I received this Arc from Netgalley. Thank you for the chance to read this book early. My review is honest and 100% my own thoughts about the book.

This story is a historical fiction starting in the 19th century. Prisoners are used for the labor force to help with the booming industry. Mary Ann Goulding and Robert Bight find themselves in Van Diemen’s Land and New South Wales. Their Survival depends on wits and strength.
This story was interesting and reflects well on history. It definitely shows the relationship between the very rich and the very poor. Where the rich are allowed to abuse the poor with no repercussions. But the poor are forced to commit crimes just to survive.
I thought the story was interesting and it shows how people were transported to Australia.

<i>The Helots Tale- Book 1, Downfall</i> is a nonfiction story based on real people starting in London but destined to live their lives in Australia. The two protagonists Robert Bright and Mary Ann Goulding are part of the very poor class of England who are transported to Australia for crimes they are forced to commit to survive. <i>The Helots Tale- Book 1, Downfall</i> is written by a family member David Cairns.

Robert is quite a rambunctious young child who grows up to become out a farm hand. He is quite impulsive and ends up in jail a number of times. He finally crosses a line when he commits a larger crime for which he is sentenced to seven years transportation. Mary Ann on the other hand grows up in a family where she is quite well behaved but they’re extremely poor. Because of the poor circumstances Maryann moves into town to save her parents the hassle of providing for her. She meets two girls who are stealing items at the local market for extra income. She and her two friends are finally caught stealing at the local market and are sentenced to seven years transportation. This story describes life in England at that time as well as the journey to Australia and what happens when they arrive.

The story is very interesting because it does show the dichotomy between the very rich of England and the very poor. The rich are allowed to abuse the poor. Then they send the poor to prison because they have created a society where the poor have to commit crimes just to survive.

The various characters in the story are extremely interesting because they’re not really bad people. They are poor people difficult circumstances and they often end up going to prison or being hanged for just trying to get food for their family.

I recommend this story to anyone who likes historical fiction and they want to learn more of the origins of the people who were transported to Australia. I give the story of four and five. And I want to thank NetGalley and Finavon for providing me with a digital copy of this book. I give this review voluntarily.

At the beginning of the 19th century, shipped out from Newgate Prison in London, Mary Ann Goulding and Robert Bright find themselves basically slaves in Van Diemen's Land and New South Wales. Their survival depends on their wits and strength in this new world. Well written, and I anticipate the next volume.

I couldn't get past the first few chapters. There wa little or no dialogue and I couldn't get into it I'm sure others will enjoy it

I'm rating this four stars because this story blends history and even has wonderful drawings/pictures to accompany it. This is part of a series, however, I won't be continuing on. I believe many people will love this story but I need much more dialogue than this book could give me. That is just a personal preference and I encourage people to give this story a try. Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion

This is an amazing book. This book everything is good. The author did an amazing work to publish this kind of book. Also this book is a helpful books. I really happy to read it. Everyone need to must listen this book. I want to recommended this book for all book reader. Thank you so much.