Anna

I received an ARC of this and wow, it didn't disappoint.
I've read Smith's work before, but this is the next level

*TRIGGER WARNING* - this is not an easy read and nor is this a love story. This is a story that deals with abuse, identity, and a craving for normality when everything is falling apart. Our main character is alone and dealing with the fallout of a world war while fighting for survival in a harsh world where laws and society have crumbled. Unfortunately she is captured and becomes the property of a man who calls himself Will/Daniel who convinces himself he loves her and that she loves him. He is abusive, controlling, gas lighting and narcissistic. I think it would be fair to call him a psychopath.

Anna is the opposite. She hides her true self to remain compliant and has to repeatedly remind herself not to fight back, not to make him angry, not to do anything that might anger him – else she could die.

This is a story about survival in the rawest forms. What we do to survive, how we survive and how it affects us.
The first person narration is uncomfortable at times. We see our main character fall apart in front of us and slowly rebuild into someone new. Their scars and pain clear to all who they might meet.

I liked the way this was broken down into three parts and in each part we see a different side to Anna and the world she lives in. The ‘accompanying cast’ of characters are cleverly layered and rich with their own backstories and pain.

The first person narration is uncomfortable at times. We see our main character fall apart in front of us and slowly rebuild into someone new. Their scars and pain clear to all who they might meet.

The dystopia was an added bonus. It allowed the novel an indulgent quality without distracting from the story. The world has been at war and in part 2 we learn a little as to why and what happened through the stories of townspeople. It’s subtle, but well thought out.

I can't really discuss the plot without spoilers, but part 3 had me on the edge of my seat and I spent hours turning each page, willing for the resolution Anna deserved.

The language is beautiful, almost poetic in some scenes, and this is absolutely a novel for those who enjoy strong female characters who don’t immediately show their strength.


I was thinking about this long after I finished it

A thrilling dystopian tale of feminine strength in the face of violence.
We follow Anna's tale so closely that we experience all the emotion and hopelessness with her. It's far too visceral and real in places and as a woman I empathised so powerfully with Anna.

The writing is smooth and the pace pleasing. Part two offers a different shift - we move from the story of abuse to one of healing and yet we see an idyllic town of dreams and supposed utopia is actually as dark and deadly as the world before the war with adultery, violence, lies and manipulation. It's told in a very covert way and I think that's the downfall to this part. It's too subtle in places that I almost missed what the author was doing.

I enjoyed every character. They were all so well developed and each had real gravitas. My personal favourites were Nikki, Rich, and the little boy, Alan, who help Anna heal in their own way.

This is a quiet novel. It's violent and dark in places, but it's not a story that will burst through the pages and assault you. Instead it's slick and deceptive and leaves you thinking about it long after the last page has been turned.