Two years ago, I thoroughly enjoyed Alyssa Rae’s debut novel, ‘A Lion’s Pride.’ So when I accidentally found that she has a new book, I snapped it up right away. And I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed— ‘A Rebel Star’ bears the author’s distinct style and creativity. I’m not sure how she does it, or how she masterfully crafts these complex plots, but she’s obviously at the peak of her literary powers—a fact that’s obvious right at the get go. Check out the first opening pages and you’ll see.
‘A Rebel Star’ features a young British teenaged upstart named Marienela—or Mari to her friends. Mari lives a privileged life as a member of London’s upper crust. Her father, a businessman, has business interests around the globe. Mari’s internal struggle begins when she learns about Nigeria at school. It just happens that Nigeria is the specific country that would soon be affected by a recent major business decision made by her own father. Rich in oil, Nigeria is being torn apart by various agents of greed and corruption—from the government officials to oil companies that want to exploit the oil to its fullest capacity. Learning that her father has a direct hand in the suffering of its people, aside from the questions Mari wants answered regarding her own mother, Mari does the unthinkable—she flies to Nigeria to witness first-hand how the locals suffered from the oil companies’ machinations. What follows is a rich, eye-opening tapestry of the kind of life those in London (and the rest of the First World) only so rarely, if ever, get to witness and experience.
The chapters devoted to Mari’s encounters with the poor folk and the in-fighting in Nigeria are worth more than the price of this book. Author Alyssa Rae has crafted a believable character in Marienela, one that you can deeply empathize with. The author manages to create an unforgettable character whose evolution from the pampered teen to one who so willingly stand among the oppressed is jaw-droppingly competent. ‘A Rebel Star’ is an engaging read. Devote a full weekend to be awed. Highly recommended.
Living atop the richest oil fields in Nigeria, the Ogoni people have battled for their rights against their own government and the greedy oil companies determined to take their lands.
Chasing the secrets of her mother's past, Marienela leaves her privileged life in London to visit the Ogoni villages. There she will witness the destruction of the environment caused by none other than the oil company her father controls.
She will meet rebels and soldiers. Writers and fighters. Face violence and corruption. And, through it all she will have to choose. Will Marienla return to the comfort and safety of her London home, or will she become…A Rebel Star
Meet Alyssa Rae
Alyssa Rae was born in Massachusetts and currently resides in a small town in North Carolina. She is a devoted and enthusiastic reader, writer, and movie goer. Her debut novel, A lions Pride, was published in early 2013. A Rebel Star is her second novel with many more projects soon to follow.
Visit: alyssarae.com
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