Review: Apocalypsis: Book 4 (Haven) by Elle Casey

Purchase Price: $4.96 CDN on Amazon.ca
Apocalypsis: Book 4 (Haven) [Kindle Edition]

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Young Adult, Action Adventure, Series

Book Description: My name's Bryn Mathis. I'm seventeen years old, and I'm alive at a critical time in our world's history, unlike all the adults and babies who didn't survive the virus that almost wiped out the human race. Alliances are building, enemies are gathering, and everything's about to reach the boiling point. I'm in a race against time to get Haven ready for the final showdown, a confrontation that could very possibly destroy everything my friends and I have worked so hard to create. People I trusted have betrayed me. People who I thought were my enemies are not. Nothing is as it seems, and nothing will ever be the same for me, now that I've embarked on this one last adventure that could be the undoing of everything that is me. [From Amazon.ca]

Review:
This last book in the Apocalypsis Series, Haven was so much more than I could have expected, which is exactly what I have come to expect to the fabulous Elle Casey.

Picking up precisely where were left in the third book in the series, this final novel brings us in with no gentle embrace, we find Bryn, Peter, Bodo, and the rest of the 'survivors' finding shelter behind the chain-link and razor wire fences at the Florida prison they have come to call 'Haven'. With a steady influx of starving and wounded children, and work to be done, the group begins the unpleasant and often horrific work of 'cleaning' out the leftovers from the previous inhabitants of the prison. One scene in particular was so gruesome and shocking that I found myself feeling ill. I was really surprised to find myself reacting thusly, as I am a nurse and in no way unfamiliar with all manner of body exudates and have seen and handled many deceased in my time on the job. This was supremely gross, and I am impressed by Casey's ability to craft horror into a story that has been largely shocking, but not necessarily creepy and scary.

Bryn and friends realize that with the arrival of news that the kids in the Glades have been besieged by the hideously evil 'Canners', they must leave their sanctuary and go to try to get as many as they can to safety. As a small group heads out on the road to reach the Kahayatle, meeting trouble almost the entire way. There are some new friends, and new connections that serve to be monumentally important for the survival of the 'peace-minded'. But there are also cruel twists, malevolent individuals that have turned to such a dark place they are beyond reach.

Throughout the story, we are met with the conflict brewing between Bryn and her boyfriend Bodo. While Bryn decides to 'come clean' with Bodo about her small romantic indiscretion when he was lost to the group and likely dead, he refuses to forgive her, and piles on additional problems by refusing to speak to her and then becoming more secretive about his past. The tension is palpable, and it is finally a real teenage relationship. Of course, the communication troubles are compounded by the stress of attempting a rescue of friends where trust is essential.

When the Bryn and Bodo eventually reach the swamps, the signs are ominous. The boats are gone, and they must get into 'gator infested waters to get deeper into the area. There is a lot of loss in this novel, perhaps more than in all the other "Apocalypsis" series books combined. It is filled with violent struggles, society's breakdown now beyond repair as far as the "Canners" go, and people are fighting for land, food, resources, and just to stay alive. The consequences of a system breakdown on this societal level has left things like medication and other necessities of life scarce and disappearing rapidly. Casey has clearly thought about this deeply, and it is presented with the drama and dark humour one would expect, but also the sadness that cuts through it all.

Though there seems to be a challenge erupting the moment they adjust to the previous trauma's tremors, the group is tight knit and seem to be so well equipped to work together to create the world they want to live in, the kind of world that Bryn's father would have wanted for his daughter, and the one Bryn so richly deserves. While there is always trouble on the horizon, and room for new stories to be spun from all over the continent, by all the teens who are facing the horror and joys to be found in the 'new world', this book is immensely satisfying.

As others have hinted, the ending is not one most expected, not one that I saw coming, but it is precisely why Elle Casey is such an exceptional writer. You care about her characters, you root for the under-dog, you are horrified - thrilled- overwhelmed - and overjoyed as they all move through their individual journeys. Not everyone has a happy ending, not everyone makes it through the struggle, others are beyond hope, but they are all remarkably real, and you can understand on some level how they became the way they have after the tragedy that has befallen human-kind.

The scenes are fleshed out with the kind of detail that makes them so visually accessible, almost immediately, without being weighed down with too much flowery or filler words. The words have purpose, they move the story along, but there is also so much there to flesh out the story and make it feel real. It falls precisely into that perfect wedge of balance few authors get right. Elle Casey got it right in this novel, and in all the other works I have read from her. You shall not be disappointed.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

 

Bottom Line: Highly Recommended. Read the whole series, you will absorb these novels into your soul, and they are fast reads - and they will stay with you. You will wonder what the characters are up to, even when you know that their world is not our world, it is just too real to ignore. Amazing read!

Review: WOOL by Hugh Howley

Purchase Price: $3.99 CDN on Amazon.ca
Wool [Kindle Edition]

Genre: Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Mystery

Book Description: This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside.

Review:
WOOL is a meticulously crafted world that will wrap you up and carry you along, sometimes against your will, to the dark places in human history yet to come.

Hugh Howley's WOOL is a magnificent piece of writing, steeped in mystery and hidden corners, the depths of the human psyche and the desire we all have to understand the world we find ourselves in, to look for meaning where we find it lacking. Written in a series of five novellas, now united in a heavy tome, both literally and figuratively, Howley's New York Times Bestselling Novel is now available in paperback format.

We start off with with the end of Holston's story, and the beginning of the mystery of the Silo in which he lives and works with a thousand other souls. We are given to understand this Silo is underground, and a carefully constructed environment, self-sustaining, after an unexplained 'uprising' that forced these last surviving humans underground, away from the toxic air above. Holston's wife was sent out to 'Clean' the Silo's sensors nearly three year's earlier after seemingly going mad, with talk about something that doesn't make sense, a mystery that is driving her in dizzy circles. After years without her, Holston himself makes a decision to join her outside the Silo, to become a Cleaner himself, leaving his position as Sheriff of the Silo now open to another applicant.

While we consider the mystery of Holston's choice, we find ourselves on a trek down into the depths of the Silo, as part two of WOOL looks for the individual to fill shoes. We meet the Mayor and the Deputy of the Silo, as they make the long trek down through the levels of the Silo, floors upon floors below, to meet with the candidate they have selected to become the next Sherrif. Juliette, or Jules as she is known, a worker in the Mechanical section of the 'Down Deep' is the pegged applicant of choice, but she is an individual that becomes the catalyst to a number of events and discoveries that change everything for the people of her Silo.

The mysteries begin to weave together, thick and tangled, as the momentum of WOOL picks up and carries you to a most shocking ending. Nothing ends as you would have hoped in this stark and unforgiving world crafting with masterful skill by Hugh Howley. How could it, when everything is a lie, and the truth is more dangerous than anyone could have expected. Somehow, the ending is even more satisfying than one could imagine, and yet leaves so many unanswered questions. There is so much to offer in this carefully crafted world, and even more left to the imagination. You can see the story winding and weaving in so many possible directions, and yet it doesn't leave you unsatisfied in the end, just wanted more, as all good books should.

This is a novel that is worth the time to tuck in to, and will make you think about issues affecting all of us, in our own lives, right now. It is not preachy, nor blaming, but provocative and engaging, and it will have you winding up and down the stairwells of arguments in your mind, over and over. Is this a bleak prediction of a post-apocalyptic future? Is this a warning about the things that separate us from our neighbors, and prevents us from engaging with those we could gain so much from? Is it a exercise in studying human nature, and our tendency to seek out sanity from chaos? It is all of these things and so much more.

While I make this novel sound like some grand study of the human mind, make no mistake. WOOL is meant to be read by fans of science fiction, or post-apocalyptic genre fiction, in it's purest form. It is an enjoyable and fascinating read, but if you wish to go deeper, and if your mind tends to that kind of analysis, you won't be disappointed on either count.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

 

Bottom Line: I highly recommend this novel to those who love a good mystery, a thoroughly new science-fiction world, or a post-apocalyptic adventure. There is drama, action, true horror, and at times the most gentle of loving gestures when you might least expect them. There is something wonderful about WOOL that will make is last longer than it's 500+ pages, it will hit you somewhere deep in your sense of being human and fragile, and as human, ultimately capable of both wonderful of terrible things. It is an experience not to be missed.

**This review of WOOL by Hugh Howley is based upon a copy received through Goodreads First Reads. Although the book was received as a review copy, the opinions expressed are my own and are in no way influenced by either Goodreads, the publisher, or the author of the novel.**

Review: New World Order by Elle Casey

Purchase Price: $4.96 CDN on Amazon.ca
War of the Fae: Book 4 (New World Order) [Kindle Edition]

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Series, Epic, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen, Action Adventure

**This Review Contains Some Spoilers** 

In this fourth, and I believe final, book in the War of the Fae series, we are reunited with all of our favorite friends from the previous three novels in this epic story. Picking up where things left off in Darkness & Light, Elle Casey gives us more of this wonderfully crafted fantasy. Don't despair that the story is about to come to an end, however, there is plenty more of Jayne Sparks Blackthorn and her friends in the Clash of the Otherworlds saga, which immediately picks up where the War of the Fae series leaves off. But before we get there, we are taken on yet another amazing ride courtesy of Casey.

We begin with beloved character Jayne's attempt to recover from a shocking battle with the the Dark Fae, who launched an attack on the Light Fae compound. Jayne's inability to control her elemental powers of Earth and Water has left her in the dark, quite literally, and she must depend upon her friends to help her find her way. Her friend Becky, a Water Sprite, is missing. Her protector Chase is still seemingly aligned with the enemy, and now there is evidence that things back in the human world are not well.

Jayne and her best friend Tony, who is now a changeling as well, find some disturbing messages coming from home, and must decide how to deal with this threat to their families back home in Florida.  With war on the horizon, there is risk in any decision, and Jayne can sense that there is something very wrong with these calls to return home.

Jayne also is battling with her own heart, finally realizing that she has very strong feelings for one person in particular, and the one person she might have no chance at a future with. We finally see the softer side of Jayne, the tough facade eroded to reveal a girl very much trying to find her place in the world and someone to love.

There is just too much greatness in this novel for me to spoil with hints in this post. If you have been following my previous reviews, you will know that there is so much going on, I couldn't possibly give away all of it. But this time, I want you to discover it all on your own. This fourth and final novel in the War of the Fae series is endlessly satisfying, but will leave you with the most shocking turn of events imaginable. It is heartrendingly good reading, and you will find yourself teary eyed when all is said and done.

While I have always felt these books are most appropriate for Young Adults and Adult readers, I want to stress that they are as much accessible to male readers and to female readers.  These are not even remotely like some Paranormal Young Adult novels with a female protagonist that seem to revolve around love and heart break, these books are about action, war, friendship, and finding out who you are truly meant to be. There is cussing, and some romance, but it is all very PG and not at all the center of the story, so don't hesitate to grab up this series as the perfect gift for your Teen or Young Adult readers.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

Bottom Line:  If you have been reading the previous books in the War of the Fae series, or plan too, you can be confident that this novel is as good if not better than its predecessors. Elle Casey's writing is almost impossible to put down, and satisfies the reader endlessly. You will be happy to know that this story, while culminating in this fourth novel in the War of the Fae series, is thankfully continued in the next series of books by Elle Casey, Clash of the Otherworlds.

Review: Darkness & Light by Elle Casey

Purchase Price: $4.96 CDN on Amazon.ca
War of the Fae: Book 3 (Darkness & Light) [Kindle Edition]

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Series, Epic, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen, Action Adventure

**This Review Contains Some Spoilers** 

The one thing I can always count on from author Elle Casey, is her uncanny ability to hook a reader into a story or series, and tie them relentlessly into the journey of not only the main protagonist, but also all supporting characters, both good and not so nice. The War of the Fae series is perhaps one of the best examples of this magical connection with her readers. Casey has created a whole world of characters that you very quickly care very much about.

The third book in the War of the Fae series, Darkness & Light, answers many of the questions left hanging by it's predecessor, Call To Arms, and kicks the story into high gear with a lot more action and drama than you can see coming.

We again find main protagonist, Jayne Sparks Blackthorn, adjusting to her life as a "Changeling", learning to move from the human world to her new Fae world. The power she is capable of calling up to her manipulation, known as "The Green", or Earth, is now linked to another element that she can wield, Water.

But all that power is not always an easy thing to manage. Jayne again finds herself stumbling in the dark with no guide as to how she can control these huge elemental forces of Earth and Water. But being in the possession of great power also leaves Jayne vulnerable to those who would wish to use her as a means to accomplish dark and mysterious ends. Jayne's natural streak of rebellion and independence puts her in harms way too often.

Now re-connected with her dearest friend Tony, Jayne finally feels as if things will begin to settle down. She could not have been more mistaken.  The impending war between the Light Fae and the Dark Fae means that no-one can rest, and no one is safe.

Jayne's mischievous friend Tim the Pixie accidentally doses her personal body guard and Daemon protector, Chase, with his pixie dust, and Chase turns into a bubbly giggling mess. In an attempt to get help for Chase, and hide her mistakes, Jayne finds herself turning him over to the care of the Dark Fae. When Jayne goes looking for an update on poor Chase's condition, she herself gets taken hostage.

This third book in the War of the Fae series was by far the most action packed and surprising thus far. Jayne is one of the most compelling characters in modern fiction, equal parts rebellious teenager, warmhearted friend, and accident prone klutz.  I also must add the one thing that makes her absolutely hysterical to read about, her almost constant use of the F-word, with almost Tourette Syndrome like ejaculations of cuss words at the most unbelievable moments.

As with the two previous novels in the War of the Fae series, I found the writing to be nearly flawless. Casey's ability to describe some very unusual and unique circumstances in a way that makes them immediately accessible to the reader is nothing short of brilliant. The level of sexuality in these novels is very tame, hugs and kisses thrown in here and there, but nothing that any parent would have reason to be concerned about. The language, while colorful, especially where Jayne is concerned, only adds to her charm, and is not beyond a level that most teens would be exposed to in the presence of their peers.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

Bottom Line:  You will not be disappointed for a moment by continuing to read on in the War of the Fae series, and both Young Adults and Adults alike will be chomping at the bit for more of this fantastic story. It really helps if you have read the first two books in the series, as it definitely helps to set up the world paradigm that Elle Casey has constructed for her characters to inhabit. This is a series you can be assured is worth reading over and over again, there is just so much to love about it.

Review: Call To Arms by Elle Casey

Purchase Price: $4.99 CDN on Amazon.ca
War of the Fae: Book 2 (Call To Arms) [Kindle Edition]

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Series, Epic, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen, Action Adventure

**This Review Contains Some Spoilers** 

I anxiously dove into this second book in the War of The Fae series, Call To Arms had a lot of 'splaining' to do after all of the cliff-hanging questions left in place after reading the first book in series by Elle Casey. Where The Changelings left off, Call To Arms picks up and runs with at a fantastic pace. We again find our protagonist Jayne, now adjusting to the world of the Light Fae, with more questions than answers, and as we know, Jayne is not the sort of girl to let that situation sit for very long.

Jayne is reunited with her new friends from The Changelings, now all trying to adjust to their new Fae realities. Chase seems to be taking it all in stride as Jayne's Daemon protector, he is the strong silent type after all. Becky, the ever perky, is now a Water Sprite. Finn is a natural Green Elf, a protector of the forest, and good with a bow and arrow. Spike, Jayne's perma-crush, would of course be a Incubus, with a smoldering passion at all times.  As they all learn what their new changeling identities entail, there are a lot of laughs and a lot of funny moments.

Jayne manages to make new friends as well, including some that most of the adult Fae in the compound can't even believe. Jayne has a really magnetic personality, and is so easy to love through all her faults. Yes she still cusses up a wee storm in this novel, but not as much as in the first. It is just part of who Jayne is, and her crass and straight from the hip honesty is what makes her so awesome as a lead character.

Jayne also manages to whammy a few of the other Fae with her growing powers, and still has very little idea what she is and will be capable of, she is such a rare Fae species. The times when Jayne uses her powers are really fascinating, as she begins to understand how dangerous she can be, and how seductive her connection with 'The Green' is.

But throughout the chapters, we see Jayne's biggest struggle is her fractured connection to her best friend from back home, Tony. When Tony chose to go home and not become Fae, Jayne was distraught but understanding, his life at home wasn't that bad, he liked what he had. The more she tries to reach out to Tony, the farther away he seems to get, and the sudden appearance of a new 'friend' that is changing everything about Tony is even more of concern. Tony is pulling away from Jayne, and praising this new friend just a little to much for comfort. Jayne's natural suspicion kicks into overdrive.

What happens next pushes Jayne into action. Jayne must act to save her friend Tony from being a pawn in a much bigger game. Can Jayne get through to Tony or is it too late?

The War of the Fae series just keeps getting better and better, the characters are more developed and Jayne is really coming into her power, literally and figuratively. Young adults will love this series, but so will anyone who loves fantasy books, and even though there is some swearing, there is no overt sexuality, so it is more than appropriate for teens of all ages.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

Bottom Line: Another amazing story crafted by the very talented Elle Casey. If you have read the first in the series, "The Changelings", you will be equally delighted with this follow-up. It answers many of the questions asked in the first book, but poses many more. I have to say, I haven't found a book by Elle Casey that I didn't love, and this is one for your permanent library of favorites.

Review: The Changelings by Elle Casey

Purchase Price: $0.99 CDN on Amazon.ca
War of the Fae: Book 1 (The Changelings)[Kindle Edition]

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Fiction, Fantasy, Series, Epic, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Teen, Action Adventure

**This Review Contains Some Small Spoilers** 

I had very high expectations when I started to read The Changelings by Elle Casey, and I am very happy to say that they were more then met, they were exceeded. In this first book in Elle Casey's War of the Fae Series, we meet some fantastic characters and watch as they embark on a fantastic and frightening journey.

Jayne Sparks is not like most people, at all, in the best possible way. She is bored with school, she is a social outcast, and she has a running dialogue with herself that borders on hysterical. Her colorful language [yes, there is lots of cussing in this book] is not merely added to make the character seem hip or cool, it is precisely what you would expect to hear from this feisty and unique teen. Jayne is a bit pushy, and has even commandeered a best friend in the form of sweet but socially inept Tony. Though she makes sure she isn't bullying him or making him feel bad, she gets her hooks into him, pronouncing him her best friend, and they eventually find that exact relationship.

Jayne comes from a rather fractured family, as so many kids do these days. Her parents are divorced, she is an only child living with her mother and her mother's latest boyfriend, and that is where the problem starts. Her mother's boyfriend places Jayne into the worst possible situation, and Tony, meek and geeky as he may be, tells Jayne she cannot go home, he will not let her. The two run away, with no clear destination, and no money, and that is the start of a a wild and twisting series of events that come to define Jayne's true destiny.

Fresh off the bus, quite literally, Jayne and Tony are taken in by a boy called Jared. Living in an abandoned warehouse with a group of other runaways, Jayne and Tony soon find themselves in need of money. When an opportunity to participate in a 'study' presents itself, along with a chance at a $500.00 paycheck, all the runaways decide to see if they can qualify as participants. But things are somehow never as easy as they seem. Jayne, suspicious by nature, is hyper-aware of the strange circumstances around her, and things quickly go from bad to worse for the group.

Jayne must use her keen intuition, her judgement of character, and her sense of right and wrong to guide her through an action packed journey that seems to get stranger by the second.

I found Jayne to be a really wonderful and funny protagonist, and so strong, even in the face of danger. Her loyalty to others makes her so much more than her tough exterior would indicate. You can't help but love this girl. I was literally laughing out loud at a lot of the dialogue, Elle Casey seems so in tune with exactly what teenagers are thinking and saying, they absolutely come to life off the pages. Typical to any Elle Casey novel, this one ends with a giant cliff hanger, so you had best have your next book in the series ready at hand, you will not be able to rest until you know what happens next.

This book is perfect for Young Adults, and in fact any Adult who enjoys some good, fast moving, and hilarious paranormal fiction - with a side of romantic crushes for good measure. The language may be more then some parents might approve of, Jayne freely admits that the F-word is her favorite, but it works with the character and the story, and I don't think that any child who has heard the language before will suddenly be corrupted just by reading it in this context, it is more humorous than offensive. I wouldn't hesitate to give this book to my 15 year old niece in a heartbeat, and she is not a potty mouthed kid, she just understands the difference between swearing for the sake of shock value, and swearing when you are in a crazy situation where you think you might not survive, there is a difference in my mind.

Fired Up Rating: 5/5 Flames

Bottom Line: Put this on your MUST READ list, and trust me when I say that you will fall in love with Jayne, her friends, this series of books, and especially with the writing of the very talented Elle Casey. She never fails to wow me with her wit, her rich characters, and her ability to find a way to leave you begging for more at the end of each chapter.

Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Purchase Price - $32.59 CDN on Amazon.ca
Uglies: Uglies; Pretties; Specials; Extras; [4 Paperback Box Set]


Genre: Young Adult, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Action Adventure

**This Review Contains Some Spoilers**

I was drawn to this title, and in fact the whole series, by several reviews I had read online, but also because I have been on a bit of a Post-Apocalyptic bent of late. I am always on the lookout for good Young Adult titles that I can share with my 15 year old niece. I was intrigues by the tag line;

"A world where everyone's ugly. And then they're not."

So instead of buying the individual titles, this four volume set was actually less expensive, and more suitable for sharing with my young friends, I decided to get all four novels in one snap. I started off with no preconceived notions of the novel, and dove in eagerly.

The first thing I noted was that there is a lot of 'slang' in this novel, terminology that is unique to the time and place it is set in, and rather difficult to tease out the full meanings of at first. We are introduced to almost 16 year-old Tally Youngblood, our main protagonist, who is left behind in 'Uglyville' while all her friends have turned 16, and have moved across the river to 'New Pretty Town', where they have undergone extensive surgical procedures to be what is known as Pretty.  These include what those familiar with genetics will recognize as the hallmarks of beauty through evolution of man, starting with facial symmetry, and including the traits that make other humans want to take care of them, including many of the features of newborns, such as large eyes, full lips, rounded cheeks, and a sort of childlike innocence. I did happily note that there is a definite emphasis not just on facial beauty, but also healthy body weight as being the ideal, no one is allowed to be too skinny, as stories of old warned of crazy people who starved themselves until they were sick.

The entire society that Tally lives within is geared towards these Pretties, they are indulged in a life of idleness, allowed to party endlessly and drink to excess, participate in 'safe' monitored risk taking, and allowed to customize their wardrobes and even facial and body traits over and over again like living dolls.  This is prized as the ultimate ideal outcome for any 'Littlie', or child, and all the schooling they receive is geared towards seeing past human societies as wasteful, dangerous, and violent. It seems being Pretty is the solution to all the problems of mankind's past.

Tally is anxious to become Pretty, but is lonely and isolated without her former friends. This is where she meets 'Shay' another almost 16 year-old, who in fact shares her same birthday, and is similarly the last of her group awaiting the surgery. A friendship quickly evolves, and the girls spend their final weeks playing what are known as 'Tricks', basically finding ways to break the rules, play practical jokes, and leave the secure confines of Uglyville in search of adventures.  As their birthdays near, Shay suddenly drops a bomb in Tally, telling her she is not going to become Pretty, she will instead run away and look for a group of people living outside this well crafted futuristic society. Shay doesn't think being Pretty is what it is cracked up to be, and so she disappears, leaving scant directions to her new home with the bewildered and shocked Tally.

Tally is ready for her surgery, making it all the way to the hospital waiting room, when suddenly the tables are turned. A group of sharp featured and slick Pretties, known as 'Special Circumstances' or 'Specials', tell her she must lead them to her friend 'Shay' who is in danger.  If Tally refuses, she will be an Ugly forever. Tally is left having to decide between a life of social isolation, or going after her friend and trying to save them both.

I think the concept of the book is brilliant, and actually have to give Westerfeld proper credit, he has gone to the extreme with what we are seeing happening all too often, the pursuit of physical beauty over intellectual acumen or even kindness. Westerfeld has placed the reader in a future world that has managed to control the expectations of an entire society by using a single turning point, a surgery, to mark their acceptance into a larger community. I think that there are ample hints in the book that also point to the destruction of the environment, war, and bioengineering as certain evils that have brought about an almost total decimation of the human population, and the need to control those who are left by instituting new technology, new rules, and a system of protections.

On the other hand, the book is difficult to get into at first, as all the new made-up slang and technological terminology of this future world make reading it rather like climbing a steep cliff in the dark. There is no lexicon, no list of terminology, that could help us navigate, and often terms have more than one meaning, adding yet another layer to the confusion. There is also a fair bit of cultural frame of reference when looking at the basic language as well, Scott Westerfeld originates from the US, but also spends a lot of time in Australia, and there is a set of slang terminology that might be difficult to access for teens in the Canada in particular. I had never really heard the term 'SpagBol' before, but later discovered it is a common abbreviated term for Spaghetti Bolognese, used often in the UK as well.

While I myself found a number of good topics for discussion in the novel, my niece informed me that she just couldn't get into this book. Though I find Tally to be a strong lead character, who develops nicely over the arc of the book, she is at first is rather difficult to warm to.  I did enjoy the story, and looking back I can say that I am glad I persevered, but the payoff comes towards the end of the novel, The pace of the book varies greatly from beginning to end, and almost seems to stop short by the final pages, which of course makes it perfect for a 4 book series, although somewhat frustrating on it's own.

There is no sexually explicit content or language, and no cussing in this novel, so I would say it is suitable for younger teens, but you need to know your reader. As I have said, the unique slang in the novel makes it somewhat difficult to immerse oneself in satisfactorily.

Fired Up Rating: 2.5 / 5 Flames

Bottom Line: While this book is a satisfying start to the series, it is not a book that stands alone entirely well. I would not generally recommend this book for very young adults, it might lead to more frustration at first and they might not wish to continue with it, which would be a shame.  As it is a full priced stand-alone novel, it is a rather expensive gamble in my humble opinion.

Note: Future Review of Box Set Planned.