{Review} The Forsaken by Lisa M Stasse

The Forsaken 
Series: The Forsaken (#1)
Author: Lisa M Stasse
Release Date: July 10, 2012
by, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: *an ARC was provided for review purposes*
Pages: 375
A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy.

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway. {Goodreads}

~Trailer:

Woah! I absolutely love this trailer!! So cool! 

~Review:

  I was so happy to receive an advanced readers copy of The Forsaken! Miss Stasse is one of the sweetest authors and I was thrilled to read her book! But even though the author may be nice....when it comes down to a review...you have to be honest. Good or Bad? SOOO good! I loved this book! I especially loved how the setting wasnt so far in the future. Today, most dystopian books are set where the new government has been around for decades or centuries. This one was fresh and new. Which made it that much more believable. I loved the world set up.

  Now, nothing is cooler than the Wheel, a place where those teens who have failed the personality test are sent...to die (basically). With harsh conditions, wild animals, and a crazy brainwashed tribe of teens....the Wheel is someplace I do not want to be sent. But...at the same time..I do...no, I don't..maybe? There is seriously danger surrounding you! This place is crazy intense and super scary. I loved it! And another thing I loved...the characters! My fav...Daniel haha idk why but I just did! But he has his secrets...secrets that may just tie him to the enemy tribe...dude! Those guys were freaky! *shivers* Ya, no chit-chat with those brain-washed crazies!! 

  And the main character, Alenna, was absolutely awesome! I loved how she wasn't the hard-as-steal kick ass character but also wasn't the poor-me-I-can't-do-this whinny character that everyone hates. She was her own mix. Her own kick-ass character that I loved! Yes, she wasn't slaying every bad guy she came across with....and she was whinny at times..but...do you know what? After she whined, she would see it and try hard to face that fear and become better..even if she sucked at first. She never gave up. She was real, reliable, relatable, believable. Who the hell goes from city girl to goddess warrior in one day? No one! You have to be trained, work hard, learn to survive! And that is exactly what Alenna did. And that's why I liked her so much. She's not afraid to admit she is scared but she doesn't let that fear consume her. Here is an example of what I'm talking about:

"'That's llife on the wheel for you.' She looks me square in the face. 'Having second thoughts?'

Definately! But I'm still going.'"

  See? She is scared..but she is willing to do what she needs to do anyways! Love her! Haha and...insert romance....I loved Liam and Alenna! Their relationship didn't move to fast but when you are on the wheel...you kinda have to seize the moment you know? So fast but..not too fast. And it was innocent and so very cute! Can't wait for more!! :D

  With danger lurking in every shadow, crazy blood-thirsty teenagers, and innocent love, The Forsaken was a pleasant surprise. For me, even better than the Hunger Games! While reading the HG at times I felt the characters lacked depth, but The Forsaken's characters were real and had the depth I like all characters to have. The Wheel was intense and crazily scary! Lisa's writing pulled me in and had me wanting more when it all ended! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. A great debut title and a new favorite series! If you are a fan of Divergent and the Hunger Games, you will love this book too! Get your little hands on a copy when you can!

~Rating:

4.5 of 5 wonderful stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you have a great day!! :)

~Jaiden