THE COOL BREEZE OF SPRING - A new beginning

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by C. Attleya. It’s different from most apocalyptic fiction, in that it is not singularly dystopian or dark. Initially, it focusses on the difficult decisions the main character, Caila, is faced with. How can she agree to a human extinction? And who will she choose to survive with her, to restart a new population? Both questions still have me thinking, and tomorrow, at the office I will be looking at my colleagues in a different light. The story moves on and follows Caila as she has to confront her companions with the reality, that they face a future in a decimated world, without any of their old friends and family. Hostile accidental survivors form a threat, and the imbalance caused by the absence of weapons in Caila’s community is cleverly resolved. As Caila discovers and comes to terms with her origins she meets Guvnor, and this confrontation brought some very uncharacteristic tears to my eyes. The story is set in the South of England, in and around Hever castle. An area, the author is clearly familiar with. The towns and villages are recognisable, and the description of the castle shows C. Attleya has seen more of Anne Boleyn’s childhood home than the areas that are generally open to the public. If you are looking for a book to make you laugh, think and cry, then this is a must read.