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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I received my copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This story centers around a future earth, where the population now lives underground in the realms. There are 3 realms, star(lowest), moon(middle) and sun(highest). The government has gone from the elected officers to basically a monarchy, but with a whole lot of selfishness thrown in. The main characters are Adele, a moon dweller, and Tristan, a sun dweller and son of the president. They originally don't really meet, but catch each others attention from afar. This story is about the oppresion of the dwellers, the love and disdain of family, frienships, attraction, hope and faith.
The author, David Estes, has forged his name into writers to be watched and read. An indie author with several books to his name and several more to come, he is right in line with those you find on the best sellers list. Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, having lived in Australia, and currently checking out the islands of Hawaii, his experiences in the different cultures in life come through in his writing.
Why only 4 stars? Even though I loved this story, and can't wait for the second in the series, I found the ending a bit rushed, just a little too cleaned up too quickly. Yes, there are a lot of unanswered questions, which there should be since it's part of a series, but I felt that the ending could have been drawn out another chapter or two.
Why should you read this? The answer is because it's a darn good book, action packed, quirky good in many places, and not only makes you root for the characters but puts you into the story. You will find yourself laughing with them, feeling sad with them, etc.
Look for the second book, The Star Dwellers, the end of September 2012. Cover reveal is scheduled for Sept 15th, with release scheduled for Sept 30th.
This story centers around a future earth, where the population now lives underground in the realms. There are 3 realms, star(lowest), moon(middle) and sun(highest). The government has gone from the elected officers to basically a monarchy, but with a whole lot of selfishness thrown in. The main characters are Adele, a moon dweller, and Tristan, a sun dweller and son of the president. They originally don't really meet, but catch each others attention from afar. This story is about the oppresion of the dwellers, the love and disdain of family, frienships, attraction, hope and faith.
The author, David Estes, has forged his name into writers to be watched and read. An indie author with several books to his name and several more to come, he is right in line with those you find on the best sellers list. Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, having lived in Australia, and currently checking out the islands of Hawaii, his experiences in the different cultures in life come through in his writing.
Why only 4 stars? Even though I loved this story, and can't wait for the second in the series, I found the ending a bit rushed, just a little too cleaned up too quickly. Yes, there are a lot of unanswered questions, which there should be since it's part of a series, but I felt that the ending could have been drawn out another chapter or two.
Why should you read this? The answer is because it's a darn good book, action packed, quirky good in many places, and not only makes you root for the characters but puts you into the story. You will find yourself laughing with them, feeling sad with them, etc.
Look for the second book, The Star Dwellers, the end of September 2012. Cover reveal is scheduled for Sept 15th, with release scheduled for Sept 30th.
I thought this book was particularly easy to read. David Estes has an incredibly likeable writing style. It's action-packed! I think fans of dystopian reads would really like this book.
If you like Legend by Marie Lu, then this book is for you! I will hopefully be reviewing it soon.
Amazing book! Hooked 'til the end! Can't wait for the fourth book and more on the [b:Fire Country|16160701|Fire Country (The Country Saga, #1)|David Estes|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358390068s/16160701.jpg|22002174] sister series! Wonderful author, love all his stuff :)
Nice set up for this series
Not a bad first book. I liked the characters and premise. Interested in seeing what happens in the next book.
Not a bad first book. I liked the characters and premise. Interested in seeing what happens in the next book.
Oy, I feel a little like the odd man out reading all the other raving reviews. Really? Maybe this author and I don't click (I also tried his "Flip" series and gave up on it). As it started up, this story seemed like something right up my alley, but then it just went on and on without really going anywhere.
The alternating perspectives were a little annoying. So many of the chapters would end on this complete cliffhanger moment ... and then, sorry, switch stories. By the time it got back to the other storyline I no longer really cared about the intense events happening.
At one point in the book, one of the characters thinks "Our timing is remarkable" ... and that goes for the entire book. Simply incredible how our two main characters just happen to cross paths again and again, as well as all the other events. Impeccable ... and unbelievable timing, even with suspension of disbelief.
I really had to push myself to finish, and I won't be continuing on with the series. There were a few sections I did highlight (little nuggets of wisdom, book club discussion type stuff) and laughed out loud at "Me, the queen of sarcastic comments -- self-declared-- had been outsarcastified." I'm really going to have to remember that (non)word!
The alternating perspectives were a little annoying. So many of the chapters would end on this complete cliffhanger moment ... and then, sorry, switch stories. By the time it got back to the other storyline I no longer really cared about the intense events happening.
At one point in the book, one of the characters thinks "Our timing is remarkable" ... and that goes for the entire book. Simply incredible how our two main characters just happen to cross paths again and again, as well as all the other events. Impeccable ... and unbelievable timing, even with suspension of disbelief.
I really had to push myself to finish, and I won't be continuing on with the series. There were a few sections I did highlight (little nuggets of wisdom, book club discussion type stuff) and laughed out loud at "Me, the queen of sarcastic comments -- self-declared-- had been outsarcastified." I'm really going to have to remember that (non)word!
Okay, so it took me a whole month to read this! (I've been super busy) and I'm really sad that it took me so long to read this because it was good book. The times when I managed to sit and read for a period of time I was really engrossed (didn't even notice the train guards asking to see our tickets until one was right beside my seat, but I digress).
The idea for the book is so creative, a dystopian world set underground? What? So it took a while for me to stop envisioning tan above ground world because it's so new to me, but I got there.
I loved all the characters (well, except Rivet). Elsey is my favourite, the youngest but I just loved her dramatic nature, courage and her relationship with Adele.
Tawni and Cole (Cole!) were great best friends for Adele, they grew so close so quickly and I loved that Adele didn't spend like half the book questioning their motives and friendship etc.
Roc was funny, and he and Tristan make a great pair. And Adele, she can kick butt and she's so brave. Even though she was alone at the start of the book (and the beginning of her time in the pen) I'm glad she was open and trusting with Cole and Tawni because their friendship was one of my favourite parts of the book. And the action, who can forget the explosions and escaping and near death experiences. What didn't they go through in their journey?
I still don't know what the deal is with her and Tristan! They spent the entire book always from each other and when they finally meet she has to leave :( I need to know what's up with this, the ending made it seem like all will be explained when Adele finds her mum so I'm excited to find out the true meaning behind Tristan and Adele.
I can't wait to see what else is in store with this series. This book was really entertaining and mysterious so I just hope it gets better from here.
The idea for the book is so creative, a dystopian world set underground? What? So it took a while for me to stop envisioning tan above ground world because it's so new to me, but I got there.
I loved all the characters (well, except Rivet). Elsey is my favourite, the youngest but I just loved her dramatic nature, courage and her relationship with Adele.
Tawni and Cole (Cole!) were great best friends for Adele, they grew so close so quickly and I loved that Adele didn't spend like half the book questioning their motives and friendship etc.
Roc was funny, and he and Tristan make a great pair. And Adele, she can kick butt and she's so brave. Even though she was alone at the start of the book (and the beginning of her time in the pen) I'm glad she was open and trusting with Cole and Tawni because their friendship was one of my favourite parts of the book. And the action, who can forget the explosions and escaping and near death experiences. What didn't they go through in their journey?
I can't wait to see what else is in store with this series. This book was really entertaining and mysterious so I just hope it gets better from here.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchanged for an honest review.
I was pleasantly surprised while reading this book. When I read the summary it seemed like it would be a typically dystopia novel complete with the typical romance. I was glad to see how wrong I was.
The world that the author create is different from anything I’ve ever read in a book. I love that when the world ended everyone went under ground. That seems more realistic to me than some other worlds I’ve come across. I loved how the classes were portrayed as the three different levels. I also thought his writing was really nice. He wasn’t trying to be too formal but he also wasn’t stupid sounding. It was a perfect mix. The characters talked like normal teenagers talk. Nothing fancy, just plain old English. I probably love that more than I should but I find that a lot of authors try and sound young in their writing and they don’t pull it off. David Estes did an excellent job with this. He’s also really good at pacing. The whole book moved very smoothly and not too fast.
At first, I didn’t think I liked going back and forth from Tristan’s point of view and Adele’s. As I read further, I decided I liked it. I liked how we got to see where each group was in relation to each other. When they got close to finding each other I’d get excited and hope they were finally going to meet. Nothing they did was ever expected. Even the romance aspect of the book was really different. I found I really liked Adele’s strength and personality. She was a great female lead. I was especially impressed that the author was male and could pull that off. Tristan was great as well. He doesn’t like the idea of the classes and actually wants to do something about it. Nobody pushes him to do anything, he decides to do something all by himself.
I was really impressed with how this book turned out and I’m excited to read the next one!
I was pleasantly surprised while reading this book. When I read the summary it seemed like it would be a typically dystopia novel complete with the typical romance. I was glad to see how wrong I was.
The world that the author create is different from anything I’ve ever read in a book. I love that when the world ended everyone went under ground. That seems more realistic to me than some other worlds I’ve come across. I loved how the classes were portrayed as the three different levels. I also thought his writing was really nice. He wasn’t trying to be too formal but he also wasn’t stupid sounding. It was a perfect mix. The characters talked like normal teenagers talk. Nothing fancy, just plain old English. I probably love that more than I should but I find that a lot of authors try and sound young in their writing and they don’t pull it off. David Estes did an excellent job with this. He’s also really good at pacing. The whole book moved very smoothly and not too fast.
At first, I didn’t think I liked going back and forth from Tristan’s point of view and Adele’s. As I read further, I decided I liked it. I liked how we got to see where each group was in relation to each other. When they got close to finding each other I’d get excited and hope they were finally going to meet. Nothing they did was ever expected. Even the romance aspect of the book was really different. I found I really liked Adele’s strength and personality. She was a great female lead. I was especially impressed that the author was male and could pull that off. Tristan was great as well. He doesn’t like the idea of the classes and actually wants to do something about it. Nobody pushes him to do anything, he decides to do something all by himself.
I was really impressed with how this book turned out and I’m excited to read the next one!
Good book. Solid story! I'm not sure if I will pick up the other 2 in the series quite yet but David Estes is a mighty fine storyteller.