Friday 7 November 2014

REVIEW - FOLLOW ME THROUGH DARKNESS - BOUNDLESS TRILOGY BY DANIELLE ELLISON

Title: Follow Through Darkness
Series: Boundless Trilogy
Author: Danielle Ellison
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Release Date: 21st October 2014

BLURB supplied by publisher
The truth won't always set you free.
Less than a year ago, Neely Ambrose’s biggest worry was having the freedom to follow a path that wasn't chosen for her.
Less than a year ago, she believed she could trust the Elders who said they had everyone’s best interest at heart and who said they were keeping them safe from the outside.
Sixty days ago, she discovered what they had planned for everyone she loved—and that all of it centered around her.
Now she’s on the run through a dangerous wasteland full of killing machines, secret organizations, and people who want to sell her back to the Elders for their own safety. The whole world outside the Compound is living proof that everything in Neely’s life was a lie manufactured by the Elders, which may even include the boy she loves.
All Neely wants is the truth, but each new piece of it drives her further from what she thought she knew. With only forty days until everyone she loves falls under the Elders’ mind control, Neely must decipher who to trust, what questions to ask, and how to get one step ahead of the Elders, who will do anything to keep their secrets buried.

INITIAL THOUGHTS
I was looking forward to another dystopian book, as they are my favourite and I have been indulging myself by reading quite a few of them in a row!

MY REVIEW
I received an e-copy of this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The cover actually depicts a moon cut in half which I guess depicts the branding on the back of twins necks such as Neely and Thorne have. I love the rich blue cover as it emphasizes the bright white of the moon, which in turn makes the book cover quite attractive.
Would the cover make me pick it up from a book store shelf? Yes, the cover also was what first caught my attention to the e-copy on Netgalley.
So whats happened in the dystopian society that this book is set in? A virus has killed off the world as we know it. A community is formed with The Elders being in charge. There is a director too, he is the father of Cornelia Ambrose. (Neely) . Neely's identity has been altered for her own safety. Her undercover identity is that she is Thornes twin...When the Preservation happened the "chosen" were branded. Those left behind who did not go into the newly formed communities under the rule of The Elders, are known as The Remnants. The Remnants live mostly underground in an old derelict train way. The Remnants scavenge for anything and everything they need and have to avoid capture/death by "The Cleaners" who are a force ruled by The Elders. Then the other sort of people are The Mavericks, they are against the Elders and try their to help The Remnants by bringing them food and drink when they can. they also try to help anyone that escapes The Elders and their rule. They give escapee's a new identity and help them re-locate.
The Elders are a scary almost faceless rulers that are experimenting on people and soon there will be another big change. The Elders have already done something to test what they are about to do. (I know that may not make much sense but it will when you read the book. You know I hate spoilers!). They have used the director/Neel's father to experiment on. This has made Neely's father cold and dispassionate almost robotic. Neely's father is also now hurting Neely' branded twin, Thorne. Neely thinks she loves Thorne but in the back of her mind theres a niggling doubt that maybe her feelings are only there because of their brand link. Neely's dad has Thorne taken to a lab to be tortured, and uses this as a method to keep his daughter in line by hurting someone she cares deeply about. Neely also feels Thorne's pain and emotions through their brand\bond, so in turn her father is actually experimenting on her and causing her pain too. One night Neely has a glimpse at some paperwork her father has left lying around. What she see's in those papers makes her mind up, she must get out, and get help for everyone she will have to leave behind.
Neely asks the only person that she thinks can or will help, and thats the solitary, odd ball young man, Xenith if he can help. They discuss the plans that the Elders have. Xenith  is the latest generation descended from the Mavericks. Xenith helps Neely fake her own death and helps her set off to get to the old world above ground. Neely has to travel underground through old railway tunnels to get to San Fransisco. She narrowly escapes death, because her guide Bayard gets her out of the tunnel just in the nick of time. It seems as if The Elders are following her closely, so closely that they attack and usually kill anyone that has helped Neely on her journey.
This book is told from the POV of Neely, whom I consider the main character of the book. The book begins at the point where she is travelling within The Burrows. The chapters are headed in numbers, the days, hours, and minutes counting down to when the Elders will begin transporting people to be altered and changed so they are totally under the Elders power and basically totally robotic. The book is fairly slow going to begin with as Neely makes her way through The Burrows, but I think it is that way to represent and reflects how Neely is feeling during that part of her journey. She is anxious to get on with her journey and get back up to the surface. The community has different levels of hierarchy, The Elders, The Director, those chosen branded that live in the Compound, then the Mavericks and finally the lowest on the hierarchy ladder the poorest inhabitant The Remnants.
There's a lot of action, drama, betrayal, a little confusion and a potential love triangle too.
The book is told and seen through the eyes of Neely the whole way through. Though it is recounted to the reader in the "present time" as it is happening and flashback chapters also told from Neely's point of view. 
There are many obstacles and also some shocks and surprises along the journey that Neely has to make. 
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, once the pace picked up a little I was hooked. It's a real cliff hanger at the end too, which makes you want the next book straight away!
Would I recommend this book? Yes, I'd go so far to say it's a MUST read for all dystopian fans.
Would I want to read another book in this series? Yes I really want to read the next book! I'd read it right now if it was available! I really want to learn more about Neely and Thorne and see how their relationship developes, as well as wanting to know more about Xenith, his family, and his possible relationship with Neely.
Would I want to read other titles by this author? I think I would take a look at any title by this author quite closer after having read this book and enjoying it so much.

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