3 stars
No Entry is a young adult story dealing with elephant poaching in South Africa.
The setting appealed to me and the first few pages intrigued me enough to want to read on. The story is fast-paced, but sometimes the speed of movement between the scenes had me questioning how characters knew particular details while the reader was left behind.
I enjoyed the descriptions and animals at Kruger National Park, while the elephant poaching was an horrific element. I also found the story informative about the harsher side of living in this part of the world. However, the author relied heavily on ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ the reader the details, with information dumps, rather than blending fact with fiction with subtle narrative and realistic dialogue. I like books that have something to say, and educate me, but the ‘purpose’ of the book should never take over from the story, or the reader can feel as if they are reading a text book or being lectured to.
Overall a good attempt to raise awareness about elephant poaching in Africa, but I was unconvinced that the choice of writing style was right for this story.
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Broken-hearted after losing her only brother in a terrorist attack, 17-year-old Yael Amar seeks solace on an elephant conservation program in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. She is soon catapulted into a world harmonious with nature where she can heal and devote herself to the wildlife that is so important for the continued existence of all mankind. She is dazzled by her new best friend, reunites with her devoted boyfriend, and is fascinated by a local ranger who peels back another layer of meaning in her surroundings with each lesson. Then, on a drive through the safari, she sees something shocking. Soon her haven on earth is seething with blood and betrayal and she is warned that she is no match for the evil that lurks in the men’s hearts around her. Now she has a secret she must keep from the people she loves the most if she is to stand against the murderous forces that threaten Kruger, her new friends, and her own life. But will taking a stand do more harm than good?
Rosie Amber 
I am always interested in books about my home country although I don’t always find the standard of writing here to be competitive. Interesting that the author chose a terrorist attack for the demise of the brother as we have very few terrorist attacks here. We have criminal home invasions and murders, but rarely terrorist attacks so this may be a real event that occurred. The poaching is sickening and any attempt to raise awareness about it is welcome. I couldn’t write about it, to upsetting and sad.
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Poaching is a strong theme Robbie, which I’m glad the author wrote about. The terrorist attack was actually in another country in this story, but it was linked to the main character. But thanks for your support.
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Ok, that makes absolute sense.
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger and commented:
Another great review by Rosie’s team!
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Pingback: Five Links 12/14/19 Traci Kenworth – Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger
Thanks so much, Rosie for reviewing No Entry. I hope you will read the sequel.
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