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Sunset Rising #1
Sunset Rising
Deep inside a mountain in what used to be North America dwells the last of humanity. Welcome to the Biodome, where steel, rock and armed guards separate the privileged from the slaves ...
Born and raised as a slave in the Pit, Sunny O’Donnell has always accepted that she'll spend her life working to keep the Dome running and, if she lives long enough, willingly meet her end in the annual Cull when she reaches the age of thirty-five. This was the price her ancestors paid for their place inside the Biodome, the only haven from the global nuclear war of 2024.
But when Sunny’s mother is killed in the Cull, the hopeless reality of her existence becomes painfully clear. Bereft and disillusioned, she heads down a reckless path that sets off a riot in the Pit and leaves her accused of treason. Her only way of escaping public execution is to make a truce with her prison mate, who happens to be the heir to the dictatorship and hated enemy of the Pit.
Now caught between two worlds on the brink of war, Sunny must weigh her own survival against risking everything to save the Pit.
S.M. McEachern delivers the action and adventure of The Hunger Games, the intrigue of The City of Ember", and the romantic philosophical notes of Les Misérables in her debut novel set in a future that is disturbingly plausible.
Born and raised as a slave in the Pit, Sunny O’Donnell has always accepted that she'll spend her life working to keep the Dome running and, if she lives long enough, willingly meet her end in the annual Cull when she reaches the age of thirty-five. This was the price her ancestors paid for their place inside the Biodome, the only haven from the global nuclear war of 2024.
But when Sunny’s mother is killed in the Cull, the hopeless reality of her existence becomes painfully clear. Bereft and disillusioned, she heads down a reckless path that sets off a riot in the Pit and leaves her accused of treason. Her only way of escaping public execution is to make a truce with her prison mate, who happens to be the heir to the dictatorship and hated enemy of the Pit.
Now caught between two worlds on the brink of war, Sunny must weigh her own survival against risking everything to save the Pit.
S.M. McEachern delivers the action and adventure of The Hunger Games, the intrigue of The City of Ember", and the romantic philosophical notes of Les Misérables in her debut novel set in a future that is disturbingly plausible.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 2013
About the author
S.M. McEachern
4 books451 followersS.M. McEachern (who also writes new adult as Susan McEachern) comes from the rocky shores of Canada’s East Coast. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University, with an honors degree in International Development Studies with a focus on ocean development. Throughout her academic studies and early career, Susan had the privilege to study and work with Elizabeth Mann Borgese, daughter of nobel prize winner, Thomas Man). An author in her own right and a political activist for world peace, Mrs. Mann Borgese played a significant influence on Susan’s view of the political world stage.
Visit Susan's website at smmceachern.com for free short stories and updates on new releases.
Visit Susan's website at smmceachern.com for free short stories and updates on new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
May 21, 2019
Sunset Rising was an exhilarating, action pack ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. If you're a fan of dystopian and slow burn romance that is forbidden, then you definitely need this book in your life! Just from the prologue alone, I knew this series was going to be a favorite. The end of the world was coming and the horror of a worldwide nuclear war held me in a death grip. We then jumped almost 300 years in the future and the current way of life had me in absolute shock.
Sunny O’Donnell was born as a slave in the Pit. Her ancestors had bargained for their safety in the Dome, and in exchange they were to be slaves. The rules in their world were harsh and just when I thought their conditions couldn't get any worse, I learned more and was horrified. Like the Cull that happened when one turned 35. Sunny had just lost her mother to the Cull, and from that huge loss, it set Sunny on a path that would completely change her life.
I loved Sunny right away! She was fierce, brave and extremely loyal. Plus I loved her endurance, strength and how she always worked at making herself better. She was someone people could look up to and respect, so I instantly connected with her. And since I connected so easily with her, I felt every single tiny emotion she did. It made this book an extremely emotional ride that I loved! I can't even count how many times my heart beat faster or I had sweaty palms because of the situations Sunny found herself in. There were even a few moments where I had chills racing down my spine.
Part way into this story, Sunny found herself being accused of treason. And her only hope for survival, from a public execution, was teaming up with Jack Kenner. When Sunny met Jack, I wasn't exactly sure what to think. Jack was from the Dome and even though he lived an extremely privileged life, I liked him. Jack was protective, smart, fierce, loving and seemed so honest. I had so much hope for him and before I knew it, I loved Jack with my whole heart and soul. So I kept my fingers crossed that he was one of the good guys and wouldn't let Sunny or I down.
I loved watching Sunny and Jack figure out how to work together to survive. Yes there were intense and emotional moments, but there were also moments that had me smiling and laughing. They were so much fun together and their chemistry was undeniable. But she was a slave from the Pits, and he was training to be the next President from the Dome. Nothing romantic could ever come to be, it was forbidden. So I found myself glued to every single word and gesture there was between Sunny and Jack. It was absolutely addicting.
Hope, despair, friendship, love, freedom, slavery and political intrigue filled the pages and made Sunset Rising easily landed on my favorites list. But there was so much I didn't even talk about. There were side characters I absolutely adored. The twists and turns completely consumed me. And there was also a few moments that made me cry. When I got near the end of the book, I found myself clapping, screaming and cheering because this story ended with a bang and an epic cliffhanger. Thank goodness this trilogy is complete lol! So yes, I definitely recommend Sunset Rising, and I can't wait to devour the next book!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
My voice caught on hitch as tears stung my eyes, and I shook my head and silently admonished myself because crying was such a weak thing to do. And there was no room for weakness in the Pit.
Sunny O’Donnell was born as a slave in the Pit. Her ancestors had bargained for their safety in the Dome, and in exchange they were to be slaves. The rules in their world were harsh and just when I thought their conditions couldn't get any worse, I learned more and was horrified. Like the Cull that happened when one turned 35. Sunny had just lost her mother to the Cull, and from that huge loss, it set Sunny on a path that would completely change her life.
“Sunny, I don’t know —”
“Tell me!” I yelled.
But he didn’t tell me. He just looked at me with a defeated expression, and I wasn’t ready to be defeated. In only a few months my entire life had been shattered beyond recognition.
I loved Sunny right away! She was fierce, brave and extremely loyal. Plus I loved her endurance, strength and how she always worked at making herself better. She was someone people could look up to and respect, so I instantly connected with her. And since I connected so easily with her, I felt every single tiny emotion she did. It made this book an extremely emotional ride that I loved! I can't even count how many times my heart beat faster or I had sweaty palms because of the situations Sunny found herself in. There were even a few moments where I had chills racing down my spine.
He picked up my hands from the table, held them in his, and looked at me with his intense blue eyes. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
Part way into this story, Sunny found herself being accused of treason. And her only hope for survival, from a public execution, was teaming up with Jack Kenner. When Sunny met Jack, I wasn't exactly sure what to think. Jack was from the Dome and even though he lived an extremely privileged life, I liked him. Jack was protective, smart, fierce, loving and seemed so honest. I had so much hope for him and before I knew it, I loved Jack with my whole heart and soul. So I kept my fingers crossed that he was one of the good guys and wouldn't let Sunny or I down.
He opened the door and held out his hand for mine. I took it, lacing my fingers between his. As we walked down the hall together toward the common room, I felt stronger than I ever had in my life.
I loved watching Sunny and Jack figure out how to work together to survive. Yes there were intense and emotional moments, but there were also moments that had me smiling and laughing. They were so much fun together and their chemistry was undeniable. But she was a slave from the Pits, and he was training to be the next President from the Dome. Nothing romantic could ever come to be, it was forbidden. So I found myself glued to every single word and gesture there was between Sunny and Jack. It was absolutely addicting.
“I’ve always known we’ll be caught eventually, but now that it might be real, I’m scared.”
I didn’t want to die now that I had found a reason to live.
Hope, despair, friendship, love, freedom, slavery and political intrigue filled the pages and made Sunset Rising easily landed on my favorites list. But there was so much I didn't even talk about. There were side characters I absolutely adored. The twists and turns completely consumed me. And there was also a few moments that made me cry. When I got near the end of the book, I found myself clapping, screaming and cheering because this story ended with a bang and an epic cliffhanger. Thank goodness this trilogy is complete lol! So yes, I definitely recommend Sunset Rising, and I can't wait to devour the next book!
For more of my reviews, please visit:
August 27, 2015
4.5 stars. I didn't really have many expectations going into this, so I was pleased at how enjoyable it was.
This book is what I call "dystopian candy", though it has some dark moments and the subject matter is serious, it is a quick and easy read (only took me a few days). It is YA, yet miraculously this author managed to avoid using the "insta-love" that is so common in YA with romance. I for one dislike insta-love so really appreciated reading a different approach for a change.
These days, with To Read lists longer than Santa's Naughty list, for someone like me who prefers new experiences, doesn't rewatch or reread much, it is difficult to commit to a series rather than just read the first one only. Oftentimes I read the first one, like it, but don't feel compelled to read more.
In this case, I actually want to read more of the story. Book one has a moment where it seems like it will end with a little closure, but then you're hit with a cliffhanger. I guess that means you get both. I always have a twinge of annoyance with cliffhangers, but in this case it is mitigated by the fact that is follows at least some closure, and the cliffhanger was interesting enough to make me really curious.
There are also satellite stories on the author's website, I've already read the first one (there are six so far). Basically they are stories that you can read after tbe book if you want to learn a little more about some of the characters. Don't read these first as they occur after book 1 ends.
Memorability Factor 8/10
Follow this author? Yes.
This book is what I call "dystopian candy", though it has some dark moments and the subject matter is serious, it is a quick and easy read (only took me a few days). It is YA, yet miraculously this author managed to avoid using the "insta-love" that is so common in YA with romance. I for one dislike insta-love so really appreciated reading a different approach for a change.
These days, with To Read lists longer than Santa's Naughty list, for someone like me who prefers new experiences, doesn't rewatch or reread much, it is difficult to commit to a series rather than just read the first one only. Oftentimes I read the first one, like it, but don't feel compelled to read more.
In this case, I actually want to read more of the story. Book one has a moment where it seems like it will end with a little closure, but then you're hit with a cliffhanger. I guess that means you get both. I always have a twinge of annoyance with cliffhangers, but in this case it is mitigated by the fact that is follows at least some closure, and the cliffhanger was interesting enough to make me really curious.
There are also satellite stories on the author's website, I've already read the first one (there are six so far). Basically they are stories that you can read after tbe book if you want to learn a little more about some of the characters. Don't read these first as they occur after book 1 ends.
Memorability Factor 8/10
Follow this author? Yes.
March 8, 2013
Overall, an enjoyable read that gets better as the book progresses, in terms of both the plot and the writing. Although I found the MC somewhat dimwitted and annoying at times, I liked Jack A LOT more. For me the turning point came a little ways in, when the plot took a really nice twist that left me genuinely surprised and created the action and suspense from that point on. Well done, S.M., I have a feeling your books are only going to get better and better from here on!
November 28, 2012
My actual rating is closer to 4.5 stars
I really loved this book! This was one of the best dystopian novels that I've read all year. I wish the cover was better because I think it would give this book a lot more attention. But hopefully my review helps with that.
What I loved about this book was similar to what I loved with books like Divergent. I like the reality of the situation. Often times a novel isn't real about what a situation like that would truly be like. I'm so thankful that the author gives all the nitty-gritty to us and doesn't pull any punches.
The characters were all strong and well developed and interesting. It had the two worlds collide thing going with Sunny and Jack being from opposite sides. But, the way they came together felt very natural and not forced or rushed.
The world of the Pit was really awful and crazy. The author painted a very vivid picture of Sunny's world and it was easy to be inside the story because of it.
I really loved the ending. I kinda suspected it would end the way it did and I was happy to be right. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and see what happens to Jack and Sunny.
I really loved this book! This was one of the best dystopian novels that I've read all year. I wish the cover was better because I think it would give this book a lot more attention. But hopefully my review helps with that.
What I loved about this book was similar to what I loved with books like Divergent. I like the reality of the situation. Often times a novel isn't real about what a situation like that would truly be like. I'm so thankful that the author gives all the nitty-gritty to us and doesn't pull any punches.
The characters were all strong and well developed and interesting. It had the two worlds collide thing going with Sunny and Jack being from opposite sides. But, the way they came together felt very natural and not forced or rushed.
The world of the Pit was really awful and crazy. The author painted a very vivid picture of Sunny's world and it was easy to be inside the story because of it.
I really loved the ending. I kinda suspected it would end the way it did and I was happy to be right. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book and see what happens to Jack and Sunny.
March 10, 2013
I'm sorry, I hate to say it, but this book needs a LOT of work. As it's written right now, I could not finish it - there were just too many grammatical errors, repetition, and spelling mistakes! Some errors are understandable in a self-published book, so I tried to overlook them as much as possible. Even if all these mistakes were fixed, however, I still don't think I would like this book, simply based on the fact that I could not relate to the characters. Sunny is not smart, or funny, or witty - she's extremely flat. She'll do anything for her father or her best friend, but there is no real back story as to why. Why does she love them so much? They are also very flat characters, mirrors of Sunny but with different names and features. I do have to say that I love the cover, and the premise - the whole nuclear-war, surviving-in-a-dome thing - is kind of cool, but at this point, these are the only positive comments I have.
April 18, 2020
Mi-a amintit de Furia Roșie sau ar trebui să spun că Red Rising mi-a amintit de cartea asta (pentru că din câte știu Sunset Rising a fost publicată independent cu un an înainte de cartea lui Pierce Brown) din cauza felului în care oamenii sunt tratați, în ambele cărți serii oamenii sunt sclavi, sunt bătuţi și sunt tratați in ultimul hal de către cei bogați iar ideile de bază sunt oarecum similare interzis și după este executat, avem eroi care lucrează în adâncul pământului (în adâncul planetei Marte în Furia Roșie) pentru a face traiul celorlalți mai bun, plus că și aici pe la sfârșitul cărții avem un personaj care cântă un cântec interzis și după este executat.
În Sunset Rising după un război nuclear din urmă cu două sute și ceva de ani, oamenii trăiesc sub pământ, sclavii lucrează pentru cei din Dom: muncind în mină, gătind pentru ei, spălându-le hainele murdare, asigurându-le apa, etc.
Sunny, trăieste în adâncul pământului alături de tatăl ei și de cea mai bună prietenă -mama ei a murit în urma sacrificiului anual, care se face pentru a ţine sub control populaţia de sub pământ, conform regulilor când un om ajunge la 35 de ani, este considerat o risipă de resurse și este condamnat să moară -și lucrează în bucătăria care trimite mâncare celor care trăiesc mai sus în dom. Sunny, are un iubit care e gata să o ia de soție și nu se plânge prea tare de viața pe care o duce, până când într-zi după ce întârzie la muncă este trimisă în Dom pentru a fi distracție de-o noapte a bărbaților la petrecerea burlacilor pe care președintele o dă înainte de nunta fiicei sale.
Acolo Sunny o cunoaste pe fiica președintelui și ajunge să facă parte dintr-un plan diabolic. Manipulată, umilită Sunny este căutată acum pentru trădare, iar președintele vrea să o ucidă pentru că cică tot ea, i-a umilit fiica în ziua nunții.
Nu a fost chiar cartea plină de acțiune la care mă așteptam, dar am citit distopii mult mai proaste, iar în ceea ce privește construcţia lumii mi se pare o carte impresionantă și originală.
Nu mi-a plăcut Sunset Odonell, cu toate că face greșeli, mi se pare eroină aproape perfectă care le știe pe toate, este frumoasă, inteligentă, curajoasă și culmea învață foarte repede să și lupte, iar după ce se întoarce acasă sub o altă indetitate este considerată eroină supremă și toată lumea o iubește și o tratează aproape ca pe o zeiţă. Nu mi-a plăcut nici faptul că tatăl ei este luat și probabil torturat, iar ea pur și simplu stătea și nu făcea nimic în legătură cu asta, doar stătea și făcea planuri de revoltă având în vedere că înainte se gândea și vorbea numai despre tatăl ei. Nici măcar nu își mai caută prietena, doar dă din gură și trimite vorbă la unul și altul, iar către final îi cam pasă doar ca ea și Jack să se salveze. Mi-ar fi plăcut să o văd din primul roman cum îl salvează pe tatăl ei sau cum își scoate prietena din ghearele oamenilor ce au înrobit-o
Am apreciat totuși la ea, că era conștientă că nu este un lider.
Mi-a plăcut de Jack, este un personaj rebel, iar povestea din spatele lui mi s-a părut originală și bine pusă la punct Mi s-a părut un personaj mult mai realist decât Sunny.
Pe scurt, o carte mai light decât Furia Roșie, scrisă bine pe alocuri, dar care putea fi mult mai bună. Cel mai mult mi-au plăcut răufăcătorii și construcția lumii.
În Sunset Rising după un război nuclear din urmă cu două sute și ceva de ani, oamenii trăiesc sub pământ, sclavii lucrează pentru cei din Dom: muncind în mină, gătind pentru ei, spălându-le hainele murdare, asigurându-le apa, etc.
Sunny, trăieste în adâncul pământului alături de tatăl ei și de cea mai bună prietenă -mama ei a murit în urma sacrificiului anual, care se face pentru a ţine sub control populaţia de sub pământ, conform regulilor când un om ajunge la 35 de ani, este considerat o risipă de resurse și este condamnat să moară -și lucrează în bucătăria care trimite mâncare celor care trăiesc mai sus în dom. Sunny, are un iubit care e gata să o ia de soție și nu se plânge prea tare de viața pe care o duce, până când într-zi după ce întârzie la muncă este trimisă în Dom pentru a fi distracție de-o noapte a bărbaților la petrecerea burlacilor pe care președintele o dă înainte de nunta fiicei sale.
Acolo Sunny o cunoaste pe fiica președintelui și ajunge să facă parte dintr-un plan diabolic. Manipulată, umilită Sunny este căutată acum pentru trădare, iar președintele vrea să o ucidă pentru că cică tot ea, i-a umilit fiica în ziua nunții.
Nu a fost chiar cartea plină de acțiune la care mă așteptam, dar am citit distopii mult mai proaste, iar în ceea ce privește construcţia lumii mi se pare o carte impresionantă și originală.
Nu mi-a plăcut Sunset Odonell, cu toate că face greșeli, mi se pare eroină aproape perfectă care le știe pe toate, este frumoasă, inteligentă, curajoasă și culmea învață foarte repede să și lupte, iar după ce se întoarce acasă sub o altă indetitate este considerată eroină supremă și toată lumea o iubește și o tratează aproape ca pe o zeiţă. Nu mi-a plăcut nici faptul că tatăl ei este luat și probabil torturat, iar ea pur și simplu stătea și nu făcea nimic în legătură cu asta, doar stătea și făcea planuri de revoltă având în vedere că înainte se gândea și vorbea numai despre tatăl ei. Nici măcar nu își mai caută prietena, doar dă din gură și trimite vorbă la unul și altul, iar către final îi cam pasă doar ca ea și Jack să se salveze. Mi-ar fi plăcut să o văd din primul roman cum îl salvează pe tatăl ei sau cum își scoate prietena din ghearele oamenilor ce au înrobit-o
Am apreciat totuși la ea, că era conștientă că nu este un lider.
Mi-a plăcut de Jack, este un personaj rebel, iar povestea din spatele lui mi s-a părut originală și bine pusă la punct Mi s-a părut un personaj mult mai realist decât Sunny.
Pe scurt, o carte mai light decât Furia Roșie, scrisă bine pe alocuri, dar care putea fi mult mai bună. Cel mai mult mi-au plăcut răufăcătorii și construcția lumii.
March 30, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Everything you are about to read is my full and honest opinion about the book!
This Book was AMAZING! Unlike ANYTHING I have EVER read! I enjoyed this book thoroughly and am eagerly awaiting the sequel! The writer has done a remarkable job with the descriptive writing and the plot was out of this world AMAZING! I look forward to more of her books in the future! She is definitely up there on my top favorite list of authors! :)
The Plot:
Past Time: Year 2024
The World has crumbled! In the year of 2024, World War III has begun! Fighting for survival and searching for any signs of hope, a innocent group of survivors seek refuge with the Bio-Dome Government! But all is not as it seems! They have to pay a very high price for admission! They have signed over their lives and their unborn children's lives and all their other children to come after that! They had to sign a treaty agreeing to become slaves for the Bio-Dome Government and in exchange they were to be granted shelter and protection from the outside world and whatever food they were offered! They are living and breathing, but they are pretty much dead inside, and you could say they just sold their soul to the devil!
Present Time: Year 2307
283 years later Sunny O’Donnell is born into slavery. Forced to do what she's told, when she's told, if she wants to live to see another day! The citizens are subject to the cruel cruelty from the corrupt government called the Bourge! They are forced to do hard labor, while suffering from being beaten from the government! They are hardly given enough food and water to survive and are ALL killed off at the age of 35 prevent overpopulation! And to make matters worse the women are considered play toys and men and women in slavery will be beaten or killed for any reason the government sees fit! Things are not good for Sunny and the other citizens of the Bio-Dome and their in NO sign of hope! That is until Sunny ignited a uprising she did realize she was starting until it was too late!
Now tricked into a marriage and on the run from the Bio-government with her husband in tow and marked as a traitor, Sunny must figure out how to fix things before she is caught and put to death and made an example out of!
Doesn't that sound AMAZING??? Yeah, I know it was! :) This book is my one of favorite books of 2012!
So Overall I give this book an EASY 5 stars!
This Book was AMAZING! Unlike ANYTHING I have EVER read! I enjoyed this book thoroughly and am eagerly awaiting the sequel! The writer has done a remarkable job with the descriptive writing and the plot was out of this world AMAZING! I look forward to more of her books in the future! She is definitely up there on my top favorite list of authors! :)
The Plot:
Past Time: Year 2024
The World has crumbled! In the year of 2024, World War III has begun! Fighting for survival and searching for any signs of hope, a innocent group of survivors seek refuge with the Bio-Dome Government! But all is not as it seems! They have to pay a very high price for admission! They have signed over their lives and their unborn children's lives and all their other children to come after that! They had to sign a treaty agreeing to become slaves for the Bio-Dome Government and in exchange they were to be granted shelter and protection from the outside world and whatever food they were offered! They are living and breathing, but they are pretty much dead inside, and you could say they just sold their soul to the devil!
Present Time: Year 2307
283 years later Sunny O’Donnell is born into slavery. Forced to do what she's told, when she's told, if she wants to live to see another day! The citizens are subject to the cruel cruelty from the corrupt government called the Bourge! They are forced to do hard labor, while suffering from being beaten from the government! They are hardly given enough food and water to survive and are ALL killed off at the age of 35 prevent overpopulation! And to make matters worse the women are considered play toys and men and women in slavery will be beaten or killed for any reason the government sees fit! Things are not good for Sunny and the other citizens of the Bio-Dome and their in NO sign of hope! That is until Sunny ignited a uprising she did realize she was starting until it was too late!
Now tricked into a marriage and on the run from the Bio-government with her husband in tow and marked as a traitor, Sunny must figure out how to fix things before she is caught and put to death and made an example out of!
Doesn't that sound AMAZING??? Yeah, I know it was! :) This book is my one of favorite books of 2012!
So Overall I give this book an EASY 5 stars!
February 6, 2013
Imagine not being able to feel the sun upon your face, or the wind caressing your skin. After World War Three in 2024, Nuclear Warfare forces 567 people underground - bringing a halt to a Democratic Government and forcing people to adopt a Dictatorial Government. Almost 283 years later, Seventeen year old Sunset O’Donnell has never been above ground and she's never been free. She will never be free, unless she rises up for what she believes in. But, she can't do it alone. One man, Jack Kenner, who has always lived freely, will take an extraordinary and unanticipated journey with her. They will, against all odds, fight for the freedom of an entire community of peoples, uniting them against an unjust and abusive Government.
I’ve always been a big fan of dystopian novels and have read a few interesting ones, but Sunset Rising is one of the best ones I have read. What makes it so remarkable is the realism illustrated in this story. It’s not incredibly far-fetched to anticipate Nuclear War and what that would mean for desperate people seeking shelter, fighting to stay alive. As a reader, I was hooked early on in the story because I kept on asking myself, “What would I do?” It’s almost too scary to think of in great detail because it isn’t an unfamiliar fear.
One of my favorite themes in this story is the possible love developing between the two main characters because, throughout the entire book, even as they are fighting to stay alive, the possibility of love overcoming all obstacles is always beautiful. I liked how the author, S. M. McEachern, didn’t allow the main character’s feelings for each other dominate the storyline. She tastefully and realistically evolved their relationship throughout the story, which not all authors have the ability to do. I’ve read too many books, where the main characters fall in love way too easily and have an unrealistic relationship, seeming forced and unnatural.
I am honestly glad that I gave this book a chance and look forward to reading more of what S. M. McEachern has to offer, including the next installation of this promising series.
January 19, 2016
Sabia que me iba a gustar y tenia razon ME GUSTO Y MUCHO
Una de las cosas que me gusto un monton de este libro es lo directo que es,la escritora no se enreda dandote informacion innecesaria sino que va directo al asunto importante te dice claramente quienes son los buenos y quienes son los malos por asi decirlo
La trama es simple:gente oprimida bajo un gobierno de mierda
Pero como digo todo esta muy bien escrito para mi gusto porque a pesar de no ser un libro corto +400 paginas se me paso super rapido y entendi todito todito algo que me cuesta con las distopias jeje
La protagonista Sunny me gusto bastante tiene bien puestos sus pantalones de niña grande y su vida amorosa la dejo en un segundo o tercer plano y se concentro en lo importante que es tratar de ayudar a su gente y sacarla del hoyo (literalmente)
El chico de este libro es Jack y OMG! ME ENCANTA!
es demasiado adorable ademas su relacion con Sunny se fue dando poco a poco en defintiva a estos chicos el amor nos los vuelve estupidos
En resumen un muy buen comienzo de trilogia sin exageraciones sino como tiene que ser
Una de las cosas que me gusto un monton de este libro es lo directo que es,la escritora no se enreda dandote informacion innecesaria sino que va directo al asunto importante te dice claramente quienes son los buenos y quienes son los malos por asi decirlo
La trama es simple:gente oprimida bajo un gobierno de mierda
Pero como digo todo esta muy bien escrito para mi gusto porque a pesar de no ser un libro corto +400 paginas se me paso super rapido y entendi todito todito algo que me cuesta con las distopias jeje
La protagonista Sunny me gusto bastante tiene bien puestos sus pantalones de niña grande y su vida amorosa la dejo en un segundo o tercer plano y se concentro en lo importante que es tratar de ayudar a su gente y sacarla del hoyo (literalmente)
El chico de este libro es Jack y OMG! ME ENCANTA!
es demasiado adorable ademas su relacion con Sunny se fue dando poco a poco en defintiva a estos chicos el amor nos los vuelve estupidos
En resumen un muy buen comienzo de trilogia sin exageraciones sino como tiene que ser
Read
June 13, 2022EDITORIAL REVIEW:
Reviewed by Molly Burkemper for Readers Favorite (5 Stars):
"Sunset Rising" is thrilling; there is no better word for it. It lures readers in with its fresh and tempting plot, and then hooks them with nonstop action that leaves them reading late into the night. The beginning doesn't do the rest of the book justice, but if readers allow themselves to be taken in, they will have a heart-stopping ride until the very end. Romance, intrigue, and action all come together beautifully here to create an experience that will leave anyone asking for more.
Reviewed by Molly Burkemper for Readers Favorite (5 Stars):
"Sunset Rising" is thrilling; there is no better word for it. It lures readers in with its fresh and tempting plot, and then hooks them with nonstop action that leaves them reading late into the night. The beginning doesn't do the rest of the book justice, but if readers allow themselves to be taken in, they will have a heart-stopping ride until the very end. Romance, intrigue, and action all come together beautifully here to create an experience that will leave anyone asking for more.
January 1, 2019
se parece un poco como los juegos del hambre , y la profecia del angel de susana ee.
me ha gustado mucho para ser una distopia , quiero seguir con el siguiente.
me ha gustado mucho para ser una distopia , quiero seguir con el siguiente.
July 6, 2017
I thought this was a great dystopian read! Such a fast read....Loved the plot and the characters! I love Sunny and Jack and I can't wait to see what happens with their relationship! The two of them were both great heroes and never annoyed me!!!So excited to read the next one!!
July 18, 2020
Good start to the series. Likable characters. Interesting premise. Things seemed to go a little too smoothly but the story was still enjoyable. 3 stars.
June 23, 2023
Written in the year 2013, this book predicts a nuclear war in 2024 (basically tomorrow) that necessitates all humans in North America be ushered into a giant Biodome that will become the sole abode of all living humans. (Animals? Are not even mentioned, so I did wonder where the food was coming from.) In the prologue, the mandatory annual Cull age is set at 50, but gradually as the Biodome functions at over capacity, this age is whittled down, until it's 35 in chapter 1. It's an intriguing concept; throw in the tags of "dystopian," "romance," and "forced marriage," and I'm there.
Except—there's nowhere to go. How can a book be so badly written? Oh, I don't mean there are typos, and pretty early on I started skimming, so I couldn't tell you if there are grammatical errors. Possibly there are, but I couldn't get beyond how fanfiction this story reads, and I don't mean the good kind, or even the so-bad-it's-actually-super-funny kind. I was actually interested in this book bc there are some allegations of plagiarism from this author of another—and any book that someone deemed worthy of plagiarizing has to be halfway decent, right?
Wrong. I don't know what Frost Kay was smoking when she decided this was the book she wanted to potentially plagiarize, but this ain't it, chief.
Right from the start, there are so many things that make me wonder at the thought process behind this "world." I actually stopped in the middle of the book to look up the author, because I was so sure this was written by a high schooler. Which is unfair to some high schoolers who have honestly turned out some really amazing stories.
My issue wasn't with the initial setup. It was what came after. With the limited space and the culling, you'd think—there's no way you'd bring kids into this, right? Babies are arguably the most useless beings in the world (and I say this with all the love of someone who spontaneously says awww when there's a baby). But just—with such limited space and resources, WHY would you want to bring anyone with immune system issues and limited diet restrictions into this? You'd honestly think they would be the first to be culled from the pack. This isn't a huge Biodome, after all. The capacity is only around 500? So, like a town hall, basically. And yet with this small village, where everyone should really be on a first name basis, is comprised of social strata. There's even a physical lower pit area, where FMC works, and the upper echelon, where the President apparently holds grand balls where they hire young girls from the Pit to act as serving girls that they can then play around with.
Alright, so I see the appeal of this dark world in a wtf sort of way. But for the scope of this book, it just didn't make any sense at all. Upstairs in the upper strata, they have banquets so sumptuous that the people in the pit can't imagine how they finish all the food. FMC while working upstairs wishes she could eat just some of the carrot peels bound for the compost, but she's afraid to, because the compost is more valuable than she is.
It's fascinating how closely the plot aligns with Snowpiercer, which also came out in 2013 (though its comic came out much earlier), except the romance part of the plot—arguably its weakest aspect—is like Snowpiercer's fanfic. But while Snowpiercer simply works, this book did not.
Where did the need for marriage come from? In the book, it's noted that your chances for getting an apartment goes up if you're married versus if you're single. Okay. Yet—where's FMC's motive in this, when she lives with her father? Then there's the fact that Reyes—the boy she's set up to marry as soon as she accepts—wants to have kids. She's 17, an acknowledged middle-aged matron according to the rules set out by the book, and doesn't especially want to have kids. She doesn't cite reasons such as starvation or bad working environment or even "why bring kids into this world just to be culled later on"—all very valid reasons not to have kids, but just that she kinda isn't into the idea. There are no examples of bad childbirth gone wrong, infections, etc. A quick research into famines in history could have told you just how badly off babies have it, but there was none of that here. For a girl who wanted to eat the carrot peels of a banquet she was bound to work, there's a strange, inconsistent atmosphere of the inequity of this Biodome.
That's just one of the reasons that this book completely fell flat on its face for me. In Snowpiercer, the one reason the social divide was kept so long was that the lower strata simply had no idea how badly they had it. They thought everyone was exactly like them—which was why they were able to keep surviving. That's how people keep going. They think—no matter how badly it's going, there are people worse off, and the haves don't really have that much.
Here, it was set up for us pretty early on that the haves are yucking it up on top, with televised banquets and old men groping young girls from the pit—young girls who have, mind you, young, able-bodied working suitors of the male and jealous persuasion who aren't happy with this status quo.
Then there's Jack Kenner, who's the fiance of the President's daughter. Right away Jack made a strong impact on me. So strong that I remember his name the most of everyone in the book. And that is—he's a damn fool. No, really. This guy whose appearance I so looked forward to that I kept slogging through the book despite my every inclination—I just immediately hated everything about him.
Here's an excerpt of when he first shows up:
Jack was still holding his elbow out toward me and I wasn’t sure why. Finally he picked up my hand and wrapped it around his elbow. I was surprised he expected me to do that – to touch him. My shock must have registered on my face because he gave me a questioning look. I realized my mouth was hanging open, so I closed it. I could feel the tension of his muscles under my hand, caught where it was in the crook of his elbow. He stood up straighter as he walked across the room, steering me toward the main doors. He walked with the confident swagger of someone who knew they were the most important person in the room. I heard a few men shouting out good for you Jack! and she’s a looker! They all clapped when we exited through the door. I had never felt so humiliated in all my life.
And here's their first conversation:
“Was it something I said?” Jack asked when he saw the look on my face.
“No,” I shook my head. “Not you. Something someone else said.”
Jack looked around, confused. “Um, there’s no one else here.”
“Sorry, I meant a different conversation.”
“Well don’t let me interrupt,” he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
I felt so stupid.
I don't know if she should have been the ONLY one feeling stupid.
Honestly, to write an extensive honest review, I should push on, but what with this and the truly juvenile writing style, this got a HARD PASS from me.
Here's another good nugget for those of you who might want to know what people are talking about in this hard-hitting dystopian story:
“Do you have a handsome someone in your life?” Leisel asked shyly.
My thoughts turned to Reyes. He wasn’t handsome in the rich, clean-cut aristocratic way that Jack was. Reyes had the dark hair and black eyes of the average person who lived in the Pit, although his features were more chiselled than most boys his age. He was very tall and his muscles were well defined from working the past four years in the coalmine. Lots of girls were attracted to Reyes, but I was the one he wanted.
“Yes, I do,” I smiled.
“Well, what’s he like?” she asked, smiling.
“He’s tall and handsome and strong. He works in the mines,” I bragged.
I picked up more food and realized the plate I had been eating from was half empty and Leisel had only sampled a cake.
“Are you going to marry him?” Leisel picked up my wine from the table and handed it to me. I took a sip.
“One day,” I admitted. I knew Reyes would like that day to be sooner than I was planning though.
“You don’t sound sure,” Leisel remarked.
“It’s complicated,” I shrugged.
…
“I promise you that things will be different under Jack and me.” She hugged me again, tighter this time. “That is, if I manage to live long enough to get married.”
“You mean someone is really trying to kill you?” I asked. I remembered our conversation in the kitchen.
“Yes. My guards tell me they’ve stumbled upon an assassination plot. Someone wants me dead! Someone doesn’t want me to marry Jack,” she moaned.
“It doesn’t make any sense though,” I said.
I was trying to sort it all out in my head, but my thoughts were getting confused. It must be from the wine. I put my glass down.
“It makes perfect sense, Sunny. Jack and I don’t want to live with things the way they are now. We want change. But there’s someone out there that doesn’t agree with us. So they’re trying to stop the marriage by murdering me.”
Honestly the assassination makes perfect sense to me too. If I lived in hopes of a carrot peel that was never to come, I'd also want to kill this young, well-meaning girl who talks with horrible alternate dialogue tags.
After reading the parts I did, the only question I have for Frost Kay is—of all the books you can plagiarize, why on earth did you choose this one??? Do better, Frost. Pick a better book to copy next time.
Except—there's nowhere to go. How can a book be so badly written? Oh, I don't mean there are typos, and pretty early on I started skimming, so I couldn't tell you if there are grammatical errors. Possibly there are, but I couldn't get beyond how fanfiction this story reads, and I don't mean the good kind, or even the so-bad-it's-actually-super-funny kind. I was actually interested in this book bc there are some allegations of plagiarism from this author of another—and any book that someone deemed worthy of plagiarizing has to be halfway decent, right?
Wrong. I don't know what Frost Kay was smoking when she decided this was the book she wanted to potentially plagiarize, but this ain't it, chief.
Right from the start, there are so many things that make me wonder at the thought process behind this "world." I actually stopped in the middle of the book to look up the author, because I was so sure this was written by a high schooler. Which is unfair to some high schoolers who have honestly turned out some really amazing stories.
My issue wasn't with the initial setup. It was what came after. With the limited space and the culling, you'd think—there's no way you'd bring kids into this, right? Babies are arguably the most useless beings in the world (and I say this with all the love of someone who spontaneously says awww when there's a baby). But just—with such limited space and resources, WHY would you want to bring anyone with immune system issues and limited diet restrictions into this? You'd honestly think they would be the first to be culled from the pack. This isn't a huge Biodome, after all. The capacity is only around 500? So, like a town hall, basically. And yet with this small village, where everyone should really be on a first name basis, is comprised of social strata. There's even a physical lower pit area, where FMC works, and the upper echelon, where the President apparently holds grand balls where they hire young girls from the Pit to act as serving girls that they can then play around with.
Alright, so I see the appeal of this dark world in a wtf sort of way. But for the scope of this book, it just didn't make any sense at all. Upstairs in the upper strata, they have banquets so sumptuous that the people in the pit can't imagine how they finish all the food. FMC while working upstairs wishes she could eat just some of the carrot peels bound for the compost, but she's afraid to, because the compost is more valuable than she is.
It's fascinating how closely the plot aligns with Snowpiercer, which also came out in 2013 (though its comic came out much earlier), except the romance part of the plot—arguably its weakest aspect—is like Snowpiercer's fanfic. But while Snowpiercer simply works, this book did not.
Where did the need for marriage come from? In the book, it's noted that your chances for getting an apartment goes up if you're married versus if you're single. Okay. Yet—where's FMC's motive in this, when she lives with her father? Then there's the fact that Reyes—the boy she's set up to marry as soon as she accepts—wants to have kids. She's 17, an acknowledged middle-aged matron according to the rules set out by the book, and doesn't especially want to have kids. She doesn't cite reasons such as starvation or bad working environment or even "why bring kids into this world just to be culled later on"—all very valid reasons not to have kids, but just that she kinda isn't into the idea. There are no examples of bad childbirth gone wrong, infections, etc. A quick research into famines in history could have told you just how badly off babies have it, but there was none of that here. For a girl who wanted to eat the carrot peels of a banquet she was bound to work, there's a strange, inconsistent atmosphere of the inequity of this Biodome.
That's just one of the reasons that this book completely fell flat on its face for me. In Snowpiercer, the one reason the social divide was kept so long was that the lower strata simply had no idea how badly they had it. They thought everyone was exactly like them—which was why they were able to keep surviving. That's how people keep going. They think—no matter how badly it's going, there are people worse off, and the haves don't really have that much.
Here, it was set up for us pretty early on that the haves are yucking it up on top, with televised banquets and old men groping young girls from the pit—young girls who have, mind you, young, able-bodied working suitors of the male and jealous persuasion who aren't happy with this status quo.
Then there's Jack Kenner, who's the fiance of the President's daughter. Right away Jack made a strong impact on me. So strong that I remember his name the most of everyone in the book. And that is—he's a damn fool. No, really. This guy whose appearance I so looked forward to that I kept slogging through the book despite my every inclination—I just immediately hated everything about him.
Here's an excerpt of when he first shows up:
Jack was still holding his elbow out toward me and I wasn’t sure why. Finally he picked up my hand and wrapped it around his elbow. I was surprised he expected me to do that – to touch him. My shock must have registered on my face because he gave me a questioning look. I realized my mouth was hanging open, so I closed it. I could feel the tension of his muscles under my hand, caught where it was in the crook of his elbow. He stood up straighter as he walked across the room, steering me toward the main doors. He walked with the confident swagger of someone who knew they were the most important person in the room. I heard a few men shouting out good for you Jack! and she’s a looker! They all clapped when we exited through the door. I had never felt so humiliated in all my life.
And here's their first conversation:
“Was it something I said?” Jack asked when he saw the look on my face.
“No,” I shook my head. “Not you. Something someone else said.”
Jack looked around, confused. “Um, there’s no one else here.”
“Sorry, I meant a different conversation.”
“Well don’t let me interrupt,” he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
I felt so stupid.
I don't know if she should have been the ONLY one feeling stupid.
Honestly, to write an extensive honest review, I should push on, but what with this and the truly juvenile writing style, this got a HARD PASS from me.
Here's another good nugget for those of you who might want to know what people are talking about in this hard-hitting dystopian story:
“Do you have a handsome someone in your life?” Leisel asked shyly.
My thoughts turned to Reyes. He wasn’t handsome in the rich, clean-cut aristocratic way that Jack was. Reyes had the dark hair and black eyes of the average person who lived in the Pit, although his features were more chiselled than most boys his age. He was very tall and his muscles were well defined from working the past four years in the coalmine. Lots of girls were attracted to Reyes, but I was the one he wanted.
“Yes, I do,” I smiled.
“Well, what’s he like?” she asked, smiling.
“He’s tall and handsome and strong. He works in the mines,” I bragged.
I picked up more food and realized the plate I had been eating from was half empty and Leisel had only sampled a cake.
“Are you going to marry him?” Leisel picked up my wine from the table and handed it to me. I took a sip.
“One day,” I admitted. I knew Reyes would like that day to be sooner than I was planning though.
“You don’t sound sure,” Leisel remarked.
“It’s complicated,” I shrugged.
…
“I promise you that things will be different under Jack and me.” She hugged me again, tighter this time. “That is, if I manage to live long enough to get married.”
“You mean someone is really trying to kill you?” I asked. I remembered our conversation in the kitchen.
“Yes. My guards tell me they’ve stumbled upon an assassination plot. Someone wants me dead! Someone doesn’t want me to marry Jack,” she moaned.
“It doesn’t make any sense though,” I said.
I was trying to sort it all out in my head, but my thoughts were getting confused. It must be from the wine. I put my glass down.
“It makes perfect sense, Sunny. Jack and I don’t want to live with things the way they are now. We want change. But there’s someone out there that doesn’t agree with us. So they’re trying to stop the marriage by murdering me.”
Honestly the assassination makes perfect sense to me too. If I lived in hopes of a carrot peel that was never to come, I'd also want to kill this young, well-meaning girl who talks with horrible alternate dialogue tags.
After reading the parts I did, the only question I have for Frost Kay is—of all the books you can plagiarize, why on earth did you choose this one??? Do better, Frost. Pick a better book to copy next time.
August 30, 2015
"Sunset Rising" the innovative and imaginative post- apocalyptic novel by S.M. McEachern blends intrigue and romance with fast-paced action that begins in a world over 283 years after a devastating global nuclear attack. In a bio-dome that had been prepared for government and military survivors, society has disintegrated into "the bourge" an elite ruling class living above ground and " urchins" the descendants of the villagers who stormed the structure looking for a safe haven during the nuclear holocaust who inhabit the murky gloom of "the Pit."
As mining slaves in the dark, uncertain atmosphere of "the Pit" the urchins working for credits to survive are beaten and brutalized by "the Domers", their thriving population "culled" at age thirty-five. In this setting Sunset (Sunny) O'Donnell a seventeen year old haunted by the death of her mother, a sickly father and the pressure of a muscular miner, Reyes Crowe who wants to marry her is forced to work as a server/plaything at a bachelor party for the future son-in-law of President Damien Holt. What she doesn't expect is to become immersed in the deadly plan of the President's daughter; one that has Sunny facing charges of treason and escaping with Leisel 's fiancé Jack Kenner.
In a fast-paced plot where the action never stops Sunny and Jack flee for their lives to "the Pit" where they begin stirring a spirit of a rebellion among the oppressed. In a story that twists and turns and vibrates with excitement, the author quickly builds an intensity and suspense that leaves the reader breathless. Underlying all the misery, pain, lies, betrayal readers are captivated by stronger elements of hope and love amid all the turmoil that leave them addicted from the prologue to a climax that begs for a sequel.
The characters are well-developed, unforgettable and realistic; perfected with a complexity to their personalities that adds power, passion and depth to the drama. Sunset O'Donnell (aka Autumn Jones) a young urchin with red hair and a deep love for her father and her people is brave, selfless and loyal. Well-meaning, caring but somewhat naive she easily falls prey to the deceit, manipulations and lies of Leisel Holt while trying to protect her best friend Summer Nazeem, a gentle, loving soul. Amidst all the scheming and a farcical wedding, Sunny finds herself escaping death with presidential heir Jack Kenner, a bourge enemy with an authoritative, superior attitude that masks a kind, protective nature. Together they not only begin stirring the notion of an uprising among her friends, but begin a romance that brings anger and pain to the unpredictable miner who loves her.
Reminiscent of popular novels like the Hunger Games, Divergent and The City of Ember S.M. McEachern has kindled a plot with remarkable characters that is intoxicating from the first chapter to the last. After reading the preview on Goodreads/First Reads, I knew I had to read it and wasn't disappointed because" Sunset Rising" kept me totally enthralled. I rate it highly and look forward to reading the next exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of Sunny and Jack as they escape the clutches of an evil dictator and his malicious daughter.
As mining slaves in the dark, uncertain atmosphere of "the Pit" the urchins working for credits to survive are beaten and brutalized by "the Domers", their thriving population "culled" at age thirty-five. In this setting Sunset (Sunny) O'Donnell a seventeen year old haunted by the death of her mother, a sickly father and the pressure of a muscular miner, Reyes Crowe who wants to marry her is forced to work as a server/plaything at a bachelor party for the future son-in-law of President Damien Holt. What she doesn't expect is to become immersed in the deadly plan of the President's daughter; one that has Sunny facing charges of treason and escaping with Leisel 's fiancé Jack Kenner.
In a fast-paced plot where the action never stops Sunny and Jack flee for their lives to "the Pit" where they begin stirring a spirit of a rebellion among the oppressed. In a story that twists and turns and vibrates with excitement, the author quickly builds an intensity and suspense that leaves the reader breathless. Underlying all the misery, pain, lies, betrayal readers are captivated by stronger elements of hope and love amid all the turmoil that leave them addicted from the prologue to a climax that begs for a sequel.
The characters are well-developed, unforgettable and realistic; perfected with a complexity to their personalities that adds power, passion and depth to the drama. Sunset O'Donnell (aka Autumn Jones) a young urchin with red hair and a deep love for her father and her people is brave, selfless and loyal. Well-meaning, caring but somewhat naive she easily falls prey to the deceit, manipulations and lies of Leisel Holt while trying to protect her best friend Summer Nazeem, a gentle, loving soul. Amidst all the scheming and a farcical wedding, Sunny finds herself escaping death with presidential heir Jack Kenner, a bourge enemy with an authoritative, superior attitude that masks a kind, protective nature. Together they not only begin stirring the notion of an uprising among her friends, but begin a romance that brings anger and pain to the unpredictable miner who loves her.
Reminiscent of popular novels like the Hunger Games, Divergent and The City of Ember S.M. McEachern has kindled a plot with remarkable characters that is intoxicating from the first chapter to the last. After reading the preview on Goodreads/First Reads, I knew I had to read it and wasn't disappointed because" Sunset Rising" kept me totally enthralled. I rate it highly and look forward to reading the next exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of Sunny and Jack as they escape the clutches of an evil dictator and his malicious daughter.
January 2, 2013
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Marie-Reine
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
At the dawn of World War III and nuclear apocalypse, a group of civilians makes it way up a mountain to gain the safety of a military base. This base is in the hands of a merciless commander, who shoots first, then reluctantly allows some of the survivors to enter in. Though safe from the bombs inside this bio-dome, the survivors discover that justice and democracy have given way to autocracy and oppression. The civilians are cast into the Pit, to mine coal for the dome and thus pay their passage. Fast-forward 283 years later: Sunset “Sunny” O’Donnell, along with the other descendant of the unfortunate survivors, still lives under the iron grip of oppression and slavery of the ruling class (or bourges, as they are called in the Pit). A chance encounter with Leisel, the President’s daughter, changes her life forever. For the sake of her people in the Pit, she agrees to pose as Leisel during her wedding to Jack Kenner, another powerful bourge. Powerful and handsome. But all is not as it seems. Sunny and Jack are forced to run together to survive as the world order of the dome threatens to implode around them.
The author, S.M. McEachern, begins the novel with a prologue to establish the story. Unfortunately, this was the weakest part of the novel and it felt cumbersome compared to the rest. And though it seems to slow down the beginning of the novel, the pace quickens and the reader can enjoy Sunny’s first person narrative for the remainder of the novel.
An urchin from the Pit, she is the standard but well-written heroine of the Young Adult and Dystopian genres made famous by Suzanne Collins and Stephenie Meyer. She is mature and intelligent while also being self-deprecating, self-effacing and unaware of her many charms. Of course, a love triangle ensues between herself and two beaus: Reyes, her childhood sweetheart from the Pit and Jack, the handsome and sensitive bourge on the run with her. Although McEachern makes use of this trope—often drawn out unnecessarily for dramatic effect, to the exasperation of many readers—her character, Sunny, has enough wits to makes the best choice and the waters do not stay muddied for long.
Unlikely alliances, treachery, the revision of history by the ruling class, the rise of improbable leaders—these all figure in Post-Apocalyptic YA novels, and fans of the genre will not be disappointed to find them in this novel as well. While not adding many surprises to the genre (at least so far, there are still two more books to come), McEacherns has produced an exciting and entertaining story, with enjoyable leading characters. With a cliff-hanger ending, readers will impatiently await the next two installments of the trilogy to satisfy their piqued curiosity; to find out the fate of their now beloved characters and the world they live in.
All who love the dystopian genre will get pleasure from reading this book, though it is probably better suited for more mature young adult and adult readers.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/su...
*Beware of possible Spoilers*
At the dawn of World War III and nuclear apocalypse, a group of civilians makes it way up a mountain to gain the safety of a military base. This base is in the hands of a merciless commander, who shoots first, then reluctantly allows some of the survivors to enter in. Though safe from the bombs inside this bio-dome, the survivors discover that justice and democracy have given way to autocracy and oppression. The civilians are cast into the Pit, to mine coal for the dome and thus pay their passage. Fast-forward 283 years later: Sunset “Sunny” O’Donnell, along with the other descendant of the unfortunate survivors, still lives under the iron grip of oppression and slavery of the ruling class (or bourges, as they are called in the Pit). A chance encounter with Leisel, the President’s daughter, changes her life forever. For the sake of her people in the Pit, she agrees to pose as Leisel during her wedding to Jack Kenner, another powerful bourge. Powerful and handsome. But all is not as it seems. Sunny and Jack are forced to run together to survive as the world order of the dome threatens to implode around them.
The author, S.M. McEachern, begins the novel with a prologue to establish the story. Unfortunately, this was the weakest part of the novel and it felt cumbersome compared to the rest. And though it seems to slow down the beginning of the novel, the pace quickens and the reader can enjoy Sunny’s first person narrative for the remainder of the novel.
An urchin from the Pit, she is the standard but well-written heroine of the Young Adult and Dystopian genres made famous by Suzanne Collins and Stephenie Meyer. She is mature and intelligent while also being self-deprecating, self-effacing and unaware of her many charms. Of course, a love triangle ensues between herself and two beaus: Reyes, her childhood sweetheart from the Pit and Jack, the handsome and sensitive bourge on the run with her. Although McEachern makes use of this trope—often drawn out unnecessarily for dramatic effect, to the exasperation of many readers—her character, Sunny, has enough wits to makes the best choice and the waters do not stay muddied for long.
Unlikely alliances, treachery, the revision of history by the ruling class, the rise of improbable leaders—these all figure in Post-Apocalyptic YA novels, and fans of the genre will not be disappointed to find them in this novel as well. While not adding many surprises to the genre (at least so far, there are still two more books to come), McEacherns has produced an exciting and entertaining story, with enjoyable leading characters. With a cliff-hanger ending, readers will impatiently await the next two installments of the trilogy to satisfy their piqued curiosity; to find out the fate of their now beloved characters and the world they live in.
All who love the dystopian genre will get pleasure from reading this book, though it is probably better suited for more mature young adult and adult readers.
http://openbooksociety.com/article/su...
May 28, 2015
THIS WAS FUCKING AMAZING!!!!!!
Deep breath, pam calm down. Calm down.
Let's just start with how amazing and beautiful this book is, wow it's been a long time since I have gushed over a book. This book is incredible it blew my mind and sleep away (since I stayed up reading it) and I still want more, I wanna read it all over again and save the precious memories.
This is just what I really need, something to sink into so all my thoughts are just the book.
Finally the world ended. World war three took place destroying the earth 3centuries ago.
The few people who got a warning before the ending got to live in a dome created by the president in case of an emergency but wasn't built for that kind of emergency. Except what the president wasn't counting on was her general betraying the country and killing her, turning the civilians into slaves to work for him and his soldiers.
This soldiers and the general three centuries later built up a population. With the general family ruling as tyrants and the civilians left to slave in the dome for generations and generations bringing more generation along.
(I just feel the *bastard* guy is Hitler reincarnated except he got reincarnated in a fantasy. How lovely)
With all the labour and slavery all they got back was a harsh life where they were killed at the age of thirty five just to reduce overpopulation. They suffer and labour restlessly for the upper domers. Who punishes them and look down on them, rewarding them with beatings and more ill treatments and when I mean Ill treatments I mean beatings to a pulp, prostitution of girls from age of twelves to men old enough to be their grand father. Labouring all day long and killing when the felt like.
Life isn't easy but one girl and boy, managed to stand. She isn't a hero, she is easily forgotten if not for the red hair except coincidence; I think not, changed everything. The thoughts of the people changing, starting a rebellion and an secret alliance. Battling a tyrant and a to-be tyrant (Ahem-- Aka Crazy ass bitch) Battling against dictation ship for rights and freedom for equality.
I love this book, the characters especially my red haired character and oh the hot boy always a hot naughty boy (giggle, didn't but it makes me look human) They were hilarious and wonderful. This book kept me into it and I advice don't start reading if you kept anything on the stove. Trust that advice.
The writing drifted me away from reality, at times I became exasperated with the author when I couldn't follow who was talking but those times were few and all but forgotten with the way the story went.
This is a book of bravery, heroism, tyrant and knowledge.
It's a damn wonderful book. I don't need to say I will be reding the next one and lucky for me it's out already!! Yay!
Deep breath, pam calm down. Calm down.
Let's just start with how amazing and beautiful this book is, wow it's been a long time since I have gushed over a book. This book is incredible it blew my mind and sleep away (since I stayed up reading it) and I still want more, I wanna read it all over again and save the precious memories.
This is just what I really need, something to sink into so all my thoughts are just the book.
Finally the world ended. World war three took place destroying the earth 3centuries ago.
The few people who got a warning before the ending got to live in a dome created by the president in case of an emergency but wasn't built for that kind of emergency. Except what the president wasn't counting on was her general betraying the country and killing her, turning the civilians into slaves to work for him and his soldiers.
This soldiers and the general three centuries later built up a population. With the general family ruling as tyrants and the civilians left to slave in the dome for generations and generations bringing more generation along.
(I just feel the *bastard* guy is Hitler reincarnated except he got reincarnated in a fantasy. How lovely)
With all the labour and slavery all they got back was a harsh life where they were killed at the age of thirty five just to reduce overpopulation. They suffer and labour restlessly for the upper domers. Who punishes them and look down on them, rewarding them with beatings and more ill treatments and when I mean Ill treatments I mean beatings to a pulp, prostitution of girls from age of twelves to men old enough to be their grand father. Labouring all day long and killing when the felt like.
Life isn't easy but one girl and boy, managed to stand. She isn't a hero, she is easily forgotten if not for the red hair except coincidence; I think not, changed everything. The thoughts of the people changing, starting a rebellion and an secret alliance. Battling a tyrant and a to-be tyrant (Ahem-- Aka Crazy ass bitch) Battling against dictation ship for rights and freedom for equality.
I love this book, the characters especially my red haired character and oh the hot boy always a hot naughty boy (giggle, didn't but it makes me look human) They were hilarious and wonderful. This book kept me into it and I advice don't start reading if you kept anything on the stove. Trust that advice.
The writing drifted me away from reality, at times I became exasperated with the author when I couldn't follow who was talking but those times were few and all but forgotten with the way the story went.
This is a book of bravery, heroism, tyrant and knowledge.
It's a damn wonderful book. I don't need to say I will be reding the next one and lucky for me it's out already!! Yay!
July 15, 2013
Sunset Rising ROCKS! I loved this book. It is set in a world that has been devastated by nuclear war with the only known survivors living in the "Dome." Society is broken down to the haves and the have-nots, who are literally living in slavery to support the elite. This book is brutal with a little ray of hope that is Sunset O'Donnell. I loved the author's writing style, which kept me engaged from page one to the final sentence, which by the way ends in a cliffhanger, albeit the type that says hang in there for the next adventure, and left me craving for more. The world and character building is excellent and I must admit even with the cliffhanger, there was nothing for me to find fault with in this read. It touched all my emotions; I laughed, cried, and oh boy did I get angry at times. I loved rooting for different characters and loved to hate the baddies in a way that was very satisfying. I am eagerly waiting for book two and my fingers are already itching to get it. I definitely recommend Sunset Rising and it has a place in one of my top favorites so far this year. I received this book from the author with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.
November 22, 2015
This book was a good surprise for me. Overall, I really enjoyed it. I liked the concept and the characters. Here, we followed at the very beginning Benjamin Reyes, a man who managed to save lives when there was a nuclear war then we jump to Sunny's story, almost three hundreds years later. She lives and works in the pit for the Dome. They do all the things the Dome doesn't want to do. They also have to get "Culled" at 35, meaning they die at 35 and they know it. The author write it really well and I felt so sad for the people who had to go through this. After believing someone evil, she's in big trouble and has to hide. Finally there is a start of a revolution even if they know that the President could kill them all by cutting off their air. I was hooked by this book and I'll read the next book, that's for sure :), especially with that cliffhanger that made me think of a series TV I like.
***I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review***
You can find this review on my bookblog: http://reading-more-everyday.blogspot...
***I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review***
You can find this review on my bookblog: http://reading-more-everyday.blogspot...
January 18, 2015
Long story short, Sunny's a slave living in the Pit. One day when she comes late to work, she is given the choice to either to be fired or to serve food for the rich people in the Dome for the marriage of Leisel, the president's daughter, and Jack Kenner.
She chooses the latter. But when she gets caught up in a grand scheme made by Leisel, she finds herself facing execution and treason instead. With the help of Jack, Sunny has to find a way out of the Dome or die trying.
Even though the world building was relatively well done, there were holes in the book that made Sunset Rising's world seem quite questionable. Like how the fuck did it take almost 300 years for the slaves in the pit to realize that if they ever started a revolution, the Domers wouldn't be able to win because they're like five times for numerous?
The characters were well developed though I do think that the romance between Jack and Sunny was unnecessary. I would've liked the book a bit more if they were just friends because I kind of feel bad for Reyes.
But overall,it was a light and enjoyable read.
She chooses the latter. But when she gets caught up in a grand scheme made by Leisel, she finds herself facing execution and treason instead. With the help of Jack, Sunny has to find a way out of the Dome or die trying.
Even though the world building was relatively well done, there were holes in the book that made Sunset Rising's world seem quite questionable. Like how the fuck did it take almost 300 years for the slaves in the pit to realize that if they ever started a revolution, the Domers wouldn't be able to win because they're like five times for numerous?
The characters were well developed though I do think that the romance between Jack and Sunny was unnecessary. I would've liked the book a bit more if they were just friends because I kind of feel bad for Reyes.
But overall,it was a light and enjoyable read.
February 22, 2013
WWIII has started, civilians are desperate to get a place in The Drome. They are allowed to stay if they sign a treaty which effectively makes them slave.
Three hundred years later the descents of the military (known as the Bourge) have made life for the Civilians miserable. They are culled at age 35, barely given enough water to drink or food to eat; beaten and killed when the Bourge feel they have done something wrong; young girls used as play things - an uprising is waiting for the right catalyst.
This is the tale of Sunny O'Donnell & Jack Kenner. A tale of two people from different classes forced to work together, a tale of bravery, treachery and love.
I only put this down when the real world forced me to. I can't wait for Book 2! 4.5 stars.
Three hundred years later the descents of the military (known as the Bourge) have made life for the Civilians miserable. They are culled at age 35, barely given enough water to drink or food to eat; beaten and killed when the Bourge feel they have done something wrong; young girls used as play things - an uprising is waiting for the right catalyst.
This is the tale of Sunny O'Donnell & Jack Kenner. A tale of two people from different classes forced to work together, a tale of bravery, treachery and love.
I only put this down when the real world forced me to. I can't wait for Book 2! 4.5 stars.
March 31, 2013
This book made my day.
I can't believe I'm saying this but Sunset Rising is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE HUNGER GAMES!!
Sorry, Katniss! But Sunny is So much better than you.
Sorry to all the Hunger Games fans but Sunset Rising surpasses my expectation.
Sunset Rising is a rollercoaster ride with a terrifying drop at the end. A beautiful love story filled with danger and horror.
The Greatest Book I've Ever Read.
Sincerely,
Selina.
P.S. Can't wait for the second book. The suspense is KILLING ME. :)
I can't believe I'm saying this but Sunset Rising is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE HUNGER GAMES!!
Sorry, Katniss! But Sunny is So much better than you.
Sorry to all the Hunger Games fans but Sunset Rising surpasses my expectation.
Sunset Rising is a rollercoaster ride with a terrifying drop at the end. A beautiful love story filled with danger and horror.
The Greatest Book I've Ever Read.
Sincerely,
Selina.
P.S. Can't wait for the second book. The suspense is KILLING ME. :)
Read
April 22, 2021I was completely entranced by SUNSET RISING from the first chapter. Sunny was so easy to like and relate to. There were a ton of twists and turns and although I had my favorite love interest, it was hard not to be heartbroken for the other.
Great world, great characters, great story, just all around great! When I got to the end, I really, really wanted more. In fact, I emailed the author right away for a review copy of WORLDS COLLIDE.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great world, great characters, great story, just all around great! When I got to the end, I really, really wanted more. In fact, I emailed the author right away for a review copy of WORLDS COLLIDE.
* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2013
i recieved this book in exchange for a review.
I absolutely loved it,what an amazing book,from the very first page ,it has you hooked,to the very last and wanting more..
it's definatly not boring at all,it's excitement all the way thru.
Everyone should read this book most definately.i loved it.and so will you.positivly brillant...
I absolutely love the beautiful cover!!!
I absolutely loved it,what an amazing book,from the very first page ,it has you hooked,to the very last and wanting more..
it's definatly not boring at all,it's excitement all the way thru.
Everyone should read this book most definately.i loved it.and so will you.positivly brillant...
I absolutely love the beautiful cover!!!
November 8, 2012
This book is excellent - it is well written, the plot is interesting, and the characters are well developed. A real page-turner! I look forward to book #2.
August 15, 2022
“It’s not pitch black in here. The guards use nightlights and it leaks into the apartment,” I explained.
I saw him open his eyes as wide as he could and look around the room.
“I guess you have to born in the Pit to find light where there isn’t any,” he observed.
I rolled that thought over in my mind and realized just how true it was."
"Nothing’s ever been right down here
We live and die under the rule of fear
Into slavery we are bound
Then they beat us down
They sentenced us to live in a rock
And if we cry they put us under lock
They promise us one day we’ll see the sun
But when we finally get one, she’s on the run,
So rise-up, rise-up
It’s me to make a choice
Everyone here has a voice
It’s me you learned how to use it
Unite! Unite!
They’re here to help us figh
If we turn our back on them
Then we’re all condemned,
You probably didn’t know
But I overhead it said
The Pit they want to blow
And soon we’ll all be dead
Don’t forget they promised us the sun
And now that we have one, she’s on the run
If we keep believing their lies
We might as well say our good-byes,
So rise-up, rise-up
It’s me to make a choice
Everyone here has a voice
It’s me you learn how to use it
In a world full of wrong
They’re the only thing that’s right
It’s me to make a stand
It’s me to unite!
Rise-up Rise-up!"
I saw him open his eyes as wide as he could and look around the room.
“I guess you have to born in the Pit to find light where there isn’t any,” he observed.
I rolled that thought over in my mind and realized just how true it was."
"Nothing’s ever been right down here
We live and die under the rule of fear
Into slavery we are bound
Then they beat us down
They sentenced us to live in a rock
And if we cry they put us under lock
They promise us one day we’ll see the sun
But when we finally get one, she’s on the run,
So rise-up, rise-up
It’s me to make a choice
Everyone here has a voice
It’s me you learned how to use it
Unite! Unite!
They’re here to help us figh
If we turn our back on them
Then we’re all condemned,
You probably didn’t know
But I overhead it said
The Pit they want to blow
And soon we’ll all be dead
Don’t forget they promised us the sun
And now that we have one, she’s on the run
If we keep believing their lies
We might as well say our good-byes,
So rise-up, rise-up
It’s me to make a choice
Everyone here has a voice
It’s me you learn how to use it
In a world full of wrong
They’re the only thing that’s right
It’s me to make a stand
It’s me to unite!
Rise-up Rise-up!"
March 8, 2013
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is another time where I wished Goodreads allowed 1/2 stars. My true rating is 4.5/5.
I loved this book, although I did find some faults. When I first started the book I was upset because my life got in the way, like sleeping or eating or going to work. Well really I felt that way the entire time I was reading it. I was so excited about the book that I kept thinking "oh I have this much still to read I wonder what will happen". Then when I got the the last 50 pages or so I started thinking "NOOOOOOO I want more this can't be it"
Spoiler
I couldn't believe how much I loved this book! I can't wait for the second book to come out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loved books like Divergent, Matched, Delirium, Uglies, or even Hex Hall (the last one is more based on the romantic part of the stories then the theme).
This is another time where I wished Goodreads allowed 1/2 stars. My true rating is 4.5/5.
I loved this book, although I did find some faults. When I first started the book I was upset because my life got in the way, like sleeping or eating or going to work. Well really I felt that way the entire time I was reading it. I was so excited about the book that I kept thinking "oh I have this much still to read I wonder what will happen". Then when I got the the last 50 pages or so I started thinking "NOOOOOOO I want more this can't be it"
Spoiler
I couldn't believe how much I loved this book! I can't wait for the second book to come out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loved books like Divergent, Matched, Delirium, Uglies, or even Hex Hall (the last one is more based on the romantic part of the stories then the theme).
July 2, 2017
This was way better than I was expecting and actually found it hard to put the book down! This book should come with a few trigger warnings for sexual assault, domestic violence and general assault. It's not a book I would let someone under 20 read. It has some really heavy issues but doesn't seem to address them, they just normalize it almost.
August 4, 2016
this review is also posted at: the Blacksheep Project and YA Insider. I received this book from YA Insider in exchange for an honest review.
* * *
Sunset Rising may lack on certain aspects but it's has all things I basically enjoy reading in dystopian novels.
{ 4 things I like about Sunset Rising }
the world.
The world of Sunset Rising is possibly the reason I read dystopian novels. Admittedly, it did not offer me anything new from what I've previously read but I never really get tired of this setting: a society built on corrupt leadership, a well written and established unfair world, an involvement of slavery with an extremely high wall separating them from high class society members, and a community thriving on fear and necessity.
Given that Sunset Rising is the first book in the series, it successfully established its world. I was really engaged in it. I got to know its history. I hated its unfairness--the Cull, the place they live in, the limitations they have, the way their supervisors treat them at their jobs. I pity those who live in the Pit. S.M. McEachern was able to really explore the world. She made me visualize it (and it's not good). Sunset Rising was also able to stir the society to raise their hands and say yes to an uprising--it was well set up. I love how the people didn't just switched beliefs or alliances for convenience. There was always enough time for everyone to develop their views. I like how the people didn't just jump and say, "Hey, I'm in to your rebellion!" S.M. McEachern showed that starting a rebellion is not as easy as asking someone to join your club. It takes a lot of convincing, making them realize the unfairness of the world, and giving them the courage to stand up.
the heroine.
Sunny is a well developed heroine. She's a very strong heroine who's more than willing to protect everyone she loves. Unfortunately, it brought her to the pinch she's in. From someone who's too scared to be late for work, Sunny slowly developed into someone who's brave enough to encourage an uprising. It wasn't an easy thing for her--she has to face the wrath of the President and his cunning daughter; she has to run and hide for her life; she has to live with an elite; she has to hide her identity. All these things (especially the dozens of conversations she had with Jack) shaped Sunny into becoming more brave, more stable to stand on her beliefs, more knowledgeable of the society she lives in.
the romance.
Sunny and Jack's relationship is well developed. I like how they barely communicated in the beginning--how they have no idea how to stand beside each other, their uncertainty towards each other but gave in because of their need to trust the other. The romance did not happen immediately. I like how their feelings for each other slowly grow--how they simply live with each other out of necessity and started getting to know each other in the process. The development may sound formulaic but the author's approach to developing their relationship is simply good. I liked both of them, I ship them, I want to see them have that happy ending.
the pace.
Sunset Rising has a perfect pace. I LOVE: (1) the prologue was perfect--it set the background of the Dome well, (2) the betrayal early on in the novel was great--I think that it's one of Sunset Rising's greatest point, (3) the run and hide of Sunny and Jack--there was thrill and excitement there. I was rooting for them and I get a bit nervous at times. Will they be found? How? How will they escape?.
OVERALL, Sunset Rising is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel that follows the genre's basic structure. It has a brave and well developed heroine who may or may not get lost in your sea of strong heroines. It has a romance that you'll want to see sailing. It involves a corrupt society that you'd want to bring down (and possibly burn down as well). It successfully established the world and spark the uprising for the second novel (which I must say I'm so interested to grab because of that ending!!!). Sunset Rising is recommended for those who enjoy YA dystopian series.
* * *
Sunset Rising may lack on certain aspects but it's has all things I basically enjoy reading in dystopian novels.
{ 4 things I like about Sunset Rising }
the world.
The world of Sunset Rising is possibly the reason I read dystopian novels. Admittedly, it did not offer me anything new from what I've previously read but I never really get tired of this setting: a society built on corrupt leadership, a well written and established unfair world, an involvement of slavery with an extremely high wall separating them from high class society members, and a community thriving on fear and necessity.
Given that Sunset Rising is the first book in the series, it successfully established its world. I was really engaged in it. I got to know its history. I hated its unfairness--the Cull, the place they live in, the limitations they have, the way their supervisors treat them at their jobs. I pity those who live in the Pit. S.M. McEachern was able to really explore the world. She made me visualize it (and it's not good). Sunset Rising was also able to stir the society to raise their hands and say yes to an uprising--it was well set up. I love how the people didn't just switched beliefs or alliances for convenience. There was always enough time for everyone to develop their views. I like how the people didn't just jump and say, "Hey, I'm in to your rebellion!" S.M. McEachern showed that starting a rebellion is not as easy as asking someone to join your club. It takes a lot of convincing, making them realize the unfairness of the world, and giving them the courage to stand up.
the heroine.
Sunny is a well developed heroine. She's a very strong heroine who's more than willing to protect everyone she loves. Unfortunately, it brought her to the pinch she's in. From someone who's too scared to be late for work, Sunny slowly developed into someone who's brave enough to encourage an uprising. It wasn't an easy thing for her--she has to face the wrath of the President and his cunning daughter; she has to run and hide for her life; she has to live with an elite; she has to hide her identity. All these things (especially the dozens of conversations she had with Jack) shaped Sunny into becoming more brave, more stable to stand on her beliefs, more knowledgeable of the society she lives in.
the romance.
Sunny and Jack's relationship is well developed. I like how they barely communicated in the beginning--how they have no idea how to stand beside each other, their uncertainty towards each other but gave in because of their need to trust the other. The romance did not happen immediately. I like how their feelings for each other slowly grow--how they simply live with each other out of necessity and started getting to know each other in the process. The development may sound formulaic but the author's approach to developing their relationship is simply good. I liked both of them, I ship them, I want to see them have that happy ending.
the pace.
Sunset Rising has a perfect pace. I LOVE: (1) the prologue was perfect--it set the background of the Dome well, (2) the betrayal early on in the novel was great--I think that it's one of Sunset Rising's greatest point, (3) the run and hide of Sunny and Jack--there was thrill and excitement there. I was rooting for them and I get a bit nervous at times. Will they be found? How? How will they escape?.
OVERALL, Sunset Rising is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel that follows the genre's basic structure. It has a brave and well developed heroine who may or may not get lost in your sea of strong heroines. It has a romance that you'll want to see sailing. It involves a corrupt society that you'd want to bring down (and possibly burn down as well). It successfully established the world and spark the uprising for the second novel (which I must say I'm so interested to grab because of that ending!!!). Sunset Rising is recommended for those who enjoy YA dystopian series.
September 6, 2016
[See the full review at thoughts and afterthoughts.]
Rating: 4.2/5
Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less version:
-A fast-paced action filled read based on tyranny versus revolution.
-Strong heroine/protagonist and charming/witty male lead; prototypical YA romance.
-Typical, mundane tasks made interesting and given life.
-Interesting world building that’s seemingly larger than what it seems.
Initial Thoughts:
I finished this in about a half day so I guess you could say I couldn’t put this book down. It wasn’t a mind blowing or intensely thought provoking experience, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting that. I was looking for an action driven dystopian narrative with a respectable plot and I think I got just that.
And like many books within this particular subgenre, it really is best to go in with an open mind and not make comparisons to its existing predecessors. But if you’re one to judge like that then consider this: if you’re to take elements from currently trending YA dystopian series (I won’t name them, but you can take a guess) and they all created a love child then this would be one of their offspring. But hey, remember a lot of formula goes into writing narratives within this subgenre as well so it’s not all too surprising.
The cover is nice and the synopsis does enough to bring you into the book. I’ll tangent further into this in the review itself.
Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.
Rating: 4.2/5
Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less version:
-A fast-paced action filled read based on tyranny versus revolution.
-Strong heroine/protagonist and charming/witty male lead; prototypical YA romance.
-Typical, mundane tasks made interesting and given life.
-Interesting world building that’s seemingly larger than what it seems.
Initial Thoughts:
I finished this in about a half day so I guess you could say I couldn’t put this book down. It wasn’t a mind blowing or intensely thought provoking experience, and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting that. I was looking for an action driven dystopian narrative with a respectable plot and I think I got just that.
And like many books within this particular subgenre, it really is best to go in with an open mind and not make comparisons to its existing predecessors. But if you’re one to judge like that then consider this: if you’re to take elements from currently trending YA dystopian series (I won’t name them, but you can take a guess) and they all created a love child then this would be one of their offspring. But hey, remember a lot of formula goes into writing narratives within this subgenre as well so it’s not all too surprising.
The cover is nice and the synopsis does enough to bring you into the book. I’ll tangent further into this in the review itself.
Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.
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