Perhaps unsurprisingly, given what has been going on in the news over the past week while I have been reading this book, the most prominent theme that stood out to me is difference and how people react to it. Sandy is an alien creature and, without knowing anything about it, people have very different reactions to it. For some, it represents threat, in others in evokes compassion, friendship and a feeling of protectiveness. The difference comes down to empathy and a willingness to learn and understand what this creature is, why it has come to our planet and what its intentions are, without making assumptions. It is impossible to read this book without drawing comparisons to what is going on here today and I think this is part of the reason it evoked such strong emotions in me on this reading. I am 100% sure this is deliberate and it is done in a way that is illustrative and not preachy.

Clever and unusual … I was on a journey with these characters, and completely transfixed' Susi Holliday Was Johnstone sending a veiled political message? Well, maybe not. But I think I would happily exchange some of our own political representatives for those with the hearts and souls of our protagonists.

Table of Contents

A sci-fi novel that is as moving as it is magical and mysterious. Doug Johnstone has hit it out of the park again' Mark Billingham High stakes, high adrenaline and somehow so gentle and moving. This is one of the most beautiful, extraordinary books I’ve ever read’ It is however one book that a synopsis simply can’t compare to the wild ride of a story you are in for. But there is a brilliant cast; A heavily pregnant woman, a brain tumour patient and a teenage boy all connected…oh yes and by an octopus-like creature. They go on the run through Scotland…what are they running from and why? and what they find along the way…you can only read for yourself to find out. All see a flash of light in the sky and collapse where they are; all three wake up in the same hospital ward. Overnight, a whopping 16 people have had strokes, all of them were outdoors at the time. But while one of the bullies lies in the corner of the ward, alive but barely able to move, Lennox, Ava and Heather have recovered completely. Sandy manages to communicate with Lennox initially which guides all three in the direction where Sandy needs to go. As the pace ramps up, danger lurks at every corner. But through connections and understanding, Lennox, Ava and Heather realise the enormity of what they are involved with and the consequences of every action they take or do not take.

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