"Saba has lived her entire life in Silverlake with her father, brother, and sister. She didn't know a life outside of Silverlake. But when four cloaked men kidnap her brother and kill her father, Saba has to embark on a journey through the wasted lands left by the Wreckers to find her brother... "
Rating: 4/5 stars
My first rating of this book was a 5 star, but it went down to 4. Why? Because while I think this novel was 5 star worthy for me, when writing a review, I have to consider other people's tastes too.
This book is the perfect example of hooking you in, forcing you to finish it. The characters are unique and original, and so is the plot.
So why just 4 stars?
If you are someone who really cares about how complex and deep the author's writing is, then you're probably not going to rate this 5 stars. The book is written from Saba's POV, and I found her an amazing protagonist/narrator. When I say it's written from her POV, I mean you really are in her head. When there's a dangerous situation or so, you'll find her saying stuff like "ohmygodohmygodohmygod." .. So you get the idea: The writing is really simple. No lyrical prose or complex writing, but at the same time, it's not naive. It is just that Moira has opted to break the balance between having a fast-paced gripping novel, and a complex writing technique.
I personally didn't mind how simple the writing and the dialogue was. If anything, it made the action and suspense in the novel even more prominent.
Another thing to consider, is the dialect. Moira has somehow created her own accent (somewhere between Irish/southern/American gangsta). While others complained about how hard it was for them to follow the book, I personally got used to it after the first chapter or so. And I think the dialect was an important part of the novel, but you have to read it to understand why.
Is it any surprise that Ridley Scott swiftly optioned the book?
No. It isn't. This book has movie-material written all over it. In almost every 5 pages, there is always something happening. The pacing in this novel is really fast, that the action starts from early on.
Another reason why I can see this book being optioned for a movie, is the dialogue. Most of the time, any description of what one of the characters is feeling is "he says" or "I says" which is brilliant, because Moira knows how to reveal the character's emotion through speech not writing.(The show don't tell technique)
Saba's character is really strong, and hardcore, but all the while still likeable. The same goes for the other secondary characters in the novel, each and every character is unique and original.
Some of the things I loved about this book was the world building. From the Colosseum and Gauntlet to Freedom Fields, I think the scenes and places in this novel get really carved into your head.
This book has not just one, but a whole pack of strong female characters, that the feminist in me was jumping with joy. I loved the Free Hawks and what they stand for.
All in all, I would recommend this book for almost anyone open minded enough to make it through the first two chapters(from there on, you start getting used to the dialect and the pacing.) This novel pushed survival-themed novels up my radar. It was a gripping, enjoying read, and I am looking forward to the sequel.
