I know I was tired last night when I started listening to the audiobook, but even when looking at this story while perfectly awake and caffeinated, I have no idea what Dame Agatha was thinking when she decided this was a book she wanted to write? 

I'm baffled. What themes are we exploring here? 

And if the themes I am thinking of - children's first encounters with life, death, and religion - are the themes she wanted to write about, then:

1) Why????

2) I don't think this book is for me.

3) I am sure this could have been done better. 

4) I know Dame Agatha could have done a better job at this. I mean, just look at  Five Little Pigs or ... any of her other great character-driven books.

5) WHY???

This book is odd, and really twee, and ... just ... very Victorian and so very removed from natural life. 

I am not sure what I am reading and why I am reading this. Other than this is the first Westmacott novel.

Maybe she was still trying to find her feet as a non-mystery writer?

Maybe she was trying too hard?

I have no answers. 

I'm not sure I want answers.

If this book does not change, this may well end up as my final review.

I am so grateful that I was able to get this one from the library.

I'm knackered. Half of the windows have been installed, the others will be put in tomorrow. 

The joiner needed to make some serious alterations to the wall for one of the windows, which resulted in dust from that wall EVERYWHERE, even after the window-fitter cleaned up at the end of the day. 

I may not be a vigorous duster throughout the year, but even I draw the line at wall dust all over the place. So, after the builder left, I spent a few hours cleaning up, moving furniture, and covering everything else near the other two old windows in dust sheets. 

I'm done. I need some comforting bookish adventure and some tisane and will retire forthwith so I can do all of this again from 8am tomorrow. Just that I am better prepared this time. 

To be fair, tho, the joiner has done a splendid job. 

Book source ~ Review copy. My review is voluntary and honest.

Enora Byrnes has lived her whole life under the control of the DMC. Water is scarce and the resource must be carefully guarded. But the resistance believes the DMC has more than they are sharing. Enora and Springer were soldiers for the DMC once. Now they are with the resistance and with each day that passes, things get worse. Stories are told on both sides, but they both can’t be right. Can they?

This is a bleak look into a future we don’t want. Ever. I can’t imagine this world as a real world and yet I know it could happen. If we aren’t much more careful with this planet we live on, that supports us, we will be staring right into the face of this tale. And it is not pretty. Enora is such a conflicted character. At times it’s hard to like her because she has a tendency to be an idiot, but for the most part I feel for her. Springer is her one constant and he’s still a bit of a mystery. One thing that’s unquestionable is his devotion to Enora. He always has her back. They are in this together, all the way to the end. And then there’s Ander. What are they going to do with him? If you like YA Dystopian stories then you should really pick up After the Green Withered and this one. They will wring your heart out until you’re left with a dried out husk. Fitting for this desolate world.

I really hope there is another issue because this is a cliff hanger slightly.

Really good action.

There is a wonderful reference to a cross over starring the Beasts in this first volume. I love the use of a ghost hunting family. The fact that the brother and sister get along but are different - yet they respect the differences - is nice too. Interesting to see how it plays out.

I like the use of other animals as well.