Kill All Enemies Review

Title: Kill All Enemies

Author: Melvin Burgess

Release Date: 1^st September 2011

Publisher: Puffin

Everyone says fourteen-year old Billie is nothing but trouble. A fighter. A danger to her family and friends.

But her care worker sees someone different.

Her classmate Rob is big, strong. He can take care of himself and his brother.

But his violent stepdad sees someone to humiliate.

And Chris is struggling at school. He just doesn’t want to be there.

But his Dad sees a useless no hoper.

Billie, Rob and Chris each have a story to tell. But there are two sides to every story, and the question is … who do you believe?

Billie, Rob and Chris don’t fit in and they have no one they can turn to. Billie was abandoned by her real family and doesn’t feel her foster family understand her. Rob feels he has to protect his little brother, while being the victim of abuse from his step dad and Chris’ family don’t understand why he won’t ‘pull his socks up’ at school. The three of them meeting doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, although Chris does end up being hospitalised! But what seems a chance meeting soon goes on to mean bigger things for all of them as they develop an unlikely friendship.

Actually, all three characters have much more going on in their lives than anyone realises and through short chapters written from their different perspectives, the reader takes on board what these characters actually have to deal with on a day to day basis. The book is beautifully written with elements of humour and romance throughout but dealing with several heavy subject matters.

I think Rob is my favourite character, although none of them are characters I dislike, they are all explored in depth and I think it is what makes this book so enjoyable. All three characters have a tale to tell as well as having their own personalities. I wouldn’t say it was a really long book but it includes so many different tales! Anyway, Rob is my favourite character because he has the biggest change in his personality. He becomes a confident person and realises that he can make a difference to other people’s lives by his friendship.

The ending of the book is unexpected although it is assumed ‘they live happily ever after’. However, the novel is a gritty read so it is implied that actually, the characters will have to work hard in order to get what they want , one of the characters (read the book to find out who!) says ‘Maybe we’re getting there after all’!

Without revealing too much content… I want you to read this book! It was a pleasure to read and although it contained such emotional and serious issues, it was an easy read and the characters develop throughout, making them really easy to follow. It isn’t just the main characters who get a voice but we are given an insight into other characters and the decisions they make too which is really interesting. 

5/5  A really good story with strong characters! A must read.