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Front Lines #1.75
Dead of Night
Set in the alternative World War II scenario of his Front Lines novels, Michael Grant, author of the bestselling GONE series, has written this story exclusively for World Book Day 2017.
Rio Richlin doesn’t have superpowers. She is an ordinary young woman. A soldier in the American army, wearing a uniform, carrying a rifle, and fighting alongside thousands who are trying to make a difference, trying to change the world.
At least, that’s the plan. Right now she’s part of a squad on a training exercise in some place called Wales. They’re cold, they’re wet, and Rio’s pretty sure they’re also lost. Spending the night in a creepy old inn wasn’t part of the plan at all…
Rio's only training. But soon, the fate of the world will be in the hands of the soldier girls.
A World Book Day 2017 book.
Rio Richlin doesn’t have superpowers. She is an ordinary young woman. A soldier in the American army, wearing a uniform, carrying a rifle, and fighting alongside thousands who are trying to make a difference, trying to change the world.
At least, that’s the plan. Right now she’s part of a squad on a training exercise in some place called Wales. They’re cold, they’re wet, and Rio’s pretty sure they’re also lost. Spending the night in a creepy old inn wasn’t part of the plan at all…
Rio's only training. But soon, the fate of the world will be in the hands of the soldier girls.
A World Book Day 2017 book.
86 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2017
4 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
About the author
Michael Grant
88 books11.3k followersCo-author with Katherine Applegate of Ocean City, Making Out, Summer, Animorphs, Everworld, Remnants, Eve and Adam.
Pseudonymous coauthor with KA of Christy (the TV spin-off books), Sweet Valley Twins, Girl Talk and various Disney spin-offs.
Pseudonymous author of Barf-O-Rama.
Author of Gone, BZRK, The Magnificent 12, Messenger of Fear, Front Lines, Monster and A Sudden Death in Cyprus.
AKA Michael Robinson (restaurant reviews and newspaper features).
AKA Michael Reynolds (legal name) political media producer. (Team Blue).
Pseudonymous coauthor with KA of Christy (the TV spin-off books), Sweet Valley Twins, Girl Talk and various Disney spin-offs.
Pseudonymous author of Barf-O-Rama.
Author of Gone, BZRK, The Magnificent 12, Messenger of Fear, Front Lines, Monster and A Sudden Death in Cyprus.
AKA Michael Robinson (restaurant reviews and newspaper features).
AKA Michael Reynolds (legal name) political media producer. (Team Blue).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 31 reviews
March 18, 2017
3.5 Stars
Dead of Night is set in the world of Michael Grant's Soldier Girls series, a reimagined version of history where American women were actually included in the draft to become soldiers in WWII. As far as the timeline goes this is set somewhere in the middle of the first book, after Rio and her squad have finished their first 13 weeks of training in America but before they're sent to the frontline. They're actually in Wales on another training exercise when they get lost in the fog. Unable to find their way back to base they take shelter in a village pub that they stumble across.
I don't really want to say too much more because it would be easy to give too much away but this was a fun story and a nice addition to the series. It's very different to the full length novels though, where they are very much grounded in reality and almost feel like you're reading true life war diaries this story is a little more surreal and it took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on. I think the nature of the story won't necessarily appeal to everyone but I thought it was very clever and I enjoyed reading something different, I do think events that unfold have a profound effect on Rio so whether they're real or imagined you'll definitely notice the difference in her from Front Lines to Silver Stars.
This has quickly become one of my favourite series so it's one I'd highly recommend, I'm not sure that Dead of Night is the best place to start but if you're read Front Lines then it's well worth giving this a try.
Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review
Dead of Night is set in the world of Michael Grant's Soldier Girls series, a reimagined version of history where American women were actually included in the draft to become soldiers in WWII. As far as the timeline goes this is set somewhere in the middle of the first book, after Rio and her squad have finished their first 13 weeks of training in America but before they're sent to the frontline. They're actually in Wales on another training exercise when they get lost in the fog. Unable to find their way back to base they take shelter in a village pub that they stumble across.
I don't really want to say too much more because it would be easy to give too much away but this was a fun story and a nice addition to the series. It's very different to the full length novels though, where they are very much grounded in reality and almost feel like you're reading true life war diaries this story is a little more surreal and it took me a while to figure out exactly what was going on. I think the nature of the story won't necessarily appeal to everyone but I thought it was very clever and I enjoyed reading something different, I do think events that unfold have a profound effect on Rio so whether they're real or imagined you'll definitely notice the difference in her from Front Lines to Silver Stars.
This has quickly become one of my favourite series so it's one I'd highly recommend, I'm not sure that Dead of Night is the best place to start but if you're read Front Lines then it's well worth giving this a try.
Source: Received from Egmont in exchange for an honest review
February 6, 2017
I'm still making up my mind about this. At the moment I'm just trying to figure out how to fit this in the rest of the storyline and how to wrap my mind around it diverging into a different genre than I was expecting.
Whoops, now I feel guilty for giving it just 3 stars as I'm the first to rate it. It definitely doesn't mean it's bad, so don't let it discourage you from reading it! ;)
Whoops, now I feel guilty for giving it just 3 stars as I'm the first to rate it. It definitely doesn't mean it's bad, so don't let it discourage you from reading it! ;)
March 25, 2018
Started but can't remember book one. Will reread that soon and come back to this potentially exciting gem.
June 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book as mystery and surprise as well as sympathy and war are entangled in an exiting story. Dispite it’s short length it is a very captivating book that hooked the reader in quickly and makes them read to the end of not only the book but want to read the rest of the series. I would really recommend this book to an reader who is interested in alternative war however it may be upsetting to sensitiv readers at this book also explores the brutality of war and its affects on people.
March 11, 2017
A great addition to the Front Lines series. I was a little unsure where this was going but thought it was a great way of showing a bit more of Rio's journey to becoming the soldier we see in Silver Stars.
July 3, 2019
3.5 star
Interesting
Interesting
February 27, 2017
This is a nice addition to the Front Lines series and I definitely liked the story as a whole although I didn't really understand what was going on until the reveal. To be honest, Dead of Night made me ship Rio and Jack and I just have a feeling that one of them will die before the end of the series and if this happens I might cry. I did really like this story but I really don't understand why they were in Wales. Would a US army unit really travel to Wales just to do some training? Probably not, maybe I'm just digging too deep...
September 11, 2017
I'm usually not a fan of those short stories that get added to a series to tell more stuff about the protagonists. I usually don't see the need for those.
I wanted to make an exception for Michael Grant, since I love his Front Lines series so much.
I didn't know what to expect from this piece of writing but I was extremely surprised with the general theme. There's Dickens' A Christmas Tale behind it. Sure, it's way different from the main events of the series, but it serves the purpose of teaching Rio something she will find useful in combat zone and later in life:
Maybe the last part... I don't know... I can relate somehow to it. And the poor Lieutenant... I guess he also gives Rio a glimpse of what will happen when she'll be home after the war. It's not just the fighting - even if at that time Rio didn't know if she was going to the front line or not - is coping with the memories, the guilt and everything once you are safe back home.
One things I really like about Michael Grant's characters... They cry. Even men. They go to war but they are hunted by what they have to do. They show that there's no shame in crying, showing your feelings and telling you story to someone else.
One minor flaw, though. As much as I love the novels, the Germans are always depicted as bloody monsters. No one is a scared little soldier like Rio and her squad. This novella could have probably gained from portraying the as a German soldier. It would have shown that poor kid was having the same problems as Rio: missing his home and being scared as hell.
Anyway, this is still a pretty good novella. At this point, I'll probably get the other one in the series.
I wanted to make an exception for Michael Grant, since I love his Front Lines series so much.
I didn't know what to expect from this piece of writing but I was extremely surprised with the general theme. There's Dickens' A Christmas Tale behind it. Sure, it's way different from the main events of the series, but it serves the purpose of teaching Rio something she will find useful in combat zone and later in life:
These are the lessons Rio is taught by three
Maybe the last part... I don't know... I can relate somehow to it. And the poor Lieutenant... I guess he also gives Rio a glimpse of what will happen when she'll be home after the war. It's not just the fighting - even if at that time Rio didn't know if she was going to the front line or not - is coping with the memories, the guilt and everything once you are safe back home.
One things I really like about Michael Grant's characters... They cry. Even men. They go to war but they are hunted by what they have to do. They show that there's no shame in crying, showing your feelings and telling you story to someone else.
One minor flaw, though. As much as I love the novels, the Germans are always depicted as bloody monsters. No one is a scared little soldier like Rio and her squad. This novella could have probably gained from portraying the as a German soldier. It would have shown that poor kid was having the same problems as Rio: missing his home and being scared as hell.
Anyway, this is still a pretty good novella. At this point, I'll probably get the other one in the series.
Read
March 4, 2017Really great tangent to the series that makes the theme of war all the more apparent and forces readers to think realistically about the trauma.
March 25, 2020
Such an interesting side note to the incredible front lines story! Well written and captivating! Definitely need more of this!!
March 13, 2017
An interesting addition to the Front Lines series written specially for World Book Day 2017. Rio, a new recruit in the US Army, learns some uncomfortable truths about the realities of war during an overnight stopover in a remote Welsh inn. The story takes place during Rio's basic training, before any of her group have seen any 'real' combat. It's not necessary to have read Front Lines to enjoy this book as it works well as a stand alone story although it does add depth to Rio's character which can only enhance the story in the main series.True to Grant's writing style this is a bit grisly in places - so not for younger readers! Well worth a read if you've already tried Grant's writing or are looking for a sampler.
January 29, 2018
This is during the happenings of "Front Lines" the 1st book in the series. Set after boot camp, When they just arrived overseas, during a combat exercise, before any real combat experience.
Rio has a past, present' and future series of visitations from ghosts (soldiers). Very Dickensian, it gives her a glimpse into what war is about and the things she'll have to face. These are not her past, present, and future but those of other soldiers, concerning their last battles. Leaving her shaken and wondering what she has gotten her self into, as any soldier does.
Not essential to the series, but an interesting little side note.
Rio has a past, present' and future series of visitations from ghosts (soldiers). Very Dickensian, it gives her a glimpse into what war is about and the things she'll have to face. These are not her past, present, and future but those of other soldiers, concerning their last battles. Leaving her shaken and wondering what she has gotten her self into, as any soldier does.
Not essential to the series, but an interesting little side note.
June 21, 2017
A lovely novella from one of my favourite historical series. Really enjoyed this snapshot of one evening in Rio's training. I loved the characters in the Front Lines series so it was great to revisit them, even if the focus of this novella is on some very unusual visitors!
May 17, 2019
Again I'm not the intended audience...
First chapter is awful. Clunky and poor writing.
The three short stories that make up the main part of the book are much better, and although the "Christmas carol" retelling doesn't really fit it probably doesn't matter.
First chapter is awful. Clunky and poor writing.
The three short stories that make up the main part of the book are much better, and although the "Christmas carol" retelling doesn't really fit it probably doesn't matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2017
A clever curveball, not your usual "between volumes" episode 1.5. Quite unexpected and very enjoyable. Despite being a but different it fits really well with the main story, but can also stand alone.
December 28, 2017
A nice short featuring Rio Richlin. It's a retelling of A Christmas Carol featuring Rio in the role of Scrooge.
July 31, 2018
4.5 stars
August 30, 2019
4.5 stars*
October 12, 2019
Sweet and short! Liked how you could feel the difference between the times of the visitors. As well as their different experience even though it was the same in a way 💣🔫
June 2, 2021
I probably should've read this a bit earlier
January 12, 2023
Good concept. Bad ending.
December 3, 2025
Loved getting this story, loved getting this time with these characters!
March 20, 2017
Short story about a female American soldier recruit who is visited by three ghosts (war past, war present and war future) who teach her three things about war and being a soldier.
February 23, 2017
This novella, in aid of World Book Day, is the perfect taster for anyone thinking about reading Front Lines (Do it - it's amazing!), but is even better for fans already familiar with the characters.
Rio Richlin has gotten through her training, and her and her troops have found themselves stuck in a fog. There's nothing to do but to wait it out. And they do, in a pub. But this is no ordinary pub, if it's even there at all. Rio is visited by three people during her stay at the pub. The dead ghosts of a past, present and future war. And they have some tales to tell Rio.
I loved each harrowing tale, and actually each of the three ghosts appealed to me enough to keep me interested for their unique stories. I also like that we've been given a teaser of what might happen in future books - I really hope we get to see as far ahead as the future ghosts war because I think Grant would recreate this time beautifully.
A quick look at a surreal moment for Rio and a really fun read!
Rio Richlin has gotten through her training, and her and her troops have found themselves stuck in a fog. There's nothing to do but to wait it out. And they do, in a pub. But this is no ordinary pub, if it's even there at all. Rio is visited by three people during her stay at the pub. The dead ghosts of a past, present and future war. And they have some tales to tell Rio.
I loved each harrowing tale, and actually each of the three ghosts appealed to me enough to keep me interested for their unique stories. I also like that we've been given a teaser of what might happen in future books - I really hope we get to see as far ahead as the future ghosts war because I think Grant would recreate this time beautifully.
A quick look at a surreal moment for Rio and a really fun read!
February 27, 2017
Review by Jack - Year 11
The Front Lines Series, consists of Front Lines, Silver Stars and the new World Book Day short story Dead of Night, set in the middle of Front Lines. They are all set in an alternative World War Two, where the USA has recruited both women and men into its regular army. The brilliant thing about this alternative history is that almost nothing else has changed, the culture of the army is still realistically sexist and racist, and thus the description of military life is still harsh and true to life.
The main character, Rio Richlin, enlisted with her outgoing friend Jenou after her sister Rachel died in service with the Navy. The two novels also follow the separate but linked stories of the Jewish Intelligence Sergeant Rainy Schulterman and the black medic Frangie Marr. All three clearly develop from pathetic green soldiers to near-perfect professionals through various adventures and battles, with their personal lives covered as well.
The best character for me is Sergeant Schulterman, a serious soldier from the start; and with the most difficult job of all advising senior officers and operating undercover. She also faces additional challenges throughout as a Jew in World War Two My favourite part of the series is the ending, where the efforts of the three central characters are recognised, though they remain cynical and sceptical themselves.
I can find very little to criticise in the series, although I did find the regular name-dropping of historical figures quite annoying. However, overall I enjoyed the Front Lines series, especially the way Michael Grant combines historical plausibility with solid, recognisable characters. I give the series 5 out of 5 stars and I will recommend it to my friends, although I am not planning to read Grant’s other books as they are dystopian rather than historical. Also, the Front Lines books contain lots of violence and quite explicit language so are unsuitable for younger readers.
Specifically, I thought that the World Book Day short story was well-written and my favourite part was the “ghost of war future” with Lieutenant Charles, as it relates to the recently discovered evils of combat. However, the series of ghostly dreams of the main character feels like an uninventive way of creating a short story from the series. Thus I can only give Dead of Night 3/5 stars.
The Front Lines Series, consists of Front Lines, Silver Stars and the new World Book Day short story Dead of Night, set in the middle of Front Lines. They are all set in an alternative World War Two, where the USA has recruited both women and men into its regular army. The brilliant thing about this alternative history is that almost nothing else has changed, the culture of the army is still realistically sexist and racist, and thus the description of military life is still harsh and true to life.
The main character, Rio Richlin, enlisted with her outgoing friend Jenou after her sister Rachel died in service with the Navy. The two novels also follow the separate but linked stories of the Jewish Intelligence Sergeant Rainy Schulterman and the black medic Frangie Marr. All three clearly develop from pathetic green soldiers to near-perfect professionals through various adventures and battles, with their personal lives covered as well.
The best character for me is Sergeant Schulterman, a serious soldier from the start; and with the most difficult job of all advising senior officers and operating undercover. She also faces additional challenges throughout as a Jew in World War Two My favourite part of the series is the ending, where the efforts of the three central characters are recognised, though they remain cynical and sceptical themselves.
I can find very little to criticise in the series, although I did find the regular name-dropping of historical figures quite annoying. However, overall I enjoyed the Front Lines series, especially the way Michael Grant combines historical plausibility with solid, recognisable characters. I give the series 5 out of 5 stars and I will recommend it to my friends, although I am not planning to read Grant’s other books as they are dystopian rather than historical. Also, the Front Lines books contain lots of violence and quite explicit language so are unsuitable for younger readers.
Specifically, I thought that the World Book Day short story was well-written and my favourite part was the “ghost of war future” with Lieutenant Charles, as it relates to the recently discovered evils of combat. However, the series of ghostly dreams of the main character feels like an uninventive way of creating a short story from the series. Thus I can only give Dead of Night 3/5 stars.
May 13, 2017
So i also read this as part of World Book Day. It was cheap as chips at £1.
I've never read anything by the author so went into this kinda blind. It was a very intreguing book. I'm not sure I even understood much of the story, and this is aimed at children.
To me this seemed very much like scrooge and christmas (its not this story) but where three people came to tell their stories - each were actually dead. And they were teaching the listener a history of war and survival. What happened to them and what the future holds if they continue.
It was interesting just slightly confusing. Can't complain tough, its a bargain!
I've never read anything by the author so went into this kinda blind. It was a very intreguing book. I'm not sure I even understood much of the story, and this is aimed at children.
To me this seemed very much like scrooge and christmas (its not this story) but where three people came to tell their stories - each were actually dead. And they were teaching the listener a history of war and survival. What happened to them and what the future holds if they continue.
It was interesting just slightly confusing. Can't complain tough, its a bargain!
March 27, 2022
I read this awhile back, like January 2022 but I love this book and I love the characters like George.
May 3, 2017
Haven't read Front Lines series before reading this book.
This book contained a beautiful and true message.
The ending was completely different from what I expected. It gives new meaning to the phrase "it was all a dream."
100% recommend it. It will pleasantly surprise you.
This book isn't filled with war action, fighting, shooting, (not directly) - it's more a reflection on war. And how you can live after surviving it. (That's what I got from it anyway.)
"Know your enemy" - sometimes your enemy can be yourself.
This book contained a beautiful and true message.
The ending was completely different from what I expected. It gives new meaning to the phrase "it was all a dream."
100% recommend it. It will pleasantly surprise you.
This book isn't filled with war action, fighting, shooting, (not directly) - it's more a reflection on war. And how you can live after surviving it. (That's what I got from it anyway.)
"Know your enemy" - sometimes your enemy can be yourself.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 31 reviews