Hello everyone! Happy Monday!
I'm starting the week with one of my very awaited books of the year! After loving Emma Pass's debut last year, I was super excited to get her next book, and I'm very happy to have it as the first entry for this week's Mark This Book Monday!
This one is also part of my Dystopian Reading Challenge 2014!
The Fearless by Emma Pass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
After reading Emma Pass' ACID last year, I knew I wanted to read The Fearless as soon as it came out!
It is a dystopian, and as such it belongs to one of my favourites genres to read. I was absolutely intrigued about the premise of the book: an absolute change in our society that starts with the widespread use of a not-tested-enough miracle drug.
I will be trying my best to not discuss the actual plot too much, mostly because I think I'd be spoiling something inadvertedly, and I want this review to be as spoiler free as possible!
I found very intriguing how the beginning of the book was actually the information brochure for the medication that started everything. That gave it a realistic touch I could appreciate, maybe even more than other readers, being a nurse and all that!
Given the synopsis of the book I expected the story to start with Cass being already 17, but we actually start with the backstory of the how's, what's and a few hints of the why's. What's great of this backstory is that even if it's a bit obscurely, we do get a hint at what's going on in the rest of the world, before we focus on the UK and the story turns even more regional once they move to the island.
Once we reach present day Cass, we're given a very limited idea of what the world is like since she's at the island, safe but also completely cut off from the rest of the world, where the Fearless are at large, having destroyed civilization as we knew it. Cass isn't entirely happy with her life in the island, but since it's a safe place for her and her brother, she wouldn't even think of leaving for the mainland.
But everything changes one day, once an intruder is discovered in the island. He is captured but he's not the only one and once Cass's brother is kidnapped and taken off the island, all bets are off for Cass. She teams up with the captive intruder, helping him escape to get his help in the mainland trying to rescue her brother.
The book is told in 3 different POVs: Cass, Sol (Cass's used-to-be-best-friend-and-guy-in-love-with-her) and Myo (the captive intruder and guy with a lot of secrets).
Cass is a pretty great heroine, despite some rash choices and her absolute ignorance of what's really going on in the world (though that's not exactly her fault). She is tough, very loyal to her family and not scared to face new things and danger.
Sol starts the book as being a bit of a jerk, but sort of still can tolerate him, but as the book progresses I started disliking him more and more. I could still understand his situation was not ideal, but even so I couldn't justify his bad choices. He's a really big contrast to Cass, and how she handles the situations and the choices she makes.
Myo was a very intriguing character, from the very beginning we suspect there's much more to him than just how presents himself. But even if I suspected what his secret might be, I wasn't entirely sure and it's great what a twist it added to the story, and the morality of the fight that's going on.
The pacing of the book was quite good, even if it first might have seem a bit slow, but it gives us pieces we'll need to know later on, and it also gives Cass some time to try and grasp the change in her worldview. The plot seemed rather straightforward at first, but we're given quite a few twists here and there that make it even more interesting, and ends up presenting us with a few moral dilemmas that do question what defines humanity, and what choices we do when the ends justify the means?
The biggest issue I have with the book and that is the key to my rating is the ending... I asked Emma on Twitter and she told me she wanted to write a sequel, so I'm hoping that'll happen! As a first book in a series or duology, The Fearless would get very solid 4 stars, but as a standalong, I feel like there should be a lil more world building, so it'd get a 3.5 stars.
View all my reviews
I'm starting the week with one of my very awaited books of the year! After loving Emma Pass's debut last year, I was super excited to get her next book, and I'm very happy to have it as the first entry for this week's Mark This Book Monday!
This one is also part of my Dystopian Reading Challenge 2014!
The Fearless by Emma PassMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
After reading Emma Pass' ACID last year, I knew I wanted to read The Fearless as soon as it came out!
It is a dystopian, and as such it belongs to one of my favourites genres to read. I was absolutely intrigued about the premise of the book: an absolute change in our society that starts with the widespread use of a not-tested-enough miracle drug.
I will be trying my best to not discuss the actual plot too much, mostly because I think I'd be spoiling something inadvertedly, and I want this review to be as spoiler free as possible!
I found very intriguing how the beginning of the book was actually the information brochure for the medication that started everything. That gave it a realistic touch I could appreciate, maybe even more than other readers, being a nurse and all that!
Given the synopsis of the book I expected the story to start with Cass being already 17, but we actually start with the backstory of the how's, what's and a few hints of the why's. What's great of this backstory is that even if it's a bit obscurely, we do get a hint at what's going on in the rest of the world, before we focus on the UK and the story turns even more regional once they move to the island.
Once we reach present day Cass, we're given a very limited idea of what the world is like since she's at the island, safe but also completely cut off from the rest of the world, where the Fearless are at large, having destroyed civilization as we knew it. Cass isn't entirely happy with her life in the island, but since it's a safe place for her and her brother, she wouldn't even think of leaving for the mainland.
But everything changes one day, once an intruder is discovered in the island. He is captured but he's not the only one and once Cass's brother is kidnapped and taken off the island, all bets are off for Cass. She teams up with the captive intruder, helping him escape to get his help in the mainland trying to rescue her brother.
The book is told in 3 different POVs: Cass, Sol (Cass's used-to-be-best-friend-and-guy-in-love-with-her) and Myo (the captive intruder and guy with a lot of secrets).
Cass is a pretty great heroine, despite some rash choices and her absolute ignorance of what's really going on in the world (though that's not exactly her fault). She is tough, very loyal to her family and not scared to face new things and danger.
Sol starts the book as being a bit of a jerk, but sort of still can tolerate him, but as the book progresses I started disliking him more and more. I could still understand his situation was not ideal, but even so I couldn't justify his bad choices. He's a really big contrast to Cass, and how she handles the situations and the choices she makes.
Myo was a very intriguing character, from the very beginning we suspect there's much more to him than just how presents himself. But even if I suspected what his secret might be, I wasn't entirely sure and it's great what a twist it added to the story, and the morality of the fight that's going on.
The pacing of the book was quite good, even if it first might have seem a bit slow, but it gives us pieces we'll need to know later on, and it also gives Cass some time to try and grasp the change in her worldview. The plot seemed rather straightforward at first, but we're given quite a few twists here and there that make it even more interesting, and ends up presenting us with a few moral dilemmas that do question what defines humanity, and what choices we do when the ends justify the means?
The biggest issue I have with the book and that is the key to my rating is the ending... I asked Emma on Twitter and she told me she wanted to write a sequel, so I'm hoping that'll happen! As a first book in a series or duology, The Fearless would get very solid 4 stars, but as a standalong, I feel like there should be a lil more world building, so it'd get a 3.5 stars.
View all my reviews
Hmmm. That ending sounds tricky for sure Pili! Here's hoping it's book one of at least a duology, I have no doubt I would reach the end of this one and rate it the same way. I'm fine with unanswered questions or things left a little open as long as there's more on the way. If it's just going to leave things a bit unfinished, I know I'll struggle! Glad you enjoyed it overall though, fabulous review:)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenny! I feel like poking the publisher to make sure it'll be at least a duology!!
DeleteDystopian novels have been so hit or miss for me lately, but this story definitely sounds intriguing, Pili! I love the sound of the characters in this novel, and it sounds like their respective backstories definitely add some depth. The end would be a bit trying for me, too, but at least there's going to be more! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThe characters were very interesting, Melissa! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for at least another book!
DeleteThank you for visiting the blog!
This sounds gooood! I have heard great things about ACID too and been meaning to read that one. But I'm a sucker for dystopians and I'm finding less and less good ones lately so this makes me excited! I like how much character dev it seems to have with great backstories and a likeable personality. I've noticed world building is often saved for book 2 now so hopefully she will write up that sequel! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Giselle! I highly recommend both ACID and this one for you, very refreshing dystopians!
DeleteI always find out about new books when I come here! This sounds good and I hope yuo get your sequel!
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
Thank you, Kate! So happy to have books for you to discover!
DeleteGreat review sweetie. <3 It sounds like a great book :D I'm glad you mostly enjoyed it. <3 Not sure I want to read it, lol, but it do look good :) Fingers crossed for you that there will be a sequel :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, sweetie! *crosses fingers*
DeleteAhhh, I haven't read Acid or The Fearless yet! I have heard REALLY good things about both though, so I must read them! I think I'll hold off reading this one specifically, to see if a sequel will be written. Hopefully, for your sake at the very least, there will be one! :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous review, Pili!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Thank you, Alyssa! I'm really hoping The Fearless will get its sequel!
DeleteACID is one that you must read, maybe add it to my push-to-read list! ;)