As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the US, and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help standing out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to the wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.
The life expectancy of prisoners on the wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and a charismatic warrior named Liam concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.
- Kindle: 799 KB
- Print Length: 386 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (July 10, 2012)
- ASIN: B0061QAZ9I
- AMAZON US | AMAZON CA
Review:
I heard reviews of this story being compared to The Hunger Games. For me, every similarity had a difference. Thank goodness for differences though, as now I can enjoy both books.
Yeah, it's based in a post-apocalyptic world. And yeah, kids are isolated and in a location where they have to fend for themselves, even kill one another. That's where the similarities end though.
It's such a different society and so the characters are so very unique. Well written and brought to life in my mind as I read. I ended up feeling deeply concerned for Alenna and Liam. I was compelled to keep reading to the end. I had to know what was happening between them and if their relationship made it through.
There was a ton of action and excitement that helped build it on too. I just can't wait to read more from this author.
5/5
now THAT is a cover. and you gave it 5 stars ... :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting review! Sounds like it could be a great read!
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