The returning

Hinwood, C. (2011). The returning. New York: Dial Books. After twelve years at war, Cam Attling returns to his small village as the only survivor. Cam lost an arm during the war between the Uplanders and Downlanders. His family and friends walk on edge around him because they are curious how he was the only survivor of their homeland. He does remember that he was saved by Lord Ryuu’s son, who is an Uplander. So, he leaves his family and friends and heads to Upland in search for answers. Cam finally gets an opportunity to talk to Gyaar, Lord Ryuu’s son, and gets the answer to his question. Gyaar states the two reasons for saving Cam’s life are because Cam didn’t kill him first and he looks like his older brother. The two become friends and Gyaar offers him a job as an advisor. Cam’s sister Pin searches for him and wishes he would return home. Cam sends a message to her stating that he is not sure how to return. The common theme in this story is guilt and blame. Cam and everyone else carried some form of guilt for blaming everyone around them for the circumstances they are in. Cam carried his guilt about being the only survivor of his homeland and couldn’t stand it and left his family and friends instead of facing it and dealing with it. Related books: Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick and Black Juice by Margo Lanagan.