The Nature of Ash by Mandy Hager

The Nature of Ash by mandy hager. Pub. Random House, 2012.

Very powerful novel of a dystopian New Zealand in which many of the social, political, economic and family concerns of today’s world are extrapolated into the future. One of the themes  is “freedom has a very thin veneer if you look too closely at it”.

Teenager Ash loves his father and his down syndrome brother Mikey. When his outspoken Trade Union father is assassinated by a bomb all truth flies out the window. Who can he trust to find the truth?

It is world in which two big alliances are playing games with each other and New Zealand is but a pawn in the game. Our economy is controlled by the Asian United Peoples Republic and the Western Alliance of USA and Australia. The Prime Minister is corrupt, the police and army are controlled so that no-one knows the truth. Everybody is lying. Bread is 12 bucks a loaf.

When Ash’s father dies he discovers his mother is still alive and working for a terrorist group called Muru. Ash, Mikey and Asian girl Jiao go looking for answers in this action packed thriller. The ending will amaze you.

Senior secondary and young adult in appeal.