Review: I am Rebel by Ross Montgomery

I am Rebel is a wonderfully warm-hearted adventure that brought smiles and tears as I followed a most courageous and loyal friend’s epic journey through danger, loss and separation in the hope of being reunited with his human.  Told from the perspective of a faithful, loving and good dog, this is a heartachingly tender, humorous and unforgettable tale of bravery, hope and true friendship.

Rebel has lived his whole life with his best friend, Tom, who found him as a pup and brought him to his parents’ sheep farm where the two have become inseparable, bonded by love, loyalty and friendship. 

But their idyllic life is torn apart when the King’s guardsmen threaten Tom’s parents’ livelihood with a demand for higher taxes.  Whilst his parents are not prepared to defy the King, 12-year-old Tom seethes with the injustice meted out by a tyrannical King, and joins a rebellion against him, a decision which sees him leaving Rebel behind as he heads to war …

But Rebel knows that his human is marching into terrible danger, and he is determined to find him and bring him safely home before it’s too late …  and so begins an epic quest as Rebel digs deep for the courage to leave his home for the first time ever, to follow the boy he loves most in the world and to never give up hope that their unbreakable bond will bring them back together before war can separate them forever …  Rebel is a beacon of courage, hope and love, but will this be enough to save his human when he needs him most? 

This is not only an action-packed, thrilling adventure, but is also one that pulls at the heartstrings as Rebel faces terrifying danger and takes heart-racing risks to find Tom.  But he also makes some wonderful new friendships with other animals along the way and proves himself to be a true friend, helping those in need despite his own desperate need to be reunited with Tom.  One friendship in particular, with Jaxon the masterless dog, is the most beautiful portrayal of the growth of a strong, loving friendship, one where the discovery of the true meaning of freedom flourishes and where love challenges each to confront inner truths, conquer fears, loss and separation, and ultimately find where their heart truly belongs. 

I’m Tom’s dog, and he’s my human. We belong to each other.

Not since Cosmo in I, Cosmo have I found a dog I have adored as much as Rebel.   He is the BEST dog!  He is torn away from his idyllic world by a decision, which he doesn’t really understand, made by the boy he loves more than anything in the world, a boy who saved him when he was a pup, and one who he is now determined to save from the horrors of war.  Rebel never wavers in his love for, and loyalty towards Tom, even when he has some doubt over Tom’s love for him.  He has such a big heart and a boundless capacity for love, empathy and friendship that engenders loyalty and reciprocal friendship in others.

An incredible and heart-warming story of friendship, belonging and the indestructible bond between a good dog and his boy.  Perfect for animal lovers and adventurers of 9+.

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.