The dystopian novel has been a major element in children’s publishing for many years, but having said that, it can be based on a wide range of circumstances which act as trigger points for the disasters. Often, the action is linked to the concerns of the real world; so that over the years we have seen post nuclear worlds, pandemics and currently there is an ever growing understanding of the impact of climate change.
Mani has been growing up in a world that is gradually being destroyed by climate changes. The land of her ancestors should be covered in snow and ice, so that the people can hunt for animals and fish, but over the years the snow has melted, leaving a soggy and very unhealthy environment. However, the final straw has been the arrival of a dreadful disease that kills all of those who catch it. The symptoms are based on the eyes and makes the sufferer look as if they are giving off electric sparks. The condition seems to feed of any source of electricity, so this has been turned off. Mani and her father are the sole survivors of their community, but after her father leaves to find food, she eventually needs to try and find him, however she unexpectedly find another survivor; he is Leo, one of the scientists from the local research station, but he has the disease; then amazingly Mani reaches out to him and somehow cures him of the disease. This sees them start on a journey to try and find Mani’s father and also to discover if others have survived.
Intertwined with this story we have the mythical world of animal spirits, which are linked to individuals. Whenever Mani puts on a wooden mask that her mother left her, she finds herself in a spirit world, with a guardian polar bear called Ooshaka (who turns out to be the spirit version of herself) and a very sparky Crow who seems to be full of sarcasm, but with a very strong positive attitude, which enables him to help Mani when necessary. The author has balanced these two elements of the story by giving them separate chapters, but she has given each a very different feel, so that the reader does not get confused by the changes.
Antonia Maxwell has given us a book that really should make people think. Every year we are seeing changes in the climate across the world and many cultures are already under threat. It is interesting that the author has focused on electricity as being one of the danger factors, while many think that it is a solution; however, we have to remember that we need other sources of energy in order to produce the electricity itself. This is a wonderful mix of adventure, nature and the importance of understanding the limits of science. As the story develops, we see Leo begin to fully accept that whilst science is good and useful, it also has limits and the welfare of the natural world and people has to be the priority. This is the first in a new series and I look forward to seeing more of Mani as she understands her place in this new world and whether anything can be done to mitigate the natural disasters..
The Author
Antonia Maxwell is a writer and editor based in North Essex and Cambridge, UK. With a degree in Modern Languages and a long-standing career as a book editor, she has a lifelong curiosity for language and words, and a
growing fascination in the power of story – the way it shapes our lives and frames our experience.
Title: Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North
Author: Antonia Maxwell
Genre: Dystopian, Science & Nature, Environment
Age Category: Middle Grade
Page Count: 272 Pages
Publication Date: July 4, 2024
Publisher: Neem Tree Press
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204929195-terra-electrica
Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/0dUDASJ3 (UK)