Saturday, April 11, 2015

Awakening by Shannon Duffy ~ Review

Source:  Received an eBook in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A thrilling, futuristic sci-fi novel set in a unique and thought-provoking world, from author Shannon Duffy.

Desiree Six (because she was born on a Friday) believes in everything the Protectorate stands for. She likes the safety and security of having her entire life planned out—her career, her mate, even the date of her death. She doesn't even think to question when Darian, her childhood friend and neighbor, is convicted of murdering his parents. They had seemed like such a loving family. But if he was convicted, then he must have done it.

Then Darian shows up in her room late one night. He has escaped from the Terrorscape—a nightmare machine used to punish all Noncompliants—and needs Desiree's help. What he tells her rocks her world to its core and makes her doubt everything she's ever been told. With this new information, will Desiree and Darian be able to escape the Protectorate before it's too late?


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22514518-awakening?from_search=true

http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Shannon-Duffy-ebook/dp/B00N6LOGY6http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/awakening-shannon-duffy/1119677832https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/awakening-104


Review...


It's been awhile since I've read and enjoyed a YA dytopica as much as I did this one.  Contemporary has taken over my TBR list lately and I've been craving something different.  This landed in my inbox from Entangled Teen and I thought, why not.  So glad I decided to read it.



This world that Desiree (Rae) lives in is our world.  It's been manipulated by people who claim to want to keep us safe.  They are protecting us from our nightmares.  With the invention of the dreamscape, people are regularly brainwashed to believe what the beloved Protectorate determine is best for the people.  The day of the week determines the day you will die.  Your job is decided for you.  You mate is decided for you.  Only one child is allowed.  And the sheep are grateful and happy for it.  It's a sad commentary on what results from lack of choice.  

Rae is a brilliant artist but was told she is a nurse.  She's fed dreams of her soon to be mate, but is unhappy to find it's the boy who tormented her as a child.  And her childhood friend, the one who protected her from everything, he's accused of killing his parents and has escaped from the Terrorscape.  Things just are adding up to Rae.  But it can't be the Protectorate, right?  



I loved these characters.  Rae is strong and daring despite her very planned world.  She questions and she has a mouth on her.  I was cheering for her.  And Darian?  Love him.  That boy loves to protect Rae, his sunshine.  And he wants to fight because he's not like everyone else.  And the fact that he's escaped from the Terrorscape and lived to tell the tail is not the only reason.  

Mostly, I loved these two together.  Darian loves Rae.  It's pretty clear.  And there are kisses.  I so love kisses.  And he's kinda of territorial about Rae even if she has a different bondmate.  She's his.  That much is clear.

Filled with some interesting twists and turns, this story took a direction I wasn't expecting.   It feels like the beginning of a great series.  I hope there will be more.  The ending is perfect.  Yeah, it ends with an ending but it has this little surprise that makes you hope for more from this world.  I guess it's a cliff hanger but it's not one that you throw the book over.


This is the perfect read if you're looking for something different, something more.  Something that involves kisses and a world that could happen.  Something you just look forward to reading.  Something that intrigues you and surprises you.  Something that has some demons lurking but also has a guy that's willing to fight them.  That kind of book.  A great read.



                

3 comments:

  1. Wonderful review, sounds like a great read. :)

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  2. Great Review Val! I want to review this one! I love when the heroine questions things and is mouthy, Darian sounds dreamy. Lots of kissing?! Sign me up!!!

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  3. I loved this one too! Some dystopians are just too dark for me but this one was perfect.

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