Flow

Flow

by Clare Littlemore

5 out of 5

Synopsis
A world in tatters. A society where rebellion is not tolerated. A girl desperate to discover the truth.

Sixteen year old Quin lives in The Beck, a saviour society. Her community has risen from the ruins of a land shattered by Mother Nature. But Beck law is tough. Quin knows that the rules must be followed in order to sustain life in a place where floodwaters constantly threaten existence. A single violation could land her in Clearance.

But some laws are harder to follow than others. And as Quin discovers the horrifying truth, she knows she cannot stay silent forever.

Flow is the first in a series of books about a group of people struggling to survive after their world has been annihilated by devastating floods.



Review
Quin accepts her poor conditions in The Beck, but when a chance of promotion arises, she learns there is far more to her world than she knew.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Quin has been raised with a single duty, to do her part in keeping The Beck community alive.
Alongside her best friends Cass and Harper, Quin slaves in the fields, with little food and strict rules that ban talking and any physical contact with other citizens. It is a harsh way of life, but it has been drilled into them every day, that with this strict order, the fragile sanctuary that is The Beck will crumble.
To keep people in line, there is always the threat of being sent to Clearance - a sector beyond the black mountain - where the weak, or rebellious are sent, and never return.

When the bi-annual efficiency tests every citizen has to undertake come along, Quin only wants to be promoted to be a supervisor in the Agric sector she knows well. She doesn't expect to be picked to join Patrol, the citizens who protect and keep order, and live separately from the other sectors.
She thinks the worst part will be splitting up from her friends, but soon Quin learns about the darkest parts of their society.

I really enjoyed this story. It focusses at first, on the friendship between Quin, Cass and Harper; and the hard, but rewarding lives they live.
Then, as Quin moves to Patrol, it reveals how narrow her knowledge truly is. Quin learns along with the reader, about the unfairness of the system on the most basic levels. It builds up the background, and the fragile position they are all in, if they dare show any rebellious thoughts.
There is violence and some dark scenes, confirming that the threats are very real.

The romantic storyline between Quin and Cameron was really sweet, and played in the background, supporting the main story, instead of overwhelming it.
I thought it was interesting that Quin was so utterly naive, after being brought up separated from the boys, and physical contact with anyone banned. She was clueless.

I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to the next part of the series.

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