Rec'd by Alexandra

“There were no fences in Cobane, they were considered barbaric. A properly trained worker respected the law – or, at least, he used to”

A fantastic, thrilling dystopia set in the aftermath of World War III. What is left of the southern-east coast of America is split into three factions where strict rules must be obeyed to ensure peace and the existence of the remaining human race. Arika has spent her childhood training for an elite position in society when a new student questions everything she thought she knew and believed in. Arika must choose between following what she thought was her dream or facing the impossible fight for liberation.
I was sent this book as part of the Willoughby book club, and it’s not one I had heard of before. I don’t usually go for sci-fi/dystopian genre’s, but I was gripped with this one. Whilst set in an imaginary future, the author is blatantly honest about racism, and draws on examples from both the present and that of the deep-south salve trade. It was refreshing and interesting to read such a sincere account of prejudice.
Arika’s character was one of strength, determination and integrity. Yet, she was not without her flaws and often showed self-doubt and fear, which made her all the more realistic and engaging. I was initially concerned that this would be another Hinger Games, but it turned out to be refreshingly different. It was dark and gritty, and worryingly believable – it would not be such a leap for this to be our very near future. I’m certainly looking forward to the next instalment, The Seed of Cain. ( )

After World War III, the world has changed and has separate tasks for each race. Arika is one of the Kongo but rather than being a worker in the fields, she is a Record Keeper, and allowed to learn without fear that her memories will be erased. She's hoping to be not only valedictorian in her class but to take the open Senate seat in the Assembly. Then a new student arrives, threatening to upend everything Arika has known.

Gomillion has said in interviews that she started writing this as a neo slave narrative, and you can definitely see the parallels. Set in the future, however, [The Record Keeper] gives her the opportunity to write a female character that could not have existed during slavery while questioning the power system of our own culture and a possible future. Arika's character growth was believable and strong. The story as written may stand on its own but also leaves an opportunity for future development. This was Gomillion's debut, and a strong start to what I hope will be many books to come. If you like Nnedi Okorafor, definitely check this out. ( )