I have seen this one described as being perfect for lovers of Divergent, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner will be blown away by the breathtaking new series
from USA Today best-selling author Tamar Sloan
and award-winning author Heidi Catherine.
Title: Burning
Series: After The Thaw
Author: Tamar Sloan & Heidi Catherine
Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Sequel House
Release Date: 13th November 2019
BLURB from Goodreads
Only the chosen shall breed.
In a new world isolated by a rising, toxic sea, a single bridge connects Askala to the Outlands. Those who remain will need to pass a Proving to determine if they have the intelligence and heart to champion the future of their broken Earth.
Those who succeed will become Bound, the ones chosen to breed.
Those who fail, are Unbound. Free of responsibility, but robbed of their ability to bear children.
Four young lives are born into this world. Magnus and Callix, two brothers determined to uphold this new order. Two brothers in love with the same girl.
Amity, the one who must make the impossible choice.
And Mercy, the girl who no one sees, but sees it all.
As a new threat to Askala emerges, secrets will be revealed and the fight for survival will become their biggest challenge yet.
Life is fragile. Love will refuse to be denied.
Sacrifice will be inevitable.
In a new world isolated by a rising, toxic sea, a single bridge connects Askala to the Outlands. Those who remain will need to pass a Proving to determine if they have the intelligence and heart to champion the future of their broken Earth.
Those who succeed will become Bound, the ones chosen to breed.
Those who fail, are Unbound. Free of responsibility, but robbed of their ability to bear children.
Four young lives are born into this world. Magnus and Callix, two brothers determined to uphold this new order. Two brothers in love with the same girl.
Amity, the one who must make the impossible choice.
And Mercy, the girl who no one sees, but sees it all.
As a new threat to Askala emerges, secrets will be revealed and the fight for survival will become their biggest challenge yet.
Life is fragile. Love will refuse to be denied.
Sacrifice will be inevitable.
PURCHASE LINKS
REVIEW
I
saw the cover first and felt immediately drawn to find out more. Upon reading
the blurb I knew I didn’t just “want” to read it, I had to read it! I love the
dystopian & post-apocalyptic genres so this series instantaneously had me
adding it to my “must read” list!
The
cover, is bright and attractive and when reading the book, you learn about the
bird and its relevance to the characters and their survival. The title fits the
book perfectly. Its significance is revealed in the latter part of the prequel.
I love a prequel, especially for dystopian & post-apocalyptic series as you
learn the basics of the society and discover the world the characters have to
live in. This prequel certainly delivers everything you need to know to make
you desperate to read the rest of the series.
The
book is set after the world has basically gone under what I would describe as
climate change. Maybe a prophetic look into the future is we don’t clean up our
acts in the world we live in now.
The
sea levels have risen, taken back some of the land that people lived on and it
is also has become toxic for anyone unlucky enough to find themselves in it for
any length of time. Also, in the sea making it even more dangerous are the
animal the Aksala people call “leatherskins.”
All
those that live in the Oasis have to go through a testing process that takes
seven days and consists of three different tests which is called the “Proving”.
After the testing is finished, they are
presented with a chip that is placed into their hand. They then attend the
Announcement Ceremony in front of family, friends both Bound and Unbound where
it is revealed what they are, where they will be living, and what the future
holds for them. They have to move their hand with the chip above a box with two
compartments. Only one compartment will open, one side is empty, which means
you are unbound, the other contains a ring, meaning you are bound.
All
announcement ceremonies are special to those in them and their families but every
twenty years the High Bound retire and hand over their responsibilities to the
next generation. Anyone that has become Bound in the last twenty years can take
part to see if they are destined to become High Bound.
The
“Unbound” live a single life, some would say carefree life on the upper floors
of the Oasis. The Unbound seem to live a carefree life, taken care of by the
Bound who consider it their duty to look after them.
The
“Bound” who are expected to save the earth for the future generations that they
must go on to breed. If you are not a “Bound” you are not allowed to have
children. Once you are Bound you are expected to pair up with someone and start
having children to keep Askala populated. It is the Bound that are in charge of
guarding their home perimeter and preventing violent remnants from gaining
access to the Oasis.
Then
there’s the highest of the society, the “High Bound” who make all the decisions
for their people, from how they live, to dealing with banishments and deciding
who if anyone from the outside can join their settlement. Those from outside
Askala are known as “Remnants” and have to prove themselves before being
allowed to join those living in Askala. However, should a remnant manage to
sneak their way into Askala and step foot on their land they then have an
automatic right to stay.
There’s
certainly lots going on in this prequel, remnants needing to be dealt with when
they become violent, remnants that throw their child into the toxic see and one
bound female cannot fight the urge to attempt to rescue the child despite
knowing the risks of entering the toxic ocean. On the romance front there’s one
bound female caught in a love triangle between two bound brothers, one brother
loves her, but she loves the other brother. Who will she end up settling down
with to perform her duty of having children? There is also a couple with a
rather large secret, the poor female bound feels her only option is to settle
with the male as if not he will reveal her devastating secret. Someone meddles
with the only source of food with nutrients with disastrous consequences.
Then
we have a banishment of a member of the Askala society, something that is done
with a heavy heart for all concerned.
Characters
I adored were Kimina, Amity, Magnus and Thea. The character I enjoyed disliking
was Ronan! I don’t think he has finished disrupting things yet. Talking of
possible future disruptions or problems I am also wary of Callix and Mercy.
Could they end up causing problems for the High Bound to sort out.
I
knew at around 36% that I was hooked into this book, its different levels of society
with its strange rules and expectations was going to be a highly addictive read
for me. The traditions and rules of this society have been really well thought
out. The “Proving” really fits what the whole testing is about, as it is
proving your worth to society, and reveals whether you are considered worthy
enough to procreate. I really had to try hard not to whizz through this
prequel. I had to make a conscious effort to read it slower. It’s certainly a
story worth savouring! I also enjoyed the historic elements with the beached luxury
ship called Oasis being in Alaska where the climate should be cold, but had
changed beyond all recognition. This luxury ship has now quite literally become
the Oasis of those survivors, their chance at survival. I also thought the play
on names was brilliant, with the new colony of survivors calling their settlement
Askala. I kept looking at the word Askala and thinking why it looked sort of
familiar.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this
prequel were
Wow! Love the great world building. Adored Magnus, who is so unassuming. He thinks all the responsibility and important roles and work will be given to his elder brother Callix. Callix is simmering when it becomes clear all that he had hoped for is going to his younger brother, even the girl he loves and wanted to have a family with.
Wow! Love the great world building. Adored Magnus, who is so unassuming. He thinks all the responsibility and important roles and work will be given to his elder brother Callix. Callix is simmering when it becomes clear all that he had hoped for is going to his younger brother, even the girl he loves and wanted to have a family with.
When
I finished reading the Prequel, I had a few thoughts about what may be ahead,
but then saw that there were bonus chapters available to download and read,
sort of like an epilogue. These bonus chapters were interesting to read and yet
manage to pose more questions for you to contemplate. I liked meeting the High
Bound’s children, the next generation and catching up with the relationships
that were still fairly new at the end of the prequel.
Though I did finish reading it with loads
of questions and thoughts about what could happen next for the different characters.
I mean what a cliff hanger at the very end! What has been changed? What was
about to happen? When can I read more? Will those with secrets be found out? It
also made me wonder how far in advance, or how much time will have elapsed
between the end of the Burning bonus chapters and the beginning of the next
book in the series.
So, to sum up I loved it! And when can I
read more?
Oh and I never thought I would say this but I loved it more than Divergent & Maze Runner too! I also thoroughly enjoyed the bonus chapters and behind the scenes novella's too!
Oh and I never thought I would say this but I loved it more than Divergent & Maze Runner too! I also thoroughly enjoyed the bonus chapters and behind the scenes novella's too!
REST OF THE SERIES
So after reading and love, love, loving Burning I wanted/needed to know more about the rest of the series, so I thought I would share what I found with you too, just in case you read Burning and become addicted to wanting to read more of the series as I instantly felt!
Title: Rising
Series: After The Thaw
Author: Tamar Sloan & Heidi Catherine
Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Sequel House
Release Date: 3rd January 2020
BLURB from Goodreads
Four tests. Seven days. Nine teens.
Only the chosen shall breed.
Humans now live in a super greenhouse. Seas have risen. Oceans have acidified. And the fight for resources is deadly. To ensure nothing of this magnitude ever happens again, only those with enough intelligence and heart will earn the right to bear children and heal the earth.
Nine teens must face the tests of the Proving to decide who will be Bound to this new order. Four of them will challenge the system in ways even they can’t imagine.
Nova. The gentle soul who has everything to lose.
Kian. The champion of this new world who’s determined to succeed.
Dex. The one who'll learn nothing is as it seems.
Wren. The rebel who wants nothing to do with any of it.
As the fight to breed becomes a fight to survive, rules are broken, and hearts are captured. This Proving won’t just decide the future of this new order, it will decide the future of humankind.
Four tests. Seven days. Nine teens.
Only the chosen shall breed.
Humans now live in a super greenhouse. Seas have risen. Oceans have acidified. And the fight for resources is deadly. To ensure nothing of this magnitude ever happens again, only those with enough intelligence and heart will earn the right to bear children and heal the earth.
Nine teens must face the tests of the Proving to decide who will be Bound to this new order. Four of them will challenge the system in ways even they can’t imagine.
Nova. The gentle soul who has everything to lose.
Kian. The champion of this new world who’s determined to succeed.
Dex. The one who'll learn nothing is as it seems.
Wren. The rebel who wants nothing to do with any of it.
As the fight to breed becomes a fight to survive, rules are broken, and hearts are captured. This Proving won’t just decide the future of this new order, it will decide the future of humankind.
Title: Breaking
Series: After The Thaw
Author: Tamar Sloan & Heidi Catherine
Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Sequel House
Release Date: 21st February 2020
BLURB from Goodreads
Only the chosen shall breed.
Four teens must face the fallout of the Proving. Three have made it through. One has not.
Nova. Kian. Dex. Wren.
Four lives defined by the outcome. Four lives who thought the Proving was the most difficult test they would ever have to face.
They all assumed Askala was safe, but a link to the Outlands has been established and a Remnant invasion is now a threat. In a starving, damaged world, Askala has what others want.
Except the fight for survival is far more complicated than right or wrong, or us and them. It's about humanity versus Earth.
As bonds are fractured and new connections are forged, the question becomes - how do you fight for your world, but also your heart?
Goodreads Link
Only the chosen shall breed.
Four teens must face the fallout of the Proving. Three have made it through. One has not.
Nova. Kian. Dex. Wren.
Four lives defined by the outcome. Four lives who thought the Proving was the most difficult test they would ever have to face.
They all assumed Askala was safe, but a link to the Outlands has been established and a Remnant invasion is now a threat. In a starving, damaged world, Askala has what others want.
Except the fight for survival is far more complicated than right or wrong, or us and them. It's about humanity versus Earth.
As bonds are fractured and new connections are forged, the question becomes - how do you fight for your world, but also your heart?
Goodreads Link
Title: Falling
Series: After The Thaw
Author: Tamar Sloan & Heidi Catherine
Genre: Sci-Fi, YA, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic
Publisher: Sequel House
Release Date: 3rd April 2020
BLURB from Goodreads
Only the chosen shall breed.
Nova, Kian, Dex, and Wren.
Four divided hearts. Four teens no longer sure what they’re fighting for.
Their society was meant to mold human evolution. Their future, and that of Earth, was to be decided by the kindest and smartest. Askala was supposed to be a beacon of hope in a flooded, desecrated world.
Except the line between the Bound and Unbound is blurring. The Outlands is no longer some distant, faceless world. And the Remnants have a leader who knows more about them than any Remnant before.
In a world devastated by global warming, the fight for survival has always been deadly. Now, the battle for Askala is about to define the very future of humanity.
But...does the greatest threat lie within?
Goodreads Link
Only the chosen shall breed.
Nova, Kian, Dex, and Wren.
Four divided hearts. Four teens no longer sure what they’re fighting for.
Their society was meant to mold human evolution. Their future, and that of Earth, was to be decided by the kindest and smartest. Askala was supposed to be a beacon of hope in a flooded, desecrated world.
Except the line between the Bound and Unbound is blurring. The Outlands is no longer some distant, faceless world. And the Remnants have a leader who knows more about them than any Remnant before.
In a world devastated by global warming, the fight for survival has always been deadly. Now, the battle for Askala is about to define the very future of humanity.
But...does the greatest threat lie within?
Goodreads Link
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