Review: The Forsaken

Oct •  21 •  2012

Title: The Forsaken

Series: The Forsaken # 1
Genre: Young Adult-Dystopian
Author: Lissa M. Stasse
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Book: ARC sent by publisher


“As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., 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 but stand 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 the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.”

Dystopian books are all the rage! Their unique yet exciting. The Forsaken falls in to the category of awesome stories. Not only did it manage to pull in the reader in a great world, but it manages to gratify ever wakening moment.

What I love the most about the story are the characters. The characters are far more than the forsaken. They each carry a back round history that links them to one another. I knew that once in the story that there is more than what it seems. I loved learning each unremembered memory surface along with the reader. The writing style of the author allows the reader to easily step into the world with a great perspective.

There are several new friendships as well as a love interest. I like that this love interest had a back round history that no one knew about. The can immediately tell that there is something more than just a connection. They fought for each other and learn to trust each other. Given the situation that they fall in, I like that their love in not sparked right away over any action. Instead, they know whats at risk, and know that any moment things can change.

The ending for me is satisfying. I loved the great plot twist at the end. I have to admit that I did not see that little tidbit and yes, it made me happy.

The Forsaken is an original story with amazing plot that is insightful and exhilarating. When it all comes to together, it creates a great world building. It’s more about just being forsaken. It’s dark and gritty with lots of action. With a story line that is enticing, The Forsaken is great!

I give it 4 BITES!

Happy Reading!

2 Comments

  1. I’ve heard good things about this one, and even though am getting a little burned out on dystopian stuff lately, I’ve got in a request for it at the library. Great review and thanks for stopping by 🙂

  2. Amber Elise
    Oct 21, 2012

    Wahoo, this sounds like everything I would like. Strong characters and not an overbearing love story! Thanks for your review!

    Amber Elise @ Du Livre