The Record Keeper has been on my radar for some time, and as a near future dystopian thriller fantasy, this is right up my alley; and wow did it not disappoint. So engrossing, and oh so compelling, this book really does make you reflect on the state of racial relations even in this day and age. Certainly not a light read, but definitely one to get your mind thinking.

 After World War III, Earth is in ruins, and the final armies have come to a reluctant truce. Everyone must obey the law–in every way–or risk shattering the fragile peace and endangering the entire human race.
Although Arika Cobane is a member of the race whose backbreaking labor provides food for the remnants of humanity, she is destined to become a member of the Kongo elite. After ten gruelling years of training, she is on the threshold of taking her place of privilege far from the fields. But everything changes when a new student arrives. Hosea Khan spews dangerous words of treason: What does peace matter if innocent lives are lost to maintain it?
As Arika is exposed to new beliefs, she realizes that the laws she has dedicated herself to uphold are the root of her people’s misery. If Arika is to liberate her people, she must unearth her fierce heart and discover the true meaning of freedom: finding the courage to live–or die–without fear.

Although this book was amazing, and possibly one of the best books I’ve read so far this year, I had a few slight concerns with it. Firstly, I feel like the last 50 pages would of benefited from being told over nearer to 100 pages. I am not going to go into too much detail as I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I just felt that it needed a bit more explanation, and some more detail. That being said, I can not wait to have my hands on the sequel in 2020, as it has left me on tender hooks wanting to know what will come next.

Arika, our main character, is a character of questionable likeness. In many ways she is a really interesting main character with a lot of progression, and growth in her character. She was an interesting view to see from her eyes, and was definitely one that you rooted for. I only really ever had one negative about her. At times she just seemed a bit self absorbed. She came across for about 100 pages as if she could do no wrong, and she knew it. There was an issue, she would solve it, and she cocky about it to say the least. She just seemed a touch as if she felt she could do anything, and that she felt that everyone should know it; she just felt that she thought she was all deserving.

With the negatives out of the way, this book was a really good complete picture. It had me left speechless and really reflecting back on what is actually happening in this day and age. The look on what could happen if the current racial relationships continue, is really quite concerning at times, and I couldn’t help but think ‘wow this could really happen’.

If you step aside from the shock of just how close we really could be to this, and stick to the fiction of the story alone, this is a brilliantly unique refreshingly different story. I read a fair amount of fantasy and dystopian books, but I don’t think I have ever read one like this. Its fast paced, while yet deep and gripping. It keeps you drawn in, and wanting to turn the pages. The political tension and just learning about all the political workings of this near future world was both really eye opening, and a really interesting read.

It has only been a couple of days since I turned the final page of this book, and I miss this world already. That I have to wait a year for the next one is really annoying, as I just want to dive straight into it now. In the end I have rated this book 4.75 out of 5. It was near on perfect if not for the rush in the final 50 pages. I highly recommend you pick this up!!

The Record Keeper by Agnes Gomillion, Paperback, £8.99, Out Tues 18th June!