Jaci Wheeler

Roz Thatcher is a typical 16 year girl for her time and world. She, along with best friends Wes and Molly, are about to be matched with their jobs, and then sent on their way into adulthood. Roz has always known that her job would be chosen for her based on her strengths, for the good of the country, however when she is chosen to be the next president, she enters a world she never dreamed existed.

Upon taking on her new responsibilities she discovers that every citizen is watched and monitored, all under the auspices of the greater good. She was chosen for this job because of her strong convictions and high moral compass, but those same qualities will also make it hard for her to do her job now that she knows the truth.

This story is a fabulous take on the dystopian concept and quite timely given the political climate at the moment. This is the beginning of a series so it mostly background and prep. Roz starts off strong making necessary, but honestly what should be rudimentary changes. She soon realizes that there is more going on than she knows.

There are some fabulously well developed characters in this stories. Roz and her friends form a small, but strong core that provides the gravity Roz needs to pull in others along the way. You can get a real sense that change is in the wind by the way that the council behaves. The strong personalities on the council are mirrored by characters Roz comes in contact throughout the book. Wes was particularly resonant for me. Having a child with high functioning autism, I find that he is well written and Roz’s commitment to him is wonderful.

It wouldn’t be dystopian without a nod to Orwellian society, but the twist of this society is an interesting one. Big Brother has created a Utopia with no real flaws visible to the average citizen, but is still hiding a seething mass of contradictions. There is always a price and as always it is those who least able to advocate for themselves that pay the biggest portion of it and it is those issues that will eventually make or break Roz’s tenure as president. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.

4 stars… (mehr)

"They will not break me; they will fear me."

Wow! Once I started reading, I didn't want to stop! This one had me captivated from page one!!

The Academy. An elite school for children. Children that were plucked from abusive homes, or other dark situations, and given a roof over their heads, warm food for their bellies....... and tactical training that will eventually turn them in to deadly weapons.

Aria Richards is their top student. Raised at the Academy, it's the only life she's known. She's excelled at every turn - hand to hand combat, sharp-shooting, survival, and even hacking into the most secure computer systems. She's worked her hardest to become a member of the Elite Team - the cream of the crop. But, all is not what it seems and there is danger and betrayal around every dark corner. Secrets that will tip her world on its axis. Her life as she's known it will be destroyed. Now, she'll destroy the man responsible. Her father.

While this book may be categorized as YA or NA, it would also sit comfortably in the adult fiction/suspense category. I loved it and can't wait to read the rest of the series. This is book 1, so expect there to be questions unanswered and loose ends. But, it will just leave you hungry for the next book! I'd highly recommend this to anyone from pre-teens to adults!… (mehr)