Title: Breathe
Author: Sarah Crossan (Twitter)
Publisher: Greenwillow
Publish Date: October 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 373
Source: Publisher

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe...The world is dead. The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. Quinn should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. Bea wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

The world is used up. Air is gone, and what little there is, the Breathe Corporation provides at great cost. To survive, you are either very privileged, or you work to the bone to provide a better life for your family in the bleak future of the world. Life outside these lifesaving pods isn't really an option, as the trees are gone, and the oceans are dried up, leaving the Earth with oxygen levels of a mere 6%. For Quinn, life is easy, as he's a Premium and one of the few elite. Bea is an Auxiliary and has worked hard with her family her entire life to secure their future. Alina is a rebel, and doesn't play by the rules. And the lives of these three teens are on a dangerous collision course.

Breathe presents a concept of a dystopian future that, while not entirely original or new, definitely takes its own spin on the concept of a world depleted of its natural resources. The world that Sarah Crossan has created is, indeed, extremely bleak, with a faceless corporation holding monopoly over the Earth's citizens' very lives. The smooth, steady pace of the novel lulls us into a comfortable and false sense of calm, enveloping us in a tale that begins to lash out with dark treachery as we progress. With its well-paced plot, understandable theme and a world that's bleak and devoid of hope, Breathe gives us a chance to root for redemption through it all.

I have to say that, at first, the concept of Breathe didn't immediately entice me, simply because I felt the setup was vaguely reminiscent of one my all-time favourite new dystopians, Pure. However, I was excited to start reading and see that while a few elements were similar, Breathe definitely had its own plot and was taking its execution in a different direction. One of the greatest strengths of the book were the three main characters with whom we're offered a chance to empathize. Bea, Alina and Quinn are stark contrasts of one another, each offering a different viewpoint into the world of Breathe. Their alternating points of view gave me a different perspective with each transition, and I felt as though my insight was more well-rounded by doing so. Throughout the novel though, I didn't see much character growth within their individual characters arcs, which also seemed to be lacking somewhat. However, in a largely plot-driven novel, I can accept it and will say that it made sense for Breathe. Another highlight of this book for me, surprisingly enough, was the love triangle, as we actually got to see two girls falling for the same guy, whereas usually it's the other way around. The only true complaint I have with the book is that I am left with a ton of questions regarding just what actually happened to the world. In a sense, it leaves me wanting more and anticipating the next installment, but in another way, I felt a bit slighted.

Overall though, I thought Breathe was a really well-written addition to the genre. With a clean writing style and a fresh voice, it's sure to find a big audience. I give it a strong 3.5 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Rootless
Author: Chris Howard (Twitter)
Publisher: Scholastic
Publish Date: November 1, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

17-year-old Banyan is a tree builder. Using scrap metal and salvaged junk, he creates forests for rich patrons who seek a reprieve from the desolate landscape. Although Banyan's never seen a real tree—they were destroyed more than a century ago—his father used to tell him stories about the Old World. But that was before his father was taken.

Everything changes when Banyan meets a woman with a strange tattoo—a clue to the whereabouts of the last living trees on earth, and he sets off across a wasteland from which few return. Those who make it past the pirates and poachers can't escape the locusts—the locusts that now feed on human flesh. But Banyan isn't the only one looking for the trees, and he's running out of time. Unsure of whom to trust, he's forced to make an uneasy alliance with Alpha, an alluring, dangerous pirate with an agenda of her own.

Banyan lives in a world where the trees have long since withered and died. His world is one of the artificial, and he spends his days building trees to recreate the forests that once were. These trees, however, are different. They're made from scraps of materials like rubber and lights, and only the richest of patrons can afford his trees. But when Banyan meets a woman with a tattoo that shows him that the last living trees might be more reality than mythology, he knows he needs to find them...and fast. He's drawn to this last living bit of nature, and he when he sets out on a quest to find them at all costs, he's in for the journey of a lifetime. 

This genre has been so hit or miss for me as of late, but when I first read Rootless, I was really blown away by not only the concept, but the rich, vivid details that author, Chris Howard, offers his readers. This cautionary tale is cleverly disguised in a world of metal, plastic and other man-made materials. Nature is a distant memory, long since eradicated through the meticulous and destructive work of a corporation dominating the nation's food industry. With a world that's carefully-crafted, a strong and empathetic cast of characters and a soulful mission to find what's left of our world, Rootless soars.

Rootless was, in a nutshell, one heck of an epic journey. Think about the best quests you've ever read about, and then times it by ten. That's what this story offers us. We're given Banyan, a teen boy with a steady job as a tree builder, but with a chance to find a piece of our heritage and save what little might just be left of the world. His soul shines through his quest, and his courage, determination, humour and general good-natured persona has us invested from the start. Not once did I find his journey disingenuous or his motives less than honest. We're also given a host of pirates who are incredibly detailed, entertaining and truly original. These female pirates are gorgeous and powerful, dominating the swamplands of Old Orleans, and we're introduced to Alpha, a dynamic pirate with an agenda of her own. Through it all, we're presented with this barren wasteland of a world, and Rootless definitely displays the fact that it is a cautionary tale with complete sincerity. The author could easily have become preachy, but instead, by offering us a faceless corporation, GenTech, we can see distinct parallels between our worlds and the one within the pages of Rootless. It's a definitive wakeup call, and it's also a subtle call to action, or at the very least a commentary on the fact that our world needs a careful reminder of the potentially harmful repercussions of tinkering with our food and crop supply. Most of all though, the plot moves steadily forward, as does Banyan's quest, and we become fully invested in finding this long-lost forest, as well, hoping against hope that there might just be something there for Banyan - and for the rest of the world.

Honestly, I haven't seen to many reviews of Rootless, and that saddens me. It far exceeded my expectations, and it's right up there on my list of favourite dystopians now. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian novels with subtle social commentary.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Eden's Root
Author: Rachel Fisher
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: December 17, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 352
Source: Author

It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years.

But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

The year is 2030, and the world is on the brink of utter catastrophe. Faced with crop deaths, food shortages and imminent destruction, the human race is just barely struggling to survive. Fi is just a young girl, watching as the Sickness begins to touch her family, creeping into her house and threaten the ones she loves. When her dying father tells her his darkest secret though, Fi’s world is turned upside down. The secret is bigger than her father, bigger than herself and it’s bigger than anything one girl should ever have to bear alone. But Fi must make a decision – grow touch, and strong, and vigilant, or watch as the world crumbles around her, and her family falls first.

You know how much I like dystopians, guys. It’s my thing. Well, that and issue books. Do you think that says something about my psyche? I digress. Eden’s Root is a self-published novel by newcomer, Rachel Fisher. With a fascinating premise and startling realistic imagery, this novel fits seamlessly into the genre, standing apart, as well. Rather than simply taking an old idea and rehashing it, yet again, Eden’s Root tackles issues that could, potentially, happen, and it gives a heroine in which we can become invested and care for. Disastrous and disheartening, somehow the book seems to draw you into a world that, thought bleak, is one that you find a semblance of hope in, and you continue to look for more.

Because of my extreme love for dystopians, I should point out that I have very high standards. Eden’s Root features a complex cast of characters that are struggling against all odds to survive. The world is very much a bleak one, and it seems as though the conflict surmounts anything in the novel. Yet, somehow, through the action and suspense, we get to watch a Fi’s character grow and evolve, which is truly one of the strengths of the novel. Furthermore, the plot spins us into a web that’s multi-layered and tangled, but we never feel lost or confused as to how we’ve arrived in a certain place in the novel. The true beauty of Eden’s Root lies within the premise, itself though. We’re given a disastrous dystopian world that could actually come about. Imagine knowing that every bite of food you eat is slowly killing you, but you have no choice but to eat it and sustain yourself for a small while. It’s eerie, and it’s frightening, which lends a great strength to the story. My main issue with the novel, however, was that it felt a bit rushed and unfinished. We’re given a great set of plot arcs, conflicts and characters, but it seemed to piece itself together too quickly in the end, and I wanted to know more. In that sense, I feel as though the novel fell a bit short.

Overall though, Eden’s Root was a strong novel that will definitely find its place in the dystopian market, and I definitely expect to read a lot more from Rachel Fisher. I give it a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

-----------------------------

In an effort to raise awareness for Eden’s Root and author, Rachel Fisher, I’m giving away my copy to one lucky reader! Here are the rules: 

 You do NOT have to be a follower to enter but, as always, it’s much appreciated if you are! This giveaway is open internationally and will end promptly at midnight (12 AM EST) on March 15, 2012. Good luck! 

 Click HERE to enter!

Title: Article 5
Author: Kristen Simmons (Facebook)
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publish Date: January 31, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Things have changed in the realm of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There are new laws in place, there's an omnipotent governing body and things are definitely not how they used to be. But Ember remembers what life was like before...before the raids and the trials and the fines. There is always risk though, and even though Ember knows her life depends on anonymity for the most part, she's thrust into a spotlight when her mother is arrested. Her life changes in that moment. Life is no longer simply black and white, but shades of gray because Chase is at the center of it all, and there is always a choice.

Dystopians have become so hit or miss for me lately. They're almost the new paranormal, in a sense, as they continue to spin the same old, same old story. Because of this, it's a breath of fresh air when something challenges the boundaries of the genre, setting a new height and goal for other novels to reach. Article 5 is one of those books. It's that perfect blend of spine-tingling action, breathtaking suspense, vivid imagery and fabulous characterization that lends to a story line that soars far greater than the synopsis or summary can even allude to. Kristen Simmons has crafted an incredible story that is extremely well-written, flows beautiful and paints a painfully bleak and frightening future world.

There's a subtle undercurrent and theme that carries throughout Article 5 that, above all else, I feel the need to point out. We all have choices. Right or wrong, good or bad, obedience or defection...every single person has a choice. That applies to every member of society from the very top and trickles all the way down. Ember was a powerfully evocative character that displays this so incredibly well. She's forced into a terrible situation and she's faced with the easy decision to submit, or she can choose the hard path - to escape. In a nutshell, it's her choice that forces Article 5 into heart-pounding action. Her counterpart and love interest, Chase, is everything I wished for and more. He's lit from within, and his personality resonates. He's forcible, but kind, and there's a hardened exterior around him that acts as an armour, shielding him from the pain of society and every action he has to take. The progression of his dynamic with Ember was tragically beautiful, and yet powerfully hopeful, as well. The true power of the novel rests in the ability to skillfully paint the harsh reality of the world in which the characters live. The world was so very bleak, gritty and and raw, and the words perfectly painted that picture, nearly rubbing salt in the proverbial wounds with each turn of the page. And, ultimately, the characters, the writing and the brilliant story line merged seamlessly to provide an engrossing new dystopian that keeps you guessing and cheering for your favourite characters long past the last page.

I am always so happy when I book knocks me out of a so-so reading funk, and Article 5 most certainly did that for me. It was an incredibly well-executed debut, and I can't sing its praises enough. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy futuristic dystopian novels.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver (Twitter, Facebook)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: February 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 375
Source: Publisher

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lena's been through hell and back...as literally as possible. Her mind is broken, her body is broken and her heart is shattered into a million pieces after losing Alex. When she is discovered by the Invalids, Lena is more than shocked to find that they nurse her back to health, rather than brutally kill her like she was led to believe they did in the Wilds. But Lena's journey is far from over. As she recovers and grows stronger, so does her mind and her heart. She becomes a member of the resistance, finding something to believe in, but danger lurks in every corner. Is the fight for Love worth it, or will the ultimate freedom come with the ultimate price...again?

I remember how blown away I was when I first read Delirium, despite my hesitance. So, naturally, I had extremely high expectations for Pandemonium, especially as the second book in the series. Lauren Oliver has delivered a stunning sequel to the first book in her epic dystopian series, giving us more of the brutal battles, ruthless world and breathtaking love story that we've come to expect from her. With impeccable grace, Pandemonium sweeps us into the ravaged Wilds and gives us a heroine that might be battered and broken, but is every bit as fierce and determined as we could hope. In a sentence, Pandemonium is tragically beautiful and painfully rich, giving us the very best in dystopian fiction.

Guys, I have an extremely strong aversion to love triangles, so you should make note of that going into this review. Pandemonium took my heart and gradually repaired it with a soaring, sweeping love though, where its predecessor tore it from my chest and stomped on it a million times. Lena, as usual, is a wonderful heroine. Her humanity is the driving force of her character, making her someone I want to read about, and the added strength she gains through living in the Wild only serves to foster that investment in her being. Furthermore, though we're given a host of new characters to meet, including Julian who I desperately wanted to hate but just couldn't, Pandemonium balances an action-packed plot and a host of characters with ease. The real strength of Pandemonium, however, lives in the writing, itself. Perfectly switching between Then and Now, the story is never jarring or false, and it flows effortlessly, guiding a soaring plot arc throughout.

All in all, Pandemonium was a brilliant sequel to a nearly perfect first book. I am so excited to be able to say it lives up to book one because I was a bit scared. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: Eden
Author: Keary Taylor
Publisher: Self-Published
Published: June 6, 2011
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 408
Source: Author

Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She's seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn't just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve's reality.

In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior.

The technology wants to spread and it won't stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of.

Eve lives in a world that's devastated and ruins since the technology began having a mind of its own. Once made to be a cure, the tech now controls most of the Fallen world, leaving just a few bands of humans still alive and Eden as their one, true sanctuary. Their world is at war between the living and the machine, and Eve is at war with herself, fighting a constant inner turmoil to survive and reconcile her forgotten past with her present. But life is even more confusing when it comes to the two men in her life who give her a focus and a center. West might very well be for her, but Avian is a rock, and she's known him half her life. Will Eve's love for all those in Eden be enough to keep them all alive, or will they soon be a part of the Fallen?

Eden is, perhaps, the epitome of dystopian fiction, creating a world that's so devastated by mankind's greed and lust for advancement that it seems like there is very little hope left at all. The brainchild of indie author, Keary Taylor, Eden is her first stab at dystopian fiction after her popular and successful Fall of Angels series, including Branded, Forsaken and the forthcoming Vindicated. Well-written in the challenging first-person POV, Eden allows you direct access to Eve's mind as she makes her way through a crippled world where love is a luxury at best.

We all know how much I love dystopian fiction, and Eden has such an amazing premise that promises a dark, haunting story that is both painful and hopeful. The world within Eden is a series of stark contrasts, portrayed almost as black and white. You have the ruined world that's been consumed by technology and cybernetics with one goal - to eliminate humanity. Then, you have the lush gardens of Eden where the remaining humans are living at the base level of humanity, surviving on love, compassion and the mere basics. That, was the highlight of Eden for me. I did, unfortunately, have a few issues with Eden though. The story starts with a bang, then settles into a lull of backstory for a few chapters that, while necessary, could probably have been interwoven later in the story to better help the flow. I also felt that it took a long time to get into Eve's head. She had this whole life before Eden, but I struggled to get a grasp on it because she was so stubborn ad shrouded in mystery. Avian and West were both strong male characters with a great impact on the plot, but I felt the romance often overshadowed the action in the book, which is a struggle for me - especially if it's a bit of a triangle. All that said, though, I still want to remark on what an amazing world there is in Eden because it's one of the best I've read of in a while.

All in all, Eden is so, so close to being a really great dystopian, but because of some flaws, it ended up just being good for me. As far as I can see, this is a stand-alone book, so make sure you read it for that. I give it a strong 3 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy upper YA and dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.