BLUE RUNNING
by
Lori Ann Stephens
Dystopian Fiction / Coming of Age / Suspense
Publisher: Moonflower Publishing
Date of Publication: November, 2022
Number of Pages: 334 pages
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Fourteen-year-old Bluebonnet Andrews is on the run across the Republic of Texas. An accident with a gun killed her best friend but everyone in the town of Blessing thinks it was murder. Even her father – the town’s drunken deputy – believes she did it. Now, she has no choice but to run. In Texas, murder is punishable by death.
On the road she meets Jet, a pregnant young woman of Latin American heritage. Jet is secretive about her past but she’s just as determined as Blue to get out of Texas before she’s caught and arrested. Together, the two form an unlikely kinship as they make their way past marauding motorcycle gangs, the ever-watchful Texas Rangers, and armed strangers intent on abducting them – or worse. When Blue and Jet finally reach the wall, will they be able to cross the border, or will they be shot down in cold blood like the thousands who have gone before them?
Some things are worth dying for.
PRAISE FOR BLUE RUNNING:
"Brilliant." --Heat Magazine
"A fast-paced story that races along, and stays with you long after you’ve finished it." -- The American
"An important and unforgettable read." -- Armadillo Magazine
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Blue Running is a book about two girls thrown into tough situations in a rough dystopian world that is both foreign and familiar. It is a book that dives headfirst into difficult topics, controversial topics, and the loss of youth to the tribulations of life. I definitely suggest that potential readers look into possible trigger warnings before starting this book because it really does tackle a lot.
In a dystopian Texas, children are armed with weapons due to gun violence - which doesn't bode well overall and leads to tragedy. It also leads to the main character having to uproot herself and make her way across the state to survive. Her old life behind her, she finds a girl named Jet who has her own tragic background and struggles. This book has themes of violence, prejudice, loss of home, found family, and shifting perceptions. The characters are well-done. They're young and flawed and scared, but still strong and just doing their best to survive and find a future.
Like I said, it's kind of a lot. It's a book that hit a little hard right now, all things considered. It's the kind of book that makes you think, reflect, and consider the stories of others as they fit into your own world. I enjoyed it. I was challenged by it and I do recommend it, but it won't be for everyone because some of the themes are very heavy. I give Blue Running a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯ stars. It's tough, but it'd make for interesting discussion and reflection on what a country should be, what it is, and what it could be.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
ONE WINNER:
Paperback of Blue Running
with autographed bookplate mailed separately
(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 5/19/23)
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH POST ON THIS TOUR, UPDATED DAILY,
or visit the blogs directly:
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05/09/23 |
Audio Review |
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05/09/23 |
BONUS Stop |
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05/10/23 |
Excerpt |
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05/10/23 |
Audio Review |
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05/11/23 |
Audio Review |
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05/12/23 |
Playlist |
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05/12/23 |
Review |
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05/13/23 |
Review |
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05/13/23 |
Guest Post |
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05/14/23 |
Author Interview |
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05/15/23 |
Scrapbook Page |
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05/15/23 |
Review |
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05/16/23 |
Review |
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05/17/23 |
Guest Post |
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05/17/23 |
Audio Review |
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05/18/23 |
Review |
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05/18/23 |
Audio Review |
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Insightful review -- and I agree that the book hits hard right now...probably even harder than when the author wrote it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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