Divide and Rule by Rachel McLean
Published: 23rd October 2018
Publisher: Catawampus Press
Pages: 336
Available on Kindle
Rating: 5/5
Blurb
Jennifer Sinclair’s fight to save her political career, her family and
her freedom has failed. Traumatised by prison violence, she agrees to transfer
to the mysterious British Values Centre.
Rita Gurumurthy has betrayed her country and failed the children in her
care. Unlike Jennifer, she has no choice, but finds herself in the centre
against her will.
Both women are expected to conform, to prove their loyalty to the state
and to betray everything they hold dear. One attempts to comply, while the
other rebels. Will either succeed in regaining her freedom?
Divide and Rule is 1984 for the 21st century - a chilling thriller examining the
ruthless measures the state will take to ensure obedience, and the impact on
two women.
Review
Divide and Rule is the second book in Rachel McLean’s
Division Bell Trilogy and the sequel to A House Divided. In this book MP
Jennifer Sinclair has been imprisoned after being found to be helping her son
Samir, who was suspected of terrorist behaviour. Jennifer has been sent to a
secure facility where she is to be rehabilitated and must prove her loyalty to
the state, something Jennifer initially thinks will be easy but soon learns there
is much more behind the supposed “celebration” than they are led to believe.
Rita Gurumurthy is a teacher who also finds herself imprisoned
by the state as she fails to teach her children the British Values Oath as prescribed
by the new government. Rita finds the institution difficult as is unwilling to
relent on her views. Can either of them find away to “cheat” the system and
find a way out.
Just like Rachel McLean’s previous book A House Divided I
found Divide and Rule to be gripping right from the start and it had a chilling
and sinister feel running throughout it as both Jennifer and Rita experience a
Big Brother type regime like in 1984. I did find the story dragged a little in
the middle but regained pace towards the end where its left us with another cliff-hanger
ending. I have loved this as I’ve been pondering different ways the trilogy
cold end since finishing the book and I’m really looking forward now to finding
out how Jennifer’s story ends.
I like the introduction to Rita into the story as it explores
another view of the radical Britain Rachel McLean has created and I loved her
determination not to let go of her initial beliefs. There are a couple more characters
who play an important role in Jennifer’s story particularly Dr Mark Clarke and Meena
Ashgar and I’m interested to know what happens to these two in the next book.
If you enjoyed Rachel McLean’s last book I’m certain you
will enjoy this one just as much and look forward to the final instalment soon.
If you haven’t read A House Divided yet, I urge you to do so as it’s a real
page turner, just like this one.
About the Author
I'm Rachel McLean and I write thrillers and speculative
fiction.
I'm told that the world wants upbeat, cheerful stories - well, I'm sorry but I can't help. My stories have an uncanny habit of predicting future events (and not the good ones). They're inspired by my work at the Environment Agency and the Labour Party and explore issues like climate change, Islamophobia, the refugee crisis and sexism in high places. All with a focus on how these impact individual people and families.
You can find out more about my writing, get access to deals and exclusive stories or become part of my advance reader team by joining my book club at rachelmclean.com/bookclub.
I'm told that the world wants upbeat, cheerful stories - well, I'm sorry but I can't help. My stories have an uncanny habit of predicting future events (and not the good ones). They're inspired by my work at the Environment Agency and the Labour Party and explore issues like climate change, Islamophobia, the refugee crisis and sexism in high places. All with a focus on how these impact individual people and families.
You can find out more about my writing, get access to deals and exclusive stories or become part of my advance reader team by joining my book club at rachelmclean.com/bookclub.
Social Media Links –
Twitter – https://twitter.com/rachelmcwrites
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rachelmcleanwrites/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelmcwrites/?hl=en
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