Kindly sent to me by Strident Publishing, as Gillian Philip is going to be coming to the BookCrossing UK Unconvention 2009 in Edinburgh!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Passed to Matth3w.

This book is being released for the Never Judge A Book By Its Cover release challenge 2008 Week 41: Free For All, release # 13.

This book is set in an alternative dystopian reality where a (presumably deliberately) unnamed country is governed by a religious but corrupt oligarchy known as the One Church.

The book centres on the character of Cassandra who is a teenage girl growing up as the daughter of a rector in the One Church.

The main storyline concerns the murder of an important figure in the church and the knock on effects it has on Cassandra's life.

I found the premise and backdrop for this book most interesting with definite allusions to Nazi persecution and political and religious suppression mixed in with religious fundamentalism - a provocative mix for a book aimed at teens.

I think there is definitely the opportunity to flesh out this world in future books as there is a lot of potential in its premise.

The only thing I didn't like is a lack of a sense of geography in the book - as I mentioned above the country is never named (I am presuming it is a future version of Great Britain however) and as such there is no location given for the village/town in which it is set. I'm sure the author has good reasons for this but for me I would have preferred something a bit more concrete.

My only other criticism would be that the connections between the main characters in the story and the leaders of the One Church seems a little contrived but its not something which overly bothered me.

As the protagonist is a teenager it would seem the book is aimed at mid to late teens but I would also say it was relevant to and readable by older adults as well. I've not read a book aimed at teens in quite some time but the author has not watered down the content - in particular some of the violence is quite graphic and some of the themes seem quite adult.

Overall I really enjoyeed this book and would recommend it to anyone with a penchant for unusual thrillers.

Book Ray!

This book is going on its travels! Please go by the basic rules or let me know if you have a delay or difficulty...

1. Journal the book when you receive it.
2. PM the next person and make a note that you've done so.
3. Read and review the book, preferably within 4 weeks of receiving it.
4. Mail the book to the next person. PLEASE put on a JE or release note when you've done this.

SHIPPING ORDER:

kitten99 UK
Mazzlestar UK (UK)
Molekilby UK (anywhere)
WigglyWoods UK (anywhere)
Katacs Hungary (Europe)
Rivax France (anywhere)
Bug2004 US-Nebraska (US) <--- it's here! [PM sent 03/10/09 to check on progress]
Tori58 US-Wisconsin (anywhere)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posting to Kitten99 today - hope you enjoy!

Received this today. Really looking forward to reading this - it's not my normal sort of book, but the write-up makes it sound really intriguing! I've also pm'd mazzlestar for an address to send it to once I'm finished with it - it should be on it's way within a couple of weeks.
I'll journal again once I'm finished, thanks to Lyzzybee for arranging this bookring,

kitten99

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

A very interesting read, I quite enjoyed this, it made me think a lot! Posted on it's way today. Thanks again for offering this as a bookring.

kitten99

I'm so sorry, I've had this a while and was so sure I'd journalled saying it was safe! I've not started it yet as I'm struggling through another couple of rings in the Christmas rush and also battling some 'orrible flu gubbins, but I'll get to it ASAP, it's safe!

I loved this book! The first few pages I wasn't quite sure, but after that I loved it. It was the first book this year to make me cry, I think it's because it (ever-so-tactfully-and-interestingly) tackles something I am TERRIFIED of happening! Thanks for sharing this, LyzzyBee :D will PM next in line.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent this on to Molekilby, enjoy!

Received today. Thanks mazzlestar for sending and LyzzyBee for sharing. Looking forward to reading this next and then to hear the author at the UnCon.

A very interesting read, although it took me a while for it to grip. I found the premise of the One Church being in control and there are hints as to how and why thoroughout the book.

I did get the feeling that it was set in the UK, but probably a small part of the UK and may have more of a political agenda than just a surface theme.

I will look forward to hearing Gillian Philip at the UnCon and hopefully having a further insight into this world.

Will move along once I have an address.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy.

I'm so sorry, I thought I had journalled my receipt of this book last week. Many thanks to molekilby for posting it on to me.

This book reminded me of Noughts and Crosses. I enjoyed reading it and out of the two books - I think this is the better one. Thanks for starting the bookring LyzzyBee. I have the address of Katacs and will leave posting to her until Friday this week as requested.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted off today by Air Mail.

Arrived today safely.

03.15. I enjoyed this book very much. I've always found these dystopian stories a little frightening, but I think it is important to make people think about how easily could this kind of world come into existence if we are not careful enough.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to France.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to France.

I got it, thanks to katacs, I wish I could say it in Hungarian (my mther's family is from Budapest) but I don't speak at all.

2009.04.13 : tried to read it. I was very bored by the 30 first page : I don't like the writer's style, the story, the ambiance...I'll try again in a few days.

I reached page 30 : I don't like it at all : don't like the characters, don't like the world, don't like the style...not my kind of book.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

A new travel is beginning : going back to USA.

Re'cvd today. Have several in front of it, but will get to it as quick as I can. Thanks for sharing!

So sorry for keeping this way too long. Mailed off today.

Sorry everyone, but I think this is officially lost now. I'll let the last person on the list know. Thanks for taking part!