Smackdown Books 2021

Ordinary Hazards
We Dream of Space
If These Wings Could Fly
We Are Not Free
The King of Jam Sandwiches
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team
The Companion
Punching the Air
Show Me a Sign
Land of the Cranes
Furia
Dragon Hoops
When Stars Are Scattered
Snapdragon
The Radium Girls: The Scary But True Story of the Poison That Made People Glow in the Dark
American as Paneer Pie
Tune It Out
The Gilded Ones
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London
Switch

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony

If you are looking for Canadian content then Restoring Harmony fits that category not only because it places you on a small island in British Columbia in 2041 but the protagonist, Molly, is Canadian to the core. The tiny BC island Molly lives on is a contrast to the rest of the world where any oil that is left is controlled by the elite few and the economy is in tatters. On Molly's island a collection of families are self sufficient away from the bleakness and desperation of the rest of the world.

When a letter arrives from the US, Molly is the only one who can be spared to undertake the rescue mission which will not only save her grandparents but will provide a much needed doctor for all those on her peaceful island. As she treks through a world of corruption, destruction and crime with only her fiddle for company, the reader sees this plucky protagonist encounter the one temptation which may take her mission down.

The premise for this novel was very interesting and as readers we bought into the world of the future which the author created through thoughtful details and strong description but we felt that the adventure could have pulled us in more as at times it was a little predictable. The protagonist is female as is the ultimate 'Boss' antagonist, however there are a number of strong male characters also. The book trailer and accompanying music from the book are a beautiful match and can be found on the comprehensive website (listed under author links on this blog) which also has an online study guide with some interesting discussion questions.

Vanessa and I also read Ship Breaker which she has written up earlier in this blog. For this SMACKDOWN Ship Breaker will move on, however I will certainly be reading Joelle Anthony's next book!

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