‘. . . a post-apocalyptic puzzlebox that raises important questions about gender, sexuality, and toxic masculinity. A provocative thought experiment in the same vein as classic feminist science fiction like Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness . . . ‘

Elizabeth Galewski at Black Gate on Who Runs the World?

‘This is a beautiful and sad story with some amazing feminist messages.’

Hello Jenny Reviews on Who Runs the World?

“. . . the plot is compelling . . . An enjoyable quick read for those who love dystopian fiction.”

Jessica Perovich at School Library Journal on Who Runs the World?

” . . . an interesting counterpart to DeStefano’s Wither (BCCB 3/11) or as a primer for Margaret Atwood’s adult works.”

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books on Who Runs the World?

“Bergin uses a clever premise and vividly sketched characters to illustrate the importance of compassion and inclusion.”

Publishers Weekly on Who Runs the World?

‘Bergin’s matriarchal world building is fascinating . . . Hand to teens thirsting for an original tale.’

Carolyn Kelly at Booklist on Who Runs the World?

‘Disasters that wipe out much of mankind don’t happen simply for revenge, or at least they should not do. They happen because that allows us to imagine significant changes to human society that could perhaps not occur in any other way. And they allow us to interrogate the results of such changes.’

(WARNING: the full review contains spoilers!)

Cheryl Morgan on Who Runs the World?

‘Vigorous, energetic and exhilarating, this is a novel that has heart and courage, just as its protagonist River does.’

Judy Darley at SkyLightRain on Who Runs the World?

‘H2o is up there with my favorite books of all times . . . Ruby finds herself alone, and instead of making great choices on the path to safety, Ruby fumbles her way through life any other 15 year old girl . . .  Her personality brings life and humor to a very serious situation.’

Girl Plus Book on The Rain

‘At turns terrifying, heartbreaking, and surreal, once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down . . .’

The Readers Rag on The Rain

‘Entertaining, thought-provoking and a little bit heart-breaking, I loved it.’

Paisley Piranhas on Who Runs the World?

‘(Who Runs the World? is) provoking all manner of strong feelings. That’s not a bad thing for a story. For me, I’m strongly on the positive side. Highly recommended!’

Katy Haye on Who Runs the World?

‘In a nutshell: rollicking, thought-provoking dystopian adventure . . . The book examines not just our attitudes to gender but poses wider questions about politics, power and the way we operate as a society . . . Read it and think!’

Lovereading4kids on Who Runs the World?

‘It sparked so many questions in my mind about the way we treat gender and the socialised differences between girls and boys in a really fun and unique way.’

Jessica Mellor on Who Runs the World?

‘ . . . this is a book that will make people want to have a voice and stand up to make their future better.’

Rhino Reads on Who Runs the World?

‘I love the idea of the water killing people. It’s poison. It’s fatal . . . This story gives the reader a chance to see how a world of nearly-everything-is-unknown-except-that-the-water-is-EVIL looks to a teenage girl who thinks she knows EVERYTHING.’

Katrina June on The Rain

“The Rain left me speechless!” (Alice)
“this is superb!” (Lola)
“This is a must read book.” (Sarah)
“The Rain is an amazing book. It is very creative and exciting.” (Verity)
“This book is one of the most moving and funniest books I have ever read.” (Katie)
“I had a golf ball sized lump in my throat from the moment the rain began to fall but I could not tear my eyes from the page.” (Delilah)
“an incredible novel that was different to anything I’ve ever read.” (Izzy)
“I loved every part of this book it was amazing!!!!!” (Imogen)

Lovereading4kids on The Rain

“You NEED to read this!” (MP!ER Katie)
“I am glad I took a chance with this book as it was a book that I couldn’t bear to put down as I kept wanting to know what would happen next.” (MP!ER Beth)
“The Rain takes you on an epic, emotional journey” (MP!ER Roisin)
“The author of this book is a very talented person and she should keep it up.” (MP!ER Areeba)
“The book makes you laugh as well as want to scream… in a good way.” (MP!ER Jennifer)

Maximum Pop! Book Club on The Rain

“I’m sure there are plenty of 16 year olds out there who would become worldly wise overnight if faced with such a thing, who would immediately drop all the teenage angst and become an adult immediately, Ruby is not one of them and for that I adored her.”

Liz Loves Books on The Rain

“Tense, scary, and high emotion, The Rain will have you on the edge of your seat and afraid to step outside.”

Dark Readers on The Rain

“So, in a post apocalyptic sense, the reader is left pondering over impossibilities and uncertainties, and then imagine that story written with a new danger and fresh ‘journey’, and you’ll probably sum up The Rain fairly well.”

Book Lover’s Life on The Rain

“Funny, heartwarming, cringy, sad and terrifying, it is truly amazing.”

Heather Duff, Random Redheaded Ramblings on The Rain

“I can’t stop thinking about this book. Virginia Bergin’s The Rain is unlike any apocalyptic novel I’ve read, mostly due to the hilarious and quirky but utterly believable narrator Ruby Morris.”

Ashleigh Online on The Rain

“Not a novel about the British summer but a nightmare vision of the future where a single drop of rain can kill. Ruby Morris has survived so far but she needs to find her father and she could really do without being stuck with Darius Spratt.”

Sarah Kingsford, Sunday Express on The Rain

“Compelling sequel with plenty of humour as well as sad, poignant bits & a heroine who becomes more likeable as she grows in self-awareness. Well worth having.” (H. Middleton, Librarian)
“I LOVED this book. . . This is every kind of fantastic that it could possibly be.” (Waterstones Bookseller)
“Arrgh! I read this book too quickly! . . . It’s hard to write a review without giving to much away, all I can say is have tissues at hand and enjoy.”  (Waterstones Bookseller)
“I adored this book and will be forcing it into everyone’s hands when they come into the store, young or old!” (Waterstones Bookseller, Dorking)

NetGalley Reviews on The Storm

“The Road for this generation of stroppy, growing-up-too-quickly iPhone-owning teens, and a roller-coaster ride for those of us who occasionally like to forget how old we are and, putting aside our hard science fiction, dive into something different.”

Cumbrian Sky on The Storm

“It’s compelling reading, and Ruby is a really appealing character, her sense of humour a constant counterpoint to the horror of the situation; basically, as she’d say, you really root for her to save the world.” 

Lovereading4kids on The Storm

“The Storm has enough twists and turns to keep you happy and is definitely a gripper (good luck trying to put it down) whilst being unpredictable all the while. . . The Storm is an incredibly realistic spin on the world as we know it and certainly leaves you wanting more.”

Delve into Dystopia on The Storm

“Overall a really really terrific read – I stormed through it (yes that was on purpose) and adored every sassy super moment of it.”

Liz Loves Books on The Storm

“This book was so much more action packed and crazier than the first book! Seriously it was so mysterious and crazy! Great! I loved Ruby’s development between the first and the second book and I love her vast knowledge and how strong willed and adult-like she is in this book!”

Alex in Bookland on The Storm

“I’m struggling to put into words how much I love this book . . . Virginia Bergin’s humorous writing style is absolute genius.”

Ashleigh Online on The Storm

‘Bergin presents Ruby’s story as a firsthand document of life after widespread disaster. The diary-style narration emphasizes Ruby’s distinctly teenage response to society’s end—she rescues too many abandoned pets, loots her favorite boutiques without shame, and holds tightly to the unlikely hope that her father is still alive—and her strong, spontaneous voice lends a touch of dark comedy to the post-apocalyptic doom and gloom. The challenges Ruby faces on the road to locate her father are significant, but watching Ruby draw strength from her ability to tell her own story is as inspiring as it is harrowing.’ (THE HORN BOOK MAGAZINE)

The Horn Book Magazine on The Rain

‘Ruby’s candid, addicting narration brought this terrifying and wholly plausible story to life. This is a book you’ll devour all at once–from the safety of your umbrella!’

Jessica Khoury, author of ORIGIN and VITRO on The Rain

‘Creepy and realistic. H2O left me thirsting for more.’

Kristen Simmons, author of ARTICLE 5 and BREAKING POINT on The Rain

‘Enthralled & heartbroken . . . Apocalypse fiction with funny, believable teen narrator – ace.’

Imogen Russell Williams, reviewer for The Guardian Online and Metro on The Rain

“A funny, smart, wonderfully British dystopia”

Katherine Woodfine, Booktrust on The Rain