Due North

The Kara Mason Story, Book 1

By: Jill N Davies

Narrated by: Samantha Norbury

In order to put an end to the people who took everything from them, a 14-year old girl and the man who was supposed to usher her family to safety must go under cover in a hostile institution to uncover the government’s biggest weapon and darkest secrets…

Fourteen year old Kara Mason used to live at a fusion energy generator station on the outskirts of a major city. She used to travel with her brothers every week to attend classes inside the safety of the city, surrounded by force fields meant to keep everything else out. Until she and her twin brother Hank passed the test and are summoned to attend the prestigious but mysterious Institute... Kara doesn’t understand why they weren’t meant to pass the tests, or why it means they have to run. All she knows is that she’s terrified of the monsters on the other side of the force field.

She’ll have to face more than monsters in order to get the answers she needs.

Due North is an exciting science-fiction dystopian thriller set in a world rebuilt from ruin. The government keeps people safe, but it comes at a cost. Does Kara have what it takes to navigate the outside world or will she lose herself in the halls of the frozen laboratories?

©2020 Jill N Davies (P)2024 Jill N Davies

Wow

Wow. "Due North" by Jill Davis completely swept me off my feet. I’ve rarely had a reading experience quite like this one, where I found myself so deeply engrossed in a story that I couldn’t bear to put it down.

From the moment I met Kara Mason, I was hooked. Her life, once filled with the routine comfort of her fusion energy station, takes a dramatic turn that left me breathless. As she and her twin brother Hank are thrust into a world that is both alien and perilous, I felt every bit of her fear, confusion, and fierce determination right alongside her. Davis’s writing made Kara’s struggles and bravery feel intensely real and personal.

I was reminded of why I fell in love with books like "The Hunger Games"—that same heart-pounding suspense and high stakes—but "Due North" has its own unique magic. The Institute and the mysteries Kara uncovers are so well-crafted that I felt like I was right there with her, facing the same dangers and discovering the same shocking truths.

The characters, especially Kara, are so vividly drawn that I couldn’t help but get emotionally invested. When she faced challenges, I felt them as if they were my own, and when she triumphed, I celebrated with her. Jess’s comment about the impeccable plotting couldn’t be more accurate—I was constantly surprised and thrilled by the twists and turns, and I loved every moment of it.

I’m already eagerly waiting for the next book, and I’m still thinking about "Due North" days later. If you’re looking for a book that will captivate you from start to finish and make you feel like you’re living the adventure right alongside the characters, this is it. Jill Davis has created a story that is both thrilling and deeply touching, and I’m so grateful to have experienced it.

such a strong main character

This was a gem of a find. A perfect mix of story and narration that drew me in and never let me go.

Samantha Norbury was Kara Mason. She was a great fit for both the young and slightly older girl. She captured Kara’s vulnerability and fierceness.

This dystopian zombie story, while ultimately very different, gave me vibes of The Hunger Games and Divergent. It brought me back to the time when I was reading about brave girls changing their worlds.

I loved how the first person narrative kept Kara and the reader in the dark about the big picture. The story was suspenseful and had me closing one eye while I was listening. 😂

I was gripped by Kara’s struggles to survive the dead. All the brushes she had and her tenacity. There was one moment I did have a little confusion. There was a time jump that left me confused for a little bit until I figured it out. Not sure if it was just an audiobook blip or would have happened if I was reading. I thought I lost focus and missed something. But ultimately I figured it out and really liked this one.

If you’re looking for a strong girl in a dystopian setting, you should check this out.

Adventure, zombies and divergent vibes

I felt like it needed a male narrator to really sync in the Mayle counterparts that were talking. I would probably do the second book in e-book or paperback form. I did not care for the narrator.

So glad I learned of this sci-fi/thriller

Thoroughly enjoyed this dystopian sci fi. The narration was so well done and the story had me hooked. Kara is a great protagonist. Smart, caring, a fighter for herself and others. She does what she must to find a cure for the zombie plague. All characters well written and fleshed out. Can’t wait for the next book!