Friday, October 5, 2012

Review: The Forsaken

THE FORSAKEN (Forsaken #1)
Lisa M. Stasse
Young Adult/Dystopian
375 pages
Simon & Schuster
Available Now
Received from author for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
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.


MY THOUGHTS 
The Forsaken is one of those stories that causes us to become increasingly introspective as events unfold, forcing us to take a good long look at ourselves as individuals as we wonder if the things we value about who we are would stand a fighting chance of survival were we to be dropped into the middle of a largely lawless society. The line between the drones with their messiah-like leader and the villagers that quickly take Alenna under their wing seems so clearly drawn, our confidence that we would obviously be on the side of sanity and rationality slowly deteriorating the more time we spend with Alenna on the island, and we read on feeling the full weight of our own conscience as we can’t help but ask ourselves difficult questions about what we might be willing do or believe if it meant staying alive.

The terrifying world into which Alenna is so brutally thrust when she’s sentenced to a life destined to be horrifically truncated is a captivating one, the inherent distrust and island politics as intriguing to us as the myriad of mysteries the island itself harbors. Our minds churn frantically from the moment Alenna awakens disoriented in the same place she saw the day before through the safety of a video feed, constantly theorizing as to who is responsible for Alenna’s predicament and what the ultimate purpose is for isolating certain individuals. Ms. Stasse adeptly places breadcrumb after breadcrumb before us, giving us a solid path to follow without ever being completely obvious, ensuring we feel as though we’ve accomplished something when one question is answered even as numerous new questions spring forth from the latest revelations.

While the world of the wheel and the “what would I do” questions it raises keep us invested in the story, the character relationships leave just a touch to be desired. Attachments seem to form rather quickly despite the rampant trust issues each resident of the blue sector suffers from, and though we more than understand Alenna’s desperate need to believe in those around her so she can find some small sliver of comfort amidst the suffocating darkness of the unknown, the lightening-fast relationships formed between her and Liam as well as her and Gadya have us raising our brows slightly in question. Gadya seems to run through a full gamut of emotions on a daily basis, friendly one moment and then threatening the next, making it difficult for us to draw on the strength of their friendship when danger and death find them. Alenna’s romance with Liam is much the same, the love between them bursting forth suddenly and seemingly without warning before it’s ripped away and we’re left slightly confused and hollow.

Despite our reservations as to the authenticity and genuineness of the characters’ affections both romantically and platonically, The Forsaken is a strong dystopian read that leaves us craving more – more answers, more time with the characters, and more breadcrumbs to lead us on the right path to solving another mystery. Ms. Stasse has created a world we are profoundly happy we can escape at any moment unlike Alenna and company, but even as we walk away when the real world calls, we find our minds lingering back on the wheel and all its disturbing complexities.

Rating: 4/5

38 comments:

  1. Sounds like a scary book, at least in the way that I usually view dystopia. But dystopia lovers will probably love it!

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    1. It wasn't so much scary as thought-provoking, it had a very Lord of the Flies feel to it:)

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  2. How horrid! She might be violent, what a world! But they do make the best books

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    1. It's a disturbing world for sure, but I was glued to the pages wondering what was going to happen next.

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  3. It isn't really scary but the author had no reservations and limitations on who to kill and what happens. It was a rollercoaster ride!! I did enjoy The Foresaken but I really did not enjoy the romance one bit.

    great review!

    Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. Definitely! I liked that you never knew who was going to live and die, it made things all the more real I think:)

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  4. Ooo, this sounds like quite a scary story, but really engrossing! I'm a dystopia fan so will be looking out for this. Thanks for your wonderful review, Jen! :) xxx

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    1. I think you'll like it if your a dystopian fan, I definitely already counting down to book 2:)

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  5. Jenny, your review sums up my feelings perfectly! Even better than my own. :) I agree about the relationships - the only real issues I had with the book were the characters - but the plot was so gripping that I couldn't help but love this book regardless. I'm glad you liked it, too. :)

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    1. Thanks Sam! I thought the romance was going to progress slowly because it does take a little while for them to acknowledge an attraction, but then once it's acknowledged all of a sudden it was love and I was all "what, now?" :)

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  6. "...we wonder if the things we value about who we are would stand a fighting chance of survival were we to be dropped into the middle of a largely lawless society."

    My word warrior skills probably wouldn't get me far, unless I can cut people down with words. o.O

    This sounds like a creepy good book, though. :)

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    1. Oooo I bet words would actually get you far! Think about it - all these young impressionable minds made even more impressionable by terror and a driving need to survive. Words are probably the best weapon in this environment, you would probably be able to lead them all:)

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  7. Now that's the dystopian that I like to read! Holy crow. My mind is already reeling from questions about this book after reading your incredible review. I wouldn't last long on that island. Not at all. Definitely putting this one on my tbr pile if it isn't there already.

    Happy a fabulous weekend, Jenny!

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    1. I probably wouldn't either. I fail at survival. I really enjoyed this world, it was just fascinating:)

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  8. Ms. Stasse has created a world we are profoundly happy we can escape at any moment unlike Alenna and company, but even as we walk away when the real world calls, we find our minds lingering back on the wheel and all its disturbing complexities.

    Wow this sounds like scary stuff Jenny, I love books which linger for days afterwards and have you constantly thinking things over and over. I have a copy of this, and will definitely be bumping it up my pile after your amazing review! :)

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    1. It was more just unnerving, you know? I was never terrified, but I was supremely thankful I could put the book down and watch tv instead of having to forage for food and fend off teenagers who want to kill me:)

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  9. Jenny, you're not the first to mention that the plot is pretty good but the character development and relationships could use a bit of work. I'm interested in reading this one just because the synopsis reminds me a bit of Lord of the Flies :)

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    1. I really liked all the characters, I just didn't like how quickly some of the relationships developed given how little trust there is on the wheel. But then again, maybe in a survival situation relationships develop faster since everything is so intense. It's possible I guess:)

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  10. This sounds like a book that really makes you think and the mysteries you unravel as you read sound intriguing for sure! The characters I'm a little wary of but it sounds worth the read anyway. Wonderful and convincing review!

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    1. This book definitely made me think and I loved that about it. I kept asking myself if I would make the same decisions Alenna makes or if I would do something different. Would I be as strong? I have no idea:)

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  11. Great review. I really loved this book. However, I wasn't sure others would follow suit. For me, the writing was odd, in its simplicity of describing things. I thought this might be a turn off to most folks. What did you think?

    The plot line is what drove me forward. I couldn't put it down. I needed to know how everything would turn out. I totally agree with you on the characters and their relationships, though.

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  12. A book that makes me think what would I do...oh oh! I hope it doesn't make my head hurt. I am thrilled to hear that this has good world building and mystery those are checks for me. Have a fantastic weekend, Jenny!

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  13. I like that it is thought provoking and hard to get rid of in your mind after you've read it. Right there... that is the reason I want to read it.

    I can see why the friendship issue would both make sense and raise a question. Hm... another reason to read it. I'm curious!

    Have to say, I'm not a fan of the cover, though...

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  14. Oooh, a book that keeps you thinking even after you've closed the pages! Great review!

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  15. Awesome review! I have heard some great things about this book. I like a book that makes you think as well as stand up for what you believe is right! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Wonderful review, Jenny! I've been meaning to read this one for awhile, but I've been on the fence because of all the mixed reviews I read of it. I do have it though since I won it from a giveaway, so I'll give it a try soon for sure! Fantastic review, dear, and thanks for convincing me to add this book back to my TBR! :D

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  17. Okay. Here's where I'm shallow--I didn't even bother to read the blurb when this first made its rounds because the cover, well, it's ugly.

    But it sounds like I *would* really like it! Dystopians FTW and this one sounds like violent craziness! As for the whole relationship thing, I can see it evolving quickly because of the situation. Desperate times and all...

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  18. I've seen this book around but never really bothered reading the reviews so this is the first review of Forsaken that I've read and I tell you, even though it kinda sounds heavy, I'm already sold!

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  19. I remember being taken in with the Dystopian genre when THG & Divergent came out - but so many books about impending doom were falling short of the mark that I sort of took a sabbatical from reading them.
    So, enticing review Jenny! I am now curious to read this book. I love the building anticipation that comes with following the breadcrumbs.
    New to your blog & have so much to explore in here!
    Fabulous :)
    Addie @ READioactive

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  20. I'd heard great things about this book! I'm going to check it out soon :)
    Love your reviews Jenny
    Krazyyme @ Young Readers

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  21. I was wondering about this one. Great review! I like how you give us such an honest opinion.

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  22. This definitely seems to be the trend this year with these kind of storylines. I really enjoyed your review.

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  23. Hey Jenny, the blurb sounds terrifying but you said it was more thought-provoking than scary? Added to my TBR.

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  24. This one's been on my shelf for a while. I have been considering read it, but there have been many mixed reviews. It does seem to be a typical dystopian; however, there does seem to be something special about it.

    Angie @YA Novelties

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  25. I loved this book and I'm not a huge dystopian fan! I kinda bought into the relationships. When you don't know if you'll be alive tomorrow, I think you kinda live for the moment. Especially the relationship with Liam. I loved your review. This book definitely stuck with me.
    I can't wait for the next one!

    Heather

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  26. Fabulous review! I agree about the character relationships, but this book was still definitely a pleasant surprise :)

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  27. I've read mixed reviews of this story, but I like the idea of a survivor type scenario with teens. Great review!

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  28. This sounds pretty freakin' awesome. I'm usually somewhat wary of "insta-romances," but I can certainly understand why it would work here. Everything is literally life and death, so emotions are certainly heightened.

    Awesome review! Definitely one I need to grab.

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