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The Dartmoor Chronicles #1
Beyond the Fence
"People turn their heads when I walk past them. They know where I’m going. My feet almost stumble on the uneven pavement of the cobblestoned street when I sense Mark’s gaze on me. This is the only time he takes notice of me, and it’s for a reason I wish didn’t exist. All the other times I want him to see me, his eyes skip right over me. I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothes to these people. A potential threat.
I already know what will happen once I get to the Clinic. I’ll have to talk to that clueless psychiatrist so he can measure my possibly violent tendencies. Because that stigma has been on me ever since I turned twelve and the person I loved most in the whole wide world was Purged from this city.
My name is Sarah, and my father was a violence offender."
Return to the world of the Island series and meet Sarah, resident of Dartmoor City. She's bitter, she feels trapped, and she wants nothing more than to venture beyond the fence that's keeping her in. She just has no idea how to. But when she discovers a secret that President Jacob would rather keep under wraps, Sarah is forced to make a move for freedom - because she meets a guy who is even more of a prisoner than she is, and he desperately needs her help.
I already know what will happen once I get to the Clinic. I’ll have to talk to that clueless psychiatrist so he can measure my possibly violent tendencies. Because that stigma has been on me ever since I turned twelve and the person I loved most in the whole wide world was Purged from this city.
My name is Sarah, and my father was a violence offender."
Return to the world of the Island series and meet Sarah, resident of Dartmoor City. She's bitter, she feels trapped, and she wants nothing more than to venture beyond the fence that's keeping her in. She just has no idea how to. But when she discovers a secret that President Jacob would rather keep under wraps, Sarah is forced to make a move for freedom - because she meets a guy who is even more of a prisoner than she is, and he desperately needs her help.
- GenresYoung Adult
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Jen Minkman
82 books505 followersJen Minkman (1978) writes YA paranormal romance, dystopian fiction and poetry. She is from the Netherlands and self-publishes her work in English. Her works are available in paperback & digital format (ebook and audio).
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
You can subscribe to her newsletter here > http://eepurl.com/bTXSWv
Jen was born in the Netherlands and lived in Austria, Belgium and the UK during her studies. She learned how to read at the age of three and has never stopped reading since. Her favourite books to read are (YA) paranormal/fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian and romance, and this is reflected in the stories she writes. In her home country, she is a trade-published author of paranormal romance and chicklit. Across the border, she is a self-published author of poetry, paranormal romance and dystopian fiction. Her books are already available in English, Dutch, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Afrikaans.
She currently resides in The Hague where she works and lives with her husband and two noisy zebra finches.
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October 13, 2018
Voor Dutch Venture Publishing mocht ik meedoen aan de blogtour rondom het nieuwste boek van Jen Minkman. Het gaat hierbij om het derde en laatste deel in de YA eilanden-trilogie ‘Het land voorbij het hek’. De eerdere twee delen heb ik alweer enige tijd geleden gelezen en ik was dan ook verheugd toen ik het laatste deel in handen kreeg om te gaan lezen. Want gek genoeg geeft het mij altijd een enorme voldoening om een boekenserie af te kunnen sluiten. Zal wel een welbekende kronkel zijn van elke boekenwurm denk ik zo.
Doordat het dus enige tijd geleden was dat ik deel één en deel twee gelezen had moest ik met dit derde deel weer even wennen aan de schrijfstijl van Jen Minkman en het verhaal op zich. Want door de delen heen zit absoluut een flinke rode draad en het is sowieso van belang om de gehele trilogie op volgorde te lezen. Toch kreeg het verhaal, toen ik eenmaal op weg was, mij vrij snel te pakken en ging ik gemakkelijk mee in de aparte maar wel herkenbare wereld van Sarah. Alle karakters die aanbod komen zijn stuk voor stuk herkenbare (jonge) mensen die worstelen met hun eigen gedachten, aan zich opdringende gevoelens en de opgelegde/gedwongen overtuigingen. Juist doordat dit allemaal uiteengezet is door het hele verhaal heen ga je als lezer je aan hen hechten en leef je mee. Voor mij voelt het aan alsof Jen haar visie op de religieuze aspecten, of wellicht beter gezegd misverstanden, van de huidige maatschappij respectvol gebruikt en omvormt in haar eiland-trilogie. Zo ook in dit laatste deel komen veel van die aspecten samen in een eventueel toekomstige wereld. Wel op zo’n manier dat het aan de ene kant compleet anders is omdat het in een fictieve wereld speelt, maar het je wel degelijk aan het denken zet over alles wat speelt in tegenwoordige tijd. Gelukkig is er ook genoeg fantasy over wat er voor zorgt dat ik genoten heb van dit mooie, bijzondere en originele verhaal.
“Perfecte combinatie tussen een futuristische wereld, gebeurtenissen, personages en hedendaagse relativisme”
Ik geef dit boek 4 sterren.
Spanning: 6
Plot: 7
Leesplezier: 8
Schrijfstijl: 8
Originaliteit: 8
Psychologie: 7
Doordat het dus enige tijd geleden was dat ik deel één en deel twee gelezen had moest ik met dit derde deel weer even wennen aan de schrijfstijl van Jen Minkman en het verhaal op zich. Want door de delen heen zit absoluut een flinke rode draad en het is sowieso van belang om de gehele trilogie op volgorde te lezen. Toch kreeg het verhaal, toen ik eenmaal op weg was, mij vrij snel te pakken en ging ik gemakkelijk mee in de aparte maar wel herkenbare wereld van Sarah. Alle karakters die aanbod komen zijn stuk voor stuk herkenbare (jonge) mensen die worstelen met hun eigen gedachten, aan zich opdringende gevoelens en de opgelegde/gedwongen overtuigingen. Juist doordat dit allemaal uiteengezet is door het hele verhaal heen ga je als lezer je aan hen hechten en leef je mee. Voor mij voelt het aan alsof Jen haar visie op de religieuze aspecten, of wellicht beter gezegd misverstanden, van de huidige maatschappij respectvol gebruikt en omvormt in haar eiland-trilogie. Zo ook in dit laatste deel komen veel van die aspecten samen in een eventueel toekomstige wereld. Wel op zo’n manier dat het aan de ene kant compleet anders is omdat het in een fictieve wereld speelt, maar het je wel degelijk aan het denken zet over alles wat speelt in tegenwoordige tijd. Gelukkig is er ook genoeg fantasy over wat er voor zorgt dat ik genoten heb van dit mooie, bijzondere en originele verhaal.
“Perfecte combinatie tussen een futuristische wereld, gebeurtenissen, personages en hedendaagse relativisme”
Ik geef dit boek 4 sterren.
Spanning: 6
Plot: 7
Leesplezier: 8
Schrijfstijl: 8
Originaliteit: 8
Psychologie: 7
December 8, 2015
Fences, whether physical or mental will always cause at least one person the desire to be know what is on the other side. What if it is forbidden by the government? Why? Trapped within the walls of her island city, Sarah wants out. The question is how to do it, how to escape the confines of her world and discover the truth about what is Beyond the Fence. Jen Minkman is back with another tale about the dystopian world of the Island and it is every bit as mesmerizing as her other works!
Get ready to see this world from the POVs of two characters, Sarah, who is branded as the lowest, most dangerous cast, not by deed but by association. She is brave, willing to fight for the oppressed, for those she cares about and her curiosity is almost painful, as she has no idea how to reach her goal of the world beyond.
Kian’s POV is different, incredibly self-centered and clearly one who has no idea about the reality of life in Dartmoor, but he does have moments where his POV seems to be changing, but how easy is it to admit you may not know the truth about life? Then again, Jen Minkman is a confident storyteller who doesn’t feel the need to give us characters we like. She relies on her ability to make a plausible situation out of fantasy. Don’t expect to like the President, either, but do expect to love this dark tale, filled with detail and a high emotional pull, but remember, it is dangerous to show emotion.
Another fabulous book from Jen Minkman’s pen, that grows in confidence with each stroke!
I received this copy from Jen Minkman in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Dartmoor Chronicles - Book 1
Publication Date: November 20, 2015
Publisher: Dutch Venture Publishing
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 175 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Get ready to see this world from the POVs of two characters, Sarah, who is branded as the lowest, most dangerous cast, not by deed but by association. She is brave, willing to fight for the oppressed, for those she cares about and her curiosity is almost painful, as she has no idea how to reach her goal of the world beyond.
Kian’s POV is different, incredibly self-centered and clearly one who has no idea about the reality of life in Dartmoor, but he does have moments where his POV seems to be changing, but how easy is it to admit you may not know the truth about life? Then again, Jen Minkman is a confident storyteller who doesn’t feel the need to give us characters we like. She relies on her ability to make a plausible situation out of fantasy. Don’t expect to like the President, either, but do expect to love this dark tale, filled with detail and a high emotional pull, but remember, it is dangerous to show emotion.
Another fabulous book from Jen Minkman’s pen, that grows in confidence with each stroke!
I received this copy from Jen Minkman in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Dartmoor Chronicles - Book 1
Publication Date: November 20, 2015
Publisher: Dutch Venture Publishing
Genre: YA Dark Fantasy
Print Length: 175 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 11, 2019
Recensie volgt op m'n blog.
January 14, 2019
Met enige aarzeling sloeg ik het ebook open. Niet omdat ik niet zeker wist of het wel iets voor mij zou zijn, nee, integendeel! Het zou betekenen dat ik op het punt stond om te beginnen aan het 'gevreesde einde', het was namelijk het laatste deel van deze trilogie. Het zou betekenen dat ik afscheid moest nemen van een wereld die onder mijn huid was gekropen vanaf de eerste letters van het eerste deel, Het Boek van Voorheen, en eigenlijk wilde ik dat helemaal niet. Toch waagde ik de sprong en begon alsnog zo snel als ik kon te lezen, puur omdat de nieuwsgierigheid naar de nieuwe vertellers en hun verhalen te groot was én omdat ik hoopte op een mooi weerzien van vertrouwde stemmen uit de eerdere delen.
En wauw. Het land voorbij het hek heeft mij zogezegd omver geblazen. Alles kwam bij elkaar, de spanning van de onrust die op elke pagina voelbaar was werd soms haast teveel maar dan op een goede manier… Als lezer kun je gewoon niet anders als doorlezen en meevechten met Sarah, Kian en Jinn, die stuk voor stuk als realistische personen overkomen, met alle keuzes die de wereld je maar voor de voeten kunt werpen.
Sarah, een jonge strijdlustige vrouw, die tegelijkertijd zeer menselijk overkomt doordat ze zich na enige tijd openstelt tegenover mensen die ze eigenlijk helemaal niet kent en zich kwetsbaar durft op te stellen, ook naar zichzelf toe -, heeft zich naarmate het verhaal vorderde, steeds meer in mijn hart weten te wurmen, puur om wie ze daadwerkelijk is. Deze houding wordt versterkt door haar metgezellen die ze gaandeweg leert kennen. Aan haar ene zijde staat de sterke Kian, die niet alleen vecht voor zichzelf, maar echt voor iedereen, omdat gerechtigheid in zijn wereld nog altijd niet vanzelfsprekend is. Haar andere zijde is voor de mysterieuze Jinne, die ze tegenkomt op een bepaald kruispunt in haar eigen leven en die haar één van haar eerste knopen door laat hakken waarvan ze nooit had gedacht dat ze het écht op deze manier zou willen oplossen. Hij laat haar en Kian zien dat de wereld anders is als ze altijd gedacht hadden en dat het goed is dat ze voor zichzelf vechten, wat er ook gebeurt en hoe onzeker de toekomst er ook uitziet.
De kracht van dit laatste deel van de trilogie ligt hem voor mij in het feit dat de (bij)personages in het boek allemaal laten zien dat de grootste kracht van de mens puur in jezelf zit: geloof in jezelf! Vertrouw op je eigen gevoel, ook als je zelf vol twijfels zit omtrent de toekomst en of het wel het juiste is wat je doet, en durf je zelf open te stellen voor het onbekende. Het kan zomaar zijn dat hetgeen wat je altijd geloofd hebt of wat je geleerd hebt, heel anders is dan je altijd voor ogen had gezien. Zeker als je niet beide kanten van het verhaal kent!
De (gelovige) wereld die auteur Jen Minkman op papier heeft gezet voor deze serie is meeslepend. Het voert je mee naar de plekken waar het zich afspeelt, wordt gedetailleerd beschreven waardoor je elk zuchtje wind, elke storm, elke zonnestraal langs je eigen huid kunt voelen glijden. De verschillende culturen en geloven dringen de lezer binnen en laat je nadenken over hoe je er zelf tegenover staat en wat jij zou doen als je in de schoenen zou staan van niet alleen de drie moedige hoofdpersonages en de personages die eerder zijn geïntroduceerd in de serie, maar ook zeker die van de bijpersonages.
Ik heb het boek nu al een tijdje uit, maar het blijft nog altijd door mijn hoofd ronddwalen. Wat een boek! Het land voorbij het hek is absoluut een spannend, sterk en geweldig mooi einde van deze zeer boeiende en leeswaardige serie.
En wauw. Het land voorbij het hek heeft mij zogezegd omver geblazen. Alles kwam bij elkaar, de spanning van de onrust die op elke pagina voelbaar was werd soms haast teveel maar dan op een goede manier… Als lezer kun je gewoon niet anders als doorlezen en meevechten met Sarah, Kian en Jinn, die stuk voor stuk als realistische personen overkomen, met alle keuzes die de wereld je maar voor de voeten kunt werpen.
Sarah, een jonge strijdlustige vrouw, die tegelijkertijd zeer menselijk overkomt doordat ze zich na enige tijd openstelt tegenover mensen die ze eigenlijk helemaal niet kent en zich kwetsbaar durft op te stellen, ook naar zichzelf toe -, heeft zich naarmate het verhaal vorderde, steeds meer in mijn hart weten te wurmen, puur om wie ze daadwerkelijk is. Deze houding wordt versterkt door haar metgezellen die ze gaandeweg leert kennen. Aan haar ene zijde staat de sterke Kian, die niet alleen vecht voor zichzelf, maar echt voor iedereen, omdat gerechtigheid in zijn wereld nog altijd niet vanzelfsprekend is. Haar andere zijde is voor de mysterieuze Jinne, die ze tegenkomt op een bepaald kruispunt in haar eigen leven en die haar één van haar eerste knopen door laat hakken waarvan ze nooit had gedacht dat ze het écht op deze manier zou willen oplossen. Hij laat haar en Kian zien dat de wereld anders is als ze altijd gedacht hadden en dat het goed is dat ze voor zichzelf vechten, wat er ook gebeurt en hoe onzeker de toekomst er ook uitziet.
De kracht van dit laatste deel van de trilogie ligt hem voor mij in het feit dat de (bij)personages in het boek allemaal laten zien dat de grootste kracht van de mens puur in jezelf zit: geloof in jezelf! Vertrouw op je eigen gevoel, ook als je zelf vol twijfels zit omtrent de toekomst en of het wel het juiste is wat je doet, en durf je zelf open te stellen voor het onbekende. Het kan zomaar zijn dat hetgeen wat je altijd geloofd hebt of wat je geleerd hebt, heel anders is dan je altijd voor ogen had gezien. Zeker als je niet beide kanten van het verhaal kent!
De (gelovige) wereld die auteur Jen Minkman op papier heeft gezet voor deze serie is meeslepend. Het voert je mee naar de plekken waar het zich afspeelt, wordt gedetailleerd beschreven waardoor je elk zuchtje wind, elke storm, elke zonnestraal langs je eigen huid kunt voelen glijden. De verschillende culturen en geloven dringen de lezer binnen en laat je nadenken over hoe je er zelf tegenover staat en wat jij zou doen als je in de schoenen zou staan van niet alleen de drie moedige hoofdpersonages en de personages die eerder zijn geïntroduceerd in de serie, maar ook zeker die van de bijpersonages.
Ik heb het boek nu al een tijdje uit, maar het blijft nog altijd door mijn hoofd ronddwalen. Wat een boek! Het land voorbij het hek is absoluut een spannend, sterk en geweldig mooi einde van deze zeer boeiende en leeswaardige serie.
Read
November 21, 2015Done! Book has been edited and uploaded. Should be available somewhere this week. Bloggers, shoot me an email for a review copy :D
December 6, 2015
Oh No! what a cliff hanger ending!!
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Well I read and really enjoyed The Island Series, I think I remember saying the only part I wasn't so keen on were the Star Wars references so I'm not sure how much those references will appear in this series. Having said that I am thoroughly looking forward to learning more about Bodmin and Dartmoor City and their ways of living and their anti-violence rules and regulations.
MY REVIEW
I heard about this book via Jen Minkman's Newsletter, she was actually offering free copies of her book to Newsletter subscribers. However when I went on to Amazon to find out when the book was actually released and saw it was actually out now! and it was at the special offer price of just 99p I couldn't resist and I purchased it and began reading almost straight away. I had really enjoyed Jen's The Island Series, so was interested to read more about characters we had already met. This book also covers the other side of the story, in that it tells us the reader more about the places that Tony and Henry lived, and we are introduced into their families and friends. I think Jen has once again done a brilliant job with the cover design, I'd guess from reading the book that the female in the field is probably one of the main characters we follow in the book, Sarah Hart. I find the font size and style pleasing and it stands out enough whilst not being too obtrusive in the scene on the cover. Maybe if I were to change anything there could have been either a byline or something that lets the reader know that this is a spin-off/companion series to The Island. I think this cover also feels cohesive enough to The Island Series covers too.
So would the cover make me pick this book up from a bookstore shelf? Yes, I'd want to know who the female was and why she is alone and what she is doing in the field? Another fantastic book cover from Jen Minkman!
So I downloaded this one onto my tablet and thought I'd just read a page or two to see who was in it and finally put it down at just 11% though it was a struggle to put it down! After that when I returned to the book I seriously didn't want to put it down. The story is quite addictive, as The Island was. Also as we know from The Island Series the people on the mainland life a pacifist style life with violence and strong emotion severely and swiftly punished.We meet the first of the new characters immediately, it's Sarah Hart, and we truly feel her shame and embarrassment as she walks to the clinic for one of her twice weekly checks. Sarah's father was purged which marks her, and her younger brother Timothy as been at possible risk of emotional/violent outbursts. Such people are known locally as red stamps. Red Stamps are considered to be the lowest class and cannot hope to gain a good job with prospects, or ever leave Dartmoor City, or lead a full or happy life really. They are always looked down on, shunned and sometimes ridiculed and left out of important society events. Red Stamps also have to attend the clinic to be subject to continual assessment. The official, politically correct reason for this is to prevent them being a danger to society as well as allowing them to become "normal" citizens again if they pass all the tests they are subjected to. However no one has ever passed all of the Clinic tests, the majority of Red Stamps are made to drink a herbal tea which varies in strength. The descriptions of the older Red Stamps on larger doses of the herbal make them sound almost catatonic and only able to hold down the easiest poorly paid jobs. Sarah will soon be coming to the point where she will be assessed and more or less sentenced to the dosage of herbal tea she must take for the clinic and society think she is safe to be around.
Whilst attending the clinic, Sarah accidentally meets a man who is being held prisoner there. . ..he is a character we met in The Island Series who is been kept prisoner and is being used as medical research project by President Jacob, who is trying to find a cure for an ancient disease that it seems the prisoner is somehow immune to. Sarah inadvertently becomes kind of friends, or perhaps more associates with a fellow red stamp Ferris. . . or Ferret as he is cruelly called by the other kids at school.
The other main character in this book who is also instrumental in Sarah's escape from her increasingly oppressive life is Kian Bharatsingh, the nephew of Tony Bharatsingh who was a main lead character in The Island Series. He is also living an oppressed existence in Bodmin, though it isn't as controlled as the rules and atmosphere in Dartmoor that Sarah lives under.
Kian's father has already requested that Tony's body be returned to them for a proper family burial but has been refused, so Kian has requested the body be returned too, though sadly he is turned down also.
Kian and his two friends regularly use a solar powered car they share to go on scavenger hunts for glass items that are in varying degrees of demand for. They sell their finds and share the money. The finder of the item gets a slightly larger percent of the money and the other two share whats left equally. It is money from this hobby that enables Kian to travel to the last place his Uncle Tony was seen, Dartmoor City to dig around for clues as to what really happened to him. The story they received from President Jacob didn't seem accurate behaviour for Tony.
I could seriously go on and on about this book there is so much going on, and how the two main characters are brought together is brilliantly written.
Though I loved the character of Sarah and Kian, I totally adored the smaller character role of Michelle who ends up being quite instrumental in both their lives and plans.
This story has lots of mystery, secrets that are revealed to you as they are to Kian and Sarah. It's great how they eventually cross paths as if they are meant to be together, and that their separate smaller quests are joined together to form a larger quest that becomes the central story for the series. I also found the twist ingenious that happens in the latter part of the book. The book is also quite emotional, the build up where you think Kian may be right that his Uncle could be the prisoner held at the clinic, the uplifting feel when the three characters on the run find a boat for the water crossing they need to make as if fate is finally on their side. then the awful twist when they think the first part of their dangerous mission has come to an end safely and they look out to see. . . . to learn that fate was most definitely not on their side but an awful calculating man had in fact set a trap for them and they had sadly fallen for it without a second thought!
The ending has such a cliffhanger too! It has certainly made me extremely eager for the rest of the series!
So did I enjoy the book? I fell in love with it's characters and storyline almost immediately. I didn't want to put this down and really looked forward to my "reading time" with this book. Would I recommend the book? Yes! this series is designed to be read after you have read The Island Series, as some of the characters cross over both series, but you could still read and enjoy this book if you haven't read The Island too. Would I want to read more in this series? Oh yes for sure! I'm impatiently awaiting the next book in this series. I want to know how Sarah plans to bring down her "enemy" and who will join her in her fight to free her repressed society. I also want to know if anything will happen between Sarah and Kian, I think they would be perfect for each other, both have lost ones they loved dearly. Would I want to read more by Jen Minkman? As I have said I have read other titles by Jen, such as The Island Series, I've read the Boy From The Woods, Shadow Of Time, as well as Sound Of Siren's bk#1 of the Tales Of Skylge series too. I really enjoy her writing style and unique idea's, as well as the societies and characters she creates. You really learn to care about her characters. Her plots also make you think about how you would react if you were the one in that situation.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
Well I read and really enjoyed The Island Series, I think I remember saying the only part I wasn't so keen on were the Star Wars references so I'm not sure how much those references will appear in this series. Having said that I am thoroughly looking forward to learning more about Bodmin and Dartmoor City and their ways of living and their anti-violence rules and regulations.
MY REVIEW
I heard about this book via Jen Minkman's Newsletter, she was actually offering free copies of her book to Newsletter subscribers. However when I went on to Amazon to find out when the book was actually released and saw it was actually out now! and it was at the special offer price of just 99p I couldn't resist and I purchased it and began reading almost straight away. I had really enjoyed Jen's The Island Series, so was interested to read more about characters we had already met. This book also covers the other side of the story, in that it tells us the reader more about the places that Tony and Henry lived, and we are introduced into their families and friends. I think Jen has once again done a brilliant job with the cover design, I'd guess from reading the book that the female in the field is probably one of the main characters we follow in the book, Sarah Hart. I find the font size and style pleasing and it stands out enough whilst not being too obtrusive in the scene on the cover. Maybe if I were to change anything there could have been either a byline or something that lets the reader know that this is a spin-off/companion series to The Island. I think this cover also feels cohesive enough to The Island Series covers too.
So would the cover make me pick this book up from a bookstore shelf? Yes, I'd want to know who the female was and why she is alone and what she is doing in the field? Another fantastic book cover from Jen Minkman!
So I downloaded this one onto my tablet and thought I'd just read a page or two to see who was in it and finally put it down at just 11% though it was a struggle to put it down! After that when I returned to the book I seriously didn't want to put it down. The story is quite addictive, as The Island was. Also as we know from The Island Series the people on the mainland life a pacifist style life with violence and strong emotion severely and swiftly punished.We meet the first of the new characters immediately, it's Sarah Hart, and we truly feel her shame and embarrassment as she walks to the clinic for one of her twice weekly checks. Sarah's father was purged which marks her, and her younger brother Timothy as been at possible risk of emotional/violent outbursts. Such people are known locally as red stamps. Red Stamps are considered to be the lowest class and cannot hope to gain a good job with prospects, or ever leave Dartmoor City, or lead a full or happy life really. They are always looked down on, shunned and sometimes ridiculed and left out of important society events. Red Stamps also have to attend the clinic to be subject to continual assessment. The official, politically correct reason for this is to prevent them being a danger to society as well as allowing them to become "normal" citizens again if they pass all the tests they are subjected to. However no one has ever passed all of the Clinic tests, the majority of Red Stamps are made to drink a herbal tea which varies in strength. The descriptions of the older Red Stamps on larger doses of the herbal make them sound almost catatonic and only able to hold down the easiest poorly paid jobs. Sarah will soon be coming to the point where she will be assessed and more or less sentenced to the dosage of herbal tea she must take for the clinic and society think she is safe to be around.
Whilst attending the clinic, Sarah accidentally meets a man who is being held prisoner there. . ..he is a character we met in The Island Series who is been kept prisoner and is being used as medical research project by President Jacob, who is trying to find a cure for an ancient disease that it seems the prisoner is somehow immune to. Sarah inadvertently becomes kind of friends, or perhaps more associates with a fellow red stamp Ferris. . . or Ferret as he is cruelly called by the other kids at school.
The other main character in this book who is also instrumental in Sarah's escape from her increasingly oppressive life is Kian Bharatsingh, the nephew of Tony Bharatsingh who was a main lead character in The Island Series. He is also living an oppressed existence in Bodmin, though it isn't as controlled as the rules and atmosphere in Dartmoor that Sarah lives under.
Kian's father has already requested that Tony's body be returned to them for a proper family burial but has been refused, so Kian has requested the body be returned too, though sadly he is turned down also.
Kian and his two friends regularly use a solar powered car they share to go on scavenger hunts for glass items that are in varying degrees of demand for. They sell their finds and share the money. The finder of the item gets a slightly larger percent of the money and the other two share whats left equally. It is money from this hobby that enables Kian to travel to the last place his Uncle Tony was seen, Dartmoor City to dig around for clues as to what really happened to him. The story they received from President Jacob didn't seem accurate behaviour for Tony.
I could seriously go on and on about this book there is so much going on, and how the two main characters are brought together is brilliantly written.
Though I loved the character of Sarah and Kian, I totally adored the smaller character role of Michelle who ends up being quite instrumental in both their lives and plans.
This story has lots of mystery, secrets that are revealed to you as they are to Kian and Sarah. It's great how they eventually cross paths as if they are meant to be together, and that their separate smaller quests are joined together to form a larger quest that becomes the central story for the series. I also found the twist ingenious that happens in the latter part of the book. The book is also quite emotional, the build up where you think Kian may be right that his Uncle could be the prisoner held at the clinic, the uplifting feel when the three characters on the run find a boat for the water crossing they need to make as if fate is finally on their side. then the awful twist when they think the first part of their dangerous mission has come to an end safely and they look out to see. . . . to learn that fate was most definitely not on their side but an awful calculating man had in fact set a trap for them and they had sadly fallen for it without a second thought!
The ending has such a cliffhanger too! It has certainly made me extremely eager for the rest of the series!
So did I enjoy the book? I fell in love with it's characters and storyline almost immediately. I didn't want to put this down and really looked forward to my "reading time" with this book. Would I recommend the book? Yes! this series is designed to be read after you have read The Island Series, as some of the characters cross over both series, but you could still read and enjoy this book if you haven't read The Island too. Would I want to read more in this series? Oh yes for sure! I'm impatiently awaiting the next book in this series. I want to know how Sarah plans to bring down her "enemy" and who will join her in her fight to free her repressed society. I also want to know if anything will happen between Sarah and Kian, I think they would be perfect for each other, both have lost ones they loved dearly. Would I want to read more by Jen Minkman? As I have said I have read other titles by Jen, such as The Island Series, I've read the Boy From The Woods, Shadow Of Time, as well as Sound Of Siren's bk#1 of the Tales Of Skylge series too. I really enjoy her writing style and unique idea's, as well as the societies and characters she creates. You really learn to care about her characters. Her plots also make you think about how you would react if you were the one in that situation.
February 13, 2016
4.5 stars. If only Kian wasn't such a dick and some stuff wasn't so magically convenient, I would have rated it higher.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to give a warning to all, be sure to have read The Island trilogy before you start this one. This one takes place 5 years after the events in The Island trilogy, and while there is quite a bit of story what happened, you will still be utterly confused if you haven't read the trilogy.
I, on the other hand, was delighted with the fact that even if Leia and Walter aren't in the book, they still get talked about, there are references to their journey, about their island, about their visit. The Star Wars part also gets mentioned a few times, and I was just squealing in delight. And not only do they get referenced, oh no, we also have an Islander in this story.
The book is told from the POV of two characters. The amazing and sweet Sarah, who I really liked. And Kian, a pretentious little dick who gets pissy if he doesn't get what he want.
Each x number of chapters the POV switches, and so you get a fresh look on things from every x number of chapters. Though in all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to Kian's POV. I will put in a spoiler tag the reasons why I didn't like him.
Sarah, Sarah, was just amazing. I loved her determination, her strength, the way she never gives up. How she just fights, not only for herself, but for everyone around her. Anyone else in her situation might have just given up, given up on fighting, given up on getting somewhere. But not Sarah, Sarah just fights. She hides what she is feeling, but on the inside there is a girl who is willing to do anything to get out, and get the life she deserves. Because she does deserve some happiness and love. Not only did she lose her father, no she lost her life in return. She was Redstamped, treating as a danger, treated as a criminal, while she hasn't done anything. It reminds me a bit on how people treated children of NSB-ers after WWII (just without the drugs).
Yes, more spoiler tags, really this book is awesome, but I just need to hide all my feelings, because I don't want people to be spoiled.
Reading more about Blackmoor was just really creeping me out. Reading about how President Jacob does his thing, man, that is one creepy guy. Which we knew from The Island series, but reading about it so close, from the POV of someone who is Redstamped, whose life is destroyed by the rules of that place. It gave me goosebumps, and I just wanted to throw something against that President. Treating your people like that, indoctrinating them like that. Using religion in that way. Bah, horrible. I feel sad for all those people there. Having to keep calm, never even being able to defend those you love, never able to be angry for a bit, never able to show many emotions, for the fear of being purged. Because purging? It just happens without trial. You flip your switch? You die. No trial, no words to help you, no nothing. It is a terrible thing, and I do hope that something will happen so that people in that country can live free. No violence is a good thing, but to hide every emotion because you might just get purged? That is also bad.
Rewriting a book and make people believe that what is in there is truth: No. No, and just no. :|
The worldbuilding in this book is amazing, though I would still like a book about the period when the world ended. About how everything went from good to bad. How wars and bombs destroyed country and people. Or maybe a story about the people from the mainland living in bunkers/shelters. Quite a bit is explained in this and The Island series, but I am still curious about that period.
But all in all, this is a fantastic book, and I was just stuck in it from the start. I was actually quite sad that I couldn't read much yesterday due to not feeling all too well, I just wanted to read the book, finish it, and then weep because I have to wait for several months for book 2 to come out!
I also have to give bonus points to the amazing cover! I just can't stop looking at it. It just gorgeous. <3
I absolutely can't wait for the next book to come out. And I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Be prepared to cheer, cry, get angry (especially at Kian), be amazed, and much more!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to give a warning to all, be sure to have read The Island trilogy before you start this one. This one takes place 5 years after the events in The Island trilogy, and while there is quite a bit of story what happened, you will still be utterly confused if you haven't read the trilogy.
I, on the other hand, was delighted with the fact that even if Leia and Walter aren't in the book, they still get talked about, there are references to their journey, about their island, about their visit. The Star Wars part also gets mentioned a few times, and I was just squealing in delight. And not only do they get referenced, oh no, we also have an Islander in this story.
The book is told from the POV of two characters. The amazing and sweet Sarah, who I really liked. And Kian, a pretentious little dick who gets pissy if he doesn't get what he want.
Each x number of chapters the POV switches, and so you get a fresh look on things from every x number of chapters. Though in all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to Kian's POV. I will put in a spoiler tag the reasons why I didn't like him.
Sarah, Sarah, was just amazing. I loved her determination, her strength, the way she never gives up. How she just fights, not only for herself, but for everyone around her. Anyone else in her situation might have just given up, given up on fighting, given up on getting somewhere. But not Sarah, Sarah just fights. She hides what she is feeling, but on the inside there is a girl who is willing to do anything to get out, and get the life she deserves. Because she does deserve some happiness and love. Not only did she lose her father, no she lost her life in return. She was Redstamped, treating as a danger, treated as a criminal, while she hasn't done anything. It reminds me a bit on how people treated children of NSB-ers after WWII (just without the drugs).
Yes, more spoiler tags, really this book is awesome, but I just need to hide all my feelings, because I don't want people to be spoiled.
Reading more about Blackmoor was just really creeping me out. Reading about how President Jacob does his thing, man, that is one creepy guy. Which we knew from The Island series, but reading about it so close, from the POV of someone who is Redstamped, whose life is destroyed by the rules of that place. It gave me goosebumps, and I just wanted to throw something against that President. Treating your people like that, indoctrinating them like that. Using religion in that way. Bah, horrible. I feel sad for all those people there. Having to keep calm, never even being able to defend those you love, never able to be angry for a bit, never able to show many emotions, for the fear of being purged. Because purging? It just happens without trial. You flip your switch? You die. No trial, no words to help you, no nothing. It is a terrible thing, and I do hope that something will happen so that people in that country can live free. No violence is a good thing, but to hide every emotion because you might just get purged? That is also bad.
Rewriting a book and make people believe that what is in there is truth: No. No, and just no. :|
The worldbuilding in this book is amazing, though I would still like a book about the period when the world ended. About how everything went from good to bad. How wars and bombs destroyed country and people. Or maybe a story about the people from the mainland living in bunkers/shelters. Quite a bit is explained in this and The Island series, but I am still curious about that period.
But all in all, this is a fantastic book, and I was just stuck in it from the start. I was actually quite sad that I couldn't read much yesterday due to not feeling all too well, I just wanted to read the book, finish it, and then weep because I have to wait for several months for book 2 to come out!
I also have to give bonus points to the amazing cover! I just can't stop looking at it. It just gorgeous. <3
I absolutely can't wait for the next book to come out. And I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Be prepared to cheer, cry, get angry (especially at Kian), be amazed, and much more!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 7, 2018
3,5 sterren
Het land voorbij het hek is het derde en laatste deel in de Eilandserie. Eerdere boeken in deze reeks zijn Het boek van voorheen en De wereld achter het water.
Zoals tot nu toe met alle boeken van Jen Minkman het geval was, zat ik ook nu weer direct in het verhaal. Jen Minkman heeft een zeer aangename schrijfstijl. Het was al enige tijd geleden dat ik deel een en deel twee had gelezen, maar Jen Minkman verwijst naar de gebeurtenissen uit die delen, zodat het niet echt nodig is deze delen te herlezen.
Dit laatste deel speelt zich (voornamelijk) af op het vaste land wat vroeger Groot-Brittannië was voor de gewelddadige oorlog. De overlevenden hebben zich in de jaren die na de oorlog volgden vastgehouden aan hun geloof. Dit is gebaseerd op delen uit de Bijbel. Ze geloven in een geweldloze samenleving. Mensen die agressief en gewelddadig zijn worden Gezuiverd. Jen Minkman heeft goed beschreven hoe groot de sociale druk kan zijn en hoe gevaarlijk het kan zijn om anders dan anderen te zijn en anders te denken. De mensen zelf zien geen kwaad en willen de andersdenkenden juist beschermen, zij bedoelen het daadwerkelijk goed, wat niet wil zeggen dat het dan ook de goede manier is. Daarnaast zijn er ook nog de soldaten van Gideon, die vanuit de regering in de gaten houden of mensen zich gedragen volgens de regels. Deze samenleving gaf mij een beklemmend gevoel tijdens het lezen.
"Wat is dit voor samenleving? Ik zie nu pas hoe erg het kan zijn als de regels te streng worden toegepast, zoals hier in Dartmoor. Dit is een stad vol makke schapen – niet omdat de schapen vrijwillig hun mond houden, maar omdat ze doodsbang zijn dat te hard blaten de wolf in schaapskleren zou kunnen alarmeren." (Pagina 84)
Vanaf het eerste moment proef je de irritatie en frustratie van Sarah. Ze is het niet eens met de onderzoeken, ze is een buitenbeentje geworden in de zo hechte maatschappij waar de sociale controle erg groot is. De wetgevers hebben haar verboden om Dartmoor-Stad te verlaten en mensen zijn bang voor haar. Buiten haar familie is ze iedereen kwijtgeraakt. Kian loopt met twijfels rond, hij gelooft de verhalen rondom zijn om de dood van zijn oom niet en probeert uiterst voorzichtig erachter te komen wat nou de precieze waarheid is. Het verhaal is erg spannend en laat je nadenken over in hoeverre de maatschappij waarin je opgroeit van invloed is op je leven. Daarnaast is er ook weer die heerlijke romantiek, die Jen Minkman elke keer weer uitstekend weet te beschrijven in haar boeken. Ook in dit verhaal heb ik weer genoten van deze momenten, die een mooie aanvulling zijn op de spannende momenten.
Het land voorbij het hek is wederom een spannend dystopisch (post-apocalyptisch) verhaal. Jammer dat dit het laatste deel is uit de serie. Als lezer kom je erachter wat er zich vanaf het allereerste begin heeft afgespeeld doordat je het gehele verhaal van de trilogie vanuit verschillende perspectieven hebt meegemaakt. Het is mooi om te lezen hoe in dit laatste deel alles op zijn plek valt en ik heb dan ook genoten van dit deel. De trilogie is een absolute aanrader. Ik geef Het land voorbij het hek graag 3,5 sterren.
Het land voorbij het hek is het derde en laatste deel in de Eilandserie. Eerdere boeken in deze reeks zijn Het boek van voorheen en De wereld achter het water.
Zoals tot nu toe met alle boeken van Jen Minkman het geval was, zat ik ook nu weer direct in het verhaal. Jen Minkman heeft een zeer aangename schrijfstijl. Het was al enige tijd geleden dat ik deel een en deel twee had gelezen, maar Jen Minkman verwijst naar de gebeurtenissen uit die delen, zodat het niet echt nodig is deze delen te herlezen.
Dit laatste deel speelt zich (voornamelijk) af op het vaste land wat vroeger Groot-Brittannië was voor de gewelddadige oorlog. De overlevenden hebben zich in de jaren die na de oorlog volgden vastgehouden aan hun geloof. Dit is gebaseerd op delen uit de Bijbel. Ze geloven in een geweldloze samenleving. Mensen die agressief en gewelddadig zijn worden Gezuiverd. Jen Minkman heeft goed beschreven hoe groot de sociale druk kan zijn en hoe gevaarlijk het kan zijn om anders dan anderen te zijn en anders te denken. De mensen zelf zien geen kwaad en willen de andersdenkenden juist beschermen, zij bedoelen het daadwerkelijk goed, wat niet wil zeggen dat het dan ook de goede manier is. Daarnaast zijn er ook nog de soldaten van Gideon, die vanuit de regering in de gaten houden of mensen zich gedragen volgens de regels. Deze samenleving gaf mij een beklemmend gevoel tijdens het lezen.
"Wat is dit voor samenleving? Ik zie nu pas hoe erg het kan zijn als de regels te streng worden toegepast, zoals hier in Dartmoor. Dit is een stad vol makke schapen – niet omdat de schapen vrijwillig hun mond houden, maar omdat ze doodsbang zijn dat te hard blaten de wolf in schaapskleren zou kunnen alarmeren." (Pagina 84)
Vanaf het eerste moment proef je de irritatie en frustratie van Sarah. Ze is het niet eens met de onderzoeken, ze is een buitenbeentje geworden in de zo hechte maatschappij waar de sociale controle erg groot is. De wetgevers hebben haar verboden om Dartmoor-Stad te verlaten en mensen zijn bang voor haar. Buiten haar familie is ze iedereen kwijtgeraakt. Kian loopt met twijfels rond, hij gelooft de verhalen rondom zijn om de dood van zijn oom niet en probeert uiterst voorzichtig erachter te komen wat nou de precieze waarheid is. Het verhaal is erg spannend en laat je nadenken over in hoeverre de maatschappij waarin je opgroeit van invloed is op je leven. Daarnaast is er ook weer die heerlijke romantiek, die Jen Minkman elke keer weer uitstekend weet te beschrijven in haar boeken. Ook in dit verhaal heb ik weer genoten van deze momenten, die een mooie aanvulling zijn op de spannende momenten.
Het land voorbij het hek is wederom een spannend dystopisch (post-apocalyptisch) verhaal. Jammer dat dit het laatste deel is uit de serie. Als lezer kom je erachter wat er zich vanaf het allereerste begin heeft afgespeeld doordat je het gehele verhaal van de trilogie vanuit verschillende perspectieven hebt meegemaakt. Het is mooi om te lezen hoe in dit laatste deel alles op zijn plek valt en ik heb dan ook genoten van dit deel. De trilogie is een absolute aanrader. Ik geef Het land voorbij het hek graag 3,5 sterren.
December 9, 2015
Synopsis:
"People turn their heads when I walk past them. They know where I’m going. My feet almost stumble on the uneven pavement of the cobblestoned street when I sense Mark’s gaze on me. This is the only time he takes notice of me, and it’s for a reason I wish didn’t exist. All the other times I want him to see me, his eyes skip right over me. I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothes to these people. A potential threat.
I already know what will happen once I get to the Clinic. I’ll have to talk to that clueless psychiatrist so he can measure my possibly violent tendencies. Because that stigma has been on me ever since I turned twelve and the person I loved most in the whole wide world was Purged from this city.
My name is Sarah, and my father was a violence offender."
I'm usually not keen on sequels or follow up series, but this one is definitely worth reading. We are back to the world of the Island series, but this time on the Dartmoor city's side. The action takes place some years after the original series and shows the consequences of all the previous events but also some dark secrets kept in Dartmoor. If you haven´t read the Island, don't worry: he story makes perfect sense on its own, and there are enough references to clear up any confusion. (Although surely it would be much much better to catch up with the first 3 books, if anything to enjoy Jen Minkamn's amazing writing skills!).
I'm not going to lie: I've received the copy for free in exchange for an honest review but I have to say I couldn't enjoy more. I've read most of the books written by the author and, through the time, you can clearly see her growing in skills. This book has it all: fully drawn, well developed characters, plot that just makes you drill over every single word, good pace that doesn't bore you. Check for your self what kind of fences can people encounter in post-apocalyptic world. What restrains the survivors of the last war... ever? I guarantee you will just get as hooked as I did. I'm impatiently waiting for the second book.
"People turn their heads when I walk past them. They know where I’m going. My feet almost stumble on the uneven pavement of the cobblestoned street when I sense Mark’s gaze on me. This is the only time he takes notice of me, and it’s for a reason I wish didn’t exist. All the other times I want him to see me, his eyes skip right over me. I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothes to these people. A potential threat.
I already know what will happen once I get to the Clinic. I’ll have to talk to that clueless psychiatrist so he can measure my possibly violent tendencies. Because that stigma has been on me ever since I turned twelve and the person I loved most in the whole wide world was Purged from this city.
My name is Sarah, and my father was a violence offender."
I'm usually not keen on sequels or follow up series, but this one is definitely worth reading. We are back to the world of the Island series, but this time on the Dartmoor city's side. The action takes place some years after the original series and shows the consequences of all the previous events but also some dark secrets kept in Dartmoor. If you haven´t read the Island, don't worry: he story makes perfect sense on its own, and there are enough references to clear up any confusion. (Although surely it would be much much better to catch up with the first 3 books, if anything to enjoy Jen Minkamn's amazing writing skills!).
I'm not going to lie: I've received the copy for free in exchange for an honest review but I have to say I couldn't enjoy more. I've read most of the books written by the author and, through the time, you can clearly see her growing in skills. This book has it all: fully drawn, well developed characters, plot that just makes you drill over every single word, good pace that doesn't bore you. Check for your self what kind of fences can people encounter in post-apocalyptic world. What restrains the survivors of the last war... ever? I guarantee you will just get as hooked as I did. I'm impatiently waiting for the second book.
January 21, 2016
I've been reading books written by Minkman for a few years now and despite their many differences one thing they have in common is that they are all beautifully written. Descriptively written in a way that allows the reader to feel like they are actually there, seeing those things for themselves without bogging you down in minuscule details. This book is exactly the same. Only this time the descriptive text paints a rather haunting image of the world after it has been decimated by years of bombing.
Beyond the Fence is the beginning of a new series all of its own, but it's a spin off from Minkmans The Island Series. If you haven't read that first then you really should. This book is set 5 years after the events that took place in The Deep and there are mention of some of the events from that series.
Rather than another book from an Islanders POV, this time round we get to see what life is really like for those who grow up on the mainland and have to follow the non violence laws. On the surface it seems like such a simple task, but when tone of voice can also be deemed to be too aggressive you run the very real risk of being purged. Which makes the actions of Sarah and Kian far braver than you might originally think.
I'll be honest and admit that on more than one occasion I did feel like things were working out a little too easily for them, but that ending... I didn't expect that. I cant wait til the next book in the series is available so I can find out what happens next.
Beyond the Fence is the beginning of a new series all of its own, but it's a spin off from Minkmans The Island Series. If you haven't read that first then you really should. This book is set 5 years after the events that took place in The Deep and there are mention of some of the events from that series.
Rather than another book from an Islanders POV, this time round we get to see what life is really like for those who grow up on the mainland and have to follow the non violence laws. On the surface it seems like such a simple task, but when tone of voice can also be deemed to be too aggressive you run the very real risk of being purged. Which makes the actions of Sarah and Kian far braver than you might originally think.
I'll be honest and admit that on more than one occasion I did feel like things were working out a little too easily for them, but that ending... I didn't expect that. I cant wait til the next book in the series is available so I can find out what happens next.
December 7, 2015
This book takes place in the same distopian world as the Island series, but five years later and on the mainland instead of the island. You probably don't need to read Minkman's Island trilogy to appreciate this book, but it will help with some confusion as to the world this takes place in, although not by much.
She weaves a wonderful story around Sarah, a Red Stamp, a girl deemed a danger to the peace by the state because her father once acted out in aggression, and Kian, a boy for whom, to some degree, the state works in favor of. His family isn't well off, but he's never suffered at the hands of the law, but things don't add up to him and it all started five years ago when his uncle Tony died after contracting the War Disease and taking the pilgrimage to Exeter. His family never got to see Tony after he got back and, well, it's kind of fishy that he went on the pilgrimage to begin with.
As more questions rise than get answers in this book, and it becomes clear that the president is not following the laws he enforces, and events bring these two young, disenfranchised people together in a really awesome conclusion...that's just the beginning. I cannot wait for the next book.
She weaves a wonderful story around Sarah, a Red Stamp, a girl deemed a danger to the peace by the state because her father once acted out in aggression, and Kian, a boy for whom, to some degree, the state works in favor of. His family isn't well off, but he's never suffered at the hands of the law, but things don't add up to him and it all started five years ago when his uncle Tony died after contracting the War Disease and taking the pilgrimage to Exeter. His family never got to see Tony after he got back and, well, it's kind of fishy that he went on the pilgrimage to begin with.
As more questions rise than get answers in this book, and it becomes clear that the president is not following the laws he enforces, and events bring these two young, disenfranchised people together in a really awesome conclusion...that's just the beginning. I cannot wait for the next book.
January 24, 2016
Chilling to the bone. One of Jen Minkman's darkest novels, a true dystopian one. Her words take you to Sarah's world where people who do not comply and show the slightest hint of agression are being Purged from society without trial. as a daughter of a father that was Purged Sarah is treated like outcast and marked as a 'red stamp' in her passport. She is being treated by psyciatrists because of her bad genes. she is a remarkable young woman who does not close her eyes for wrong doing to her and to others, even when she brings herself in danger of being purged herself. thats how she finds cruelty beyond imagination. She starts to understand that the régime holding its grip on their society must end. but how? we'll find out in part 2 of the dartmoor chronicles.
October 15, 2018
Deel twee is wel echt mijn favoriet, maar ook dit was weer een leuk boek. :)
December 15, 2015
Full review to follow! But I cannot wait for book 2!
February 25, 2018
This is the first of the Dartmoor Chronicles, which follows The Island series. It introduces a whole new cast of characters, along with some familiar faces from The Island. I enjoyed the book primarily because of the new faces and a bit of mystery, although the teenage romance stuff got a little bit tiresome - well, it IS a YA novel, after all. I would recommend reading the three Island stories before this one, because a lot of the backstory is assumed. It may not be absolutely necessary, but it sure would help.
The narration alternates between Sarah and Kian, who live in Dartmoor City. Sarah is a 'Red Stamp', because her father Sam was Purged for being violent (briefly described in The Deep), and the authorities assume that his children may also have violent tendencies. She has to take a drug that supposedly keeps her calm, and regularly visit a counselor at the Clinic. Kian is Tony's nephew - the same Tony that we met in The Island series - and he desperately wants to know what really happened to his uncle. He doesn't believe the story put about by the authorities of Dartmoor. Michelle is the widow of Tony's friend Henry who died on Tresco (also in The Island series), and she doesn't believe them either. She is a receptionist at the Clinic, and when she tells Tony of a 'Patient T' at the Clinic, he is sure that it is Tony and determines to rescue him with Michelle's help.
At her clinic visit, Sarah accidentally discovers Jinn, an Islander locked up and used for medical tests in hopes of finding a cure for the 'war disease' - cancer caused by the radiation. Dartmoor is desperate to get more immune islanders to test. Jinn stayed behind when the other islanders sailed home to Tresco, and is not in very good shape. She feels sorry for him and promises to get him out. She and a friend sneak into the clinic and free Jinn. But they run into Kian, who is there hoping to find Patient T. Kian is disappointed to find Jinn instead of Tony, but he agrees to help them get Jinn back to Tresco.
Both Jinn and Kian are attracted to Sarah, which somewhat complicates the relationship of the three. They go to Dunsford, a town in Dartmoor, and then split up - Kian takes his solar car to drive out of Dartmoor, while Jinn and Sarah sneak out through a tunnel and walk to meet him. When the trio get to Penzance, they steal a yacht and go to Tresco where they meet Rob, the Keeper. He tells them about the previous trip to Dartmoor and back, and Kian finally learns what really happened to his uncle Tony. When ships appear on the horizon, they realize that they have led the Dartmoorers to the island.
The narration alternates between Sarah and Kian, who live in Dartmoor City. Sarah is a 'Red Stamp', because her father Sam was Purged for being violent (briefly described in The Deep), and the authorities assume that his children may also have violent tendencies. She has to take a drug that supposedly keeps her calm, and regularly visit a counselor at the Clinic. Kian is Tony's nephew - the same Tony that we met in The Island series - and he desperately wants to know what really happened to his uncle. He doesn't believe the story put about by the authorities of Dartmoor. Michelle is the widow of Tony's friend Henry who died on Tresco (also in The Island series), and she doesn't believe them either. She is a receptionist at the Clinic, and when she tells Tony of a 'Patient T' at the Clinic, he is sure that it is Tony and determines to rescue him with Michelle's help.
At her clinic visit, Sarah accidentally discovers Jinn, an Islander locked up and used for medical tests in hopes of finding a cure for the 'war disease' - cancer caused by the radiation. Dartmoor is desperate to get more immune islanders to test. Jinn stayed behind when the other islanders sailed home to Tresco, and is not in very good shape. She feels sorry for him and promises to get him out. She and a friend sneak into the clinic and free Jinn. But they run into Kian, who is there hoping to find Patient T. Kian is disappointed to find Jinn instead of Tony, but he agrees to help them get Jinn back to Tresco.
Both Jinn and Kian are attracted to Sarah, which somewhat complicates the relationship of the three. They go to Dunsford, a town in Dartmoor, and then split up - Kian takes his solar car to drive out of Dartmoor, while Jinn and Sarah sneak out through a tunnel and walk to meet him. When the trio get to Penzance, they steal a yacht and go to Tresco where they meet Rob, the Keeper. He tells them about the previous trip to Dartmoor and back, and Kian finally learns what really happened to his uncle Tony. When ships appear on the horizon, they realize that they have led the Dartmoorers to the island.
December 13, 2015
**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
I'm always impressed by what this author writes. My rating is strictly from the perspective that I didn't quite understand what happened to the world and although the book does give some references to it so that I at least wasn't completely lost, my understanding from others' reviews is that this series is a spin-off of The Island. It is just bad timing on my part that I had not read that one yet, even though I own it. I may revise my rating and review once I have read The Island.
The story is told from two perspectives, Sarah and Kian. Each of these characters has a vested interest, but come from different backgrounds, so although there is some overlap between their chapters, most of it isn't redundant and gives a little more context from that character's point of view. I really liked and empathized with Sarah. As impossible as things seemed, she was still determined to do something to make things better. When she met Jinn, all the things she questioned about her government solidified and although the risks of success were minimal, she didn't let that stop her from finding some way to help him. Her life drastically changed when her father was purged and she was red-stamped. Ostracized and powerless to change her fate, meeting him made her realize that things could definitely be worse. And although most of the book is dedicated to Sarah and Kian, I loved Jinn. Maybe because of the three of them, he was the most abused and the one I could relate to the most...at least, before all of the Star Wars references. I admit, that threw me. I love Star Wars, but that is where I was a bit lost. Why Star Wars? He does explain it a bit later in the book, but still made me wonder how it originated. And I don't particularly find the intent of Star Wars to be violent. They definitely fight back, but are not wild. It seems like Tresco is an island of wild people...at least until we get there. Either way, that was definitely a little weird for me. Which now brings me to Kian. Before he met Jinn, I admired his tenacity in questioning what he was told regarding his uncle Tony, and seeking to find the truth. After meeting Jinn, he became a bit of a jerk. With Sarah, he was protective, but kind of condescending. With Jinn, he was an arrogant ass. And I have to say that if we end up with he and Sarah together, I may just lose it. Even though his attitude towards Jinn gets better at the end, I don't like the reason for it and I don't want Sarah dumped with him because he is there.
This book was interesting in that it could have gone in several different directions. There were a couple of places that could have been more dark such as when Jinn and Sarah are traveling the road at night and are nearly shot. It almost seems like a missed opportunity, but in hindsight, they didn't really have the capacity to fight back with Jinn not well and no weapons on them. Also, Kian questioned how easy it seemed so far and he was right. It did seem extremely easy for them to find Tresco. No one outside of Tony and Henry managed to do this before them, and no maps supposedly exist of the location, but they managed to find it in a day? Plus there was the convenience of the yacht. If it seems too good to be true, then it is.
Bottom line, definitely a series where I'll have to see where it goes. It just seems so impossible, but maybe I am missing something. I'll also have to go back and read The Island. For you Star Wars fans, you'd get a kick out of how that is a way of life on Tresco. However, if you are not a big fan of religion in books, you may have some issue with that aspect in this one. I could definitely not live in Dartmoor. I like having feelings and the freedom to express my emotions however I choose.
I'm always impressed by what this author writes. My rating is strictly from the perspective that I didn't quite understand what happened to the world and although the book does give some references to it so that I at least wasn't completely lost, my understanding from others' reviews is that this series is a spin-off of The Island. It is just bad timing on my part that I had not read that one yet, even though I own it. I may revise my rating and review once I have read The Island.
The story is told from two perspectives, Sarah and Kian. Each of these characters has a vested interest, but come from different backgrounds, so although there is some overlap between their chapters, most of it isn't redundant and gives a little more context from that character's point of view. I really liked and empathized with Sarah. As impossible as things seemed, she was still determined to do something to make things better. When she met Jinn, all the things she questioned about her government solidified and although the risks of success were minimal, she didn't let that stop her from finding some way to help him. Her life drastically changed when her father was purged and she was red-stamped. Ostracized and powerless to change her fate, meeting him made her realize that things could definitely be worse. And although most of the book is dedicated to Sarah and Kian, I loved Jinn. Maybe because of the three of them, he was the most abused and the one I could relate to the most...at least, before all of the Star Wars references. I admit, that threw me. I love Star Wars, but that is where I was a bit lost. Why Star Wars? He does explain it a bit later in the book, but still made me wonder how it originated. And I don't particularly find the intent of Star Wars to be violent. They definitely fight back, but are not wild. It seems like Tresco is an island of wild people...at least until we get there. Either way, that was definitely a little weird for me. Which now brings me to Kian. Before he met Jinn, I admired his tenacity in questioning what he was told regarding his uncle Tony, and seeking to find the truth. After meeting Jinn, he became a bit of a jerk. With Sarah, he was protective, but kind of condescending. With Jinn, he was an arrogant ass. And I have to say that if we end up with he and Sarah together, I may just lose it. Even though his attitude towards Jinn gets better at the end, I don't like the reason for it and I don't want Sarah dumped with him because he is there.
This book was interesting in that it could have gone in several different directions. There were a couple of places that could have been more dark such as when Jinn and Sarah are traveling the road at night and are nearly shot. It almost seems like a missed opportunity, but in hindsight, they didn't really have the capacity to fight back with Jinn not well and no weapons on them. Also, Kian questioned how easy it seemed so far and he was right. It did seem extremely easy for them to find Tresco. No one outside of Tony and Henry managed to do this before them, and no maps supposedly exist of the location, but they managed to find it in a day? Plus there was the convenience of the yacht. If it seems too good to be true, then it is.
Bottom line, definitely a series where I'll have to see where it goes. It just seems so impossible, but maybe I am missing something. I'll also have to go back and read The Island. For you Star Wars fans, you'd get a kick out of how that is a way of life on Tresco. However, if you are not a big fan of religion in books, you may have some issue with that aspect in this one. I could definitely not live in Dartmoor. I like having feelings and the freedom to express my emotions however I choose.
April 8, 2016
President Jacob believes that purging anyone violent and marking their families will prevent any more wars like the one that causes them to die from the war disease. But not all agree with his ways. Sarah finds one of the strangers from over the sea, held prisoner for 5 years. Kian wants to know the real story behind his Uncle's disappearance. Working together to get the answers and solutions that they need. But can it all be a little to easy?
This series follows on from the Island trilogy. Kian and Sarah being relatives of characters rom the that series an Jinn being one of the originals.
Well written and full of emotion, adventure and longing in a dystopian setting. I am looking forward to part 2.
This book was gifted to me by the author in exchange for an honest and fair review.
This series follows on from the Island trilogy. Kian and Sarah being relatives of characters rom the that series an Jinn being one of the originals.
Well written and full of emotion, adventure and longing in a dystopian setting. I am looking forward to part 2.
This book was gifted to me by the author in exchange for an honest and fair review.
May 4, 2016
The beginning of this series starts with one of the people that decided to stay in the city being found. What results is chaos and intrigue as the deceit continues. People are used and tortured and lost loved ones are found. A desperate escape leads to a wild journey of chance. An exciting book of people overcoming restraints and conditioning from twisted faith to the extreme. Great strong characters and a great story keep you anxious to the very last sentence.
April 11, 2017
Sarah’s father committed a violent crime and instead of being punished he was purged and now Sarah and her little brother Tim are being punished for their father’s sins. They have been red stamped, their passports care a red stamp upon them but there might as well be a red stamp on their heads right between their eyes as far as the people of Dartmoor are concerned. They treat Sarah and her family as if they have some kind of disease and are beneath them.
Sarah wants out she is tired of being treated this way and not having any friends. She is tired of having to go to the clinic every week and taking their medicine. She wants to tear down the fence/wall that they live behind mentally and physically.
Sarah finds a young man that the president has kept prisoner for five long years. They have been running test on this young man, Jinn trying to find a cure for the war disease. When she finds Jinn she knows she must save him and hopefully put a stop to the president and all his secrets.
While she is trying to break Jinn out she runs into to another young man Kian who is looking for his uncle who disappeared five years ago. Sarah and Kian break Jinn out and help him to return to his home. Sarah and Jinn start having feelings for one another more than just friends. Kian also likes Sarah and becomes quiet jealous of Jinn which causes Kian not to like Jinn and is very rude towards him.
Beyond the Fence is a continuation of sorts of The Island Trilogy and takes place five years later. While The Island Trilogy is about a group of people who live on an island and do not know that there are people who live on the mainland or even of a place called Dartmoor. But of course the people of Dartmoor have no clue that an island exist either.
Can Sarah save Jinn? Will they escape the clutches of the president? Will they make it over the fence? Come join Sarah, Jinn and Kian on their journey Beyond the Fence.
I love reading Jen’s books. I really and truly loved reading The Island Trilogy. I loved the whole concept of the story and the Star Wars reference even though I had never read or watched Star Wars and I still haven’t read or saw Star Wars but I have never forgotten about the children in The Island Trilogy. I can’t wait for the next book with Sarah, Jinn and Kian’s adventures in Across the Sea.
I would recommend Beyond the Fence to anyone who loves reading dystopian stories or who just loves a great story. I just can’t get enough of Jen’s stories about the Island people or the people on Dartmoor.
Sarah wants out she is tired of being treated this way and not having any friends. She is tired of having to go to the clinic every week and taking their medicine. She wants to tear down the fence/wall that they live behind mentally and physically.
Sarah finds a young man that the president has kept prisoner for five long years. They have been running test on this young man, Jinn trying to find a cure for the war disease. When she finds Jinn she knows she must save him and hopefully put a stop to the president and all his secrets.
While she is trying to break Jinn out she runs into to another young man Kian who is looking for his uncle who disappeared five years ago. Sarah and Kian break Jinn out and help him to return to his home. Sarah and Jinn start having feelings for one another more than just friends. Kian also likes Sarah and becomes quiet jealous of Jinn which causes Kian not to like Jinn and is very rude towards him.
Beyond the Fence is a continuation of sorts of The Island Trilogy and takes place five years later. While The Island Trilogy is about a group of people who live on an island and do not know that there are people who live on the mainland or even of a place called Dartmoor. But of course the people of Dartmoor have no clue that an island exist either.
Can Sarah save Jinn? Will they escape the clutches of the president? Will they make it over the fence? Come join Sarah, Jinn and Kian on their journey Beyond the Fence.
I love reading Jen’s books. I really and truly loved reading The Island Trilogy. I loved the whole concept of the story and the Star Wars reference even though I had never read or watched Star Wars and I still haven’t read or saw Star Wars but I have never forgotten about the children in The Island Trilogy. I can’t wait for the next book with Sarah, Jinn and Kian’s adventures in Across the Sea.
I would recommend Beyond the Fence to anyone who loves reading dystopian stories or who just loves a great story. I just can’t get enough of Jen’s stories about the Island people or the people on Dartmoor.
April 3, 2017
Good read
If you read the Island series by this author then you will see some familiar faces in this book. If you wanted to know more of the story well here it is. If you haven't read the Island series you'll still enjoy it but go read the Island series as that explains the history of this one. Its a great read now on to book 2 :)
If you read the Island series by this author then you will see some familiar faces in this book. If you wanted to know more of the story well here it is. If you haven't read the Island series you'll still enjoy it but go read the Island series as that explains the history of this one. Its a great read now on to book 2 :)
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