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jaironside's review
4.0
A sharp and fast paced children's adventure set in a realistic dystopian future. Mouse is discontented with the small town - much decimated since the Sickness - and the structured life which is all she can attain there. After a bruising humiliation and rejection, she forms an unlikely team with smooth talking Lanyon and the adventure really begins.
Through countryside plagued by water bandits (water and knowledge are in short supply) down roads of untold dangers through broken cities where gangs rule, the pair travel on their quest. But perhaps the destination will not be what they expect...
I really liked Mouse. An unlikely heroine who was ruthless, bloodthirsty, practical but underneath the hardened survivor exterior, also kind and honourable. There was a lot of warm humour in the banter between her and Lanyon too.
This is easily accessible for mid grade readers as well as the lower end of the YA spectrum, but will likely be enjoyed by adults too. I read it in a day easily. The prose is clear and Mouse's voice is perfect. At the end there are more questions than answers...
Ultimately my two niggles were that the end was an abrupt cut off rather than paying off as I felt it should. Some of the pacing felt a little rushed. These were minor issues that did not affect my enjoyment and I look forward to book two.
Through countryside plagued by water bandits (water and knowledge are in short supply) down roads of untold dangers through broken cities where gangs rule, the pair travel on their quest. But perhaps the destination will not be what they expect...
I really liked Mouse. An unlikely heroine who was ruthless, bloodthirsty, practical but underneath the hardened survivor exterior, also kind and honourable. There was a lot of warm humour in the banter between her and Lanyon too.
This is easily accessible for mid grade readers as well as the lower end of the YA spectrum, but will likely be enjoyed by adults too. I read it in a day easily. The prose is clear and Mouse's voice is perfect. At the end there are more questions than answers...
Ultimately my two niggles were that the end was an abrupt cut off rather than paying off as I felt it should. Some of the pacing felt a little rushed. These were minor issues that did not affect my enjoyment and I look forward to book two.
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