Poster Boy

by N.J. Crosskey

Broadcast live, Rosa Lincoln takes to the stage at her brother’s memorial service with a bomb concealed beneath her clothes. Being in Jimmy’s shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero.  When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.  The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.

Genres: Dystopia, Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Adolf Hitler once stated: Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it. It was the Nazis propaganda technique but nothing has changed since then, and the propaganda machine continues to turn with the media and their alliances and allegiances playing a substantial role in effectively propagating untruths and inaccuracies or information that simply should not be broadcast.

We now know this media perpetuation of certain hateful speeches (I'm looking at you Mr Trump) has fed into extremist ideology; one illustration of this is the Christchurch terrorist attack carried out by a white supremacist and appreciator of Trump's rhetoric, but it is only one of many examples. This book takes this idea and creates a truly chilling, disturbing and sheer terrifying view of modern Britain. It is an astonishing debut that masterfully taps in to the hopes and fears of the world presently. The rampant demagoguery both in the UK and around the world is going unnoticed when it comes to the general population. Ripped from the headlines has never been so apt.

Although this is fiction it very much reflects what is going on around the world right now, sadly. It has its basis in fact and recent happenings which makes it hard-hitting, emotive, topical and timely. The main issues it explores are terrorism, extremism, propaganda, xenophobia, nationalism, racism, good vs evil and the current political climate; it does so with considerable aplomb whilst questioning each of them making this a thought-provoking read. Despite being hailed as dystopian fiction this novel is grounded in the sense that it is incredibly realistic and believable, which makes it an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, if quite disconcerting, read.

Overall, this is bleak, brutal, devastating and one of the best dystopic novels I have read in a long time. It delivers a shocking and twisty narrative in such a way that it flowed really easily from page to page. It's also a poignant and highly accomplished debut.

Many thanks to Legend Press for an ARC.

[Bookread2day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written. N. J. Crosskey was inspired to write Poster Boy, after being disturbed by the rise in racism and nationalism. Since she began, events both in the UK and abroad have made its concept and themes more relevant than she could ever have imagined. The chapters are set between two characters Rosa and Teresa. I had forgotten that when I was a small child I used to sometimes count steps example from school to my house. I only remembered this reading the part that I enjoyed of counting steps in certain situations. The counting of steps from page one is kind of the fun part of the story, but further more there is a different outcome. I totally agree with Christina Dalcher the whole book of Poster Boy, hits hard and keeps on hitting until the end.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of dystopias (except for the one we seem to be currently living in), so much so I’m even willing to try new unheard of authors, just to check out their take on the genre. IN this case the gamble has definitely paid off. Poster Boy is set in a future so near, it’s essentially in the newspapers. With one minor expection of advanced technology, it’s all too close for comfort. It’s a British dystopia, but the undercurrents and themes are widely international. The new England is the world where overreactions got manipulated to push the public toward a distinctly racist xenophobic way of life, masterminded by thoroughly evil moneyed ambition and puppeteered by a vile demagogue, Cole. Lincolns are a nice middle class family that gets entangled with the powers that be when their son purely by chance (as in purely by chance, he falls into the traffic while high) saves the prime minister’s life. Immediately this gets spun into a story of a heroic deed (making him the eponymous poster boy for a regime he despised) and entire thing perpetuates a lie too immense for the boy’s twin sister to live with. The book is essentially her story, although the narrative is spliced with Theresa’s, a slick behind the scenes operator/double agent, so eager to bring on the change, she’s completely unscrupulous about the means she utilizes to that end. In a way Theresa’s character is fascinating precisely because she has essentially allowed herself to become a terrible person without once even pausing to consider this, because she believes she’s doing the right thing. Which in a way makes her all too much like Cole, the man she is trying to destroy. Theresa’s character definitely raises a lot of ethical and moral questions about how far one can let their ideas and ambition take them without becoming the thing they hate the most. But no soul gazing there. Theresa is on a mission and she will manipulate anyone who might be of use, including a young innocent person. So it isn’t just a dystopia (although it definitely is and a bleakly striking and terrifying one at that), there are some fascinating meditations on the nature of good and evil in the face of adversity. More evil, in fact. Those uncompromised by the new sociopolitical climate are few and far in between. And the events, the parallels are frighteningly realistic. It’s a nightmarish show of possibilities that reads like something straight out of the newspapers, but is fictionalized for the readers’ peace of mind, however temporary that might be. The ending alone…well, it’s a doozy. Sad, somber, brutal, devastating, poignant…this is certainly a potent brew of a novel, especially so for a debut. Very good work of dystopian fiction. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

[Fiona Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the way that The Handmaid’s Tale may seem all too real at the moment, so too does this daring, dystopian thriller. Poster Boy is set in a futuristic Britain where a right wing party is running the country, led by prime minister Jeremy Cole. But the situation is even more topsy turvy than that. Everyone has electronic chips lodged into their arms, so that the state can track their movements while the Government churns out misinformation to whip up hatred about the resistance movement. Into the fray comes drugged-up Tommy. Tight-rope walking along the ledge of a bridge, he falls to his death onto a van driven by the leader of the resistance. The government hail Tommy as a national hero for bringing the resistance leader to justice, but his sister Ruby knows that Tommy was far from a hero. When she discovers the government will stop at nothing to retain power, she teams up with de facto resistance leader, Teresa. Together, will they be able to topple the government before it’s too late?

Given the dire current political climate we find ourselves in, this book could have been the bleakest of reads, yet it isn’t. It is action-packed, even funny in places, and it really races along. Dystopia isn’t my usual go-to read, but I was thoroughly entertained by this and really enjoyed spending time with the characters. Fabulous writing too.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely current to the point of being a little bit scary. The society we live in now seems to be within reach of this dystopia. Brilliant novel.

[CenReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that delivers so much. Its hot and it stays with you. For me not many books have the ability to do that.
It deals with so many issues that are so relevant today. Racism's, Nationalism- it's so frightening how much it is like society today.
N.J Crosskey has achieved so much in the beginning that you need to know more. She has written it so that there is such a build up and as soon as you think that you know how it all ends......BANG she changes direction.
The book starts back to front- in that the end is the begin however I personally think that this is very clever as without it I think you would be lost,

Fantastically written and the strength of the story works so well. It is very current and very credible.
Raw, real, intense and Action packed.
It is also very thought-provoking and so dangerously plausible.

What a debut novel. Cannot wait to read more from this fabulous writer. 🌟🌟🌟🌟 #posterboy #njcrosskey #bookblogtour #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookstagrammer #bookobsessed #bookblogger #bookcommunity #booknerd #bibliophile #booklover #bookreader #ilovetoreadbooks #bookaholic #booksofinstagram #bookstragrammer #readerofinstagram #reading #readinglover #readersofinstagram #bookaddicted #ilovereading #bookinstagram #livingthedream #literatureisbeauty #wordsarewonderful

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book. I loved this story. Let’s hope there is more to come.

[lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hands down the best political thriller I have ever read! I read the synopsis a long time before I actually picked it up, so I totally forgot what it was about and I really recommend just diving into this and enjoying the ride. This dystopian feeling future has chilled me and made me question everything tech and what we may be moving towards.

[Christina Dalcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

N.J. Crosskey's masterpiece *seems* like dystopia, but the chilling tale of how events can be spun to suit the mood and politics of the moment (reminiscent of that excellent film WAG THE DOG) is far too real. Superb writing, a tight plot, and excellent characterization. This one will leave you thinking for a long time.
Many thanks to N.J. and Legend Press for the opportunity to read and review the ARC!

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book started with a bang - well a potential bang - and didn't let up until the very end with all its twists and turns along the way. As with a lot of books these days, we start near to the end and then flashback to see how we got there. Here, we start with Rosa at her brother's memorial, sat on stage with a bomb strapped to her, waiting for her turn to speak. We then go back in time to see her grow up with said brother, Jimmy, and the events that led up to the day he died. We follow the fallout from that death, how it turned Jimmy from zero to hero and how this event and the aftermath that followed shaped Rosa into the person she is today, sat with the bomb.
What really made this book for me was the fact that everything I read is credible and that is what made it rather scary for me. How easy it was to manipulate opinion via media and spin. How lies can be born when the truth is hidden and how the lone voice can be squashed and controlled by those in power. All things quite prevalent to an extent in the world we live in these days of social media and open platforms continually spamming us with fake news.
Set in an alternative near future which is close to our present but with added technology we see the scary realism of what could happen with some of the things that are rife in the current (dare I mention Brexit) climate we are all going through in the UK at the moment. Rosa has the power to see through the lies that have been spun about her brother and what happened, but even she is powerless to do anything on her own. But that's the thing about lone voices. Get enough of them together and they can make a difference. But that in itself has its own perils, especially where trust is a big issue and there is so much manipulation going on that, well, is anyone who they say they are?
It's an action packed, very well plotted story that delivers shock after shock all the way through as the book crescendos to its conclusion with the aforementioned manipulation being key to what eventually happens. Characterisation is tricky to go into detail with for fear of spoilers but all of the main characters are well described and played their parts very well along the way.
Looking into the author, I can't find anything else they have written so I am going to assume it's a debut book. That makes me all the more impressed with what I read. There looks to be another book to be published later this year and I'm going to be on the hunt for that as soon as it's available. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Stef L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, and terrifyingly timely.

‘I’d weep for all that was, and all that could never be again.’ - Poster Boy (NJ Crosskey)

With one of the best opening chapters I’ve ever read, Crosskey captured my attention immediately. Meet Rosa, walking nervously up the stairs to the stage of her brother, Jimmy’s, memorial. The bomb concealed beneath her clothing demonstrates that there is something else at work here. We take a breath, we wait, we listen and we hang on to every single cleverly constructed word as Rosa and those around her tell us their stories. As these stories play out before our eyes Rosa is preparing to take her last breath.

As we travel back to the why and to the where, where everything started to go wrong, we see a timeline of seemingly small events that when combined catapult our world into something so chillingly possible that it struck fear into my very core.

The English Reclamation Party, headed by Cole and driven by Heath, lead the UK into a different way of living, a horrible way of living where there is simply no room for multiculturalism or for independent thought. It’s a world that seems frighteningly plausible in the current political climate (outside of Poster Boy’s pages) so that whilst it is wholly enjoyable as a work of fiction it also means that every word is laced with a note of caution, a what if and then most terrifying of all a realisation that we right now are teetering on the brink of this becoming our new way of life.

Crosskey’s plotting is second to none, she breathes life into the key characters, allowing them to take the stage until we know them inside out, only then the chapters becoming more punchy, ratcheting up the tension as we hurtle towards the incendiary conclusion.

Poster Boy is not a book to fly through, it’s a book that deserves to be absorbed slowly and with the knowledge that whilst this is unequivocally a brilliant and powerful debut it also is a warning of what could be and what should never be.

A contender for my book of the year and sure to be the book that everyone is talking about this spring, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

To start, I really enjoyed how Ms. Crosskey started the book with a peek at the ending. No, she doesn't give it all away, but somehow knowing where the road is leading adds something to the story. From there she backtracks and starts at the point where one senseless death brings her main characters into the current story. I enjoyed how she presented them as broken people reacting in their own ways to the events around them. I liked how, sadly, the current political climate was presented and then questioned. Ms. Crosskey's tweaks on modern life to fit her story were plausible which made the story that much more engaging. It is wonderful when great writing make a story both enjoyable to read and relatable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Butterfly2507 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly written and, even though set in an dystopian future, it's not far from reality. Not everyone you know (and always believed in) is good and not everyone is evil. Especially not if the people you believed most told more lies than you could ever imagine.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Loved how it started with the end but jumps back. Did not want to put it down. Thrilling dystopian read.

[Sharron Swann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic debut novel. Perfect pace and a storyline that will have you hooked from page one.

[Hannah Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having heard great things about this novel, I was delighted to receive a copy for review in exchange for my honest opinion. Poster Boy was a whirlwind from start to finish. Set in a futuristic, but realistic, world it follows Rosa after her brother has been made a national hero.

Touching on many complex topics; terrorism, radicalisation, crime, punishment and nationalism, Poster Boy was an exciting read. The attention to detail was phenomenal, and I was left reeling by the book's twists and turns. I truly believed that these terrifying events could happen, and it gave me insight into the intricacies and possible corruption within our government and security services.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional book. And what a scary one too. This near future dystopian thriller really does have its finger on the pulse, and points with frightening clarity at a world a significant minority are screaming to come true. But, as they say, be careful what you wish for...

[Paul Gormley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unconvincing characters and a ludicrous plot make this one to avoid. Dystopian literature may be all the rage but this pales in the shadow of true classics like The Handmaid's Tale.

Told from 2 different perspectives but the voice barely differs. The language is dull, cliched and unimaginative, much like the plot and its unlikely resolution.

One of those books that I continue to read in the hope of improvement or an unforeseen twist but this book fails throughout.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on YONDER, the next generation reading app from the WEBTOON and Wattpad family of apps, and I’m so glad it’s available to purchase outside of the app. POSTER BOY is a fantastic, gripping book with somewhat unlikeable characters, yet you can’t pull your eyes away from them. There is a disturbing similarity between the society unfolding in the book and the one we’re currently living it that I think makes the book all the more chilling and relatable. I think dystopias that play so close to the line like this make some of the best books for that very reason, because it makes us see what a couple more steps in the current direction can get us.

It’s a dual POV story with Rosa and Teresa narrating their own versions of the stories. Rosa is a very lost teenager who has always come in second to her brother, who died and whose death was warped for the needs of the state. Rosa finds herself basically out on her ass with no parental support. No surprise she spirals, but ultimately finds meaning before everything goes completely belly up. Teresa is telling her story on the same timeline, acting as a double agent working for the insurgents trying to overthrow the fascist government while working for said government. Hers is a personality that’s a bit grating, and I think if the entire book were in her POV it would be hard to read because she is so single-minded and comes off rather robotic as a result. She’s not necessarily unlikeable, and it’s interesting watching how far she’s willing to push the “by any means necessary” mantra for her cause, but she’s not the most likeable character either.

The book opens at the end, then reverts back to the beginning with how Rosa ends up on stage with the prime minister with a bomb strapped to her chest. My knee jerk reaction is “why would you give away the ending?” But it’s not quite the ending, and the ending will kick your teeth in. I was wholly sucked into reading about how Rosa got to that point and where her road and Gridless’s road intersects. I often found myself wondering where the story was possibly going. How does THIS end up THERE? There’s not a whole lot of action in the story, and from that perspective it is a more character-driven narrative, but the characters are fascinating in a morbidly curious sort of way that I couldn’t look away from.

The ending was spectacular. Completely unexpected until the very last second. I honestly can’t recommend POSTER BOY enough.

5

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I read this in a day. I could not put this down at all and am so glad that I had the opportunity to read this. I haven’t read a dystopian novel in sooooo long and this fresh book was everything I could have hoped for, and more!

I have to admit, this book reminded me of many others I have read in the past. If you are a fan of any of the following then Poster Boy should be right up your street: Orwell’s ‘1984’, ‘Noughts and Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman, and ‘The Hunger Games’ series by Suzanne Collins. All of these books combined equals a fantastic read from Crosskey and the diversity and uniqueness of the plot meant it did not feel like a repeat of so many brilliant predecessors. If anything, it just stands there in a class of its own, this book was that enjoyable.

The dystopian Britain that Crosskey creates is just far enough in the future that it does not become a science-fiction read. On the other hand, it is close enough to be considered as a reality not too far from present day. The politics and propaganda in this story were credible and believable and I feel some of the plot streams have been seen in the media recently. As such, I did not feel like I was totally escaping into another universe, but perhaps a society a few decades down the line. Thus, reading this story was a rather tense affair because it felt so believable and convincing. I could easily imagine Rosa and Theresa’s characters and even when the writer added in some unexpected plot developments, I found myself rooting for these protagonists even more.

The entire cast of characters in this book is strong and dominant. The narrative switches between Rosa and Theresa’s perspectives and I really liked the twist the Crosskey gives by retelling events from the other character’s viewpoint. Don’t be mistaken into thinking this makes the plot a little repetitive, as it certainly does not. Instead, I was desperate to understand and read about a different angle, particularly as Crosskey uses it as an opportunity to develop the plot further.

Whilst you have a sense of where the plot will head because it opens towards the climax of the novel, I still relished in the revelations in the story, maintaining my piqued interest throughout. My favourite part of the novel would easily have to be when Rosa conducts her media interview after her unfortunate walk through London with her best friend. The way the truth is twisted was fascinating and a reflection of Crosskey’s brilliant plot devices and writing talents.

This is definitely up there in my favourite books that I have read this year. And it is only April! I loved it from start to finish and can’t rate it highly enough. This is the first book from Crosskey and if this is her debut, when the bar has now been set so, so high, then I cannot wait to see what she has in store for her readers next time.

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to everyone at Legend Press and N.J. Crosskey for allowing me to participate in this blog tour.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when the right wing political parties get into power in the UK? This is the question posited by Poster Boy. Set in a near-future London, it felt very apposite to be reading it right now, with the swing of the political pendulum running to the right across the world.

Blurb:
Broadcast live, Rosa Lincoln takes to the stage at her brother's memorial service with a bomb concealed beneath her clothes. Bing in Jimmy's shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero.
When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.
The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.

A read that was so easy to get into, and so difficult to come out of - I really couldn't put this down. It was disturbing in how easy it would be to come to this situation; it all made sense, and thrives on the isolationist policies that some countries are starting to adopt. The "othering" of people within the community, the racism, the right wing ideology - scary stuff. And we can see it happening. This should be a warning to all, of how we lose our humanity while striving for an idealistic nationalism that never existed.
Also: good characterisations, a cracking plot, and lots of emphasis on the importance of social media in today's society.

Many thanks for putting this in my latest box, #ABoS A Box of Stories - brilliant and unsettling choice. I shall be passing it on, as I think the stark warning of what might be needs to be shared.

[Corrina Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Being in Jimmy's shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero", proclaims a section of the blurb. I read a review on @The Motherload Book Club and was intrigued! This became a book I had to read. The "Poster Boy" is Jimmy who is definitely not an angel and is only a national hero on paper. Due to circumstances, propaganda and the manipulation of the media by those in power, he becomes a martyr to the government's cause. A dystopian Britain is portrayed in the book and the story makes for a disturbing read. All the characters are deeply flawed, as only humans can be and I struggled to find any redeeming features in any of them. In one way or another they all let Rosa down, who then becomes an unwittingly central figure in the story, mainly due to other people's actions. Originally I sympathised with her, then felt exasperated by her as she became a willing victim and gave in. However, towards the end of the book, she becomes a stronger person, when she reclaims control of her actions and destiny. A difficult book to read. It makes you think more deeply about the society we live in now and how easily the status quo can change. It made me question how we are all naive to some extent, we believe what we are told via government and social media. A very chilling and powerful book and definitely a book of it's time.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the synopsis of this, I had to have it. Said to be reminiscent of 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale, it sounded like the perfect dystopian political thriller. A warning that the themes of death, xenophobia/Islamophobia, right-wing politics, and political manipulation run rampant throughout this book, so it's absolutely not for you if you're not open to fictional depictions of such themes.

I really enjoyed the plot. Though at times it was slightly confusing, it all tied together quite well. It was your typical fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat political thriller, where a right-wing party rules Britain, where citizens have chips implanted in their arms, where Muslims and POC are no longer welcome in Britain. Honestly, a scary depiction of a dystopian future that looms over us in the current climate.

The writing style threw me off a bit: the chapters were so short that it was hard to stay in any one character's head for a lengthy period of time, so it was hard to really get to know them, or to remember who was speaking. Other than that, this was an immensely enjoyable (or as enjoyable as a book of this calibre could be) novel, and I am definitely looking forward to more by N.J. Crosskey!

Thank you to Legend Press for the ARC!

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broadcast live, Rosa Lincoln takes to the stage at her brother’s memorial service with a bomb concealed beneath her clothes. Being in Jimmy’s shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero.
When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.
The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.

Wow! This book started with a bang - well a potential bang - and didn't let up until the very end with all its twists and turns along the way.
Although this is fiction it very much reflects what is going on around the world right now, sadly. It has its basis in fact and recent happenings which makes it hard-hitting, emotive, topical and timely.
The main issues it explores are terrorism, extremism, propaganda, xenophobia, nationalism, racism, good vs evil and the current political climate; it does so with considerable tact while questioning each of them making this a thought-provoking read.
Very good work of dystopian fiction.
Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Wendy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poster Boy: Exhilarating, visionary, brilliant.

Crosskey's debut novel is excellent. From its dramatic opening to the devastating finale, it's an addictive, fast-paced read. And terrifying with it, because the social, political and domestic events that unfold in the story are so close to becoming our reality. The main characters, Rosa and Teresa, are remarkably well-realised: human, conflicted and written with immense skill.

In Poster Boy, Crosskey holds up a dark mirror to a society so devastatingly similar to our own that it shocks and resonates in equal measure. If you like Atwood, Orwell and Bradbury, this outstanding dystopian thriller is for you. It's that kind of rare novel that makes you want to start reading it all over again the moment you've reached its shattering conclusion.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional first novel that paints an all too possible dystopia in near future Britain in vivid yet stark detail.

The characters are complex and well realised with individual agendas. There are no shining heroes or cardboard cutout villains. Everyone is acting from reasons that make sense to them and we see elements of good and bad in each - ok, not much good in some of them but you can see why they are doing awful things. We follow the points of view of deeply flawed people as they struggle to control society through information, disinformation and the dirtiest of politics.

The story sweeps you up and carries you along and the pace is perfect. I couldn't sleep until I finished the book and sat there stunned afterwards. This is a horrible, wonderful gritty story and I heartily recommend it.

[Auggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. Started off a bit slow as I didn’t particularly care for Rosa. She’s a rather passive character that acknowledges her own weakness but seems to blame others for it. However, once Teresa’s viewpoint shows up, the book (and my enjoyment of it) really picked up. Rosa is the more sympathetic character and watching her family’s dissolution was very interesting but her self-indulgence and victimhood made me not like her much. Teresa is definitely unlikeable but much less passive so she was interesting to follow. Also, her viewpoint came with more dystopia-related plot, which I enjoyed. Really enjoyable book. Pure curiosity makes me wonder what happened with Rosa’s parents after the events of the book.

[Caroline Deacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A frightening but very believable near future scenario of a racist and insular Britain. The book opens with the protagonist about to blow herself and the prime minister up. It is tremendously pacy, easy to read, the characters are larger than life and the scenario is frighteningly believable; however I have to say I did not like any of the characters and found the relentless awfulness a bit wearing. Even in a dystopia I feel the reader needs someone to like, to root for, and even if there is no sense of hope, there should be something redeemable. There really wasn't. The ending did work well, and maybe you could argue that it redeemed the rest, but I wasn't really taken with it.

[Sarah Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Really enjoyed this book I would not of found it without the Motherload book club they had a great thread where you entered some key words about what you liked in a book and others suggested books that fired .I admitted to loving dystopian fiction and along with others this was suggested by an author who’s book choices I have loved in the past
This book will surely end up as a tv series it is exciting foreboding and potentially too real .A uk where white supremacy rules and citizens known as patriots have no choice but to be chipped and gps tracked
I will follow this author now and have already downloaded another of her books which was recommended at the same time

[Mark King · Rating 5 out of 5]

In troubled times you need brave authors, with an eye for the hidden fractures in society that are masked by smiles, by perseverance, by politeness, but underneath there is more being unsaid than said.
Crosskey hits the nail on the head with her near-future world of division and characters caught up in a rapidly collapsing society.
Written ahead of recent events, Poster Boy could yet be a disturbing prophecy of times to come.
Thankfully, this is just the first book in what I am sure will be a magnificent writing career.