Review: Outpost by Ann Aguirre

 Salvation isn't as safe 
as  it seems...

Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.

To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.

Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.
(Goodreads.com)
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Review
This is another exciting book in the Razorland series. Each one has taken place in a totally different world. The first book took place under ground in the tunnels. Most of the people never saw daylight. Now Deuce and her friends are above ground in the town of Salvation. A safe and comfortable place that embraces the old ways of the early pioneers. This is a lifestyle that is totally foreign to her but she is trying hard to fit in and do her share. It's an interesting contradiction that Deuce is considered an adult by the standards of her old life but a child in her new home. She does prove how strong and mature she is but still seeks the comfort and approval of parents, something she's never had. While many people are having a hard time accepting the new people and their differences there are some who are wise enough to realize their value. When it becomes apparent that their town in in danger, Deuce's special skills become very important to their survival.

The details are brutal and graphic but that is what has become of the world. Life is harsh and no one is truly safe. The characters are odd but interesting with definite heroes and villains and some are very unlikable (to say the least).  They are trying to, not only survive, but thrive in their community by developing relationships and rules to live by. I really liked Deuce's strength and resilience as the female lead. Other characters are also developing into stronger individuals. I've been very curious about everyone's backgrounds and the reader slowly get bits and pieces to fill in the gaps. The author writes so well and she has pulled me into the story. She has gradually built this world but there is still so much more to be revealed, so many unanswered questions. Outpost ends with another good cliff hanger and the Freaks are changing. I can't wait to read the final book in this trilogy!

*The Author's Notes at the end of the book offered interesting tidbits about how the idea for the town of Salvation came about.  
Horde (book #3 coming soon!)

Thank you to Macmillan for an arc to review.

Author
Publisher

Release date: 9/4/12
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 336 (hardcover)
Type: YA fiction, post apocalyptic

Review: Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Fourteen kids 

One superstore 

A million things that go wrong.

Your mother hollers that you’re going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don’t stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don’t thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not—you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.Only, if it’s the last time you’ll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you’d stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

(Goodreads.com)

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Review
This story started off with a bang. The first chapter had plenty of action and it sets the pace for the rest of the book. A bus load of children, ages 5-17, are struggling to understand what has happened to the world after a series of catastrophes. Luckily for them they have crashed into a superstore (think Walmart) so they have plenty of food and supplies but no idea what is really going on in the rest of the world. And no idea what has happened to their families. A very scary premise for sure (although staying in the store would be kind of neat!).

The characters seemed stereotyped at first but grew and developed as the story progressed. Some were very unlikable until more of their back stories were revealed. I found it interesting how the author had them problem solve and work together. Although they were young children and teens, creative ideas were introduced that were mostly believable for their ages and intelligence. They had to battle for their lives but had many unknowns. That actually made for a more exciting read because the characters and the readers didn't exactly know what the real enemies were. Heroes and villains emerged as the characters were thrust into roles they didn't necessarily choose and were also different from the roles they fulfilled in their "real" lives. Dean is our narrator and a junior in high school. He had always been bookish and on the outside fringe of the popular kids but here he became one of the leaders. He also has a genius younger brother Alex to worry about although his own knowledge becomes important to the survival of the group. The youngest children were very likable and provided a nice balance and some comic relief. The older kids became stronger and less selfish protecting them.

The writing moves quickly and feels like the voice of a teenager. It builds to an exciting ending with a major cliffhanger. I definitely want to see what will happen in next book and look forward to following these young people on their journey. I felt this was a successful debut and hope the action continues!

Monument 14: Sky On Fire due summer 2013

Thank you to Macmillan (Fierce Reads) for an arc to review.

Author
Publisher
Fierce Reads

Release date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Pages: 294

Type:  YA dystopian