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My Beginning
"Kline has woven a rich tapestry of romance, science fiction, and adventure. Ivory's journey through an Orwellian post-apocalypse grabs hold of you and never lets go." -Terry Matalas, television writer -- FOX's "TERRA NOVA"
"My Beginning" is told through the eyes of Ivory, a 16-year-old girl who has lived her entire life within the walls of an institution. The institution is one of many supposedly set up to protect those within from a worldwide plague. She and all of the other surviving children live a strict, mundane life full of tasks and responsibilities--forbidden to go outside, congregate or even look at the opposite sex. Despite the uncompromising atmosphere, Ivory manages to pique the interest of the only boy who did not grow up in the institution, creating a love affair neither of them expected. Multiple secret meetings take a turn for the worse when they are caught and severely punished, but through unexpected circumstances they find themselves on the outside. There is a lot more to the world than they could have ever imagined when they learn of a war and lifelike machines that threaten humankind. Ivory faces many unexpected challenges, and, ultimately, it is up to her to save Aidan and the world she has grown to love. (YA Fiction: science fiction, for ages 15 and up)
""My Beginning" offers up familiar subject matter yet refreshingly showcases it from a seldom seen perspective. By setting the angst and torture of a teenage coming of age story against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic plague-ravaged society the reader gets to experience a world they've become accustomed to through the astonished eyes of Ivory, the story's protagonist. When you take Ivory's strong yet vulnerable character, throw in a shadowy corporatist boogey-man and his army of 'the machines' you end up with Cinderella meets Blade Runner. Kline's descriptive and lush writing style, reminiscent of Richard Matheson and early Stephen King paints a visually rich world with vibrant characters that keeps you turning pages till there's no more left to turn." - Sean Bishop, Dreamworks feature Animation
"My Beginning" is told through the eyes of Ivory, a 16-year-old girl who has lived her entire life within the walls of an institution. The institution is one of many supposedly set up to protect those within from a worldwide plague. She and all of the other surviving children live a strict, mundane life full of tasks and responsibilities--forbidden to go outside, congregate or even look at the opposite sex. Despite the uncompromising atmosphere, Ivory manages to pique the interest of the only boy who did not grow up in the institution, creating a love affair neither of them expected. Multiple secret meetings take a turn for the worse when they are caught and severely punished, but through unexpected circumstances they find themselves on the outside. There is a lot more to the world than they could have ever imagined when they learn of a war and lifelike machines that threaten humankind. Ivory faces many unexpected challenges, and, ultimately, it is up to her to save Aidan and the world she has grown to love. (YA Fiction: science fiction, for ages 15 and up)
""My Beginning" offers up familiar subject matter yet refreshingly showcases it from a seldom seen perspective. By setting the angst and torture of a teenage coming of age story against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic plague-ravaged society the reader gets to experience a world they've become accustomed to through the astonished eyes of Ivory, the story's protagonist. When you take Ivory's strong yet vulnerable character, throw in a shadowy corporatist boogey-man and his army of 'the machines' you end up with Cinderella meets Blade Runner. Kline's descriptive and lush writing style, reminiscent of Richard Matheson and early Stephen King paints a visually rich world with vibrant characters that keeps you turning pages till there's no more left to turn." - Sean Bishop, Dreamworks feature Animation
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Kline
10 books35 followersMelissa Kline loves to write, create and laugh. She is a big believer in never giving up on dreams, especially literary ones. She lives to light a creative spark in others.
Melissa's greatest passion is writing books for readers in their teens and early twenties. She is the author of MY BEGINNING, STORM and LOVE AGAIN. Melissa also enjoys penning short stories and narrative non-fiction. No matter the genre, love is the central theme in her work.
Learn more about Melissa and her continuing journey at www.MelissaKlineAuthor.com
Melissa's greatest passion is writing books for readers in their teens and early twenties. She is the author of MY BEGINNING, STORM and LOVE AGAIN. Melissa also enjoys penning short stories and narrative non-fiction. No matter the genre, love is the central theme in her work.
Learn more about Melissa and her continuing journey at www.MelissaKlineAuthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 12, 2011
Disclaimer: The publishing company I founded, Lucky Press LLC, is the publisher of My Beginning by Melissa Kline. Therefore, instead of a reader review, I'd like to share why, of the hundreds of manuscripts Lucky Press receives each year, I (for it is I who have the final decision) chose to publish My Beginning.
My introduction to Melissa Kline was through email and her query was perfectly written and clearly explained the premise of her young adult novel. Though I am not personally drawn to dystopian-type stories or movies, there was something about Melissa as an author and the main character, Ivory, as a 16-year-old girl living in an "institution" that drew me in. Ivory, like many teenage girls, is insecure about her appearance, a bit self-conscious around some of the other girls she lives with, and wanting more of all the wonderful world she can only glimpse beyond the walls of her current situation.
The author did an excellent job creating the enclosed world Ivory lives in, and instilling her character with a specific personality and voice and with the hope of a better future. When Ivory begins a close friendship with Aidan, a teenage boy also trapped in the same place, the story picks up and escape is not going to be far behind.
Melissa Kline has written ten novels and My Beginning is the first one of her manuscripts to be published in book form. (My Beginning will have a simultaneous paperback and Kindle-ebook release). While this is her debut novel, Melissa's professionalism and the wonderful, strategic steps she has taken to lay the foundation of her career as an author are so impressive.
She is the founder of the Rocky Mountain Women Writers group. She is also very artistic and produces beautiful miniatures (including scenes from her books), prop displays (for example, the clothes and items Ivory and Aidan would own), and photographs. You can see all these cool things on her website (melissaklineauthor.com), her blog, Reflections on Writing, and/or on her Facebook page.
These extra activities, bring a reality to My Beginning that settles in with the reader and, along with her top-knotch writing skills, roots Ivory, Aidan and the other "good guys" into your heart.
As Ivory and Aidan make their way outside the institution, they encounter friends and foes and Ivory's biggest challenge is in making a decision about what she can and cannot accept in the person she loves. The dilemma is set within the scene of a sci-fi world, but the question is one many readers will see relates to their life as well. In other words, there are archetypal characters and themes in My Beginning, but it all reads as a fast-paced romantic suspense, appropriate for readers 15 and older. (I'm 3x that age and I enjoyed the book, too!)
Lucky Press is offering three copies of My Beginning by Melissa Kline in the Goodreads giveaway program. You can see the book trailer (done wonderful by the author) at "luckypressllc" on YouTube.
You won't want to miss getting a first edition copy of Melissa Kline's debut novel. Lucky Press is a small press (10 years old, 30 titles) and we were lucky to obtain the rights to this book, but I predict larger publishers will swoop down before long and snatch up the rights to Melissa Kline's other work. And, I will be happy for her because she deserves it and readers will then be able to enjoy her work for many years to come. But I can always say that Lucky Press published My Beginning!
My introduction to Melissa Kline was through email and her query was perfectly written and clearly explained the premise of her young adult novel. Though I am not personally drawn to dystopian-type stories or movies, there was something about Melissa as an author and the main character, Ivory, as a 16-year-old girl living in an "institution" that drew me in. Ivory, like many teenage girls, is insecure about her appearance, a bit self-conscious around some of the other girls she lives with, and wanting more of all the wonderful world she can only glimpse beyond the walls of her current situation.
The author did an excellent job creating the enclosed world Ivory lives in, and instilling her character with a specific personality and voice and with the hope of a better future. When Ivory begins a close friendship with Aidan, a teenage boy also trapped in the same place, the story picks up and escape is not going to be far behind.
Melissa Kline has written ten novels and My Beginning is the first one of her manuscripts to be published in book form. (My Beginning will have a simultaneous paperback and Kindle-ebook release). While this is her debut novel, Melissa's professionalism and the wonderful, strategic steps she has taken to lay the foundation of her career as an author are so impressive.
She is the founder of the Rocky Mountain Women Writers group. She is also very artistic and produces beautiful miniatures (including scenes from her books), prop displays (for example, the clothes and items Ivory and Aidan would own), and photographs. You can see all these cool things on her website (melissaklineauthor.com), her blog, Reflections on Writing, and/or on her Facebook page.
These extra activities, bring a reality to My Beginning that settles in with the reader and, along with her top-knotch writing skills, roots Ivory, Aidan and the other "good guys" into your heart.
As Ivory and Aidan make their way outside the institution, they encounter friends and foes and Ivory's biggest challenge is in making a decision about what she can and cannot accept in the person she loves. The dilemma is set within the scene of a sci-fi world, but the question is one many readers will see relates to their life as well. In other words, there are archetypal characters and themes in My Beginning, but it all reads as a fast-paced romantic suspense, appropriate for readers 15 and older. (I'm 3x that age and I enjoyed the book, too!)
Lucky Press is offering three copies of My Beginning by Melissa Kline in the Goodreads giveaway program. You can see the book trailer (done wonderful by the author) at "luckypressllc" on YouTube.
You won't want to miss getting a first edition copy of Melissa Kline's debut novel. Lucky Press is a small press (10 years old, 30 titles) and we were lucky to obtain the rights to this book, but I predict larger publishers will swoop down before long and snatch up the rights to Melissa Kline's other work. And, I will be happy for her because she deserves it and readers will then be able to enjoy her work for many years to come. But I can always say that Lucky Press published My Beginning!
May 12, 2011
This is my book! :) Available July 1, 2011 with Lucky Press, LLC.
After a devastating plague, children are sealed in institutions. Ivory dreams of the outside world and risks everything to escape with her forbidden love, Aidan. They explore a new world, and find life unexpectedly thriving - but also a war raging. Will they survive?
After a devastating plague, children are sealed in institutions. Ivory dreams of the outside world and risks everything to escape with her forbidden love, Aidan. They explore a new world, and find life unexpectedly thriving - but also a war raging. Will they survive?
June 25, 2011
* I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. *
My Beginning by Melissa Kline is a fast-paced novel that takes readers on a wild ride and gives rise to several questions about what society–or lack thereof–will look like in the future.
My Beginning is the story of Ivory. Ivory has lived in a cold, sterile institution her entire life. Sixteen years without ever stepping outside. Why? According to the mother nurses at the institution, a plague wiped out most of the life on earth, and the institution is one of the only safe places left. Still, Ivory is unsatisfied with her boring, unchanging life, and she knows there’s got to be more outside the walls that feel more and more like a prison. Ivory’s life, however, is about to undergo a drastic change in the form of Aidan, a young man new to the institution. Where did he come from? Why is he so interested in Ivory? And how much will he be willing to risk for a few stolen moments with her?
As Ivory and Aidan risk more and more to be together, their secret meetings are uncovered, and life inside the institution is no longer safe. The two escape into the mysterious world outside of the walls that seemingly protected them. But the two soon realize that they really needed protection from what was happening inside the institution. Yes, the world outside is often scary, but it is beautiful, and the plague Ivory and Aidan were always warned about has been gone for years. Why, then, were they deceived? What purpose could it possibly serve? What is really going on at the institution?
As Ivory and Aidan join others like them, they learn so much about what was kept from them. They also come to accept that their feelings for each other are not something they have to hide anymore. They educate themselves about what is currently going on in the world, including what they can do to help in the war against the machines that are threatening to destroy the peace they have found. But what will happen when the unthinkable occurs? How can Ivory and Aidan stay together when forces beyond their control are determined to drive them apart? Do they have any hope of a life together in a world so divided by conflict? Read My Beginning by Melissa Kline to uncover these answers and so many more…
I really enjoyed this book, and I honestly didn’t think I would. I tend to judge a book by it’s cover, and this one didn’t really do it for me. But I’m glad I continued reading. This book was kind of like Romeo and Juliet meets Terminator (a winning combination). It’s interesting to think about what will happen when machines become so life-like that we can’t tell the difference between them and us. Chilling. I think fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Matched, and Delirium will find something to enjoy in My Beginning. There are some adult situations in this book, so I would recommend it for high school and up.
My Beginning by Melissa Kline is a fast-paced novel that takes readers on a wild ride and gives rise to several questions about what society–or lack thereof–will look like in the future.
My Beginning is the story of Ivory. Ivory has lived in a cold, sterile institution her entire life. Sixteen years without ever stepping outside. Why? According to the mother nurses at the institution, a plague wiped out most of the life on earth, and the institution is one of the only safe places left. Still, Ivory is unsatisfied with her boring, unchanging life, and she knows there’s got to be more outside the walls that feel more and more like a prison. Ivory’s life, however, is about to undergo a drastic change in the form of Aidan, a young man new to the institution. Where did he come from? Why is he so interested in Ivory? And how much will he be willing to risk for a few stolen moments with her?
As Ivory and Aidan risk more and more to be together, their secret meetings are uncovered, and life inside the institution is no longer safe. The two escape into the mysterious world outside of the walls that seemingly protected them. But the two soon realize that they really needed protection from what was happening inside the institution. Yes, the world outside is often scary, but it is beautiful, and the plague Ivory and Aidan were always warned about has been gone for years. Why, then, were they deceived? What purpose could it possibly serve? What is really going on at the institution?
As Ivory and Aidan join others like them, they learn so much about what was kept from them. They also come to accept that their feelings for each other are not something they have to hide anymore. They educate themselves about what is currently going on in the world, including what they can do to help in the war against the machines that are threatening to destroy the peace they have found. But what will happen when the unthinkable occurs? How can Ivory and Aidan stay together when forces beyond their control are determined to drive them apart? Do they have any hope of a life together in a world so divided by conflict? Read My Beginning by Melissa Kline to uncover these answers and so many more…
I really enjoyed this book, and I honestly didn’t think I would. I tend to judge a book by it’s cover, and this one didn’t really do it for me. But I’m glad I continued reading. This book was kind of like Romeo and Juliet meets Terminator (a winning combination). It’s interesting to think about what will happen when machines become so life-like that we can’t tell the difference between them and us. Chilling. I think fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, Matched, and Delirium will find something to enjoy in My Beginning. There are some adult situations in this book, so I would recommend it for high school and up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2011
Children are sealed in an institution after a devastating plague. Ivory, dreams of the outside world and will risk everything for it. When she found her love interest, Aidan, they fought together to leave behind the institution and find the real truth about their world.
My Beginning is a story full of twists and revelation. I never thought that a book with only 201 pages will leave me pine for another one. Ivory was a swayable, serene and self-effacing person. She dreams of the outside world inside the cold, hard walls of the institution and just kept it as it is, because she knows that no one will get out in the life of being locked in the institutions. But when Aidan, a boy who did not grow up on the same institution, comes to their institution a love affair begins. The two of them decided to get out from the institution after their affair was found out. Their escape is quick and uncomplicated; it was smooth all the way until they faced the real world. I love how Aidan and Ivory keep their meetings secret from the Mother Nurse. After the two of them come across other people who survived in the plague, they found asylum in a little community and soon found friends. Living on their new life was not that easy, as they discover the truth of what happened after the plague. I’ve read this book just a couple of hours and don’t want to leave it anymore. Its twist was shocking, because I’ve been carried away by the adventures of Aidan and Ivory I never thought that that “twist” would happen. The second characters were endearing too-Hydra, Rowen, Akela and the others.
All in all it was an easy and fast-paced story; I love how readers could easily get the main notion of the story without having any difficulties. I just hoped that the love story of Aidan and Ivory would be more detailed. With the dystopian being a mainstream, Kline never gets me bore with her book. Love, understanding, struggles and genuineness are the things you will bump into the story. I’m looking forward for the next book I’ll definitely be one of the first readers if there is a sequel.;)
My Beginning is a story full of twists and revelation. I never thought that a book with only 201 pages will leave me pine for another one. Ivory was a swayable, serene and self-effacing person. She dreams of the outside world inside the cold, hard walls of the institution and just kept it as it is, because she knows that no one will get out in the life of being locked in the institutions. But when Aidan, a boy who did not grow up on the same institution, comes to their institution a love affair begins. The two of them decided to get out from the institution after their affair was found out. Their escape is quick and uncomplicated; it was smooth all the way until they faced the real world. I love how Aidan and Ivory keep their meetings secret from the Mother Nurse. After the two of them come across other people who survived in the plague, they found asylum in a little community and soon found friends. Living on their new life was not that easy, as they discover the truth of what happened after the plague. I’ve read this book just a couple of hours and don’t want to leave it anymore. Its twist was shocking, because I’ve been carried away by the adventures of Aidan and Ivory I never thought that that “twist” would happen. The second characters were endearing too-Hydra, Rowen, Akela and the others.
All in all it was an easy and fast-paced story; I love how readers could easily get the main notion of the story without having any difficulties. I just hoped that the love story of Aidan and Ivory would be more detailed. With the dystopian being a mainstream, Kline never gets me bore with her book. Love, understanding, struggles and genuineness are the things you will bump into the story. I’m looking forward for the next book I’ll definitely be one of the first readers if there is a sequel.;)
January 19, 2012
Not quite sure about this one . . . I've read lots of fabulous books with the distopia/utopia premises, but I'm just not convinced that this one pulled it off.
It was really short and so lacked development. It felt like it was all happening way too fast. I never felt like I really got to know the characters, or could picture their habitats as they were always changing. It was hard to buy into Geoff as a true villain when he was only a part of the story for 2 pages and was so easily overtaken. It made me wonder why it didn't happen sooner. And then, there was the issue of Aidan being a "Machine" . . . one minute they are all jut fine and then the next he is swept off and we find out he isn't human . . . again, I just wasn't convinced.
Mainly, however, I felt a disconnect between Ivory and Aidan being in love and playing house and acting like this committed, married couple - and yet, they didn't even know what sex was. They were really young and really inexperienced and yet it made it seem as though they had this mature and ultra developed relationship . . . one that developed, I'm not sure where and one that started with two people that didn't even know what it meant to kiss, let alone live together and function as a sexual couple.
I liked the idea and thought it had a lot of potential to be a really successful book but it needed to be about three times as long and their innocence should have been addressed in a more realistic manner.
It was really short and so lacked development. It felt like it was all happening way too fast. I never felt like I really got to know the characters, or could picture their habitats as they were always changing. It was hard to buy into Geoff as a true villain when he was only a part of the story for 2 pages and was so easily overtaken. It made me wonder why it didn't happen sooner. And then, there was the issue of Aidan being a "Machine" . . . one minute they are all jut fine and then the next he is swept off and we find out he isn't human . . . again, I just wasn't convinced.
Mainly, however, I felt a disconnect between Ivory and Aidan being in love and playing house and acting like this committed, married couple - and yet, they didn't even know what sex was. They were really young and really inexperienced and yet it made it seem as though they had this mature and ultra developed relationship . . . one that developed, I'm not sure where and one that started with two people that didn't even know what it meant to kiss, let alone live together and function as a sexual couple.
I liked the idea and thought it had a lot of potential to be a really successful book but it needed to be about three times as long and their innocence should have been addressed in a more realistic manner.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2011
My Beginnning is a futuristic novel set in a time when technology is so advanced that machines look exactly like humans. The narrator, a sixteen year old girl named Ivory, has spent her life in an institution. The human race had been nearly wiped out by a plague, and now young children and teenagers are protected within the walls of the institution. Ivory meets a young man named Aidan and soon finds herself falling in love. Unfortunately love affairs are strictly forbidden in the institution. Aidan and Ivory soon find themselves on their own outside of the institution. It is then that they discover the truth about themselves and the nature of the institution.
My Beginning is a book that is difficult to put down. Author, Melissa Kline, has created a descriptive story with all kinds of twists and turns. All of the unexpected surprises keep the reader turning the pages, wanting to know what is going to happen next. The love story between Ivory and Aidan is tender and sweet. Readers can really feel Ivory's pain when she almost loses Aidan. (Note: There is some adult material in the book - not too graphic, but conservative readers should be aware of this.)
My Beginning is a winning combination of romance and science fiction. Readers ages 15 and older who enjoy these genres will really enjoy the book. I highly recommend it.
My Beginning is a book that is difficult to put down. Author, Melissa Kline, has created a descriptive story with all kinds of twists and turns. All of the unexpected surprises keep the reader turning the pages, wanting to know what is going to happen next. The love story between Ivory and Aidan is tender and sweet. Readers can really feel Ivory's pain when she almost loses Aidan. (Note: There is some adult material in the book - not too graphic, but conservative readers should be aware of this.)
My Beginning is a winning combination of romance and science fiction. Readers ages 15 and older who enjoy these genres will really enjoy the book. I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2011
I won this book through First-Reads! YA books used to be my guilty pleasure just like romance novels, but more and more I'm seeing books like this one with characters that have more depth and with a great plot. I think my favorite part of the book was the freedom that the humans had in the communities. They were able to love each other and touch and hug and kiss. I was so glad that the author opted to allow Ivory and Aiden the ultimate expression of their love for each other instead of keeping them chaste like other YA books continue to do. I think it was more realistic in that way. Teens have sex. That's just the way it is.
I also really enjoyed seeing everything through Ivory's perspective. She was raised completely sheltered and yet she couldn't help but think of what else there was out there. How funny that Aiden, who was a machine, felt the same way. Great book. It really brought to mind the whole Terminator movie series except the communities were much cleaner and nature hadn't been completed destroyed. I would recommend this book to lovers of books about dystopian-like futures or futures in which machines and humans have to learn to co-exist.
I also really enjoyed seeing everything through Ivory's perspective. She was raised completely sheltered and yet she couldn't help but think of what else there was out there. How funny that Aiden, who was a machine, felt the same way. Great book. It really brought to mind the whole Terminator movie series except the communities were much cleaner and nature hadn't been completed destroyed. I would recommend this book to lovers of books about dystopian-like futures or futures in which machines and humans have to learn to co-exist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2011
I got this book through Lucky Press. I enjoyed it from the offset, as I enjoy dystopian fiction and Kline does a great job setting up the main characters and their world in the institution they live in. I'm not really a fluffy romance type of reader, but it was well done and I continued to be hooked up until the turn when we found out there were androids. It was still well-written to that point, but I felt lost with the whole plague thing falling by the wayside, which I had been interested in. It reminded me of the way I felt watching the movie A Beautiful Mind. I was hooked in one direction and then led in a completely different way slightly disappointed he was not a spy. I also would have liked a return to the institution once the machine city fell. It felt cast aside and unresolved, though one character does now inhabit the community implying that they all probably do. The book was a bit romance laden for my tastes, however, I would recommend this to any reader of YA dystopian novels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2011
Whoa! This book will totally rock your socks off! I have every intention of writing a review first chance I get.
Thank you, Melissa, for the engaging read!
Updated:
All Ivory knew was the Institution. A place of instruction akin to imprisonment. A place where Mother nurses watched you in case you made a wrong move. A place where awful things happened if you fell in love. It was the same, day in day out. Until Aiden came along . . .
I am amazed at the whipping sharp turns that Melissa Kline takes me through as I read her Young Adult debut novel, My Beginning. Just when I had it figured out, something surprising happens--an event that has me mourning for our courageous Ivory, yet her astounding determination has me biting my nails. The characters are vivid and powerful and so believable.
This is a book I can read over again and find it just as exciting as the first!
A note for parents: the love scene depicted is written with innocent passion.
Thank you, Melissa, for the engaging read!
Updated:
All Ivory knew was the Institution. A place of instruction akin to imprisonment. A place where Mother nurses watched you in case you made a wrong move. A place where awful things happened if you fell in love. It was the same, day in day out. Until Aiden came along . . .
I am amazed at the whipping sharp turns that Melissa Kline takes me through as I read her Young Adult debut novel, My Beginning. Just when I had it figured out, something surprising happens--an event that has me mourning for our courageous Ivory, yet her astounding determination has me biting my nails. The characters are vivid and powerful and so believable.
This is a book I can read over again and find it just as exciting as the first!
A note for parents: the love scene depicted is written with innocent passion.
September 3, 2013
Ivory has lived her whole life in an institution with other children. She has been told it will protect her from the plague that wiped out the rest of the world. They live under mother nurses who ensure they follow the rules and never speak to the opposite sex and never touch other people. She breaks the rules and falls in love with a new boy at the institution. They break away and find a life outside, until everything she loves is threatened and she must find a way to save her new family.
A good YA novel. Although this is a love story, I didn't feel like the relationship is the focus of the novel. The characters are not incredibly deep, but not so shallow as to inspire hatred from the reader. There are twists and turns in the story, and although it becomes a bit of a "of course!" when you get to the twist, it isn't so obvious that you know from the very beginning. I would recommend this story as a quick, fun read that has quite a bit of action as well.
A good YA novel. Although this is a love story, I didn't feel like the relationship is the focus of the novel. The characters are not incredibly deep, but not so shallow as to inspire hatred from the reader. There are twists and turns in the story, and although it becomes a bit of a "of course!" when you get to the twist, it isn't so obvious that you know from the very beginning. I would recommend this story as a quick, fun read that has quite a bit of action as well.
December 16, 2012
This is the start to a fantasy series for young adults, and it leaves me eager to see what happens next.
Although it started slowly, the momentum builds, and eventually I was totally taken in to the futuristic, dystopian world of Ivory, the main character. The book transcends genres a bit, and could be called fantasy, science fiction, romance, adventure, or all of those. I appreciated the frank exploration of sexuality in the teenage characters, something other writers of YA fiction seem afraid to do.
All in all, this book was interesting and engaging, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Although it started slowly, the momentum builds, and eventually I was totally taken in to the futuristic, dystopian world of Ivory, the main character. The book transcends genres a bit, and could be called fantasy, science fiction, romance, adventure, or all of those. I appreciated the frank exploration of sexuality in the teenage characters, something other writers of YA fiction seem afraid to do.
All in all, this book was interesting and engaging, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
December 17, 2011
Purchased at a new author self-publishing book party. This is young reader's lit and I couldn't really get into it. I wanted to give the author my attention so read the whole thing but found the writing not sophisticated enough -- I think even for young readers. The characters are 16 and 18 but seem much younger, perhaps because the story line keeps them sheltered from reality? Would be intereted in a middle school reading teacher's opinion.
July 29, 2011
Great book! It was fast paced so there was never a dull moment, I had a hard time putting it down. My favorite part was when Ivory and Aidan were embarrassed to see the other kids in swimming suits. Of course it is understandable with the shelterd life they lead in the institution. I'm definitely going to tell my friends about this book.
September 17, 2012
The true love experienced by the two main characters and even within the community is undeniable. It's a true testament to the happiness and loyalty that come with loving so unconditionally. This enchanting tale is a must read for the young and old alike.
June 4, 2013
I absolutely loved this book!
The love that Ivory and Aidan share is so inspirational and the story line was exciting and creative.
The book ended on an exceptionally good note as well (I'm quite fussy when it comes to book endings)!
The love that Ivory and Aidan share is so inspirational and the story line was exciting and creative.
The book ended on an exceptionally good note as well (I'm quite fussy when it comes to book endings)!
July 17, 2011
An awesome book, that had me hooked from start to finish, this really is a must read, well done Melissa and congrats on your first published novel ((((((((hugs))))))))
September 21, 2011
beginning was good. but half way was just like wtf
October 10, 2012
A friend and lovely all around person wrote this book so read it!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews