BONESHAKER by Cherie Priest - REVIEW

Tor Books – September 29, 2009

While most of the United States is suffering from the ravages of the Civil War, Seattle, Washington is dealing with something even deadlier – zombies (a.k.a Rotters).

Sixteen years have passed since the terrible event occurred, destroying Seattle, Washington. Sixteen years since Dr. Blue unleashed his amazing Boneshaker underneath the city. Still, to this day, people don’t know if it was an accident or intentional, but the results are all the same. The Boneshaker, intended to dig through the ice of the Alaskan tundra for gold, instead, tore through the rock underneath Seattle itself – caving in much of the city and releasing a mysterious, slow-moving gas at the same time. The gas, eventually named blight, infected those who were unfortunate enough to take it into their lungs. The city attempted to stop the gas from spreading by constructing an enormous wall around the main devastation and eventually were able to stop it. Now most people live right outside the wall in what is called the Outskirts – including Dr. Blue’s widow, Briar Wilkes, and the son he never even knew he had.

Briar and Zeke eke out a living in the Outskirts. Life isn’t easy since they always carry around the stigma of being related to the man who caused all the city’s problems. Zeke is determined to know more about what when on inside the city during the disaster, but Briar is reluctant to tell him everything about it. As his frustration grows, he beings to make plans to sneak under the wall and into the city to find out what he wants to know for himself.

When Briar realizes Zeke has gone into the most dangerous place possible, she immediately gathers supplies and goes to find him. Both come into contact with strange and dangerous characters – not to mention the Rotters.

Readers will be exposed to zombies, pirates, amazing contraptions, and the complicated systems necessary for survival inside the wall. Honestly, it is mind boggling. The imagination required to write such a book is amazing! Cherie Priest deserves kudos for crafting such a unique book. This, truly, is a great addition to the steampunk genre.

BIRTHMARKED by Caragh M. O'Brien - REVIEW

Gaia (Guy-ya) Stone is following in her mother’s footsteps.  She has been training to be a midwife for years and is ready to accept her role in the community. For as long as she can remember, life on the outside of the wall has been this way.  The first three babies of the month are advanced to the Enclave to be adopted and live their life inside the wall.  While the pain of losing a child is great, the mothers know their baby will be living in a community with conveniences not available to the people living in Wharfton like electricity and running water.

Gaia doesn’t know what to do when her parents are arrested and taken by the Guard of the Protectorat. She finds it hard to believe that her parents know anything the Enclave would want to know, but by the questions they ask her when she comes home to find them gone, they think her parents have important information.  Gaia is completely in the dark.  The only thing she has to go on is the long piece of ribbon with a strange code sewn in it that her mother’s assistant gave her and told her to keep secret at all cost.

Gaia’s life becomes a complicated game of cat and mouse as she attempts to get inside the wall, find her parents, and solve the mystery of the coded ribbon.

Caragh M. O’Brien has written a wonderful addition to the dystopian genre.  Readers get a glimpse of life in the 2400’s after a drastic weather change has drastically reduced the human population and even though the world is completely different than the one we live in, the problems Gaia encounters are very similar – she enjoys time with her family, likes socializing with friends, and is insecure when it comes to love.

BIRTH MARKED is fantastic.  I loved it and stayed up much too late because I couldn’t put it down.  It definitely deserves my Stay Awake Award.  The author leaves the ending open for a sequel and I for one can’t wait to see what happens.

THE LINE by Teri Hall - REVIEW

Dial – March 4, 2010

Rachel has lived on The Property since before she can remember.  Her mother works for Ms. Moore, the owner, as a housekeeper of the large house.  Rachel enjoys living far from town and away from the strong governmental control most other people must suffer.  People living in towns deal with unfair and random taxes and when they can’t pay, are taken to jail.

Most people would hate living on The Property because it backs up to The Line, a small section of the National Border Defense System that separates the people of the Unified States from Away and the Others.  The Line is an invisible barrier that can only be crossed if the government grants permission and deactivates The Line.

Rachel doesn’t feel fear when she thinks of Away.  She even tried to cross it once, but simply bounced back from The Line and landed flat on her back.

Rachel’s quiet life is turned upside down when two things happen.  First, she finds a battered digital voice recorder with a partial message requesting help.  Then, during a trip to town with her mother for the weekly supplies, they witness the arrest of a woman her mother recognizes.  Rachel discovers she doesn’t know her mother as well as she thought she did, that Ms. Moore has some unbelievable secrets, and the Away and the Others are closer than she thinks.  She must use her wits and bravery to get through a dangerous and exciting time in order to save an important historical document and people she doesn’t even know.

THE LINE by Teri Hall is a fascinating dystopian novel full of strong female characters and a dark, creepy plot.  The end, while a bit abrupt, is satisfying.  Readers will definitely want to read more about the adventures Rachel is sure to find.  The author leaves the story completely open for a sequel and I for one can’t wait to read it.

The synopsis isn’t the only thing I found intriguing about THE LINE.  Just take a look at the cover and tell me you don’t want to read it! Fantastic art choice!