Welcome to a new feature on Compulsive Readers. There are far too many books and certainly not enough time for me to read every book that I want to shout about and so I’m inviting some of my favourite bookworms onto my blog to share their book love and let you know about books they think you should read.
First up is Helen Boyce – Helen and I met on Facebook 6 years ago on another book club – bonded over our love of books and she was one of the founding members of THE Book Club. She runs our Reviewer Request Group on TBC which means she gets to read books months in advance written by indie and self published authors and I trust her opinion and integrity 100% so when she says this book is worth reading I’m delighted to publish her review on Compulsive Readers.
About the book: The gripping story of a young boy and his family, driven from their home by war and indiscriminate violence. Like millions of others, they attempt the treacherous journey across their war-torn continent, trying to reach the safety of Europe.
The truth is, Europe doesn’t want them and thousands die every month at the hands of thieves and profiteering men to whom life is cheap. Kalu believes that he can lead his family to safety, he has planned for this. They have money, a plan and Kalu is, after all, the smartest man in Monguno.
The story is fast-paced, at times funny, at times heart-breaking but it will pull you along at 100 miles an hour. It will make you think, it will make you question your perceptions. Most of all it will make you ask, if your family was in peril, what would you do?
About the Author: Conrad is the author of 23 novels, 8 author guides and 2 biographies. He has three series;
The Detective Alec Ramsay Series; 7 books Gritty Crime Thrillers
The Soft Target Series; Gritty Thrillers 6 books (Reacher Style)
The Hunting Angels Diaries; 3 books Horror Thrillers
Helen’s Review: If you’ve ever wondered what could possibly cause educated middle class parents to put their children on unsafe vessels and risk their lives fleeing atrocity, then read this!
The Journey is the story of Kalu, a doctor and his family. Dealing graphically with the violence of the Boko Haram extremists as they surge through his village and the resultant journey to try to evade them and seek refuge in Europe – Kalu had kept abreast of the news, was prepared, had passports, money and a plan …. Is it enough to get his family to safety? – will they survive not just the terrorists but the opportunists of chaos who profit inhumanely from the desperation of these terrified displaced people?
Unbearably sad and far too believable, deviating from his usual thrillers Conrad Jones shows us the inhumanity shown to these refugees and the terror encountered by them. I read this in two sittings; it’s gripping, the characters are wonderfully drawn, the story well crafted and I just had to know the outcome – despite the horror and the subject matter there is warmth and love and humour in this story and, as I should have know with this author, an unexpected outcome!
A book that will educate, inspire, move you to tears and stay with you for a long time – highly recommended!
Helen’s star rating:
