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** spoiler alert ** Part of the 2010 Debut Author Challenge

2.5 stars (Reads like the first half of a single book, not the first book in a series.)

It was better than I had expected it to be after encountering some less favorable reviews. They were mostly concerned with plot and such.

Evil, corrupt tyrannical government set in a futuristic society? Check.
No rights and obscene, excessive taxes? Check
Girl who will somehow bring about the collapse of this unjust regime and inspire a rebellion? Check.

So, clearly we have all the makings of a dystopian society set in an America years ahead, with all the other countries having different names and borders. To ensure the safety of America's own borders from ground invasion following the passage of international laws making nuclear/missile weapons illegal, the government of the U.S. created a force field around the states and anyone who happened to be on the other side got abandoned there when a neighboring country threw some radioactive weapons at the US. Lots of people died and those that did not ended up gaining some strange abilities down through the generations. (You cannot have radioactive weapons without genetic mutation and super powers. It is some unwritten rule.)

The maps? What are they and why are they so important? How does Pathik know Daniel? Is Daniel still alive? Was not very invested in the fate of the characters, more plot driven. I'll probably pick up the next book to see what happens, but if it is dragged on any farther, I'm out. Publishers need to stop milking stories for more than they have to give.

Cover deserves a mention though because it is a lovely one. It fits the story (the greenhouse being an essential building that figures into the story frequently)and the lighting gives an appropriately mysterious and spooky feel. The font, sparse, thin and rigid speaks volumes, as does the line running down. A cover that fits the book, enhances the attraction of the book and after reading it I was not confused by the cover or feel misled.