Engels - boekbespreking

‘He said he remembered you from that day...at the market…’ - Jas Holloway (page 69)
‘Why are you following me?’ - Nat Holloway (page 115)

I’ve chosen this picture because it’s represents the Canal Street market, where the book is all about. It’s the place where it all begins. Lucas Holloway, an 18-year old student, commits a suicide attack at the market. Charlotte ‘Charlie’ and her mom where there when the bomb went off. Charlie’s mom was killed by the explosion. But she is not the only one who lost a loved one. Nat Holloway is mourning his deceased brother Lucas. The terrorist.

Months later Charlie and Nat meet each other at school. Charlie becomes good friends with Jas, Nat’s younger sister. They often meet up at their house. When Jas’ attention weakens, Charlie slips into Nat’s bedroom. She discovers files about the bombing. She pulls the conclusion that he was involved in the attack. Meanwhile Nat comes closer to the truth about Lucas, and the organisation he was working for.

The day that Charlie and Nat finally meet up, they come to the conclusion that the real enemy is not one another. Nat introduces Charlie in the EFA, where he and Lucas really are working for. This organisation fights against the League of Iron, the real masterbrain behind the Canal Street bombing.

Charlie and Nat become an excellent duo, doing secret operations for the EFA. They learn to fight, hack and operate under the radar. They become so obsessed by revenge, that they are blinded for the real truth.


When it all seems to come to an end, an even darker secret will become revealed.


I really liked the book. It was catchy from the first page, because you where immediately thrown into the action. My favourite character was definitely Jas. She brought in a fine humor, that was necessary to make the contrast with the serious events. Jas was also the connection between Charlie and Nat.

Charlie was an evolving character. She is smart and charming. She knows how to use her charm to get what she wants. Nat is very intelligent, but also naive. They both think that the end justifies the means. That in their case their criminal operations are nothing compared to destroying the League of Iron.

I regret that Charlie’s family (her aunt, uncle, niece and dead parents) weren’t really important. They were just mentioned a few times. There was almost nothing written down about her dad or her youth.

The title is well chosen, with a subtle reference to the bomb. The back cover was a real eye catcher.

2:02…
2:01…
2:00…
What the hell was this?
I stared at the numbers, numb with horror.
The box was a bomb.
And it was going to go off in
Two minutes.