Happy Book Birthday to J. Anderson Coats’ R is for Rebel!
Three generations before Malley was born, the country of Milea was conquered by the New Wealds. After her parents were imprisoned for being resisters to the new government, Malley was sent to a national school. The school’s mission is to reform Malley and other young girls to be loyal Wealdan subjects and train them for domestic service.
From the very first chapter, it is very clear that Malley is her parents’ daughter and is not willing to be reeducated. She wants to do something song worthy, like her Milean ancestors. At first, she thinks she is alone in her fight, but as the story unfolds, Malley notices that other girls quietly subscribe to the same beliefs as her. She soon realizes that resistance is all around her in many different forms.
R is for Rebel is a novel that left me thinking and questioning. As Malley stated, “It’s one thing to lose something; another thing to entirely give it up.” When I first began reading, I wasn’t quite sure if R is for Rebel was a historical fiction or a fantasy. In the end, it doesn’t matter because like other dystopian novels, Malley’s story teaches us an important lesson-to always personally fight for what you value most.
Special thanks to J. Anderson Coats for providing our #bookexcursion group with an ARC of R is for Rebel.
Beagles & Books 