Nowhere Review

Nowhere

Jon Robinson 

Publisher: Puffin

 'No one's coming for us.No t our families, not the police. No one.'

Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere.A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest.
Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country.
They're all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes.
Who has put them there. What do their captors want?
And how will they ever break free...?

Set in the near future, this is about a country that is slower dissolving into one of those dystopian worlds we keep reading about. But for these teenagers it is just their world. They find themselves arrested and taken to a prison somewhere having been found guilty of crimes they don’t remember committing. This is an intrigue premise and while the adult clearly know what they are doing, the teens – and us – are kept in dark. Unsure about who is right and who is wrong and why they are hidden away from the world and forced to admit to their crimes. There are a lot of different characters with most of the focus on the children but occasional flashes of the Prime Minister and how he agreed to set up this prison. 

I loved the way some of the teens become institionalized and believe what the adult tell them, while cling desperately to what they know as the truth and plot escape and some telling on others to the guards in exchange for an easy life. The depiction of the inside of a prison feels very real and increases the tension with the kids being their own enemies at times. There is plenty of action with some frantic escapes attempted, while the differences in the teens characters show are pleasing to see. 

The writing is competent and engaging. The brisk pace means you will not stop reading until the end where there are some shocking events that will make you gasp and cry out. This is definitely not a book to read if you hate cliffhangers as this is a doozy! I can hardly wait to see what happens next and really hope that some answers are given to us. I have to admit to being a little bored of YA stories but this one really pulls you and manages to challenge as well as entertain. I certainly feel like I’m ready to read some more YA books now!

Recommended for fans of Veronica Rossi and Richelle Mead. 9 out of 10

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) Review

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)

Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Puffin

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future...

Cinderella set in the future! I love my fairy tales and this is a fantastic interpretation of a classic story. You know the story but the joys in reading this is the differences from the original tale while still keeping to the same spirit. Cinder is a cyborg and as such is legally owned by her stepmother who expects her to support the whole family with her mechanical workshop. However, Cinder has dreams of being free and is a strong woman who just hasn’t been given the chance to grow. I really liked her character and the balance between being a strong character and accepting how her life is a fine one. Her charming prince is a very likeable character, who is going through so much with his Dad’s illness and picking up the reigns of leadership, the idea he is still able to spend time with Cinder makes him seem so ordinary and approachable. Cinder’s sister Peony is very sweet as well while her android friend is a joy to read about.

However, what was the best part of the story for me are the differences to the classic story. The world of New Beijing with the plague causing fear and paranoia, the political uncertainty with the lunar Queen and ambassador, the way cyborgs are treated as second class in the society. This really makes the world come to life and gives great colour and texture to Cinder’s story. I’m really intrigued by the way the world works with the Lunar ‘magical’ skills an interesting twist on mental abilities.

Great world building, likeable characters, intriguing longer arc and a spice of politics make this a very easy to love book and I’m glad I don’t have to wait too long to start reading Scarlet. I’m really curious how the other classic fairy tales are going to weave into Cinder’s story. If you want a fairy tale with a kick, this is a great read.

Recommended for fans of Ever After film and Malinda Lo. 9 out of 10