Mundie Moms

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Book Review: Eve (Eve #1) by Anna Carey


Published by: Harper Teen
Released on: October 4th, 2011
Source: ARC from Deb Shapiro & Company
4 stars: I Really Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound


Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose—and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

In this epic new series, Anna Carey imagines a future that is both beautiful and terrifying. Readers will revel in Eve’s timeless story of forbidden love and extraordinary adventure. -quoted from Goodreads

I finally know what all the hype surrounding Eve is all about. This was such a fun, fast paced, exciting read that left me wanting more. It didn't take me long to get sucked right into Eve's world. Eve's setting is one that mixes together standard dystopian elements, as well as a few new ones. The world has lost most all of it's population from a plague caused by vaccinations, keeps it's small group of boys and girls completely separate (as in different parts of the now untamed country), has resistant groups dotted through out the country, an inhumane government controls what everyone does, as well as feeds it's citizens lies, and the country itself is ruled by an equally inhumane King, known as the King of New America. Oh wait, I left out that all kids become orphans at least in Eve's school and the school raises the kids and preps them aka "nurtures" them to how they see fit. Did I mention the school and the government work together? This story wouldn't be complete without a character journey, and Eve's journey is one that is eye opening and starts to change the way she views the world around her.

Eve herself is one of those fabulously written characters who's independent, extremely intelligent, beautiful, and I loved that she embraces her femininity, something that's rarely seen with dystopian heroines. While there's still much to learn about Eve and her world, I enjoyed taking her journey with her. She grew from someone who questioned what she was brought learning and what she was now being told by someone she didn't quite trust in the beginning of the book, to uncovering secrets and lies that were kept from her. She become someone who was able to take charge and she found the courage she needed to fall in love, trust in others, choose her own path, defend her honor and when all else felt lost, she found the strength to carry on. Above all, she made the choice to choose her freedom vs embrace the civic duty her was raised to carry out, which she learned more about right before she escaped.

This story also includes a love story that leaves me wanting more. I loved the way the relationship between Eve and Caleb is written. Eve was raised to think boys were bad. Her school taught her that all men are extremely dangerous, as they have no self control. So when Eve meets her knight and shinning armor, who rescues her from a bear attacking her, she struggles with realizing that this guy is not like the guys she was taught about. The first thing she says to him is absolutely hysterical. I won't spoil it for you guys. Their forbidden love story made the story that much more exciting for me. They're both fugitives on the run and while harboring Eve puts Caleb in more danger, he doesn't wavier on his loyalty to her and I loved that about him. I like that they both learn to trust each other.

The ending leaves me wishing I already had the sequel in my hands. I'm eager to learn more about Eve, her world, her friends and those that get left behind. Anna did a great job at introducing me to Eve and the world around her without giving me everything I wanted to know. Being the first book in the series I understand why she didn't give everything way. I think this is a world that will continue to be built upon as the series continues. Which I like, because that keeps me invested with the storyline and has me wanting to read more. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in Eve's series. Eve for me was a really fun, engaging read and it's one I'd recommend to reads 13 years and older.
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Want to win an ARC of Eve? Thank you to Deb Shapiro & Company I have an ARC I'm giving away. Since I have this ARC in my hands, I'm going to open this giveaway up internationally. International giveaway rules do apply :)

To enter:
- Please fill out the form below
- One entry per person (duplicate entries will be result in all your entries being deleted)
- You must be 13 yrs & older to enter (or have your parent/guardian's permission to enter)
- This giveaway will end on November 18th, 2011

14 comments:

  1. Great review! I really enjoyed this book.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. i loved this book so much. it was so delightful and i can't wait for the sequels. great review!

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  3. I read the preview of this book on barnes and noble site and I'm already hooked. I can't wait to read it

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  4. Minas- Thank you so much & you're so welcome for the giveaway.

    Aselynn- Thank you! I really enjoyed it. I'm with you, it was a delightful read. I wish we didn't have to wait another year for the sequel.

    Jen- I hope you enjoy it!!

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  5. I just got this book in the mail and cannot wait to read it!!!

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  6. Thanks so much for the giveaway! Eve sounds fantastic!

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  7. Jill- I'm excited for your to read it!

    Penelope- You're so welcome!

    Bee- It is!!!

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  8. Thank you very much what a great giveaway!

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  9. There was this depth and character to the people in the story that real gripped me as a reader and I felt rapidly like falling for both Eve and Caleb in their struggle for survival, freedom, hope, danger, sacrifice and their love.

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  10. Portugal- I totally agree. So glad you enjoyed it!

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