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64th out of 183 books
—
81 voters
Kill All Enemies
Everyone says fourteen-year-old Billie is nothing but trouble. A fighter. A danger to her family and friends. But her care worker sees someone different. Her classmate Rob is big, strong; he can take care of himself and his brother. But his violent stepdad sees someone to humiliate. And Chris is struggling at school; he just doesn't want to be there. But his dad sees a use...more
Paperback, 274 pages
Published
September 1st 2011
by Puffin Books
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195th out of 455 books
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339 voters
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Brief description of the story in my own words:
Billie is a young girl who has been forced to grow up way too fast. She's faced rejection from her own mother that I promise will break your heart. On the outside she's rock-solid, but there's a soft spot that will tear the reader because it tears her. Rob is a big lug of a kid who loves Metallica to the point of obsession. He has a kind and protective heart, especially for his mother and younger half-brother. He is bullied and humiliated by his man...more
Set in Leeds, England, KILL ALL ENEMIES was one of the most INTENSE YA novels I have ever read. The novel is told by four different narrators, Billie, Chris, Rob, and Hannah (an adult case worker who shares her perspective on the other three). Billie is a young girl who has been forced to grow up way too fast. She's faced rejection from her own mother that I promise will break your heart. On the outside she's rock-solid, but there's a soft spot that will tear the the reader because it tears her....more
3 kids that are going through a hellish life from being unwanted, unloved and just plain abused a mind blowing mix of highs and lows.
This book gripped my heart from the very beginning I don’t normal get over emotional with the books I’m reading but as person that knows firsthand what an abused childhood life is like this book pulled at my heart. I felt for the kids in a way I have never felt for any characters in a book before.
These three kids all go though their own hell whether it is by the h...more
This book gripped my heart from the very beginning I don’t normal get over emotional with the books I’m reading but as person that knows firsthand what an abused childhood life is like this book pulled at my heart. I felt for the kids in a way I have never felt for any characters in a book before.
These three kids all go though their own hell whether it is by the h...more
This review was originally posted at Fluttering Butterflies
I was really excited to hear of this book. Kill All Enemies by Melvin Burgess is an absolutely wonderful and emotional book, one in which that I felt very strongly about before, during and now after reading it. I love that we are hearing a story about a group of children that are so often written-off or ignored or just not thought of highly in society. These three children - Billie, Chris and Rob - have difficult lives and problems and w...more
I was really excited to hear of this book. Kill All Enemies by Melvin Burgess is an absolutely wonderful and emotional book, one in which that I felt very strongly about before, during and now after reading it. I love that we are hearing a story about a group of children that are so often written-off or ignored or just not thought of highly in society. These three children - Billie, Chris and Rob - have difficult lives and problems and w...more
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KILL ALL ENEMIES
Uccidi tutti i nemici
La realtà spesso è crudele, lo è più di quanto lo si possa immaginare.
Quello di Melvin Burgess inizia come un sussurro, poi si tramuta in un urlo. E' un urlo che vuole essere ascoltato e sentito fin nel profondo, la storia di tre ragazzini che hanno paura di quello che la vita può riservare loro. Molto spesso riescono ad avere paura anche di loro stessi.
La realtà di tutti i giorni è sentirsi soli, inutili, e avere paura di amare ancora qualcuno se persino le...more
When I picked up this book I hadn't read any reviews for it and honestly didn't realise what a little gem I was holding in my hands. In Kill All Enemies Melvin Burgess has created the most realistic characters I've ever read about. The story follows four characters with each of their narratives and stories tying into the overall plot. Billie, Rob and Chris all end up in the Pupil Referral Unit, because no-one else wants them and school can't handle them, and it is here that they all cross paths...more
This book was amazing. Not only were the characters realistic, their problems were believable as well. In fact, the storyline is so relatable that this book was, for me, a tear-jerker.
The one and only problem I have with this book is the fact that Chris is one of the main characters. I realized, near the end of this book that his part was essential to the storyline but, in my honest opinion, his problems weren't comparable to those of Billie and Rob. However, that being said, I still liked his...more
The one and only problem I have with this book is the fact that Chris is one of the main characters. I realized, near the end of this book that his part was essential to the storyline but, in my honest opinion, his problems weren't comparable to those of Billie and Rob. However, that being said, I still liked his...more
14-year-old Billie has managed to alienate nearly everyone who has ever meant anything to her - her mother, her foster parents, her friends. Rob has been labelled a bully, but is struggling to cope with a violent stepfather and absent mother. Chris is always quick with a smart remark but struggles at school and has his parents putting pressure on him to change his ways. When they end up at the Brandt Pupil Referral Unit, care worker Hannah tries to help them overcome their problems. But is it to...more
Nov 02, 2011
TheBookAddictedGirl
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone! It's Incredible, Powerful and Eyeopening
4¾ Out of 5
Everyone’s given up on Billie. They think she’s dangerous, a lost cause. But her case worker can see her potential.
Rob may get beaten up a lot, but he’s strong. Strong enough to look after himself and his brother. But whenever he’s around his stepfather, he feels worse than rubbish.
Chris couldn’t care less about school. He’s going to be an entrepreneur, and who needs GCSEs for that? He knows where he wants to go, but all his dad sees is a worthless layabout.
All three are linked toget...more
Everyone’s given up on Billie. They think she’s dangerous, a lost cause. But her case worker can see her potential.
Rob may get beaten up a lot, but he’s strong. Strong enough to look after himself and his brother. But whenever he’s around his stepfather, he feels worse than rubbish.
Chris couldn’t care less about school. He’s going to be an entrepreneur, and who needs GCSEs for that? He knows where he wants to go, but all his dad sees is a worthless layabout.
All three are linked toget...more
Also reviewed on the blog: http://gloriousbooks.blogspot.com/201...
I really liked this read because of the realistic characters. They are probably the most realistic characters I have come across in a book so far which is always a good thing. They weren't likeable all the time but they each had their own story that came together in the end in a way that makes you question the way society works sometimes.
It's a good author that can make you like and dislike a character at the same time. The chara...more
I really liked this read because of the realistic characters. They are probably the most realistic characters I have come across in a book so far which is always a good thing. They weren't likeable all the time but they each had their own story that came together in the end in a way that makes you question the way society works sometimes.
It's a good author that can make you like and dislike a character at the same time. The chara...more
I received an arc of this book from a goodreads.com first reads giveaway.
I have never read anything by Melvin Burgess and so I was unsure of what to expect from Kill All Enemies. Unfortunately, I went into it with the wrong mindset, not realizing beforehand that it was geared towards a younger audience than myself. So I decided that I’d leave it to the side for a bit and get back to it later, but in that time my younger sister picked it up and read the whole thing in just a few hours. Being in t...more
I have never read anything by Melvin Burgess and so I was unsure of what to expect from Kill All Enemies. Unfortunately, I went into it with the wrong mindset, not realizing beforehand that it was geared towards a younger audience than myself. So I decided that I’d leave it to the side for a bit and get back to it later, but in that time my younger sister picked it up and read the whole thing in just a few hours. Being in t...more
This book tells the stories of three troubled teens, the sort of kids a lot of society just dismiss and look down on, and gives them a voice to tell their side of the story. Burgess doesn’t try to excuse the things they do but instead offers an explanation for their behaviour and shows that people aren’t simply good or bad. The teenagers feel very authentic, I could relate their behaviour to a couple of teens I know. This book is funny, poignant and thought provoking and a real page turner, I wi...more
A really brilliant book. It is very thought provoking, and makes you think about the judgements we make every day and the people we stereotype, without really knowing them. The story is engaging, and the characters are three dimensional and easy to connect with. The book makes you realise that there ARE two sides to every story, and that we should always try and find the truth for ourselves.
A hard-hitting but absolutely gripping story about 4 teenagers who go completely off the rails, for very different reasons and whose stories are very cleverly linked. Burgess doesn't believe in giving us easy answers though so he lets the teenagers tell their own stories and leaves us to make our minds up! You'll finish this book far less ready to judge people...
I had been looking forward to reading this since Melvin visited us in Book Week last April. I was not disappointed, in fact I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. To think this story is based on the lives of real teenagers is extraordinarily humbling. You will not look at young people in the same way after reading it. He truly is a master storyteller.
Uma história real e sensível sobre 3 adolescentes tidos como "desajustados", mas que são, na verdade, incompreendidos pelos pais, pela escola e pela sociedade. Eu me emocionei várias vezes enquanto lia. Ah, vale dizer que a tradução do Alexandre Boide pra edição brasileira que saiu pela L&PM está impecável.
Another excellent book from Melvin Burgess, wonderful for any age. This reminded me quite a bit of The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling, with some similar characters. Burgess again wonderfully delves into the very realistic minds of the teenagers he portrays - I never fail to admire his ability.
This book really made me think about life and society and how we treat each other. The characters were so real and my feelings towards them were mixed up and changed throughout the book. I think this is book that will stay with me for a while.
Intense and uncomfortable. In many ways heart-breaking and infuriating to read. This is not the YA of my youth. But this is reality for many. Well crafted and a good (though not always enjoyable) read.
It was really really good! I've not read anything else by Burgess but I definitely will be reading more of his work in the future :) Review to come! :D
Complete Compulsive. Usual Burgess Hard Hitting real life Grit, that sucks you in wanting, and spits you out crying. A must read
I was actually surprised how much I liked this book. I went into it with no expectations and came out happy. Good read (no pun intended).
This book and the characters in it really get under your skin. They make you think about society and how it works for young people in particular.
Melvin can do no wrong-- classic Burgess: tough, powerful, funny and poignant.
3.5 stars.
This book was good... but I wish more questions were answered. I didn't like Rob, but Chris, Billie and Hannah were all nice. Chris is my fave and Frankie and the band were all funny, but Jez was a total scumbag!
This book was good... but I wish more questions were answered. I didn't like Rob, but Chris, Billie and Hannah were all nice. Chris is my fave and Frankie and the band were all funny, but Jez was a total scumbag!
Wow. Amazingly awesomely wow.
Sep 21, 2011
Laura
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Laura by:
First Reads giveaway.
Shelves:
own,
first-reads
Kill All Enemies should be required reading for every teacher and parent. The three children give such an honest insight into the world of juvenile deliquency. Easy to write off, until you know them as people. Brilliant read, from the first page to the last.
A return to form for Burgess... not quite 'Junk' but getting there.
Uma história real e sensível sobre 3 adolescentes tidos como "desajustados", mas que são, na verdade, incompreendidos pelos pais, pela escola e pela sociedade. Eu me emocionei várias vezes enquanto lia. Ah, vale dizer que a tradução do Alexandre Boide pra L&PM está impecável.
What was great about Melvin Burgess' Kill All Enemies is that it realistically portrays the struggles young teens have to endure before they reach that light at the end of the tunnel. The book is well suited for younger teens with easy to follow writing and likeable characters to whom readers will grow very attached. This book is definately one that I would recommend.
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Melvin Burgess is a British author of children's fiction. His first book, The Cry of the Wolf, was published in 1990. He gained a certain amount of notoriety in 1996 with the publication of Junk, which was published in the shadow of the film of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, and dealt with the trendy and controversial idea of heroin-addicted teenagers. Junk soon became, at least in Britain, one of...more
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