Author: Jennifer Arntson
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance
Release Date: October 20, 2017
About the Book:
Stripped of their birthright and shunned by the people of Ashlund, Una and her family are forced to live on the fringe of society as Scavengers. There is no question that her family's bond is strong, but the law of the Authority is stronger...and soon it will come to collect her. After all, the family is on borrowed time already.
When a night of torment and truth reveals well kept secrets, Una takes new freedoms - free from the Authority, her family, and possibly her fate. Pulled between the life she's always known and a world where status and rituals are everything, Una struggles to understand a culture that has rejected all she holds dear. As Atchem comes to an end and she learns who she really is, will Una find the courage to do what it takes to ensure her family's survival, or will she find the faith to follow her heart?
Stripped of their birthright and shunned by the people of Ashlund, Una and her family are forced to live on the fringe of society as Scavengers. There is no question that her family's bond is strong, but the law of the Authority is stronger...and soon it will come to collect her. After all, the family is on borrowed time already.
When a night of torment and truth reveals well kept secrets, Una takes new freedoms - free from the Authority, her family, and possibly her fate. Pulled between the life she's always known and a world where status and rituals are everything, Una struggles to understand a culture that has rejected all she holds dear. As Atchem comes to an end and she learns who she really is, will Una find the courage to do what it takes to ensure her family's survival, or will she find the faith to follow her heart?
Nooooo! I was soooo getting into this book! And then it ended without a conclusion! Yes, a lot of questions were answered... but not the big one! And we have no idea how the situation is going to play out! And now.... I have to wait for the next book to come out!
Jennifer Arntson had me hooked from the first chapter with a world of totally different societies, each with their own beliefs, customs and lifestyles. The characters were well developed and very likeable, each tugging at your heart.
Without giving away spoilers, there was a certain creep factor that involved brotherly love, but you soon discover that all is not what it seems.
Una and her family are Scavengers. Their place in society has been stripped to the lowest level possible, unable to work to obtain money or purchase items from the shops. In order to survive they must keep to the shadows, heads bowed, and reclaim those items that Citizens no longer want. Upon coming of age, the boys are hunted and the girls are sold to become slaves or surrogates. When an opportunity presents itself, Una must choose between saving her family or being with the one she loves.
This book had a bit of everything. Romance was sweet but there were a couple of scenes that may be a bit much for some Young Adult readers. I thought they were well written, but as you know some readers may be put off by a bit.
Disclosure: A complimentary ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
Arntson lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children, who support her compulsion to write.
2 comments:
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! So...I take it you want book 2???
Absolutely, Jennifer! Let me know when it's available!
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