I can´t wait to tell you my thoughts on this, so keep reading, because at the end on this post you will find a Giveaway!
The Book
Title: The Sowing
Author: K. Makansi
Release Date: August 19th 2013
Genre: YA, Dystopia
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥
Remy Alexander was born into the elite meritocracy of the Okarian Sector. From an early age, she and her friends were programmed for intellectual and physical superiority through specialized dietary regimes administered by the Okarian Agricultural Consortium. But when her older sister Tai was murdered in a brutal classroom massacre, her parents began to suspect foul play. They fled the Sector, taking their surviving daughter underground to join the nascent Resistance movement. But now, three years later, Remy’s former schoolgirl crush, Valerian Orleán, is put in charge of hunting and destroying the Resistance. As Remy and her friends race to unravel the mystery behind her sister’s murder, Vale is haunted by the memory of his friendship with Remy and is determined to find out why she disappeared. As the Resistance begins to fight back against the Sector, and Vale and Remy search for the answers to their own questions, the two are set on a collision course that could bring everyone together—or tear everything apart.
My Thoughts
I dived into this book while being in a really frustrating and unnerving reading slumb. I knew I needed a really good and action packed book to keep me entertained, and out of sheer frustration - because I couldn´t find anything fitting for that in my shelf - I started reading The Sowing. And oh my god, that was really all I needed to get me back on the reading track! It was awesome and I couldn´t put it down!
I believe that the beginning of this book decided things for me. I´ve rarely read a more shocking and addicting first chapter of a book. The book doesn´t start of with the protagonist Remy Alexander, but with her older sister Tai. I don´t want to give much away, because I know I was thrilled, excited and overwhelmed by this very first chapter for the simple reason that no one had spoiled me! I think as a reader you really have to dive into this story knowing almost nothing, it´s so much better this way!
Now let me just tell you how absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g the character development is! They are so real and full of life and most importantly: real! Every action and every move they make I could understand, because it was in no way forced, but natural! Let´s just keep in mind that 3 persons wrote this great story. Honestly, you can´t tell by reading the book...that really says something about the harmony in that writing trio.
If I thought I liked Tai, then let me tell you that I adored Remy, it was a bit hard for me though, because the abrupt narrator change in the beginning made me feel very, very sad. Still, Remy is a wonderful young girl that wants the world to become a better place. Remy is part of a resistance group that is working against the government. The government is the sole authority when it comes to food and water, no citizen is allowed to grow crops and has to depend on the government. Not that anyone would be able to grow crops, because the DNA for those is known to be long lost.
It is very hard for me to describe the world that is shown in The Sowing, because it is so utter complex. You can really tell that the authors put a lot of thought and knowledge of DNA, molecules and helices into it. It is a true and very terrifying dystopia that has so much potential to become true.
Then the love triangle. I´m not a fan of love triangles, because I tend to always be part of the team that loses in the end. This love triangle consists of Remy, Vale and Soren.
The point of view changes each chapter between Remy and Vale. Those two were in love when they were still in school together. Vale is the semi-villain in this scenario. Semi, because he just doen´t know better. The true villain in this story is his mother, who is willing to go very far in order to protect her perfect little world.
I know that Vale is a good guy, I really do, but I can´t help myself that I´m part of Team Soren! He had a troubling past and had to give so much up when he became part of the resistance, but I loved him almost from the start. He really cares for Remy and always looks out for her, even if he acts like a total jerk. I was so happy when they finally got along and developed feelings for each other.
So please, please, please let this dystopia end well for Soren and Remy. I couldn´t stand if she ended up with Vale...I really can´t wait for the next book!
The Yearning Mermaid says:" This is the perfect fit for fans af dystopias, action and a well-written story! Pick it up!"
About the Author
K. Makansi is the pen name for the writing triumvirate consisting
of Amira, Elena, and Kristina Makansi. Two sisters and their mother,
the three women developed a passionate interest in science fiction as a
way to write about issues of food sovereignty and food justice. Elena
is pursuing a degree in environmental studies at Oberlin College in
Ohio, and will graduate in May of 2014. Amira was a history student at
the University of Chicago whose day job working in the cellar of a
winery (and constantly being splattered with wine) keeps her busy when
she’s not writing. And Kristy owns and operates Blank Slate Press,
an independent publishing company based out of St. Louis, and is a
partner at Treehouse Publishing Group, a company providing editorial and
design services to aspiring authors. When not writing or reading, the
three can be found having animated discussions around the dinner table,
sharing a good bottle of wine, or taking long walks in the park eagerly
plotting out their next book.
Author Links:
Thanks to K. Makansi I have an ebook copy of "The Sowing" to share with you guys! The giveaway ends on April 5th and all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter! I will contact the winner at the end of the giveaway. Open internationally!
Please note that the winner must contact me back within 48 hours or I will select another winner!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Great review, Lea! This sounds like such a great read and I love it when the first chapter is completely captivating! Starting with a bang! :) Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteHi Lea, I just want to tell you that you're nominated on my Sunshine Blog Award! feel free to check it out if you want to :) http://thefoureyedcat.blogspot.com/2014/04/sunshine-blog-award-1.html
ReplyDelete