After World War III, Earth is in ruins, and the final armies have come to a reluctant truce. Everyone must obey the law-in every way-or risk shattering the fragile peace and endangering the entire human race.
Although Arika Cobane is a member of the race whose backbreaking labour provides food for the remnants of humanity, she is destined to become a member of the Kongo elite. After ten gruelling years of training, she is on the threshold of taking her place of privilege far from the fields. But everything changes when a new student arrives. Hosea Khan spews dangerous words of treason: What does peace matter if innocent lives are lost to maintain it?
As Arika is exposed to new beliefs, she realizes that the laws she has dedicated herself to uphold are the root of her people's misery. If Arika is to liberate her people, she must unearth her fierce heart and discover the true meaning of freedom: finding the courage to live-or die-without fear.
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[Dear Reader, the following record is no fiction]***
(Titan Books, 18 June 2019, ebook, 464 pages, ARC from @TitanBooks, #BlogTour 18 June)
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The Record Keeper is pretty special. I loved the concept. It resonates strongly with recent events particularly in light of Trump's presidency. I was absorbed with this book from the first page. Arika's dystopian world is brilliantly realised and so real I felt I was reading about a real place. One of the book's main themes is racism and this is chilling. The ruling class are white, English people. The colour people in the Kongo work the fields to provide food. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Arika is a great lead character. Her resilience and opinions develop her into a voice people who have long been silenced want to listen to.
