The Children of Swallow Fell - Julia Green

Possibly one of the nicest dystopian novels I've read. It focusses on the promise / hope for what comes after the fall of modern society. There are still some scary and disturbing bits but they feel age appropriate. There are moments of fear, sadness and loss..."I try to smile for her, but the tears keep coming."... however the overall tone of the book is hopeful.

I don't think it's immediately obvious that this is set at some undisclosed future date - if not for the mention of mobile phones it could almost be set during World War II. 

The story begins as war breaks out in Italy where Isabella lives with her family. She and her father flee to the North of England, (through circumstances) leaving her mother and older sister behind. Once there they discover that some kind of sickness has devastated the local area. Isabella has to adapt to a new way of life - no shops, no electricity, no mobile phone. She meets two "wild" children - Rowan and Kelda - and slowly they build a new life.

The war and sickness are never fully explained. This fits with the loss of communication and isolation that occurs to the characters. I did wonder if the sickness was something to do with the lead mine that's located in the area as the water supplies to the houses are cut off. However, we are told that the spring water is still safe to drink so I think that was just me trying to solve a puzzle.

I love the two questions that frame the story. From the back cover - "What do we really need for a happy life?" and from the first page - "How do you begin life all over again?" I tried to keep these in mind whilst reading as I think they cut to the heart of the story.

I thought the beginning of the story was stronger than the end and illustrated how quickly normal can change to scary, unexpected and uncertain.

Once they arrive at Swallow Fell it's more a story of Isabella coming to terms with her new life and finding a way to live. Acknowledging that she has to let go of the past and that things are never going to be the same again.

The relationships in the story are interesting. Isabella has to take on more of an adult role as her father struggles to deal with what is happening. And her relationship with Rowan and Kelda is well drawn. Rowan is more cynical and distrusting, while Kelda is more hopeful and open. It's Rowan who opens Isabella's eyes to her new reality.

It didn't make me cry but there were a couple of moments where it came close. It's a story where I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen but I'm not sure it's a book I would read again.

Overall - I found it melancholy but hopeful. 

(I received a free copy of this book for review.)