time left her baby during one month in the nursery T_T (because of work, she needs to leave her baby in there without being able to bring her home) and when she went to get her baby last night, she cried because she didnt recognize her mother, this is heartbreaking... what kind of good does this do for a family, for society?
Tom is in love with the great party, he sees inclusion where I see dispair, I dread to imagine such a world to live in, really... Judy in the other hand she has doubts, she cant really voice them because of the love Tom has for the great party... A strange sickness erupts and Tom puts his family and Tilly above all...
There were some parts in this book that dragged a bit, and others just flew by, I didnt really understand Tom, well I did understand him, but I didnt connect with him, overall the ideia for the book was excelent, scary but faultless, I can understand the fear and the way Judy reacted but Tom, I dont really know.... I guess I needed a bit more of background of him or about his feelings, why he choose to do what he did, its not an easy read, and is quite sad , but at least we feel the love this father has for his little girl...
I wont enter in more details because that would give spoilers of the story, but it's well worth of our time, you'll fear, dread for this governement and the people living under such a governement as well...
I did like this book very much, and I recomend it for the fans of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, behare of what you wish for...
I recieved an ARC for this book, through BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarely.
inkyteacups's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
§ I received an ARC of this book from BookSirens to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this novel. §
"No Child of Mine" is a dystopian thriller that is set in a Britain of the future and ruled by a totalitarian party. The people are already brainwashed, believing this is the best life they could possibly lead. No other opinion is accepted because the State Security would make sure of it.
The story follows Tom: a happily married man with one child. At first, he is the typical citizen, following his routines and believing heavily into the party's ideals. Life is good. However, things start to change after the Parade. At first the state security burst into their flat in the middle of the night. From then on, things go from bad to worse.
Gibbs managed to create the right atmosphere by using inspiration from past leaderships, countries, as well as books that deal with a totalitarian government. The story plays in a country that is being branded as being the most free in the world, while it is obvious to the reader that it is no.
Throughout the book, Tom's motivation shifts from being a loyal citizen to just making sure his family is save. This, of course, leads to being forced to re-examing his ideals and the propaganda he had been raised with. A propaganda that is deeply rooted inside of him, and even his past choices come to haunt him as he becomes an enemy of the state.
This created a gripping story, which's degree of separation is almost a little too close to reality.
An in-depth review is available on my blog since the end of October.
An in-depth review is available on my blog since the end of October.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Minor: Gore
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