Siberia

Siberia is a polemic against the ravages the human race is making on the environment and all its precious species. It will be read eagerly by certain youngsters. Sloe and her mother are sent as political prisoners to the middle of Siberia in some futuristic world where most animals no longer breed naturally and the whole world feels cold. Sloe’s parents were scientists who broke the strict laws around reproducing other species, hence her mother becoming an outcast. However, Sloe does not understand this until very near the end of the book and her lack of understanding makes the plot feel confusing for too long. There is a certain amount left unsaid that maybe some readers will decode early on but it leaves a gap of uncertainty in what could have been a very good story.

Halam is also battling with using known language to describe fantastical ideas. Sloe’s mother and then Sloe herself create ‘seed-creatures’ called ‘Lindquist kits’ which will evolve into one genus in only a few days or weeks. These ‘kits’ are incredibly cute and adorable – tiny furry mammals that depend upon Sloe, hidden in a walnut-shaped box – but it’s hard to adjust to ‘kit’ meaning small animal. Moreover, Sloe believes these ‘kits’ are magic, pure and simple, despite there being some science behind them (which to her credit Halam explains in a note at the end), and it is frustrating not to have it properly explained till late on.

Halam keeps the plot moving as Sloe goes off to school and then is on the run once she’s expelled, trying to keep the kits safe and find her mother. The ending also offers some resolution and happiness but overall the message of the story is too over the top and unfortunately feels twee and worthy. Halam’s note, though explaining some things, is patronising in explaining global warming so readers may feel cheated as well as still confused at the end.