I’m not sure what you’ve all done to deserve this but big thank you to Maria for asking me to share my review of Nick Osborne’s new book, “Refuge”. As Maria mentioned in her own review, (click here) if you are a fan of Remember Me you will know Nick was the producer of Remember Me. 🙂
Before I go further, just a reminder that if you are a member of a bookclub Nick is willing to call in to do a Q&A with your group afterwards – an opportunity not to be missed surely? 🙂
So onto my review! According to the blurb on amazon “Osborne spent twelve months as a volunteer for Project Trust working in a school and the Afghan refugee camps of Peshawar, Pakistan. This experience was the inspiration for this novel.†I just wanted to highlight that because it really does shine through in this book. In my sheltered little world it was a small window into another culture; a fascinating glimpse which at times was shocking and heart-breaking and others uplifting or funny. There is enough in the descriptions to fire the imagination which is how all the best books are, right?
Refuge is a touching love story which packs a real punch and keeps you guessing right to the end and beyond.  The central characters are Noor and Charlie; Noor is an independent minded, determined, beautiful young Afghani woman teaching girls at a local school; Charlie is a young Gulf war veteran, disillusioned with the army and now an aid worker de-mining for a local agency. Both call Peshawar home for the time being, both have dreams of something better.  There are of course many other characters involved in this story; Noor’s father, a former professor and refreshingly open in his outlook for his daughters’ future; Tariq, her brother and now involved with Mujahideen led by a Saudi Prince, both intent on power, and many more intriguing characters throughout. I think Charlie’s friend and deputy, Wali, needs a comment all to himself because he is truly wonderful. I would pay good money to read so much more from both of them! They are such fun and when things get tough you care all the more for them.
The story itself begins with Noor and her family fleeing Afghanistan in 1981 before ending up in the refugee camp, practically scratching out their existence. Noor has her heart set on obtaining a scholarship from a Western University which she sees as her only opportunity to escape from the daily struggles and provide a chance at a real future. Needless to say when Charlie literally bumps into her on her way home one day and follows her she eyes him with contempt and suspicion. However, when Tariq callously betrays her, Noor and her family seek refuge in Charlie’s house and what follows is an incredible rollercoaster of a novel and one I whole-heartedly recommend. The main characters are strong, compelling and sympathetic; it is impossible not to get swept along with them on this journey. If I have one complaint it would just be that I didn’t want it to end; I couldn’t get enough of Charlie or Noor. If there’s any justice the next book in the series will follow shortly. Refuge truly is an epic story in every sense.
Do yourself a favour, read this book and if the above hasn’t convinced you I’ll leave the final words with Noor’s father, because they are perfect: “You woke up her soul, Charlie. How could a father not be gladdened by that?â€
You can find Refuge at the following: Amazon and iTunes (search “osborne – refugeâ€).
I loved reading your review Jules, thank you so much for sharing. I am currently in the middle of reading Refuge & seriously each time I start, I have to tear myself away from reading, I just do not want to stop. Am enjoying it so much & cannot wait to find out what happens with these wonderful characters,
I have just finished reading my current book and have this one waiting to go. Cannot wait to get started. Thanks Jules for your review!!
Thanks for the review Jules, I’m in the middle of reading another book right now (Money) but I have downloaded “Refuge” on my kindle and will read it next. Sounds really great.
LOL @Silvie interesting book choice
Jules thanks so much for doing this, I honestly loved this novel. And was so privileged that Nick let me read a draft in about February this year. He’s a true gentleman and deserves all the success with this book.
Got the itunes version of Nicks book but it won’t open on the laptop, so ordered the paperback from Amazon. Looking so forward to Reading it when it arrives thanks for the review jules xx
@Cindy – you have to have iBooks to read books downloaded from iTunes – but this article might be of interest to you http://www.ismoothblog.com/
Thanks so much for that Maria all it said after i purchased the book was it had to be viewed on a apple device! I thought great I have a sony tablet and a toshiba laptop…….h’mmmm
Yeah a bit cheeky but that link I gave you tells you how to legally remove the Apple coding that prevents you from reading it.
I’ve just finished reading Refuge, on Maria’s recommendation, and I loved it. Thanks Maria. I hope there’s another book to follow soon.
Thanks for the reminder, Jules. I had every intention of downloading Refuge after Maria’s review last month: your awesome review is the timely kick-up-the-butt I needed, as I completely forgot to do it then. You know I’m a sucker for love story, and this sounds wonderful.
Love the final quote from Noor’s father too. “You woke up her soul, Charlie ….” *sigh*
Hi @Melinda that’s fantastic and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I totally did too and Nick did initially tell me it’s a trilogy and I’m hanging to read the second book 🙂 I’ll keep you all posted.
@Jules – Thanks for your review. Very evocative
@Cindy – Thanks for pointing out Amazon had the paperback version. I had checked previously and it wasn’t available. It is now happily on order and on its way to me.
@Silvie – Money – I am guessing you are a Rob book club girl. I have read so many books out of my previous comfort zone thanks to Rob and I have loved every single one of them.
What a great review @jules!!! I read it and loved everything about it, the characters, the plot, the narrative, the dialogues every single thing. I am now eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Just like you said he transports the reader into that world and everything feels so real like you are there experiencing it first hand. Thanks for sharing your review with us and thanks @maria for bringing it to our attention.
Thanks again @Maria for giving me the chance to share here, and thanks everyone commenting….enjoy!! 🙂
Yes Carmel, thanks to Rob I’m reading books that I would never have thought of reading. This amazing person, Rob has really contributed to me getting out of my comfort zone in more ways than one. Just the fact that I’m using my computer and trying to keep up with everything is testament that Rob has made an impact. OK so I haven’t got around to getting a pic on show through Gravatar but I will eventually. Let’s not forget that because of Rob so many friendships have been formed in a positive way world wide just by logging onto the site. Another thing because of Rob, I’m actually making the effort to look things up in the film industry, something I would not have done without Rob’s media influence. I definately didn’t care about the world of celebrities prior to Rob, I could take or leave any of them. So really, Rob has been a major influence in many ways…I’m sure I could name many more but I better get back to work I can hear the whip cracking. This sounds a bit rushed, sorry. 😀
So, started reading late last night and now, cannot put it down!!!!! LOVING it!!!!!!
How BRILLIANT is it Vicky. I am completely addicted, reading every chance I get.
I know exactly what you mean Michelle!!!!!
@Vicky I would never lead you all astray – it really is a fantastic story. Can’t wait to hear what you say once it’s finished. Maybe we should do a live Q&A on twitter with Nick … hmmm wonder how that would work.
Oh wow @Maria….fantastic idea re q&a….if its at all possible 🙂 exciting!!
So happy you are enjoying the book too Vicky 🙂
A Q&A would be fantastic. How exciting 😀
The Q&A is happening – just have to fine tune with Nick how we are going to do it.