This is the fourth book in the Juche series, which I would recommend reading in order. For quite a while now, Areum and her family have been in a concentration camp in the land of Choson, which is instantly recognizable as North Korea. Threatened daily with death and on the brink of starvation, Areum is more desperate than ever to find a way out for herself and her sister Nari. As she struggles to stay alive and plot her escape, she finds an ally she would have never expected.
I have enjoyed this series since the beginning, although the setting in a concentration camp is a hard one to read about. It is great to see the growth of Areum from a completely brainwashed teenager to someone who is very slowly beginning to see the light. The dynamic of a group of people who are in a life or death situation and are forced to turn on each other is sad and difficult to watch, and the way Areum navigates that is intriguing and often heartbreaking. There are moments of realization for Areum that are very powerful, especially one in particular that might cause you to shed some tears. . The combination of action and intrigue will keep you turning the page. This is a story about a concentration camp, but it’s also about the truth and how it can be shaped and manipulated. And it’s about the coming of age of a young girl forced into a terrible situation.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adria Carmichael is a writer of dystopian fiction with a twist. When she is not devouring dystopian and post-apocalyptic content in any format – books, movies, TV-series and PlayStation games – she is crafting the epic and highly-addictive Juche saga, her 2020 debut novel series that takes place in the brutal, totalitarian nation of Choson. When the limit of doom and gloom is reached, a 10K run on a sunny day or binging a silly sitcom on a rainy day is her go-to way to unwind.
BUY THE SERIES
*Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read the series for free.
Bonnie Reads and Writes 
I loved your review, thank you!!
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You’re very welcome!
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Great review, Bonnie. It is a fine service you are providing. 🙂
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Thank you Tim! I hope this is or becomes a place where writers, readers, and reviewers can meet and help each other.
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I can totally see where this story could be heartbreaking and that setting very hard to read about. Excellent review!
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Thanks Tessa. It is definitely heartbreaking and infuriating, but at the same time I get caught up in the story and rooting for the main characters.
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Wow, what a terrific review. I can imagine how hard it must be to read about life in a concentration camp and how desperate these characters are to get out.
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Thanks Wendy. These books are really good.
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[…] I reviewed Freedom or Death, the fourth book in the Juche series by Adria […]
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