Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Obviously, something went terribly wrong. Genetic mutations have festered, reducing human longevity to twenty-five, even less for most women. To prevent extinction, young girls are kidnapped, mated in polygamous marriages with men eager to procreate. Sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery, a recent victim of this breeding farm mentality, has vowed to break loose from its fetters; but finding allies and a safe way out is a challenge she can only hope she will survive. A dystopian fantasy series starter with wings.

Original Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Country: USA
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
ISBN: 9781442409057
Page Count: 358

Wither is Lauren DeStefano's debut novel and the first in a YA dystopian trilogy. It was published in March this year and I've been waiting for months to get my hands on it. It was everything as wonderful as I had hoped, and much to short for my tastes.

In terms of fitting into the field of YA dystopian novels, Wither definitely makes the cut and sits with the cool kids. The characters are engaging and the plot, though the story stays in the one house, keeps moving. Best of all is the idea that drives the story - in a future where genetic engineering has significantly shortened the human life span.

The characters were interesting. Rhine and Linden were the most developed, obviously, but other characters like Gabriel and Jenna are developed enough to keep the story progressing neatly. Cecily is both annoying and adorable while Rowan will hopefully receive enough development in future books to make him interesting.   Meanwhile, Housemaster Vaughn is a fascinating villain - he seemingly wants the best for his son but there is a second and more sinister motive behind his actions.

The plot moves quickly - at times almost too quickly - and creates a sweeping story that easily engages the reader. The interaction between characters, especially the camaraderie between the Sister Wives, and of course between Rhine and Gabriel. Linden can sometimes be a weak link but mostly DeStephano has created a solid world that beguiles the senses.

Wither's sequel, Fever is due for publication in February next year. I look forward to getting my hands on it.

Raiding Bookshelves

Judging by the cover: This cover is so elegant. I love that the model can look so calm and elegant while she's so ragged and on edge.

Entwined by Heather Dixon

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.
But there is a cost.
The Keeper likes to keep things.
Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

Original Language: English
Publisher: Greenwillow Books/Harper Collins, Inc.
Country: USA
Publication Date: March 29, 2011
ISBN: 0062001035
Page Count: 336

Entwined is Heather Dixon's debut novel and a fantastic reworking of the fairytale favourite The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Her characters are fun, and sweet and the plot is a fascinating way to look at a beloved old tale.

I've always loved fairy tales and any story that gives me a chance to sing a familiar tune in a new place is worth a shot. Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of my all time favourites and I adore the chance to explore it again. Dixon has created an enchanting magical world of sweet young princesses named (alphabetically by age) after flowers.

For the most part the characters are charming and well developed. I would have liked less pip in Lord Teddie and a bit more pip in Lord Bradford. Of course, this is a story aimed primarily at young teenagers who want more story that deep characterisation so it worked out well the way it was. The older Princesses seemed to have quite distinct personality traits that make it easier to differentiate them. Azalea was especially well developed - her relationship with her father (Sir) and her budding romance with Lord Bradford.

Keeper was sufficiently terrifying though a tad predictable. I could have done with a little more mystery but knowing the original story as well as I do makes that difficult.

The plot was interesting, though at times it did feel a little rushed and vague. It seemed to struggle to move on at times, and the transitions from exciting to frightening seemed somewhat disjointed. I did, however, enjoy the development of the romances between the Princesses and their suitors though I found Clover's romance a bit strange and almost creepy.


Ultimately though, Entwined was an engaging reworking of an old classic and I look forward to more stories from Heather Dixon. 

Judging by the cover: I adore this cover! I can't even explain how beautiful and whimsical it is. The silver design around the border and the dress are both amazing. I don't know how but I want to combine them and wear them somewhere.

Eve by Anna Carey

Eve
Anna Carey

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.
Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

Original Language: English
Publisher: HarperTeen
Country: USA
Publication Date: October 4, 2011
ISBN: 978-0062048509
Page Count: 320

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on Anna Carey's new YA dystopian, Eve, novel for months. Probably since I first saw it on Goodreads at the start of the year. Since my experience with The Hunger Games last year, I've been craving dystopian fiction. The teaser for Eve got me excited and I bought it as soon as it came out.

Unfortunately, I finished the book a little disappointed. I'm not ready to say I didn't like it, or that it was bad - but for a first novel in a trilogy, it was quite weak. I wanted more from it: more history, more explanation, more characterisation.

To begin with, Eve is a fickle heroine. Coming from an all girls school, who secretly spend twelve years preparing them to become breeding machines (more on that later) while simultaneously teaching them to hate men, she should want to be more self-sufficient and independent. Eve is afraid of men from the get go, but a few friendly smiles and a moment of solitude, changes her mind. Her naivety and fears are justified in a world where she is being hunted and her friends are being murdered, but she's just so inconsistent!

The most interesting characters are the ones that are barely touched on while the ones we focus on - Eve, Lief and Caleb - are quite two dimensional. I want to know more about Arden, about Pip and Ruby, and Margaret and Otis. Who is this politician become King who is the shady antagonist? Tell me more about this plague - and vaccine - that culled the population.

I found a lot of things confusing - something a second read might help. The code, the Trail, Califia and the Schools are all vague concepts that, at this point, fail to create a realistic backdrop for narrative. Why educate these girls - and so thoroughly - for twelve years and waste so many precious breeding years? They may want to encourage voluntary breeding but aren't they making promises they can't keep by talking about the trades Graduates will learn?
Haunting as the breeding factories are, they seem a poorly thought out.

Of course, Eve has an interesting idea. The plague is a great way to explain away a dwindling dystopian society, and the idea of young girl being used as sows is terrifying. I just need more - I need to understand the how and why of New America's history. I need to hope that further books in the trilogy will explain things further.

Raiding Bookshelves Rating

Judging by the cover: I'm happy to admit that it was the cover of Eve that caught my attention. I love the blues and greens of the background; they create a striking contrast again the rich reds and browns of the girl.