I love getting a chance to read YA fiction. It’s got spunky characters that I wish I had met when I was in high school and the plot is never too complicated or simplified. It’s fast and fun to read and is almost always a part of a series that you can fall in love with. That was my expectation when I got a chance to read this novel. And now… here is my review!
Tenley “Ten” Lockwood is an average seventeen-year-old girl who has been sent to stay at an asylum by her parents. The reason? She refuses to let her parents choose where she will live once she dies. In this new age, there is a new truth: Firstlife is just a dress rehearsal for what is to come once you die. The Everlife is where you will truly “live”. The Everlife is controlled by two realms that are in constant battle with each other. Troika is the land with rigidity, structure, and rules, whereas Myriad is a land where one does as they desire. Both realms will do anything to recruit Ten, for there is something about her that makes her useful. Soon, Ten finds herself on the run, caught in a battle between Troika and Myriad who will resort to any means to win the right to her soul. Who can she trust and which side should she take? And more importantly, will she even live long enough to make the decision?
I both liked and disliked this novel. The story opens up with an exchange between someone who is a recruiter and a “general” that occurs via email. And let’s just say, the language used by both characters is extremely childish. I mean, why would a general say things like “grrr…” via email?! Especially if it is regarding an important mission?! Why is no one taking this seriously?! I liked the character of Tenley a lot because of that spunky attitude and her perseverance. Throughout most of the story, however, I felt like the dilemma with the decision was not really the focus; it always seemed like her mind was made up, and yet she just refused to say anything and kept running and running. Also, she made stupid stereotypical choices – which were to be expected, so I’m not going to dwell on those for too long. The story had a great pace and really dove into this awesome world. I liked the details about the different realms and the way in which it was all depicted. I wish the author had spent more time establishing the positives and negative of each realm; by the middle of the novel, it just seemed like one was good and one was evil, which I don’t think was the point. Either way, the story has me interested enough to read the sequel.
If you’ve read this novel, what did you think? Are you going to read the sequel? Have you already read it, and if so, was it any good? Let me know, because I would love to hear your thoughts!
Happy reading ~