Senior Layla Barnes released her first novel New Hope on November 13th, 2018. The novel features a strong female protagonist, Ashley, and other leading character, Michael, who are thrown onto a deserted island by scientists working to better the planet which has become polluted beyond repair. 

“Ashley and Michael are characters who have been floating around in my head probably longer than I’ve even been writing,” said Barnes 

The pair must learn how to hunt, collect food, and build shelter before being dropped onto the island where they are left defenseless and alone. Along the way, they discover aspects of themselves that allow them to grow closer than either of them thought possible. 

“I started writing the first draft in the eighth grade, and it was the first thing I ever wrote that I actually finished,” said Barnes. “I was thinking a lot about climate change because that’s when I first started to really learn when it was, and I knew that something has to be done. So I wanted to say that, to put that out there, to say that some kind of action has to be taken before drastic measures have to be put into effect.” 

Barnes’ writing style shows a maturity and sophistication that had I not known she was a student at our school I would have believed the book to be written by an experienced author, which makes me wonder how her writing style will develop further as she continues to grow as a person and a writer.

While similar plots can be seen in other works, Barnes adds originality that makes the work as a whole in no way the same as any work I have ever read before. 

I found myself on the edge of my seat the entire time and unable to pull myself away from the story. Then, just when I thought I knew exactly how the book was going to end, Barnes added simple twists that threw me totally off course. 

I encourage anyone who enjoys reading and/or supporting their peers to give Barnes’ book a read and follow her on her journey as an author. Follow her on Instagram @llbarnesbooks.

“I want to write novels and I want to keep publishing them myself, hopefully in partnership with Ella Hayes,” said Barnes. “I’ve researched the traditional publishing industry and it doesn’t interest me, the hurdles, the limits, how few people get a chance. I’ve learned so much from publishing New Hope, from what I did right, but even more from what I did wrong. As of right now, I’m in the early process of drafting my next book, which will be a full length novel and eventually published.” 

New Hope can be purchased as an E-Book from Amazon.