Review: Wasteland

Title: Wasteland
Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Young Adult-Dystopian
Author: Susan Kim & Laurence Klavan
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Book: ARC sent by publisher

 

 

“Welcome to the Wasteland. Where all the adults are long gone, and now no one lives past the age of nineteen. Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan’s post-apocalyptic debut is the first of a trilogy in which everyone is forced to live under the looming threat of rampant disease and brutal attacks by the Variants —- hermaphroditic outcasts that live on the outskirts of Prin. Esther thinks there’s more to life than toiling at harvesting, gleaning, and excavating, day after day under the relentless sun, just hoping to make it to the next day. But then Caleb, a mysterious stranger, arrives in town, and Esther begins to question who she can trust. As shady pasts unravel into the present and new romances develop, Caleb and Esther realize that they must team together to fight for their lives and for the freedom of Prin.”

A dystopian at its best with vivid world-building, I’m thrilled that I read this story.

A new world for the reader to explore like no other.  And of course the fight for power is struggle that is starting a battle.  I really loved the plot. Built up beautifully with so much power in the words and world that is built, I found myself in the wasteland trying to survive. Learning the tricks and trades to survival, there are several new elements in the story that I particularly enjoyed.

With all that is going on in the plot, I didn’t see the romance. There are friendships and business aspects done, but the romance certainly sneaked up on me. I like it. Despite the harsh world that Esther lived in, she found love where she least expects it. It gives her the strength to fight for the love she found and the friends she lost.

What really intrigued me an kept me in the story is why do they die at such young age.  And what exactly are people killing and searching for? As I continued to travel in the world, each chapter lead me deeper into more secrets.  When all the secrets were revealed, I’m astonished I didn’t see it sooner. The authors did a great job in keeping the reader out of the loop, along with the characters so that everything you read you discover together.

 A great story that can capture any readers imagination, Wasteland is fantastic. It’s gritty and dark, compiling a primitive the search for life , Wasteland is awesome.

I give it 5 BITES!

Happy Reading!