Book Review/Blog Tour: Eden by Keary Taylor

Welcome to today's stop in the Eden Blog Tour. I'm excited to share with you my review for Keary Taylor's newest release as well as host a giveaway for an e-book of Eden! 

By: Keary Taylor

Published by: Self

To Be Released on: June 6th, 2012

Source: e-book from author

4 stars: I Enjoyed It

Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen. -quoted from Goodreads

Eden brings plenty of action, romance, and uncertainty that dystopian and post-apocalyptic stories have in them, to the YA book scene. Keary not only created a story that relied heavily on these elements, she created a vivid world that was incredibly easy for me picture. I was fascinated by Eden, and the fact that the world as me know it now no longer exists. Technology rules and the few humans left are now on the run. It's here, in Eden where Eve's story starts. Being among some of the last few hold outs of humans, Eden has become both a refuge for those survivors. I do not envy the characters of this book, and all they have to deal with, but I enjoyed getting to read about them.

Eve is a character I didn't really connect with until towards the end of the book. Which was surprising to me, because I admired how resilient, motivated and tough she is. She will do whatever it takes to support and save those who live in her colony, which has become her family. She has some great butt kicking moments. This girl isn't afraid to get dirty or take a few hits, but she can definitely dish it out to anyone who tries to come after those she loves and cares deeply amount. Any girl who takes a stand and does whatever she can to protect those she loves gets high praise in my book.

This story's world building fascinated me, and I liked how descriptive Keary gets with her setting. It was so easy for me to envision it in my mind as I'm reading about. The colony of Eden was interesting to me. I liked how despite the various age differences, they all work together much like a family would. Each character has a different role and they all take turns hunting, caring for each other, growing food, etc. They world they live in is far from easy. They're constantly on the run and the look out for the Fallen. I enjoyed getting to know some of the characters that reside in Eden.

Aside from Eve, we get to meet Avian and West, the two main love interests. Though I liked West from the moment he enters the scene, Avian won me over. I should back up and say I liked that both guys would do anything for Eve, including risking their lives for her, but the history she had with Avian and the way they acted around each other made it so much easy for me to adore him. I loved their stolen moments together. I enjoy a well written love triangle, but I just didn't get into this one. I felt that Eve's feelings for both guys was believable, and I liked that she worked out her feelings for both guys. I even liked how she finally made her choice, but I personally didn't like how long it took her to make it. I started to lose interest in it, and then wham, something happens (keeping it spoiler free) and she made her choice, and the way she comes to that conclusion made total sense to me. I really wish I could talk about this part of the book, but I can't do so without mentioning spoilers.

I love the surprising twists Keary threw with the last part of Eden. I was not expecting them at all. Eden is a fast paced read with a good plot line, and lots of sizzling romance, and plenty of action. If you've a fan of dystopians and post apocalyptic reads, I'd recommend adding this to your lists! I think Eden is a book YA fans are really going to enjoy.

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Be sure to follow the rest of the tour here. To enter to win an e-book of Eden, please leave me a comment with you email address! This giveaway will end on May 28th, 2012. US residents only please. Good luck!!