In the new Republic of Texas, guns are compulsory and nothing is forgiven. Blue Running is a gripping coming-of-age thriller for fans of Station Eleven and Thelma and Louise.

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.

There’s no one to help her. Her father is incapable and her mother left the state on the last flight to America before the secession. Blue doesn’t know where she is but she’s determined to track her down. First she has to get across the lawless Republic and over the wall that keeps everyone in.

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.

My review

Fourteen-year-old Bluebonnet Andrews is quite a loner, but not by choice. Blue lives with her father, who has a known drinking problem, and only just holds on to his job as a deputy in Blessing.

Texas is now a Republic and has its laws, one being that everyone above a certain age has to carry a gun for their protection. Blue’s mum left just before the borders closed when she was only a little girl. Now she has to bring herself up as her Dad doesn’t seem much help.

A terrible accident happens, and Blue goes on the run. The story follows her across Texas to the border.

There are many thought provoking topics in this book. It is fast paced and a few moment had my heart in my throat! It will make you really think about the future.

Absolutely enjoyed this and loved that it made you question things and think about how things will progress in the real world.

Disclaimer – Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted copy of this book in e change for my honest review