Scan barcode
A review by gbhcool12
Battle Ground by Rachel Churcher
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!