Black Helicopters

Black Helicopters is one shock of a read. The author shares the perspective of 15-year old Valkyrie White, whose entire life revolves around extremist thought after being raised by a father who tinkers with explosive devices and prepares his two children for the fight against Those People.

Alternating between past and present, we follow along as Valkyrie, aka Valley, recalls memories and experiences from her childhood while simultaneously attempting to complete the most harrowing mission of all: a suicide bombing.

I gave it two stars because it's not my cup of tea, but I must say, something did make me pick it up and keep on reading. Some heavy stuff happens throughout the novel, which can be hard to digest [and maybe that's why it took show more me a bit longer to finish though it's only 176 pages?]. But the writing is beautifully done and I appreciated the symbols weaved throughout. show less

This book is incredible, but probably has a niche audience. It's very short and high-octane, so it might work well as a hi-lo -- but it flips back and forth between time periods and leaves a lot of open ends, so there might be some confusion. It's a "boy book" with a girl protagonist. The writing style feels middle grade, but it's tragic and bleak in a way that won't fly with most middle-grade readers of my acquaintance -- even the Hunger Games trilogy has a "happy ending" of sorts.

But who cares? It's a stunning, horrifying gem. If nothing else I'd give it to adults to read as a novella.

Black Helicopters tells the disturbing story of Valley, a teenage girl, and her life with extremist parents (conspiracy theorists). When her parents die, Valley begins a plan to exact revenge using other cells of extremists. I read this book in about two hours and I had a very strong (negative) emotional response to it; upon reading the last few lines, I threw it down on the table and would have uttered a few profanities if not at work.

However, such a strong emotional response is a good thing, since the author is quite adept at unraveling how Valley became who she is. We learn why she has zero emotional response to planning on killing innocent people. And while we may not agree or like it, one does have to accept that Black Helicopters show more echoes the sad, disturbing cells of extremists operating today. show less

Valley lives with her brother, Bo, and her daddy in a cabin off the grid. Nobody even realizes that the two children exist. Since Mabby died in the vegetable garden while a helicopter was overhead, the children, especially Valley, have been kept hidden. But when their father dies in a fire, the two teens follow his prerecorded instructions to live with another survivalist. It's all about keeping away from Those People, until it becomes about murder.

This was a short, intense read. Valkyrie White is 15 yrs. old. Her story is told in stages of her life from 11 years ago until today-- the day she straps a bomb to herself to complete a mission her extremeist father has grooomed her for over the years. Valley & her brother, Bo, were brought up in a rural western state by a father who kept them hidden from the world. They were educated by learning how to take apart & put together watches, read classics & play chess. Her pattern of thinking was very unique. After their home is leveled by fire & explosions, perhaps killing their Da, the kids follow their father's instructions & seek out a man known as the Colonel. The Colonel finds work for Bo. Valley is eventually subjected to molestation show more by the Colonel. Although graphic, it is not dwelled upon. She & Bo leave the Colonel & join another family with similar views of their Da. There the plan comes about that involves blowing things & Those People up-- hince the vest of explosives worn by Valley. show less

Morgan has it right: "a bleak, gut-wrenching book that evokes powerful emotions and confusion all at once." This short novel follows the life of Valkyie (Valley) following the separate deaths of her parents, and "her very small world grows darker and darker." Yuck.

Eleven years ago, when Valley was four, her mother died in the backyard garden while a black helicopter flew overhead. Ever since, her father, Da, a supplier of bombs to radical groups, has ingrained in her and her older brother, Bo, that the helicopters, controlled by “Those People”, (the government), are bad. He has them train for the day they will inform the ignorant populace to the dangers of Those People. They live on rations, hide in an underground bunker, run missions and learn his trade. A year ago, Bo and Val return from a training mission to find their home in flames, supposedly caused by Those People. Da is presumed dead, but has planned for this eventuality by recording instructions for them on their computer. They flee, show more following the instructions, to a safe haven that proves to be not so safe. Bo and Val are forced to flee again, always keeping Da’s mission in mind.
Black Helicopter by Blythe Woolston is a short, quick read. The writing is average, the storyline unusual. However this reader failed to see the point of the story. Is it that naïve youth can be influenced by a radical, lunatic parent? Is it that radical groups have delusions? Is it something other than the above? There is little character development. There is little excitement and there is a gratuitous rape scene. The time and place are not made apparent—possibly on purpose? Whatever the purpose, this reader would not buy this for a teen collection. show less