What are your first impressions of Alex? Do you think she doesn’t instil much confidence Ito us as readers?
Would you go to The Plains? Tell us why you would or wouldn’t go there.
What do you think of how Alex handled the situation between Oubaas, the elephant, and the tourist David who wanted to go closer?
When in the office with Antoinette, Alex relives all of the previous complaints laid against her. What do you think of these incidents and Alex’s arguments against them?
Alex says she doesn’t act spoilt, do you think this is the case?
What do you think of Alex and Magnus’ interaction at the end of chapter one?
Now that we’ve met most of Alex’s family, what do you think of her parents and sister? Do you think Alex was purposefully instigating fights? Or is this just something she can’t control?
Alex mentions she has a best friend called Saskia who had helped her during high school. What do you think happened during her time there that was so awful?
What do you think of The Mutual Protection Society group? Do you think this will help Alex get her new start?
When we are introduced to Yamihle Private Game Reserve, Alex talks about one of the guides Kwanele. What do you make of this first impression?
Should Alex have changed her name on her applications and shared information that was not entirely true regarding her interests? What do you think the repercussions will be? Should Alex have consulted Saskia first?
The second outing with the family happened over pizza. What do you think of the family dynamics? Do you think the family should have glossed over Roger’s behaviour?
12 responses to “Khaki Fever Day One”
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When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I would like the FMC – because she sounds a lot like me!
After reading the first 3 chapters, I can confirm that I totally relate to Alex.
Good intentions, but often misunderstood by others.I would go to The Plains if it was paid for by someone else. But I wouldn’t spend my own money to go to a place where the animal sightings seem “created”. I would much rather use that money to go to somewhere like Kruger.
Alex behaved in exactly the same way I would. She knows Oubaas and the limits that she can push safely. People with big mouths need to have a dose of their own medicine. If getting closer is what he wanted – getting closer is what he will get!.
Again, all the complaints that Alex had against her I would have acted in the same way and said the same things she did in each scenario. I felt sorry for her as I know exactly how hard it is when you are constantly misunderstood.
I do not think Alex comes across as spoilt at all.
I think Magnus was genuinely shocked that Alex got fired and he meant it when he said he would miss her.
Alex’s family definitely have difficulty dynamics, especially from her mother. Her parents seem too preoccupied with their careers and keeping up with the Joneses, rather than investing more time in their own children.
I feel sorry for Jess, being stuck in a marriage with a condescensing bully.
No, Alex doesn’t purposefully instigate fights. She just speaks the truth.I have a feeling that something very bad and traumatic happened to Alex.
I like that Saskia is so supportive to Alex. Yes I do think it will benefit Alex a lot.
I think Yamihle sounds like a great place to work; a place that supports and looks after their employees.
I think it’s brave of Alex to create her own identity so to speak, even if it means stepping away from her true identity. I hope that when her true name is discovered, that her employer will understand why she did it and won’t punish her for it.
No, I don’t think Saskia needs to consulted on every single thing Alex does. She needs to make her own decisions.The family dynamics makes me cringe si much. I really dislike Roger, and I think they should all have called him out for how rude he was to his own wife.
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Alex is an interesting character.. she takes no nonsense and speaks her mind which I admire but at the same time I think it’s important to read the room.
I would love to go to the Plains, there is nothing more peaceful than being at one with nature.
I loved that Alex put David back in his box, there is always that one person who tries to act like they no more or diminish someone’s knowledge so it was a great moment for her.
I thought their interaction was interesting considering she made mention she didn’t really socialise or bond with any of the guides.
I think it’s something Alex can’t control. She inherently speaks her mind and good for her.
I worry that she was bullied or faced a really low moment in her life. I’m eager to read more to see what that might be.
I think this is a great stepping stone at controlling her intrusive thoughts so that she doesn’t just put them out into the atmosphere.She seems to really admire him and his journey, and I think she may even have a bit of a crush on him.
I wish she was honest on her application but I also understand her reasoning and these changes will most likely get her an in. I don’t think she should have run it past Saskia, as she is her own person and is capable of making her own decisions.I think Roger is a walking red flag. Her sister needs to cut her losses as she clearly is not happy. I also think it’s strange that no one else in her family is trying to speak up and confront him.
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Alex is a short slender and fiesty young lady with a whole lot of attitude.
I’ll probably visit The Plains, I think Alex is use to “5 star” service, the food is probably not as bad as she makes it sound.
Although I understand humans can be difficult, Alex is in uniform, she should be more professional.
Lol again, I totally understand Alex but when on the job, be professional man lol.
I think she grew up as the baby and she got away with stuff older siblings didn’t. I don’t know about spoiled though.
That’s a cute moment between Alex and Magnus.
Typical rich family. Her sister, like her mother probably married for money and status. The lifestyle. Alex has every right to speak up.
I’m so curious around her high school experience. The mutual protection society group is such a funny and cute idea.
Kwanele seems calm confident and professional.
Lol Alex making her identity “flexible” is the dumbest thing one can possibly do. It’s one of those “WTF” moments.
Family matters should be handled in private. -
My first impression of Alex gives me mixed feelings, I really love that she speaks her mind, personally I quite enjoy abrupt people but the way she seems to regret things afterwards, even understandable, makes her seem like she doesn’t really have it together.
I think I would love The Plains, I love anything to do with wild animals so I really don’t mind it being a “glorified zoo”.
Honestly I think Alex’s utter disregard for the complaints against her is a bit funny (to me) but she should have probably taken them a little more seriously considering it’s a job she gets paid to do.
I admire her wanting to be independent but I do think her mindset is not necessarily spoilt but it definitely shows that she has a wealthy family to fall back on if she skrews things up again and again.
I don’t really like Alex’s family, I think they are quite dismissive towards her and I don’t feel that sort of bond you should between family members, I did like Jess though but I think that she has some really bad things she’s going through and until she sorts them out, she’s not going to be a particularly happy character.
I don’t even want to think about what happened to Alex in high school, I really hope it wasn’t as bad as I feel it could be.
The Mutual Protection Society is such a cool idea from Saskia, it gives them a chance to support each other and I love seeing that between girls, I hope they get to add new members!
I think Kwanele is nice (certainly not the boss though), he comes off as really sweet but with a subtle cockiness!
Unfortunately, even in this day and age it is a struggle for women to get jobs in industries that are predominantly male-run. So no, I do not think she was wrong. I don’t think that she should have made up her hobbies but Alex is her name and not stating her sex isn’t a crime.
I’m still figuring out the family dynamics so until I get to know the brother’s more, I cant form an opinion. -
1. I’m intrigued by Alex. She clearly has no filter and seems to speak her mind without reading the room. I don’t think my confidence in her is shaken as it’s still quiet early in the book.
2. I wouldn’t! The way Alex described the food and decor did not seem appealing to me.
3. I understand that David was pompous and very rude but I do think she handled it immaturely, especially since she was just calling Magnus out for getting to close to Oubaas as well. Her actions seemed to contradict her thoughts.
4. As much as I agree that the animals well being should be prioritized, I do think that Alex does not have alot of patience or maturity when dealing with difficult people.
5. I think she does to an extent. She comes off as spoilt because of how she blurts out what comes to mind when she sees something that she doesn’t agree with.
6. I think Magnus was crushing on her! He seemed sad that she was leaving!
7. He parents seem distant though her dad seems to understand her more than her mom. Her sister seems very sweet but is clearly in a difficult relationship. Based on her thoughts, I’d say no, but her actions may seem like she’s instigating. It does seem like she struggles to control it for some reason.
8. I don’t think I have enough to go on right now but it does seem awful and sounds like something that shaped who she is and how she acts.
9. Seems like a good idea that works but what happens if Saskia is busy and unable to answer quickly?
10. Also too little to say much aside from how she admires him and his work!
11. Lying never ends well and the truth always comes to light. I think it’s going to bite her later on, especially considering how she struggles to keep her thoughts to herself.
12. The family is definitely enabling Roger’s behavior. I understand why they don’t want to interfere because it’s their daughters life and choice, but that doesn’t mean they need to act happy about it. I understand that they might not want to push her away but it still feels wrong.
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Honestly… I’m not quite sure about Alex yet. She definitely comes across as one of those “Actually…” people who always ready to correct, lecture, or push her opinion onto you. But I don’t get the sense that it comes from a place of malice or superiority. I think she genuinely wants the best for the environment, the animals, and even the people around her. She just can’t seem to help herself when it comes to speaking her mind.
I wouldn’t go to The Plains, the way that Alex described it sounds awful, It’s fake, over exaggerated experiences which does not create a true reflection of what a Game Reserve and Game Drive should be…
I think what Alex did with Oubaas and David was dangerous. Elephants are temperamental, and while I understand she was trying to prove a point about how reckless David was being, it could have ended very badly. And as a ranger or a guide, your responsibility is to keep your guests safe. And she put them in a situation that luckily didn’t become more dangerous but could have if that bull was not in a better mood.
I don’t believe that a lot of the previous complaints warranted her getting fired. I think some of them were very valid ways to treat belligerent guests who were making the experience bad for other people. And quite frankly, one of my most prominent memories is of me going to the Tower of London and having a yeoman tell me that crows were going to pick my eyes out if I got too close to them. And I think it helped me learn to respect animals and their distances. So I don’t think all of the incidents warranted her being let go.
No, I really don’t think so. Yes, she’s grown up privileged, but she lives simply, does an honest job, and tries to give back wherever she can. She’s embarrassed by her wealth and clearly conscious of using her position for good. That’s not spoilt behaviour in my eyes.
I definitely picked up some vibes that Magnus liked Alex and was sad to see her go. I think he probably respected her for standing up for what she believed in even if he didn’t have the courage to do the same.
Her parents and sister strike me as very image-focused everything has to look perfect on the outside. I don’t think Alex is intentionally trying to cause conflict, but because she points out cracks in their polished exterior, they see her as the problem. It’s easier for them to blame her than face the truth.
I don’t really have enough information to guess what happened to her, but it does seem very bad given how much it’s impacted her life and how she references the fact that that trauma has shaped who she is.’
I was a little bit confused why they made a group chat for the two of them when they already have a WhatsApp chat where the two of them speak, but maybe it was because they intend to invite other people in the plot somewhere down the line. But I think it’s cool. Everybody needs a friend who they can talk to about situations when they’re uncomfortable.
He seems like a very experienced guide who likes to sit back, observe, and form his opinions quietly. I think he’s someone who doesn’t say much until he’s really thought it through.
I get why she did it given that the Guide job is in an industry that is male-dominated, and she probably wouldn’t have even got an interview if she applied as herself. But those lies are going to catch up with her eventually. I respect that she owned her decision and didn’t consult Saskia first though.
This just reinforced my view of her family, they’d rather sweep conflict under the rug than address it head-on. It’s easier to blame Alex for calling out Roger’s behaviour than to deal with it properly because that would tarnish their “perfect family” image.
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I think Alex is a bit chaotic as a character so far. She definitely has a strong will and no filter which is funny at times but I do think it will see her getting into trouble at some stage.
I would love to go to the Plains. It sounds like they have a wide variety of animals which is always great. Would probably not look forward to the dinners though.
I think it was handled brilliantly. Even though it was probably unprofessional, I still think it is hilarious and speaks to her character being impulsive and one with no filter. It is always great seeing arrogant characters like David get put in their place!
I think they align with what we know about her character so far. And I definitely understand her arguments against the claims. I think she always wants to do the right thing, she just does it in the wrong way.
I think that her saying and doing whatever she wants with no worry about the consequences is a sign of acting spoilt. She doesnt seem to take other peoples feelings into consideration.
I think it was odd and i hope that we get to see more of him. I got the feeling he may have had a little crush on her.
I think she just cant control herself. I think her parents are very disconnected from their children. especially since they dont defend Jess at all against Roger. I really enjoy Alex’s sibling so far.
I think it could be something related to bullying or even possibly SA related, seeing as s he was in a boarding school. I am interested to find out more and i think it will lead to her growing throughout the story if she learns to deal with this trauma.
I love the concept of this group and i think it will help Alex learn about social settings more as well as grow closer to her best friend.
He sounds very impressive and I think that Alex idolises him a little. I am interested to see how their characters interact.
I think that it will either work out really well for her or back fire completely. It will be interesting to watch everything unfold. I understand her reasons for doing it but i also think that starting a new job and meeting new people based on lies could come back to bite her. I definitely think she should have spoken to Saskia first.
I thought it was an interesting dinner. I think that the family should have addressed the comments Roger made because it was very inappropriate and mean. I like that the brother also see through Roger’s behaviour and that they dont like him either. I don’t enjoy the fact that the parents condone their daughter being treated the way that she does.
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1. The lack of filter that Alex possesses is rather relatable-I used to be quite direct/straightforward, so I can relate to Alex a bit 😅
So far, I think Alex says things as they are, which many don’t do, hence why she gets heat from the other characters. From what I’ve read about her character, I don’t think she intends to be harsh with her words-obviously, they’re taken as that though. I wonder if she’s annoyed by those who keep their thoughts to themselves when it is so easy to share them-especially in situations where she disagrees.2. The Plains would be a place I would visit for a day, only. I am not fond of places where nature is kept in enclosures and set up in a way where it is not natural, if that makes sense. I would prefer to go to Kruger National Park or Welgevonden Game Reserve, they’re beautiful places where the animals can roam and live their normal lives x
3. Alex’s response was, obviously, not professional and dangerous in real life terms. But, that is rather boring, so I had an absolute blast reading that moment LOL 😂 My immediate thought? “Deserved” – David’s behaviour and personality is one that makes me see red almost instantly-so I was cheering Alex on fr. So in my opinion, Alex was in her girl boss era 💅
4. Once again, Alex is a blunt person who sets the record straight-no beating around the bush. The complaints given were fair and understandable, but hilarious at the same time LMAO. I love seeing characters that don’t ‘fit the mold’ of usual behaviour-it’s refreshing. The moment where Alex told a five-year old that an ostrich would peck his eyes if he didn’t stop screaming, made me double-over laughing-i’m sorry 😭 I completely understand how she could get frustrated in that situation, since kids on game-drives are a nightmare sometimes. Obvi, she should have handled that differently, but to me, that was so funny. Just thinking about it makes me laugh 😭
5. I would have to see Alex in different scenarios to form a proper opinion-but so far, I don’t see her being super spoilt. She grew up in a privileged household, which could lead her to act in a certain way, but Alex seems to be quite humble regarding this.
6. Magnus seemed apologetic and almost disheartened by Alex’s departure. However, Alex’s view of him crumbles that sentimental moment into one that’s fake and just for show. This could just be her perspective, which is a limited POV since she didn’t ‘vibe’ with the other guides, and maybe he was actually being kind and heartfelt.
7. Alex’s parents give that stereotypical “rich parents” vibe and it causes a frayed emotional connection between both parties. I think her dad has a softer side, though, since he doesn’t always snap at her but seems thoughtful about what she says at times. Jess, the sister, is a sweetheart in my opinion. I love her personality so far and how she carries herself. The contradiction between her kind soul and the tough situation she finds herself in with Roger is rather symbolic, and I find myself relating to her a bit. From the reader’s POV, it doesn’t seem like Alex is instigating-she sees sense in the situation and is the one to lay it out for everyone to see-she does it out of good emotion, not bad.
8. There isn’t much information given at the moment about what happened to Alex. It could be numerous things, from bullying to a much more serious and traumatic experience. I’m interested to see what occurred, but I do have a bit of a hesitancy since it could be quite severe.
9. This is such a unique element to add to the story, I absolutely love it! I think this will allow Alex to work on that part of her personality that can be taken as impolite. However, I hope she molds it into something where she can deliver her opinions politely, but with a hint of who she is; I don’t want her to change just because of some society norms that we have.
10. Kwanele seems like a headstrong and dedicated person. The saying, “tough as nails” came to mind when I read about that elephant situation he faced. I think Kwanele will be quite an introspective character as well which could aid in Alex feeling a bit more understood…
11. Lying about yourself to twist a situation to your benefit is always going to go in a negative direction, in my opinion. I understand why she did it though, since the male to female ratio of guides is incredibly misbalanced. I think she’ll face some judgement and doubt from her other co-workers once she starts working at the reserve. I feel like she’s just made it way worse for herself 😭 While I do love that Saskia is there to help Alex with her decision-making, I think Alex should make at least some choices for herself in order to not become dependent on someone else.
12. The family dynamics are quite disconnected. There’s a closeness that is missing between the family’s interactions. Personally, if Roger made those comments in front of me I would have called him out immediately-I don’t like being quiet when someone’s being demeaned in front of me. So I had hoped Alex or the brothers would call him out and set him straight, that is their sister after all.
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I feel like Alex is more spoilt that she realises and this happens often with the youngest child in the family. They tend to say what they thing without thinking through the consequences thereof. I think that she will grow a lot in this story and I look forward to seeing this.
I wouldnt go The Plains because the animals are contained in encampments and I prefer reserves where the animals are more free in their habitat but also somewhat protected.
I understand why Alex would have wanted to do what she did when David insisted that she go closer to Oubaas but it was reckless, and again she was saying that it wasn’t safe but then did it anyway. It ultimately was okay but what if someone had panicked and Oubaas hurt someone, would Oubaas have had to pay for her act?
With regard to the hunting and the ivory bracelet, I think Alex’s responses were justified although she could have explained the impact thereof in a more delicate manner but in terms of the child singing and the hippos eggs question, I think that she was out of line and could have managed these in a much better way. Again, it comes back to knowing what to say when and I think her immaturity shows here.
Most spoilt people say that they aren’t spoilt and I think this is the case with Alex. I think that she has lived a sheltered life, being the youngest in an affluent family and has always gotten away with what she does, therefore taking her privilege for granted.
I think Magus genuinely felt bad for Alex being fired but she feels like she’s the victim and doesn’t appreciate his sympathies, which I think is unfair.
I think her parents are used to putting their work first but they also don’t understand Alex since she’s so different from their other children. I think Jess tries to make an effort with Alex who is also trying a bit but they’re very different people. I don’t think Alex is deliberately starting fights but she just doesn’t think through what she’s saying or doing before she speaks or acts – she needs to filter unfortunately.
I’m not sure, maybe some sort of trauma – abuse or bullying but it seems to have had major impact on Alex’s life so I do wonder what happened, as it’s quite apparent that she hasn’t dealt with it yet.
I think TMPS will be a positive influence on Alex, Saskia has pointed out that she tends to repeat the same actions and so doesn’t learn from her past experiences. We see that it helps already with her reacting in a way that won’t cause further tension.
I think that she looks up to him a lot and believes that he would be a great person to work with and learn from.
I don’t think that she did anything wrong with regard to her interests, why should this matter if you are being hired for a job? If a place hires you on the basis of your name and interests sounding male, then thats on them for discrimination or unconscious bias.
The family should not have glossed over Roger’s behaviour – he is a piece of work and should not be allowed to behave the way he does or treat Jess how he does. That being said, Jess also needs to take a stand for herself so it doesn’t matter what her family does, if she doesn’t say anything against him either.
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1. Alex gives me the idea that she has some form of autism, but she has never been diagnosed. She did come off as annoying at first, but I think the more we get to know her, the more we’ll understand why she operates like this.
2. I went to a place similar to that, so yes, I definitely would. I like to see animals up close, even if they are sleeping most of the time.
3. I think she did not handle it well. A great tour guide will generally tell the person who keeps insisting they go closer about the dangers of aggravating the animal – they are wild, after all.
4. Alex has good intentions; she just does not know how to approach the issue so she says things as they are, often hurting and offending people.
5. She kinda acts the complete opposite to me. Unbeknownst to her, even if she says she would rather want a beat up car, she might then come across as condescending.
6. It gives me the impression he hoped to get to know her more but she always kept him at arm’s length.
7. Her family sounds like they are supportive in their own way. I don’t believe Alex can control her impulses or what she says. It’s something that makes sense to her.
8. I don’t know but I am curious to find out.
9. I think it’s the kind of support she needs at the moment.
10. He sounds like a well-loved guide who has been working there for years and knows what to do in a time of crisis.
11. I understand why she did it, but it’s going to be hard to explain once she gets the job and has to send in a copy of her ID. I think she should have asked Saskia first. If she was meant to have the job, she would get it, regardless of who she is.
12. It’s true when her mother says you cannot always interfere, but the family sounds like they don’t want to cause trouble. It could also bleed into Jess’s marriage and cause severe issues, like a family rift. Someone should have a one-on-one with him instead. -
I think Alex has no filter, in some cases it’s not a bad thing to speak your mind. She could use some people skills training to just choose her battles more wisely.
Nope I wouldn’t, I prefer to see wildlife in nature as intended not in enclosures and it doesn’t sound like the food was great either.
I don’t think she handled it very wisely at all. Elephants are still wild animals. You never drive into an elephants space especially if they’re on edge. You wait for the elephant to come to you. She may have spent time with Oubass so was familiar with his behavior but you still don’t take chances like she did especially as a guide she needs to go back and read her code of conduct. She should of taken David back to the lodge after his behavior with the lions.
Alex had some valid points, the biggest difficulty as a guide is to keep all your guests happy. You need to be aware of their expectations and desires.
I think she may not have a filter and come across as spoilt. She is the youngest and probably her siblings covered for her in many situations. Her dad seems to be very protective of her.
Magnus seems concerned and cared for her , i believe he would miss her, she probably was embarrassed as she was fired and just wanted to get our of there.
I think her mom is al little aloof, her dad is protective of her. I feel for her sister, she’s in a bad situation with Roger, and just wants to keep the peace, Alex is just trying to support her sister without realising how it effects her sister and Rogers relationship. Roger makes it very hard for her.
I think it must have been very traumatic, as they seem to find it hard to talk about it.
I think it’s what Alex needs and Saskia is a great friend and seems to understand and know Alex very well. I really think it will help Alex.
Kwanele seems to be an experienced guide.
I don’t think that was a wise choice. They will need a copy of her ID and her qualification certificates. Not sure what the repercussions would be.
They may be glossing over Rogers behavior to protect Alex’s sister. They seem to have quite a strong family bond.
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1. Alex comes across as unsure and slightly defensive, which doesn’t inspire immediate confidence—but it also makes her feel very real. She’s clearly carrying a lot.
2. Yes, I would go to The Plains. It seems like a place filled with potential and beauty despite the current tension. Plus, I’d be curious to see what’s really going on behind the scenes.
3. I think Alex did the right thing. She prioritized safety over a guest’s reckless desire, which shows maturity and awareness, even if it wasn’t the most diplomatic.
4. The complaints seem exaggerated or misinterpreted, and Alex’s side of the story paints her as misunderstood more than malicious. It shows how context really matters.
5. She says she isn’t spoilt, and in some ways, she isn’t. But there are hints of privilege she’s still blind to, especially in how she reacts to authority and expectations.
6. Magnus seemed amused by her, and Alex was awkwardly defensive. It was an uncomfortable but telling interaction—she’s trying to prove herself while still clearly on edge.
7. Her family seems cold and judgmental, especially her parents. Alex wasn’t trying to cause drama—she was reacting to tension that already existed. It feels like she’s been scapegoated.
8. Something clearly traumatic happened. Possibly bullying or an intense social fallout. Saskia seems like a lifeline during that period, so it must have been significant.
9. It’s a great idea in theory. The group could give Alex support and structure—but only if she’s honest and actually leans on them when needed.
10. Kwanele comes off as competent and confident, someone who loves the bush and takes his work seriously. First impression? He’s a solid character with potential chemistry ahead.
11. Changing her name and tweaking her application was risky. The lies may seem harmless now, but if exposed, they could cost her everything. She should’ve definitely talked to Saskia.
12. The family dynamic is stiff and performative. Sweeping Roger’s behavior under the rug was wrong—it reinforces the toxic image Alex is trying to escape.
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