As a bookseller, I was lucky enough to attend an online event with David Fickling books resulting in being sent a link for No Country. My children read The Phoenix comic so I was aware of the series but hadn't read it myself. It's an astounding series tacking the very real topic of being a refugee and family relations. To get this sort of issue into the hands of children in this way is extremely important and the authors have created something very special here.

I really loved this book. Thoughtful and completely absorbing with so much that could resonate in current climate

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a wonderfully (and quite unexpectedly) touching story that teaches you just a touch about what it must be like to live in an unstable society that could dissolve into war at any moment. Whilst this was entirely fictional, I liked that there were obvious parallels to be made to real life war-situations.

The art style was strange and the colour palettes were more bold than I'd have gone for but they didn't break the graphic novel. They mostly gave it a unique edge that I came to quite like.

My one qualm would be that the amazing ending was cut short by a "to be continued" announcement. I wasn't aware going into this that this was only the first part so whilst I was happy to see there'd be more to this story, I was kind of sad that it had been left on a cliffhanger that really made me want to find out what happened next. If anything, this just means I'm interested in reading the next addition to this series and seeing where it ends up going...

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. It is a graphic dystopian novel. which includes an interesting romantic liaison and friendships, where loyalties are tested and slowly the characters develop, the baby boy, the middle sister who is very interested in nature, an older sister who is interested in boys, a father and an absent mother. The family is waiting for visas to become available to allow them to leave what is clearly a country where the rule of law is breaking down. When this becomes apparent there is a suggestion that sharing could solve a great deal. There is a mysterious group called Free Kingdom. It is difficult to decide which group if any is in the right. I enjoyed the book but I do think it is possible that the age group that would read this ie: 9 - 12 year olds might be confused by the different factions. It is finished on a cliffhanger and so nothing much has been resolved. Hopefully, resolution will occur in the next book.

The pictures are well drawn and tell as much of the story as the words. There is also an interesting use of pastel colours and dark menacing pictures. An enjoyable experience and as with many books these days there is a strong message regarding empathy.

I enjoyed this graphic novel, which is obviously the first part of a longer story. The story transposes common refugee narratives into a fictional UK situation. We follow a family who are holding on in their home town while they wait for their mother (who has gone ahead) to arrange visa’s that will enable them to leave the country and get to safety. This fictional UK has experienced political upheaval and social disruption, and their situation is gradually becoming more volatile and desperate as food runs out, the army moves in and rebels line up on the horizon. The story is essentially told through the eyes of the middle child who is fairly naive to what is happening around her. The reader can see the signs, as can dad and older sister, but the real danger and fear don’t really kick in until the last few pages.

This book would make a great focal point for young people to have conversations about the things that lead refugees to leave their much loved home towns, and could prompt them to imagine how they would feel in such a situation. I loved that it was dad that stayed home to care for the family, while mum went ahead, and I enjoyed that there were things that were hinted at in the background (e.g. dads ‘work’) for the reader to consider. While the artwork is not ground-breaking, it is clear and carries the story well. I never felt unclear or confused, and it would be very accessible to young people. I look forward to seeing where this goes next.

This is a short read but the illustrations are beautiful and the author does a great job of portraying the emotion especially fear of the family as their lives are ripped apart and I would highly recommend it. I loved how the different family members all have their own bits to the story and the addition of comedic moments to lighten the read for children while still showing the powerful message.
I will definitely be looking for more information around this after that cliffhanger of an ending!

Review to come March 3rd.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

NOTE: While the book doesn't specify it this is the FIRST volume. I wasn't too happy when I found out that this was just the first part. I thought this was a complete story. Would be nice if that was listed somewhere.... but noo... It just ends with a to be continued. *sighs*

This story is about a country in which things go worse and worse. There is war, the mother has already fled to make a path for her family. The kids try to make the best of the situation... but it isn't easy when you are hungry and afraid so many times. We see the situation go from bad to worse to OMG.... My heart broke for this family and for the people they knew. The family knew that they had to wait for the mom to get visas, but the question was... could they wait that long? The author did a great job at writing the story. In the beginning we see just bits and pieces, but as the story continues we see that things are just falling apart. There are threats. There is the army and others with guns. Food is scarce. We see that things have been going on for a while as Bea doesn't know what leftovers are, doesn't know ice cream cars, doesn't know many things and was quite surprised at all her dad told her. That definitely shocked me, in my eyes it seemed it had been going on for a bit but it didn't feel that it was years. I am quite curious to see how things started, maybe a prequel?

I wasn't a fan of Bea. I found her annoying and frustrating. I know it is war and she is trying to get through things, but she did some stuff that had me shaking my head. Your sister trusted you with the sister code, and you just did that. No. And there are other things. I did love her love for art/drawing and loved seeing her drawings. Her older sister and her younger brother were much better characters. My heart broke for Dommy since he thinks his mom is a tablet. :(

While the kids (well, maybe not Hannah) are pretty oblivious to what dad does... I think I got a clue on what his job is in these days. Which had me worried for him quite often. Of course, I am not 100%, but given how he acted, how he kept hiding things, how Bea came to find a meeting going on in her house...

The ending, OH MAN, I need more. I want to know if the girls get to safety, if their dad is still safe. Will they be able to get to their mum?

The art.. not always my cup of tea, sadly.

But all in all, this was a good graphic novel and I am glad I had the chance to read it.

I enjoyed this story and think it would be useful to use alongside texts in lessons about refugees and why people have to flee, but I can't say I particularly liked the illustrations and the ending annoyed me. It didn't feel like the end of one in a series of books, but more like it just stopped half way through one book and I want to read the rest!

This was a short but powerful story captured through a graphic novel. The imagery is beautiful and the story is consise but portrays the fear and unknown future the family are feeling.

Bea's family have been seperated due to the war; their mother has left, trying to secure them visas to escape from the free kingdom soliders taking over. Their father is trying to keep them as safe as possible, working with the other parents to try to get as much information as possible and know when they need to leave. Then one night the fighting is very close to home. The children get caught up in the rioting on the way home and by the time they get to their father, they find their house has been ransacked and it's time to leave. But when their father goes out and doesn't return, Hannah, Bea and Dom need to brave in order to escape the free kingdom soldiers and try to find their father again.

This ends on such a cliffhanger and I just want to know more! I will be keeping an eye out on more surrounding this story in the future and I highly recommend this as a great quick but powerful read to anyone.