Reek

Climate catastrophe leaves the people of Earth fighting for oxygen in this gripping dystopian thriller from bestselling sci-fi author Alastair Chisholm.

Sparrow lives in the world after the Reek. The atmosphere is toxically polluted, and Axel Brodie, the tech billionaire behind Zephyr Industries, is cashing in as the only supplier of clean air.

Sparrow is struggling to help her family survive until her brilliant inventor friend, Miriam Fenn, comes up with a new form of technology that could break Zephyr’s stranglehold on the air supply. But men like Brodie are hard to defeat, and he will do everything in his power to stop Miriam and Sparrow. Who will triumph in this battle to breathe?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Reviews

"Dystopia probably shouldn’t be this refreshing … a thought-provoking thriller with plenty of points to unpack around power, poverty and big tech’s stranglehold over our lives … A gulp of fresh air." – The Times, Children's Book of the Week

"This smart, action-packed sci-fi is a breath of fresh air … In a soupy, sulphurous Edinburgh, Sparrow dons her oxygen mask and hover-skates to scrape a living as a delivery courier, but is soon dragged into a big tech conspiracy. It’s brilliant. Even better, it’s short, easy to read and published in a dyslexia-friendly format, ensuring that reluctant readers can still have access to sophisticated stories." – The Times, 'The 21 best children's books of 2024'

"This dystopian thriller … is stripped back to the bare bones of the plot and is all the better for it; this is an unforgettable, pulsating thriller that readers will inhale." – The Bookseller, Editor's Choice

"Renowned sci-fi author Alastair Chisholm knows all about pacy plots … This all-too-pertinent dystopian thriller is not just for so-called “reluctant” readers." – The Guardian

"Even the most reluctant readers will thrill to the dystopian story of Sparrow … A thumpingly good story." – iNews

"A vivid and unsettling picture of a future where profit comes before the planet, encouraging young readers to think critically about the world around them and its power structures, the importance of protecting our natural resources, and the role that individuals can play in advocating for change … a dynamic dystopian read that will leave you gasping for air!" – Scottish BookTrust, Book of the Month

"A dystopia that shines a light on potential inequalities our world could face as much as current ones, this gripping thriller aimed at Dyslexic readers is certain to get you thinking." – Irish Examiner

"Amazing world building, relatable characters and a thrilling plot packed into a short accessible read. A triumph." – Jennifer Killick

About the author

Alastair Chisholm is the bestselling author of the sci-fi adventures Orion Lost, Adam 2 and The Consequence Girl, the fantasy Dragon Storm series and dystopian novels I Am Wolf and I Am Raven. His books have been shortlisted for major literary prizes including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award, the Biblio Buzz Award, the Inspire ELS Book Awards and Sakura Medal. Adam 2 was Blackwell’s Book of the Year and I Am Wolf was selected as Peters Junior Fiction Book of the Year.