Thursday 23 November 2017

IA: Union by John Darryl Winston + Giveaway


IA Union by John Darryl Winston
Published in America by BHC Press tomorrow, the 24th November 2017.

Enter the Goodreads Giveaway to win signed copies of the IA trilogy (Open internationally for one week from the 24th Nov)

Where to buy this book:

Abebooks

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Smashwords

Speedyhen

The Book Depository

Waterstones

Wordery


How I got this book:
Received a review copy from the author

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Naz has lost everyone that he loves. And while he may have found refuge and pause at International Academy, he has found no peace and certainly no answers. All that he knows calls to him from the streets of the Exclave and Union High School where he reunites with friends and mentors. 

Naz struggles, unsuccessfully, to put the pieces of his shattered life back together again—until D comes into his world and changes everything. She helps him put things into perspective, see things he couldn’t see before and remember things he had all but forgotten. 

But when D goes missing, it will take more than Naz’s newly found abilities to discover her whereabouts, rescue her, and bring her unlikely captor to justice. Will he reach her in time?




It feels like I have been waiting ages for the concluding novel in John Darryl Winston's IA trilogy. I enjoyed reading the first two books, IA: Initiate and IA: B.O.S.S. so was delighted to learn IA: Union's publication is imminent. I was even happier to snaffle a preview copy! For once, I have actually read this series in order. The books aren't standalones so, if you haven't already bought IA: Initiate and IA: B.O.S.S. what are you waiting for? I'd advise staying up all night to read before IA: Union joins them tomorrow!

IA: Union again picks up Naz's story from pretty much where the previous novel left off. He is coping with grief, displacement and still coming to terms with the extent of his supernatural abilities. I like Winston's realistic portrayal of Naz's increasing maturity throughout this series. In IA: Union we see almost a world weariness, the result of Naz experiencing so much in the preceeding years, yet there are still moments where his childish nature leap to the fore. The IA series is written for a pre-adult audience, but Winston doesn't shy away from confronting intense emotional themes such as sibling and friend bereavement. Naz's turmoil is very real and, at times, upsetting to read but is softened for the reader by his burgeoning romance with D. The harsh realities of a childhood in The Exclave make for exciting scenes and envisaging Naz using his telekinetic power is breathtaking.

For me the most memorable scene though was the calm way in which a class of schoolchildren respond to 'a lockdown' - meaning a gunman is roaming about inside their school. IA: Union is science fiction, but I was shocked to realise that lockdowns aren't. This is actually 'normal' for American schools!


Search Lit Flits for more:
Books by John Darryl Winston / Science fiction / Books from America

2 comments:

  1. Sometimes the wait for the finale in a series can feel like it takes forever! But I am glad you could enjoy the conclusion and the last installment so much :)

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    Replies
    1. It's been a rewarding series to read. I'm interested to know what (if?) John will write next.

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