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Ruffian Book Tour

Cover Blurb

Astra Hal is a Ruffian, a member of a secret organization created by the artificial intelligence Sigma, designed to be humanity’s last hope in case all else fails. Hendric Sanjor is the son of a representative in the United Republic of Global Welfare, the ruling body of the world.

When a virus of unknown origins starts spreading across the planet and Hendric’s family is accused of starting it to gain political advantage, Astra is sent to investigate the issue. When it becomes clear that the accusation is false, the two form an uneasy alliance to hunt down the real perpetrator behind the pandemic. But the puzzles, criminals, and politics they weave through can in no way prepare them for the dark secrets they are about to uncover.

Other Titles By the Author

Leia Barko

Author Bio

Leia Barko was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and spent her early years traveling throughout the United States before settling in Clearwater, Florida, where she currently resides with her family and dog. She began writing at a young age and was an avid reader. Barko started writing the YA dystopian crime thriller, Ruffian, at 13 and published it at age 15. She will attend 11th grade at St Petersburg Collegiate High School in the fall of 2023.

The Book Tour

Day 1 - Favourite Quotes

“Lying is a difficult trade to master.” (Andrew Bell)

“She is like glass. Easy to break, but the more it fractures the more dangerous it becomes. There is nothing sharper than broken glass.” (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

"Truth is the illusion of those who seek to permute it into a tangible entity in lieu of leaving it as the ghost it is." (Veronica Franco)

“Guns kill people and they never break, never feel remorse. Only people – fragile, brittle, people – regret the things they do, or almost do." (Eryn McConnell)

“A Ruffian’s greatest strength is versatility,” Agent Cips says. “You will be trained in combat, advanced studies, first-aid, and colloquy. (Michelle Marshall)

The woman smiles. “Astra Hal. May I come in?” Her voice is like a razor dipped in honey. (Tim Marshall)

"Truth is the illusion of those who seek to permute it into a tangible entity in lieu of leaving it as the ghost it is." (Kirsty McKay)

Day 2 - Character Summaries

Astra is my favourite character because she is suddenly taken from a world she knows and loves and, despite the many revelations she is about to uncover in her life and identity, she remains strong and her character becomes stronger, whereas many people would crumble. (Andrew Bell)

I loved our main protagonist Astra. We follow her as a child and then see her evolution into the badass teenager she becomes. Her tragic home life is tough to read, but she is resilient, and when Gemini finds her, it seems natural that her life path takes this turn. Her steadfast courage and determination to get things done is admirable and she overcomes more than one obstacle in the story because she refuses to get up. She is also reckless, which also gets her and her teammates in trouble multiple times. Yet it’s hard to be angry at her; her motives stay mostly pure throughout the book. I liked that she wasn’t perfect; we really get to see her weaknesses once the other Ruffians show up. Her character arc is treated well; she starts off as a lonely child who becomes a talented agent, and then she learns the world is not black and white. She experiences betrayal and grief. The last part of the novel was a shock: and Astra's reaction is nuanced and well thought out. She remains our lovely heroine, but she is not perfect, especially when confronted with a no win situation. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

Hendric: First described as a mere circumstantial source of distraction for the investigator, he becomes one of the main characters. Although it is suggested that he will have to make controversial decisions when he learns about his mother´s affairs, and he is the one not to be trusted, he shows great integrity and faithfulness towards his supposed enemies, without forgetting his family. Although Hendric´s character evolves throughout the book, even with Lisa approving his relationship with Astra, he is sometimes still treated as quite a simple actor, ´whose charm comes from arrogance and a whimsical sense of humour’. I feel that is unfair for a character who risks his life on several occasions and whose selflessness is proved in life-threatening situations. We can follow his thoughts in his chapters, written in first person, but in my opinion, the book does not dwell too much on the character's feelings. The thoughts of the characters are usually ´objective´ descriptions that do not reflect the characters’ specific voices. His experiences and point of view should be very different from Astra’s, but sometimes, without the indication of the name of the character at the beginning of each chapter, one could easily confuse the person who is talking. He can definitely be a charming character. (Veronica Franco)

Astra: Readers are first introduced to Astra as a young child caring for her mother who is self medicating with drugs and alcohol. When Astra is chosen to become a Ruffian and taken away from her home environment to complete her training, we see a different side of her emerge as she becomes stronger, tougher and more resourceful. Through various training exercises Astra builds her physical stamina and resilience, and the ability of emotionally detaching herself from the job she is required to do. The author has developed her character well and given her flaws such as her recklessness and her impulsive behaviour which makes Astra a credible and realistic character. I loved Astra as a strong female lead, and she is very easy to build an emotional connection with, especially as you follow her journey, from the impact of her isolation as the sole carer of her mother, to being a part of a team and forming close friendships, and through her missions as a Ruffian. Even as a Ruffian there is still a vulnerability and emotional conflict present where her mother is concerned which makes Astra a complex and interesting character. (Kirsty McKay)

Astra as the main character was my favourite, I liked seeing the glimpses into her emotional side, and why she was taken as a Ruffian in the first place. (Eryn McConnell)

Astra: Although this book is full of interesting and involving characters, it's Astra who shines brightest for me. She's an incredibly sympathetic character, who despite having flaws never lost my support throughout the book. We see her at the start as a vulnerable and struggling ten year old, who demonstrates great strength and loyalty in her care for her drunk and medicated mother. It was fascinating to be taken along with her on her journey to becoming a trained Ruffian. Her resilience and ability to adapt are admirable and although her behaviour is reckless at times, she also proves to be resourceful when needed. As she develops into the skilled agent she becomes, using her physical training and social skills to succeed, I found myself cheering her on. I'm excited to see what will come next for this superbly crafted character as her adventures continue in the other parts of the trilogy. (Michelle Marshall)

My favourite character of the novel was Morena. She shows complexity as she develops throughout the course of the story, initially catalysing the plot, and leaving us guessing as to her true role. (Tim Marshall)

Day 3 - Favourite Excerpts

Not wishing to give too much away, the part I found particularly touching happens quite later in the book. It involves the loss of someone dear, how the character recalls its memories and then the stark, cold imagery described. It is quite haunting and disturbing in its simplicity. (Andrew Bell)

Astra’s reaction to finding out someone close to her has died is heartbreaking. Following right up on that is Astra finding out there are other Ruffian bases around the globe. In the space of just a few hours, her whole vision of the world and how it works shatters. It’s one of the few moments in the book that gives realism to Astra’s character; that she is not physically or emotionally invincible. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

I didn’t look back, no. That was the most valuable lesson I had learned from Gemini, more precious than all the fighting and sharpshooter skills I could ever master. It was the only lesson that could keep anyone doing this job for a prolonged period of time. They are the bad and we are the good. The good eradicate the bad for the greater welfare. We keep the world at peace. The black and white of it calmed me. It was simple. My job was simple. I was simple. I didn’t look back. (Veronica Franco)

I pulled the dagger out from his abdomen. A scarlet patch stained his suit. His dagger that I now held was the same colour. So were my hands. I didn’t bother to wipe them. I picked up his briefcase that lay by his side. I stood up and walked away. “Package is secured,” I said. “Target eliminated.” The Sigma had switched the frequency of my earpiece to connect me to the Ruffian base. It was Gemini that spoke. “Well done. Return to base immediately.” I didn’t look back at the man. I could still feel his hot blood dripping onto my hands — drying now. I could still feel his skin giving in to the sharp blade, the easiness of the motion, the serenity of the act. How easy it was to pull a trigger, to stab into the soft part of the body. How easily it could have been me lying there in the pool of blood. I didn’t look back, no. That was the most valuable lesson I had learned from Gemini, more precious than all the fighting and sharpshooter skills I could ever master. It was the only lesson that could keep anyone doing this job for a prolonged period of time. They are the bad and we are the good. The good eradicate the bad for the greater welfare. We keep the world at peace. The black and white of it calmed me. It was simple. My job was simple. I was simple. I didn’t look back. (Eryn McConnell)

My home is at the outer edge of the city. By the time I pull up in front of the apartment building, a heavy fog has drifted in, bringing with it a few warning raindrops. It is not a welcoming sight. Stashed in next to ten others just like it, the whole air offers an inimical and disagreeable sense. Large, heavy gate, dirty windows, jagged pieces of glass jutting up from the windowsill of the fifth floor where a drunk man jumped from last year. The most unpleasant memory stirs up undesired images that I hurry to banish from my mind. I drag open the front gate and slink down the hallway lit with faint yellow lamps, past the skeleton figure of the administrator with the expression of a dead crow. A sinister feeling haunts the place, complete with the smell of alcohol and the occasional inebriate, leaning against the stained parchment walls. I can hear shouting and the sound of breaking objects from one of the rooms and I wonder if the patrolmen will be here again. (Michelle Marshall)

Anastasia has not taken part in the debate. She’s leaning away from the chaos wearing a strange smile, as if waiting to announce something when everything has quieted down and she will have the floor all to herself. When the general uproar has died down, she takes action. “Pardon for the interruption. A rather disturbing complication has arisen. Deeply, deeply disturbing.” Anastasia rubs her forehead. “A treasonous act of the highest degree.” The mood in the room shifts visibly. The representatives turn their attention to Anastasia, her hands neatly folded, her expression penitent. “What is it you speak of?” asks King Abara, the African representative. “I have received rather woeful intel,” she says. “The regretful corruption of one the most respected among us, in addition to the deliberate act of organising and carrying out a plan that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people. And the start of a peculiar virus by which both my previous statements are linked.” The representatives are more than just confused — they’re uncomfortable now, squirming in their seats, casting each other suspicious and questioning glances. Anastasia delivers her coup de grace. “I speak of our dear friend and highly esteemed colleague, Morena Sanjor.” (Tim Marshall)

Perhaps even we had not calculated the abysmal depths of this stratagem that obviously goes deeper than framing my mother. Whoever these people are, they have planned out every detail meticulously, weaving threads so intricate, all we can grasp of it is a conundrum. (Kirsty McKay)

Day 4 - Video Interview

Day 5 - Reviews

Overall rating: 4 stars. A brilliant sci-fi thriller that does not fail to grab the reader. The imagery is fantastic, and I could not help liking the dialogue. “Guns kill people and they never break, never feel remorse. Only people-fragile, brittle people-regret the things they do or almost do.” (Andrew Bell)

Overall rating: 4 stars. This book is a compact, riveting read. From start to finish there is always something happening. The pacing is perfect; there wasn’t anywhere in the book where a scene was boring. The twists and turns in the plot are never anticipated. The characters were mostly well-fleshed out and their rapport with each other was believable. It was especially enjoyable watching Astra and Hendric’s love/hate relationship develop into something more. Astra herself is a remarkable heroine: she is smart, resourceful, beautiful, and empathetic. However, she has her flaws as well, and Hendric does a good job working with her to tame those flaws. She does the same back to him. All the other characters including Gemini were characters I cared for. My only quibble is that the dialogue at times felt much the same; when alternating from Astra to Hendric’s point of view, the style remained exactly the same. I also would have liked to see more of Astra’s upbringing in the Ruffian base and her link with Gemini. Otherwise, this is a gripping story with solid characters and a tight plot. (Sophie Jupillat Posey)

Overall rating: 4 stars. Ruffian is a fast-paced science fiction adventure you will find yourself dragged into right from the beginning. The main character, a determined and daring young woman, guides us through an apocalyptic scenario, in which her elite team seems to be vital to protect this world from evil. However, things are not as simple as they could seem, and you will soon find yourself not knowing whom to trust or what to believe. The book is a page-turner, which successfully keeps the suspense and includes a plot twist that leaves the door open for a sequel. Part of the plot and some scenes seem implausible, even for a science fiction novel, and it relies on the action to compensate for the lack of depth of some of the events that take place. It is easy to feel sympathy and understanding for the main characters, especially for Astra, although it would be interesting to see a more complex analysis of the situations based on the traumatic experiences of the different characters. Each character should have their own unmistakable, unique voice reflected in their words. It is an easy, entertaining read, packed with action at a frantic pace. (Veronica Franco)

Overall rating: 4 stars. This was a fast paced plot with lots of action. It started out a little confusing, trying to work out who was whom, and at the beginning the character voices weren’t too distinct. I thought that at times the two different plots were tough to handle along with the two POVs. It was a little head spinning at times. It was a good story that flew by. (Eryn McConnell)

Overall rating: 4 stars. This is an astounding debut novel from this young author, who is a similar age to her own heroine. Leia has blurred the lines between real life events and a sci-fi setting to create a captivating combination. Featuring a global pandemic, one can't help but relate it to recent world events, but this book focuses more upon finding the facts behind the fictional outbreak, rather than lingering too long on the devastating effects of the disease. This is a slick and sleek spy thriller that will appeal to both teen and adult fans of that genre and also tick all the right boxes for those who love their novels dark and dystopian. (Michelle Marshall)

Overall rating: 4 stars. A young adult work set in a dystopian near-future, Ruffian is full of political intrigue. The first-person present-tense narration gives the novel an engaging feel, shifting easily between punchy shot-by-shot action and well-worded prose. The fact that the novel was written by a high school student makes this solid offering all the more impressive, and I look forward to seeing where this author goes in the future. (Tim Marshall)

Overall rating: 4 stars. This YA Dystopian Sci-Fi Adventure is a must read for all fans of the Divergent Series by Veronica Roth. Astra, as the main protagonist, is a relatable and likeable female lead who discovers more about herself and her abilities when she is taken from her home to join the Ruffians. She quickly forms a strong alliance and bond with her fellow Ruffians, but once her training is completed, she discovers that all is not what it seems, and starts to question who she can trust. As a debut novel this is a solid introduction to the apocalyptic world that the Author has created. The pace moves at lightening speed keeping the audience gripped from the first page to the last, and thrusts the reader forward into the action and suspense. The characters are in the main well developed, the dialogue satisfactory, although there are opportunities for the author to enhance both further, and perhaps introduce more scenes of Astra's life growing up in the Ruffian base. Overall this is an entertaining read and I am looking forward to seeing how the Author takes the story forward in her next book. (Kirsty McKay)