Journal Entry 1 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, September 12, 2008

The publisher of this book, Strident, have kindly sent me copies of the book to distribute via BookCrossing.

Gillian Philip, the author, will be appearing at the BookCrossing UK Unconvention in July 2009. The plan is to circulate a copy or two before the Uncon so that some attendees will have read it before Gillian's talk, and also to spread the word about an author and publisher supportive of BookCrossing.

From the back of the book:

A murderously sinister dystopian satire.

Life’s easy for Cassandra. The privileged daughter of a rector, she’s been protected from the extremist gangs who enforce the One Church’s will.

Her boyfriend Ming is a bad influence, for course, with infidel parents who are constantly in trouble with the religious authorities. But Cass has no intention of letting their different backgrounds drive them apart.

Then they stumble across a corpse.

What killed him? How did his body end up in their secret childhoold haunt? And is this man’s death connected to other, older murders?

As the political atmosphere grows feverish, Cass realises she and Ming face extreme danger. 

Journal Entry 2 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, September 12, 2008

Book Ray!

This book is going on its travels! Please go by the basic rules or let me know if you have a delay or difficulty...

1. Journal the book when you receive it.
2. PM the next person and make a note that you've done so.

3. Read and review the book, preferably within 4 weeks of receiving it *** please note **** this needs to get round everyone before July 2009 if possible - please bear this in mind and read and pass along as soon as you can! Thank you!

4. Mail the book to the next person. PLEASE put on a JE or release note when you've done this.

SHIPPING ORDER:

sjr1969 UK (UK)
Wistfuldragon UK (UK)
Nell-Lu UK (UK)
Nu-Knees UK (K)
Heaven-Ali UK (UK)
Scotsbookie UK (anywhere)
Caroley UK (anywhere)
Juliako UK
Katisha50 UK (anywhere)
Weebly UK (UK)
CaterinaAnna UK (anywhere)
AngelaMurdoch UK (UK) [I think now called lidlekiwi]
Starflash UK (UK)
Korky UK (UK) <---- it's here!
[[[Purplerosebud UK (UK)
Calalilly UK (UK) - both asked to be skipped]]]
 

Journal Entry 3 by LyzzyBee at Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, September 27, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (9/27/2008 UTC) at Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

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Giving to SJR1969 today on the first stage of its bookring! 

Journal Entry 4 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, September 28, 2008

received at the BC Birmingham meet up.

Thanks for putting this out on a ring LizzyBee. 

Journal Entry 5 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, October 04, 2008

this is a disturbing vison of religious mania and fundamentalsim.

it is a well told and well paced story, with believable characters and the above undercurrent of menace.

will PM Wistfuldragon for sddress details.

Thanks for sharing LizzyBee. 

Journal Entry 6 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Sent out on 06/10/08 to Wistfuldragon.

>^..^< 

Journal Entry 7 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, October 10, 2008

I received this book yesterday but didn't get to a computer today - by which time I have finished it! What a great book. A quick read, it grabbed me from the start, and the characters were very believable. The fallibility of adults is a major theme - well, the main character is a teenager - but it is the terrifying possibility that part of our world could (or is) heading towards the dystopia pictured that is really scary. Although there is the murder, of course....
Loved the book. Will pm Nell-Lu to get an address. 

Journal Entry 8 by WistfulDragon from Streatham, Greater London United Kingdom on Sunday, October 12, 2008

Due to go to the post office tomorrow. Edited to add - have ordered a copy for my daughter, but she'll have to wait for Christmas to get it! 

Journal Entry 9 by Nell-Lu from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Thursday, October 23, 2008

I've just got back from holiday and this book was waiting for me - hurrah! Thanks LyzzyBee for sharing and everyone else for getting the book here.

Many thanks to WistfulDragon for the book light - what a thoughtful extra to receive! However, I already have a book light (it was a very useful present from my in-laws last Christmas) so I'll pass this on with the book to the next reader. I'm sure they'll love it.

I've got a couple of books to read at the moment, but will get on to this asap so that it can continue travelling. 

Journal Entry 10 by Nell-Lu from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, October 31, 2008

Bad Faith was an interesting and enjoyable read.

I hadn't come across Gillian Philip's work before and I read this without doing any research into her or the book. I've just looked at the publisher's website (http://www.stridentpublishing.co.uk). I was mainly trying to find out whether this was Philip's first published novel, and I'm still not sure. But, I found out something I hadn't picked up on: Strident publishes "fiction for those of school age". I hadn't read this as a children's book - nothing in its presentation gives this away - so I've had to do a swift re-evaluation of the book.

I don't generally read children's fiction, so I don't find it easy to review this. The main character, Cassandra, comes to life and her view of the world is believably teenaged: she's affected by her hormones, doesn't understand her parents and is idealistic but self-centred. She's also a good guide to the dystopian future Scotland that Philip has created: she mostly keeps away from exposition about how this world works and sticks to describing her own family's situation. Her best friend/boyfriend Ming is a little too perfect - but then, he's described from the point of view of a besotted 15-year-old girl, so a certain exaggeration is only to be expected.

This would probably make a thought-provoking book for an older teenager: the setting is used effectively to examine a number of current issues. The presentation is extremely smart (I love the cover art) and the story is well-plotted and exciting as well as provocative. I'm not entirely convinced that a predilection for battering people to death can be an inherited trait, but it makes for a striking way of illustrating our tendency to make the same mistakes as earlier generations!

I have Nu-Knees' address so will get this in the post this afternoon. Thanks again LyzzyBee for sharing. 

Journal Entry 11 by Nu-Knees from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Monday, November 03, 2008

Thank you, Nell-Lu and LizzyBee - Bad Faith has flown down from Edinburgh and is safely in Knaresborough, thank you very much. Reading it will be part of my pre-Uncon excitement!

Oh, I almost didn't find the book light which was stuck to the bottom of the box, so it's just as well you'd mentioned it in your JE, N-L. I've got one as well, so I'll do the same as you and keep it moving with the book. Thanks anyway!
 

Journal Entry 12 by Nu-Knees from Knaresborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, November 05, 2008

That was quick! I planned to keep this ray moving but didn't expect to start and finish the book within a couple of days - which is what I did! It's an interesting adventure and I got totally caught up in the thrill of the chase!

Thank you again, Strident, LyzzyBee and Nell-Lu. I have Heaven-Ali's address and will post it on by the weekend, using the same box I got it in and enclosing the book light so don't forget to look out for it :-)
 

Journal Entry 13 by Nu-Knees at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, November 06, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (11/6/2008 UTC) at Knaresborough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom

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Now heading for Heaven-Ali in the hands of the Royal Mail second class. Enjoy!
 

Journal Entry 14 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, November 10, 2008

Arrived safely today - thanks Nu-Knees for sending it on - will get to it ASAP. 

Journal Entry 15 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, November 13, 2008

Considering that I don't like futuristic or sci fi type stuff and this is futuristic, and I don't really do modern crime -Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers are about my level, and I don't do kids books (this is marketed I believe for teens or young adults) - reading this was certainly right outside of my comfort zone. Having said that - yes I did enjoy it : ) I can certainly see this really appealing to older teens, and it would make for some great discussions among GCSE/A level students I imagine. I don't really think the frightening world portrayed in the novel, could actually happen in Britain today, but it is a chilling idea nontheless. The One Church state Gillian Phillips has created is certainly not unrealistic. What makes it chilling is how realistic the society she creates is - what we are shown of it is not a million miles from how we live now, after all, families, homes, tv and schools appear to work in just the same way - and all it would take is a few fanatics and the right political climate....a well plotted story.

I will get this sent off soon - and I will include the light as I already have one somewhere. 

Journal Entry 16 by Heaven-Ali at sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, November 22, 2008

Released 3 yrs ago (11/22/2008 UTC) at sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

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If you have found this book, thank you for taking the time to look it up on the internet. Now please tell us what you thought of the book and what your plans for it are. 

Journal Entry 17 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, November 24, 2008

Arrived safely this morning, thank you Heaven-Ali. I already have one of these handy little lights also so will pass it on when I finish the book. Thank you to WistfulDragon who first popped the light in with the book. 

Journal Entry 18 by scotsbookie from Peebles, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, December 27, 2008

A look at religious fundamentalism & mania & a great read. I was unsure if this would be a book I would enjoy but it quickly drew me in & I found the tale fascinating.

Thank you LyzzyBee for the chance to read the book & once again apologies for having held on to it so long.

Just off to PM caroley & will get it on its way asap in the New Year. 

Journal Entry 19 by scotsbookie at Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, January 04, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/5/2009 UTC) at Bookring, a postal release -- Controlled Releases

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Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 20 by Caroley from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, January 09, 2009

Arrived today, thanks.

Thought I'd better put it down for five minutes to come online and catch it. 

Journal Entry 21 by Caroley from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, January 10, 2009

Blasted book! Kept me up until 2am. I couldn't put it down :)

Huge thanks to Liz and Strident publishing for the chance to read this, and to Scotsbookie for sending it to me.

As you may gather I was quite riveted to it. What I particularly liked is that the book concentrated on a small group of characters over a fairly small time frame. The bigger picture was hinted at but not in detail, leaving it to your imagination to fill in the rest.
The subject matter was quite scary and some of it not too hard to imagine happening in real life.
 

Journal Entry 22 by Caroley at Birmingham, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Sunday, January 11, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/11/2009 UTC) at Birmingham, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

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Sent 2nd class post to Juliako. 

Journal Entry 23 by juliako from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hi

Received this today - I see Caroley liked it - so I am looking forward to it.

Thanks!

Juliako 

Journal Entry 24 by juliako from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, February 21, 2009

Excellent book! Lots to think about in this one, very moving and a good ending. Thanks for sharing this.

Recently I have been watching "V" (from the '70's) - completely differently story but lots of overlaps in some ways.

I will plan to pass this to Katisha50 next Saturday at Hudson's Bookcrossing meeting. 

Journal Entry 25 by Katisha50 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, February 28, 2009

Thank, juliako, I'll be sure to read this before the Uncon (which is in 2009 not 2008, so hasn't happened yet!). 

Journal Entry 26 by Katisha50 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, April 16, 2009

Sorry for hanging on to this. Great read, I can only echo the comments already made. I did think it was supposed to be set in Scotland because of mention of the islands, but "so it is" also made me think Ireland. Doesn't matter, of course.

Will be sent on tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 27 by weebly from Hartwell, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Thanks very much - I look forward to reading this book once I have finished a Thousand Splendid Suns (which won;t take long as I can't put it down!) 

Journal Entry 28 by weebly from Hartwell, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 07, 2009

I enjoyed this book, and as others have said the characters really sttood out and were very believeable. Although I don;t think the world would ever go quite as mad as the one portayed in the book, it certainly was interesting how religion and politics got all tied up, and how it was quickly turning sour and violent with the extremist gangs, and the people in authority mainly being interested in their own well being rather than that of the general public.

Great book and thanks for sharing, I have Caternia-Anna's address so this should go in the post tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 29 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Arrived safely in Coventry and to be started as soon as I've finished my current read ... later tonight probably ;o) 

Journal Entry 30 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, May 23, 2009

Thank you Strident, LyzzyBee and everyone else for getting this to me: it was a great read, which I did indeed start the night I received it and finished over breakfast, making myself only a little late for work the next morning.

The tale was chillingly credible, so it was (I too spotted that locution katisha50, one familiar from my childhood). Perhaps one could argue that this poor family had more than their fair share of bad luck over the years, but few people make successful fiction from the quotidian, even in a dystopian fantasy. The narrator's voice, feelings and inconsistencies seemed completely consistent with her age and history without the arch hints at a more mature understanding that sometimes bedevil books written from this perspective and have them rejected by their target audience. I'm looking forward to meeting the author at the Uncon and buying a couple of copies - one for my PC and one to pass around at school.

I'll finally get this off to lidlekiwi today or tomorrow, promise. 

Journal Entry 31 by Caterinaanna at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (5/26/2009 UTC) at Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom

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Parcelled up and in the postbox over the bank holiday weekend, should be picked up from there by the postie this morning. 

Journal Entry 32 by lidlekiwi on Monday, June 01, 2009

Yes, I am lidlekiwi!
The book has arrived. Not sure when as I was in Turkey.
I have a few bookrings now, they all seemed to arrive when i away...... so it could take me longer than normal to read the book!
Sorry! 

Journal Entry 33 by lidlekiwi on Monday, June 15, 2009

I finished this book last night, well early this morning. I didn't get to sleep until after 3am. By 6 am I had only had 2 hours so I didn't go to work.....

I enjoyed this book! I wouldn't want to live in Cassander's country!!
I think this is a good book for all young adults to read. I was confussed at the end. I thought Ming had passed away but he hadn't! Which was just as well!

A good thriller with unexcepted twists.

I have PM'ed the next person on the list, the book is all packaged up and ready to be popped in the mail. Just waiting on the address.

Thanks for sharing this book! 

Journal Entry 34 by starflash from Crawley, West Sussex United Kingdom on Saturday, June 20, 2009

collectes when I was back in the office on Friday, thank you. xx

1 1/2 ahead of this but thats not a problem!

13th July-I will be finishing the book this weekend comming and sending off next week-PMd for address..... 

Journal Entry 35 by starflash at sent by post, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 23, 2009

Released 2 yrs ago (7/25/2009 UTC) at sent by post, A Bookray -- Controlled Releases

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Sending off by Saturday latest.

I dont think it helped my appreciation of this book, that its the fourth in a row that I have read from the perspective of a child about murder. Coincidence, but the angle is a little tired now!

sorry, I have been housebound with the lurgy, I will send off tomorrow.... 

Journal Entry 36 by Korky from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Friday, August 14, 2009

Journal Entry 37 by Korky from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 04, 2010

An interesting and pacey read set in a totalitarian church state, which I presumed to be Scotland due to one of the main characters being called Ming (short for Menzies). When he and Cass find and move Bishop Todd's dead body it sets in motion a string of events and revelations that are mostly too twisty to be guessed.
I found the descriptions of living under the 'one church' frighteningly easy to imagine happening.
I'd agree with a reviewer earlier that the presentation and cover are done really well, the 'effect' on the trees is just so eye-catching.
I'd recommend this to others.

Both Purplerosebud and Calallily asked to be skipped (which is why I've had it so long) so I'm passing this one onto my mum and dad to see if they'd like to give it a go. 

Journal Entry 38 by AnonymousFinder on Monday, April 19, 2010

This is a well written novel about a future world in which religious fundamentalism has taken over an unnamed country (but easily worked out as Scotland). very convincing main characters, all well drawn. I thought that the book was a good read.
KORKY'S DAD

CAUGHT IN MILTON KEYNES BUCKINGHAMSHIRE UK 

Journal Entry 39 by AnonymousFinder on Saturday, April 24, 2010

At the beginning I thought this was going to be good but I kind of lost interest. I thought it was going to be more about the way politics and religion had merged and the new fundamentalist state but it was more just about what happened to Cass and Ming.
KORKY'S MUM

CAUGHT IN MILTON KEYNES BUCKINGHAMSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM 

Journal Entry 40 by Korky at Fosters Booth, Northamptonshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 24, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (4/24/2010 UTC) at Fosters Booth, Northamptonshire United Kingdom

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My entry for the bookswap game at the Red Lion meet-up. Hope the winner enjoys it. 

Journal Entry 41 by Willowfae from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Monday, April 26, 2010

Won in the bookswap game at the Red Lion meet.