Author: Alexandra Bracken
Publication Date: December 18th 2012
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 488
Link to Goodreads: Here
Part of a series: Yes
Plot: When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.
Now sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones.
When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of kids who escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living.
Reading period: March 13, 2015 - March 24, 2015
Review:
This book had been on my to-read for a long time before I finally decided to read it and I'm glad I did. We follow the story through the eyes of the main character, Ruby, locked up in a working camp since the age of 10. The setting, at first, is a bit disturbing. These working camps where all the children have been locked up, reminds us of the concentration camps during World War II, a reminder of what human beings are capable of when they follow a dark path.
With a flashback we find out that a mysterious disease has hit all the children in America. The kids who survive the disease develop an ability and they are classed with colours based on how dangerous the ability is: green, blue, yellow, orange and red.
After six years in a camp, Ruby manages to escape with the help of a woman. But Ruby doesn't trust her and she runs away. She meets other kids who have escaped from their camps, Liam, Chubs and Zu. Together they travel to find a safe place for all kids. East River. But nothing is like it seems.
The reading is very enjoyable and Alexandra Bracken does a great work exploring the human's mind. How would we behave in those circumstances? You think you're a good person until circumstances force you to make a tough and not so ethical decision.
Ruby goes through a lot of character growth. It's not easy being trapped for six years in the same non-fulfilling life, trying to hide who you really are and being afraid of what you can do. When she escapes she meets new people, tries to connect and interact with other kids and to embrace her ability.
The only think I didn't like about the book was the romance between Ruby and Liam. For once I would like to read a book with a strong independent young woman who doesn't need a love story in her life, but can stay true to herself. Since Ruby had spent most of her adolescence in a camp with girls, it would have been okay for her not to fall in love with Liam. I didn't think it was necessary in the first book of the series.
If you love dystopia novels mixed with science fiction and a hint of a psychological novels, this is the right book for you. I've already read the whole series and I can't wait to tell you more!
RATING:
No comments:
Post a Comment