Jacqui Castle

Once upon a time, there was a United States of America...strong, powerful, willing to help others, and welcome those looking for a better life. Once upon a time, this was a reality...until it wasn't. All it took was the wrong person in the right position for the powers that be to take control from Johnny Q. Public. All it took was an act of terrorism on such a grand scale that those with the means to fund full scale restoration could gain the upper hand. All it took was the masses no longer show more speaking out en masse, but swallowing the lies, hiding the truth, and ultimately playing right into the hands of moguls that should never have had their chance at controlling power to begin with...and that's all it took for a great nation to become...secluded.




The seclusion was enacted to provide for and grow strong the remaining people of this once great nation. If considered a patriot, you were golden; take a step out of line, and it could be the last step you take. Really though, what reason would one have to cause discord? You received housing, a job based on interest and aptitude, monthly credits for food and a few extras, reliable transportation, and the ability to live a life serving the greater good...aka the Board. Oh, yeah...did you see a distinct lack of me mentioning the word "freedom" in there? Yeah, not an accident and it gets worse. I mean COME ON! A world without books...or at least without printed books, or those that have been sanctioned by the Board? Security of a survivable life, but without the freedom to say, do, or act to any degree outside what is expected? I just...no.

Think a bit Hunger Games, and a dash of Divergent. Now, spread it over our own history in the making like butter on a biscuit, and you've got this delectably dark, sinister, and ultimately POSSIBLE story you won't want to miss! Seriously, it was eye-opening and mind-boggling all in one. Patch and Rexx were quite the pair, from start to finish. They played the roles given like actors to a stage, and yet inside, their heart of hearts yearned for answers. When the dice were truly rolled, they showed great resilience, dedication to the cause, and a willingness to do what it takes to reach their goal...not only for themselves, but for the whole of the country!




In the end, a MUST READ for certain, and a series start that leaves you gasping for more. I know it'll be on my watch list for coming installments. Only complaint...a quick cutoff when events occur that drastically change plans and alter the story. We had built so eloquently to that point it seemed a shame to cut it short...it didn't diminish my delight overall, but I do wish it could have been built out as grandly as the rest. Perhaps we'll see more of that slow and steady pace in book two.


**copy received for review show less

This is a book for fans of books like Divergent or The Giver as it goes deep into the life of one young woman as she slowly awakens to a greater world around her.

Patricia is satisfied with life. She's got a better job than most with more freedoms than many and has a caring family. The Board, the ruling group, won't tolerate anything beyond their rules, but she's okay with that. Until her and her best friend, Rexx, make a discovery which turns everything they've been taught on its head. show more Suddenly, Patricia finds herself a fugitive, something she never wanted to be.

The is an engaging, dystopian read which takes many of the lovely aspects found in this genre and builds them around a character with great depth. The author lets the reader get to know Patricia in and out, not at the point right before everything starts falling apart as in most dystopians, but earlier on. Much of the first half of the book is spent getting to know the daily life, dreams, and fears of Patricia as she lives fairly satisfied and convinced of the country and its policies. The doctrines and brief moments of information give light to the society and regulations, but the real dirt comes later on. This makes for a bit of a slower read in the first chapters, but also gives the reader a deepened connection to Patricia and understanding of her plight.

As the story progresses, the tension grows. It's hard not to become invested in Patricia and her struggles, making this is read hard to put down, especially toward the last chapters. Emotions are evoked while the plot builds, and the entire thing leaves off with a cliff hanger, begging to head off into book two to see what happens next.

Food for thought peppers the pages as the problems fall in bit by bit. A couple background pieces are fuzzy, but most sits pretty firm and allows the reader to sink into the story.

Fans of YA dystopian are sure to enjoy this one, especially if they like having a little time to dig deeper into the main character and society first. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book will take Patricia and her friends.

I received a complimentary copy and found it interesting and engaging enough to want to leave my honest thoughts. show less

As a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, I enjoyed this book. It's all too possible given the current state of things. The lead character, Patch, is a faithful follower of the Board. One day while working she and a friend (Rexx) find forbidden materials. Instead of turning them in, she decides to hide them. This decision leads to her whole life being up-ended and she and Rexx end up on the run.

This story is definitely worth reading, though I would have preferred a solid conclusion to the story.

For my second adventure, I traveled to the year 2090. I found myself yearning to escape the confines as much as Rexx and Patricia. America, in this dystopian novel which takes place in 2090, is a controlled society under continuous surveillance as cameras lurk everywhere. The Board controls what its members see, hear, and profess as truth. Patricia (Patch) and Rexx find themselves desiring to find what is beyond the walls. I followed them throughout their adventures and willed them to be show more successful in finding freedom, but were they able to find truth outside of the walls? Check it out for yourself! show less