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Friday, April 10, 2015

Blog Tour | Awakening by Shannon Duffy




Awakening
Release Date: 04/07/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:
A thrilling, futuristic sci-fi novel set in a unique and thought-provoking world, from author Shannon Duffy.

Desiree Six (because she was born on a Friday) believes in everything the Protectorate stands for. She likes the safety and security of having her entire life planned out—her career, her mate, even the date of her death. She doesn't even think to question when Darien, her childhood friend and neighbor, is convicted of murdering his parents. They had seemed like such a loving family. But if he was convicted, then he must have done it.

Then Darien shows up in her room late one night. He has escaped from the Terrorscape—a nightmare machine used to punish all Noncompliants—and needs Desiree's help. What he tells her rocks her world to its core and makes her doubt everything she's ever been told. With this new information, will Desiree and Darien be able to escape the Protectorate before it's too late?


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Review: I love dystopians. I am sure that I have said that way too many times throughout the time I have been blogging here, but I cannot help it. Everytime I read another one I remember just how much I enjoy them, and this book was no different. I had been thrilled to see the email about the blog tour, and I knew that I had to jump on the opportunity to read this one. I had not read anything by Shannon Duffy before, so I am very glad that I decided to give her writing a chance. Sure, sometimes with dystopians you have to worry about comparing them to the popular ones (you know which ones I'm talking about). While there were definitely similarities, there were a lot of unique things about this book as well. 

Duffy has done a great job of creating an interesting, well detailed world. They call the past the Manic Age, and the leaders (called The Protectorate) tell stories of how free will ruined society in the past. Allowing people the ability to choose their own careers, mates, and have their own dreams led to disasters, at least in their opinion. They have found a solution to this situation by making all of these decisions for citizens now; The Protectorate decides what job each person has, who they marry, and even when they will die. Not only that, but they can control the dreams that citizens have as well, which I think is actually pretty creepy; it definitely crosses a line!


Our main character, Desiree, has grown up believing that this life is the best thing for everyone. If The Protectorate believes that these things will make their world better, than she is supportive. So, when her best childhood friend, Darian, is accused of murdering his parents for no apparent reason, she believes that this is the truth. Darian is sent to the Terrorscape for being noncompliant; a place where people are forced to experience their worst nightmares.

Darian manages to escape and comes to Desiree for help, which is when things begin to turn around and Desiree begins to realize that things might not be as they seem. Through this, a wonderful romance begins to bloom, and I did very much enjoy that. Of course, there was a bit of a love triangle as Desiree was actually matched to Asher, who was a bully to her when she was growing up. He wants to love her because he has been told he has to, so it certainly makes for an interesting situation.

I really just thought that everything about this book was very well done. I really enjoyed the characters, I thought that they were relateable and interesting, and each had their own defining characteristics. I thought the romance was incredibly sweet, and it's the kind of romance I always look for in my YA books. I thought that the details were amazing, and I wanted to keep reading straight through. While there was not really a cliffhanger ending, I still cannot wait to see where the story goes next.

Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

 

About the Author
Author of MG and YA books full of adventure. I grew up on the east coast of Canada in the province of Newfoundland and now live in Ontario. I love writing, reading, fashion, fitness, and traveling.

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2 comments:

  1. I am someone who loves a good dystopian as well! I have taken a break from reading them for a while, but this one might tempt me enough to return. I love the cover as well!

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