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Live Once Trilogy #1
First
Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
Unknown Binding
First published April 28, 2013
12 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Chanda Stafford
11 books47 followersChanda Stafford teaches middle and high school English. She loves traveling and currently lives in Michigan with her husband and a menagerie of rescued dogs and cats.
When she’s not reading or writing, Chanda enjoys old zombie movies, authentic Italian food, and comic books.
When she’s not reading or writing, Chanda enjoys old zombie movies, authentic Italian food, and comic books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 3, 2015
First is an interesting Dystopian that really delivers some enticing moral quandaries. There was definitely a lot of inspiration taken from other popular Dystopians, and at first I found this distracting,(the beginning reminded me very strongly of The Hunger Games for example) but eventually I got used to it and it didn't bother me as much as the story progressed.
I loved that I hated Socrates, as I always appreciate when the writing is good enough to make me feeling strongly about a character, even if that feeling is hate. As for Mira, I can't say that I was the biggest fan of hers, I found her to be very naive and a little annoying and repetitive. While being naive is a reasonable character trait considering her upbringing, I just couldn't root for her when there are so many alternative Dystopian characters that come from similar backgrounds, that are just so much stronger and badass.
Overall I did like this book, the plot really makes you think and the world that it took place in was interesting. However there were some issues with repetitive phrases and insta-love that brought down the rating for me a bit. The story also dragged a little. These issues were not enough for me to dislike the book, but it did bring down the rave factor.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict:Borrow
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. No other consideration was offered, expected or received.
This is a really interesting story. It's told from two points of view - Mira and Socrates. Socrates isn't just a First, he is the very first First, and he has chosen Mira to be his Second. Mira lives on a farm in Texas with her mom and brother, is "in love" with her best friend ... and never thought she would ever be chosen for this position. She is also not happy about it at all.
I am always curious about dystopian futures and when I saw that this one involved Texas (my home state), I had to give it a read. I love that the Texans were "rebels" and that, during the Immigration War, they bombed the White House and Pentagon, unhappy about what the government was doing. As with most of the dystopian books I have read, there are bits of reality snuck in, twisted just a little bit so that, if you want to be all "conspiracy theory," the future written is a possibility.
I also really like this First-Second idea. It's intriguing and the fact that it was written from both points of view allows you to see inside each person's head.
There are some unexpected twists and turns throughout the book that really impressed me.
This book was well written and a lot of fun to read. It is definitely one that I would recommend to others.
This is a really interesting story. It's told from two points of view - Mira and Socrates. Socrates isn't just a First, he is the very first First, and he has chosen Mira to be his Second. Mira lives on a farm in Texas with her mom and brother, is "in love" with her best friend ... and never thought she would ever be chosen for this position. She is also not happy about it at all.
I am always curious about dystopian futures and when I saw that this one involved Texas (my home state), I had to give it a read. I love that the Texans were "rebels" and that, during the Immigration War, they bombed the White House and Pentagon, unhappy about what the government was doing. As with most of the dystopian books I have read, there are bits of reality snuck in, twisted just a little bit so that, if you want to be all "conspiracy theory," the future written is a possibility.
I also really like this First-Second idea. It's intriguing and the fact that it was written from both points of view allows you to see inside each person's head.
There are some unexpected twists and turns throughout the book that really impressed me.
This book was well written and a lot of fun to read. It is definitely one that I would recommend to others.
February 26, 2015
Wow... Just wow... Review will be up soon
April 14, 2015
(
I received this book free from the author through Goodreads group {All about YA}[R2R] in exchange for my honest review
)
5 Stars!
I can't stop smiling. The ending, oh the ending, a cliff-hanger, but my god it was good, no it was exceptional.
From the first moment I started reading the first few words; I was hook, captured and I couldn't stop. The prologue was the perfect setup, and starts your mind down the confusing road of who's side is anyone really on.
The brutality and rawness made me angry but strangely understanding for both sides. There wasn't a clear black and white, and the ones you thought were gun-ho about keeping the old ways, are the ones trying to change it. Loyalties are test in this book, as well as broken. We get a taste of who the major players are going to be in the book(s) to come.
There are a few moments where I stepped back and went, well hell, I didn't see that one coming. Right down to the wire I was sure that there was going to be some sort of, let’s say; escape attempt. And right down, until the last few pages, I didn't quite know if our darling protagonist was going to live or die, and I shall not tell you!
Speaking of Mira, she touched my feels and pulled at my heart strings worst the this season(11) of Grey's Anatomy (Stop messing with the babies!)
She's strong but not arrogant. She isn't some brewing bad girl who only thinks of herself. She's caring and just wants to live her life as peacefully and as safely as she possibly can. She's human, simply put. She isn't written to be better than her peers, or to have super everything powers. She's a girl that wants to protect her little brother, do the right thing, even if she can't do it freely.
She has so much compassion in a world where there simply isn't any. She's smart, but scared, and never once did she try to hide it. No one can be stoned face when faced with death.
As for the love-triangle between Tanner, Will and her, well that was a bust. To me there wasn't one; Mira isn't in love with Tanner so much as she's worried about his safety. Mira and Will, -insert eye roll- they had that spark, that they tried to push away, but they both knew, they knew. Though their feelings did grew quickly, it wasn't, to me, unnatural. It was subtle, kind, and just that simple sweet that you rarely see. Old-school you could say.
Will as much as I like him, I'm not quite set on him yet, there were hints of something dark, though I could be wrong. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next book.
I highly recommend this novel. It's a fast past, heart breaking future world, with just enough realism thrown in to make you wonder.
Thank You Chanda Stafford for giving me the opportunity to read this fascinating work of fiction.
Happy Reading
-Emily
5 Stars!
I can't stop smiling. The ending, oh the ending, a cliff-hanger, but my god it was good, no it was exceptional.
From the first moment I started reading the first few words; I was hook, captured and I couldn't stop. The prologue was the perfect setup, and starts your mind down the confusing road of who's side is anyone really on.
The brutality and rawness made me angry but strangely understanding for both sides. There wasn't a clear black and white, and the ones you thought were gun-ho about keeping the old ways, are the ones trying to change it. Loyalties are test in this book, as well as broken. We get a taste of who the major players are going to be in the book(s) to come.
There are a few moments where I stepped back and went, well hell, I didn't see that one coming. Right down to the wire I was sure that there was going to be some sort of, let’s say; escape attempt. And right down, until the last few pages, I didn't quite know if our darling protagonist was going to live or die, and I shall not tell you!
Speaking of Mira, she touched my feels and pulled at my heart strings worst the this season(11) of Grey's Anatomy (Stop messing with the babies!)
She's strong but not arrogant. She isn't some brewing bad girl who only thinks of herself. She's caring and just wants to live her life as peacefully and as safely as she possibly can. She's human, simply put. She isn't written to be better than her peers, or to have super everything powers. She's a girl that wants to protect her little brother, do the right thing, even if she can't do it freely.
She has so much compassion in a world where there simply isn't any. She's smart, but scared, and never once did she try to hide it. No one can be stoned face when faced with death.
As for the love-triangle between Tanner, Will and her, well that was a bust. To me there wasn't one; Mira isn't in love with Tanner so much as she's worried about his safety. Mira and Will, -insert eye roll- they had that spark, that they tried to push away, but they both knew, they knew. Though their feelings did grew quickly, it wasn't, to me, unnatural. It was subtle, kind, and just that simple sweet that you rarely see. Old-school you could say.
Will as much as I like him, I'm not quite set on him yet, there were hints of something dark, though I could be wrong. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next book.
I highly recommend this novel. It's a fast past, heart breaking future world, with just enough realism thrown in to make you wonder.
Thank You Chanda Stafford for giving me the opportunity to read this fascinating work of fiction.
Happy Reading
-Emily
June 14, 2015
*I received a copy of this book from the author, Chanda Stafford, in exchange for an honest review so here it is:
4 stars
Wow! This was pretty good, I must say.
Goodreads description: Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
This book is young adult, dystopian novel and it centers around our main character, Mira, who has been chosen as a Second by Socrates who is a First.
Everyone thinks Mira is a stupid, young girl because she grew up on a farm, but in reality, she's pretty intelligent. She doesn't let anyone mess with her, she is ready to fight for what she believes in and mostly, for what she knows is right.
She doesn't only think about herself but also about how the things she does affect people she loves and I must say, I like that in a character.
She sounds like a teenager she is in reality, but she grew up a long time ago. The situation she's in forced her to do that. She's funny and sarcastic but also is down to Earth and pretty clever.
She hasn't found who she is, yet. She thinks she's in love with her best friend, Tanner, but she actually "friendzoned" him a long time ago, she just doesn't want to hurt his feelings.
Her emotions change thoroughly when she meets Will, a servant at a place that is now her new home. For the first time in her life, Mira realises what true love is.
Favorite quote from the book:
“True. We all die eventually.”
“Some more than once,”
(This quote actually shows us what this book is about but I won't explain it since it contains some spoilers.)
At the beginning, I was pretty confused because I didn't actually know what this book was about. Later, it all made sense to me so when you read this and feel as I did, don't put it down because it will turn out to be a pretty good book.
All in one: Fun and awesome science fiction read. It reminds me a bit of The Giver by Lois Lowry so if you're into that kind of stuff, you should definitely read this novel :)
4 stars
Wow! This was pretty good, I must say.
Goodreads description: Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
This book is young adult, dystopian novel and it centers around our main character, Mira, who has been chosen as a Second by Socrates who is a First.
Everyone thinks Mira is a stupid, young girl because she grew up on a farm, but in reality, she's pretty intelligent. She doesn't let anyone mess with her, she is ready to fight for what she believes in and mostly, for what she knows is right.
She doesn't only think about herself but also about how the things she does affect people she loves and I must say, I like that in a character.
She sounds like a teenager she is in reality, but she grew up a long time ago. The situation she's in forced her to do that. She's funny and sarcastic but also is down to Earth and pretty clever.
She hasn't found who she is, yet. She thinks she's in love with her best friend, Tanner, but she actually "friendzoned" him a long time ago, she just doesn't want to hurt his feelings.
Her emotions change thoroughly when she meets Will, a servant at a place that is now her new home. For the first time in her life, Mira realises what true love is.
Favorite quote from the book:
“True. We all die eventually.”
“Some more than once,”
(This quote actually shows us what this book is about but I won't explain it since it contains some spoilers.)
At the beginning, I was pretty confused because I didn't actually know what this book was about. Later, it all made sense to me so when you read this and feel as I did, don't put it down because it will turn out to be a pretty good book.
All in one: Fun and awesome science fiction read. It reminds me a bit of The Giver by Lois Lowry so if you're into that kind of stuff, you should definitely read this novel :)
September 22, 2015
First is a dystopian young adult novel taking place in America approximately 500 years in the future. Mira is a 17 year old growing up in Texas which is home to the descendants of former rebels who had attacked the White House and Pentagon 200 years earlier. The Texans work farms to raise food for the free citizens but also offer up their children to become what is known as a second to the group of firsts who are immortal by taking over the bodies of their seconds.
When Socrates the first of the firsts shows up at Mira's farm and chooses her she has no idea what to expect. The ones living on the farms have been told they are being excused for their ancestors crimes and going to be free if chosen. Mira doesn't care about being free and would rather stay on the farm and marry her best friend Tanner.
The book changes points of view between Socrates and Mira so you get to know the both very well. It does get a bit of a slow start though to figuring out what this world is all about. Switching back and forth though let's us know what it means to be a first or second eventually so you must have a bit of patience with the story to really learn what is going on.
Other than the slow start I found the whole story fascinating. The future of course has new technology and things like cancer have been cured. They can do things such as transfer the mind of a first into a second. There's rebels opposed to the whole process and fighting for freedom for everyone.
A lot of things going on to piece together but thought it was worth the effort in the end. Will look forward to picking up book 2 at some point.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
When Socrates the first of the firsts shows up at Mira's farm and chooses her she has no idea what to expect. The ones living on the farms have been told they are being excused for their ancestors crimes and going to be free if chosen. Mira doesn't care about being free and would rather stay on the farm and marry her best friend Tanner.
The book changes points of view between Socrates and Mira so you get to know the both very well. It does get a bit of a slow start though to figuring out what this world is all about. Switching back and forth though let's us know what it means to be a first or second eventually so you must have a bit of patience with the story to really learn what is going on.
Other than the slow start I found the whole story fascinating. The future of course has new technology and things like cancer have been cured. They can do things such as transfer the mind of a first into a second. There's rebels opposed to the whole process and fighting for freedom for everyone.
A lot of things going on to piece together but thought it was worth the effort in the end. Will look forward to picking up book 2 at some point.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
March 1, 2015
Actual rating: 3.75/5
Thank you to the author, Chanda Stafford for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
It’s the year of 23-hundred-something (I think?) and humanity has figured out a way for a select few, known as Firsts, to live forever, so that they can continue to use their talents and do good for the world with no interruptions by death.
But how can these Firsts be immortal? The answer to that is simple but complicated: with Seconds or host bodies. 200 years ago, Texas rebelled against the rest of the US, leading to a disastrous war and eventually, enslaving the state and its inhabitants to forced labor. Before a First uses up a host body, he/she must travel to Texas in search of a Second to prolong the former’s life. To be picked as a Second is said to be a great honor as the chosen are Absolved of their ancestor’s crimes. However, even though being a Second has its perks (freedom is a big one), there is still a deep, dark secret that only the high elite know and that is where the story really starts.
The beginning of the book was absolutely engrossing and fast-paced and I found myself trying to find any excuse to not study and just to plop down on the bed and read this book. I loved the idea of Mira and Tanner and the whole First-Second thing and fell in love with Stafford’s writing style. It was so professional and smooth and unique! And the plot? WOW. SO ORIGINAL, it was a breath of fresh air. I mean, to live forever and not be a vampire? To willingly give up your life just so another can be immortal AND save the lives of your relatives and other generations to come? That takes some serious guts and I highly admire Mira for being so brave enough to do something that know I wouldn't be able to do any time soon. Also, the two-person POV's were very interesting to read. Mira and Socrates. Two very different people with two very different thoughts and lives and yet, they meshed together so, so perfectly that I marvel at Ms. Stafford's writing skills. Unfortunately, even with all that said, the further I got into the book, I noticed a big problem that I personally had a little trouble with: the middle.
At the start, Mira and Tanner were strong characters and I fell in love with them. Once I got to the middle, they got muddled and I sort of wish there was more to them because there was almost NO character development and Mira, Tanner, AND Will…they all just seemed 2D to me. Not saying any of them were bland and annoying but they came across as cardboard cutouts the more I read about them. At one point, I got confused to what Mira really wanted. Does she want to be Socrates’ Second? To die for an old man to live? Or wait. She wants to back out and be banished from her family? Yeah, that’s right. Wait. No. What? And can we talk about her reaction to her fate after Will showed her Adrian’s transfer? WHAT?! OK, so she did freak out quite a bit but I was hoping for a little more. Like, if I were her I would've had a breakdown and tried to get away from Will and Socrates. Also, who are the Lifers? I was hoping (rather fervently) that Mira would become a full-fledged Lifer and become a spy in the government and put an end to the transfers (which she does, by the way but let’s talk about that later.) However, the only two Lifers that are introduced in the book, Henry Lee and Mr. Flannigan, are either forgotten or executed.
However, despite a bit of a poor and confusing middle, Ms. Stafford ended the book with SUCH flourish; an amazing ending that sent chills down my whole body that that and the beginning almost completely made up for the middle. And Socrates! He was the best. I had trouble warming up to him at first but he was probably the strongest and least confusing character and the one who brought about this absolutely amazing ending. Seriously, this ending though. I’ll be waiting very impatiently for the next book FOR SURE.
Thanks again Chanda Stafford for sending me this book! It was so much fun to read and if you have any new books coming out, I would be more than happy to read and review them for you. :)
full review at https://butfirstbooks98.wordpress.com
Thank you to the author, Chanda Stafford for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
It’s the year of 23-hundred-something (I think?) and humanity has figured out a way for a select few, known as Firsts, to live forever, so that they can continue to use their talents and do good for the world with no interruptions by death.
But how can these Firsts be immortal? The answer to that is simple but complicated: with Seconds or host bodies. 200 years ago, Texas rebelled against the rest of the US, leading to a disastrous war and eventually, enslaving the state and its inhabitants to forced labor. Before a First uses up a host body, he/she must travel to Texas in search of a Second to prolong the former’s life. To be picked as a Second is said to be a great honor as the chosen are Absolved of their ancestor’s crimes. However, even though being a Second has its perks (freedom is a big one), there is still a deep, dark secret that only the high elite know and that is where the story really starts.
The beginning of the book was absolutely engrossing and fast-paced and I found myself trying to find any excuse to not study and just to plop down on the bed and read this book. I loved the idea of Mira and Tanner and the whole First-Second thing and fell in love with Stafford’s writing style. It was so professional and smooth and unique! And the plot? WOW. SO ORIGINAL, it was a breath of fresh air. I mean, to live forever and not be a vampire? To willingly give up your life just so another can be immortal AND save the lives of your relatives and other generations to come? That takes some serious guts and I highly admire Mira for being so brave enough to do something that know I wouldn't be able to do any time soon. Also, the two-person POV's were very interesting to read. Mira and Socrates. Two very different people with two very different thoughts and lives and yet, they meshed together so, so perfectly that I marvel at Ms. Stafford's writing skills. Unfortunately, even with all that said, the further I got into the book, I noticed a big problem that I personally had a little trouble with: the middle.
At the start, Mira and Tanner were strong characters and I fell in love with them. Once I got to the middle, they got muddled and I sort of wish there was more to them because there was almost NO character development and Mira, Tanner, AND Will…they all just seemed 2D to me. Not saying any of them were bland and annoying but they came across as cardboard cutouts the more I read about them. At one point, I got confused to what Mira really wanted. Does she want to be Socrates’ Second? To die for an old man to live? Or wait. She wants to back out and be banished from her family? Yeah, that’s right. Wait. No. What? And can we talk about her reaction to her fate after Will showed her Adrian’s transfer? WHAT?! OK, so she did freak out quite a bit but I was hoping for a little more. Like, if I were her I would've had a breakdown and tried to get away from Will and Socrates. Also, who are the Lifers? I was hoping (rather fervently) that Mira would become a full-fledged Lifer and become a spy in the government and put an end to the transfers (which she does, by the way but let’s talk about that later.) However, the only two Lifers that are introduced in the book, Henry Lee and Mr. Flannigan, are either forgotten or executed.
However, despite a bit of a poor and confusing middle, Ms. Stafford ended the book with SUCH flourish; an amazing ending that sent chills down my whole body that that and the beginning almost completely made up for the middle. And Socrates! He was the best. I had trouble warming up to him at first but he was probably the strongest and least confusing character and the one who brought about this absolutely amazing ending. Seriously, this ending though. I’ll be waiting very impatiently for the next book FOR SURE.
Thanks again Chanda Stafford for sending me this book! It was so much fun to read and if you have any new books coming out, I would be more than happy to read and review them for you. :)
full review at https://butfirstbooks98.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-first-blog-tour-review-30-amazon.html
First follows the story of a young woman named Mira. She lives and works on a farm in Texas. Life isn't great since Texas is in ruins. People who are descendents on the rebels of the Immigration War, well kids, are little more than slaves. The only way they can be free is to become a Second to a First. A Second is someone who is chosen by a First to be their replacement, of sorts. Mira has been chosen by the most powerful First named Socrates. It is supposed to be a life full of luxury and riches. But Mira soon finds out that it isn't what it is cracked up to be and is far worse than she could have ever imagined.
Talk about originality. Boy, what an amazing read this was. Stafford has got herself quite a gem here. She has done a wonderful job with this story and I will be the first on board for book 2. I really didn't know what to expect when I started this book. But I was hooked from the get go.
Our main character Mira is quite the fighter. She has the whole world on her shoulders, as do a lot of people in this world. They are not free. They are working off the debt of their ancestors. Only the privileged, the rich get to be free. But when Mira is chosen by Socrates, she is now a part of the privileged. But she knows she is still a prisoner. She is not a part of their world and can't go back to her own or else she will be banished from her farm. She is in the fight for her life. Everyone is against her and treats her like a traitor or like trash. They treat her like she is nothing but some simple farm girl who is getting what she deserves. Socrates is a great character as well. The book alternates between his POV and Mira's. But this book is not as black and white as you would think. It was interesting and very unexpected. I liked that a lot.
This story is very captivating. Even as a dystopian, this world is not that much different from how it was in the past. One society has taken a terrible part in history and has used it against everyone else. They are above everyone else and punish/execute those below them for the most insignificant things just because they can specifically Firsts. Firsts are a select group of people that want immortality. The only way to accomplish immortality is by scientifically moving into the Seconds. Seconds are usually children so the Firsts could use the body for as long as possible.
My goodness, the places this book goes are very intense. This book is very thought-provoking to say the least. The government is controlling everything due to Texas' treason and there are rebels and secrets everywhere. Some know those secrets and are willing to do anything to stop them from getting to the forefront. And it isn't just the government and the rebels. This will take you on a rollercoaster ride and then some. The only complaint I had is figuring out some of the terminology in this book in the beginning. It takes a while to try and figure out what is what. But you will eventually. Other then that, this book is pretty amazing especially once you get to the end. Oh goodness, the end. It killed me. Highly recommended and definitely going on the Favorites lists of 2013!
First follows the story of a young woman named Mira. She lives and works on a farm in Texas. Life isn't great since Texas is in ruins. People who are descendents on the rebels of the Immigration War, well kids, are little more than slaves. The only way they can be free is to become a Second to a First. A Second is someone who is chosen by a First to be their replacement, of sorts. Mira has been chosen by the most powerful First named Socrates. It is supposed to be a life full of luxury and riches. But Mira soon finds out that it isn't what it is cracked up to be and is far worse than she could have ever imagined.
Talk about originality. Boy, what an amazing read this was. Stafford has got herself quite a gem here. She has done a wonderful job with this story and I will be the first on board for book 2. I really didn't know what to expect when I started this book. But I was hooked from the get go.
Our main character Mira is quite the fighter. She has the whole world on her shoulders, as do a lot of people in this world. They are not free. They are working off the debt of their ancestors. Only the privileged, the rich get to be free. But when Mira is chosen by Socrates, she is now a part of the privileged. But she knows she is still a prisoner. She is not a part of their world and can't go back to her own or else she will be banished from her farm. She is in the fight for her life. Everyone is against her and treats her like a traitor or like trash. They treat her like she is nothing but some simple farm girl who is getting what she deserves. Socrates is a great character as well. The book alternates between his POV and Mira's. But this book is not as black and white as you would think. It was interesting and very unexpected. I liked that a lot.
This story is very captivating. Even as a dystopian, this world is not that much different from how it was in the past. One society has taken a terrible part in history and has used it against everyone else. They are above everyone else and punish/execute those below them for the most insignificant things just because they can specifically Firsts. Firsts are a select group of people that want immortality. The only way to accomplish immortality is by scientifically moving into the Seconds. Seconds are usually children so the Firsts could use the body for as long as possible.
My goodness, the places this book goes are very intense. This book is very thought-provoking to say the least. The government is controlling everything due to Texas' treason and there are rebels and secrets everywhere. Some know those secrets and are willing to do anything to stop them from getting to the forefront. And it isn't just the government and the rebels. This will take you on a rollercoaster ride and then some. The only complaint I had is figuring out some of the terminology in this book in the beginning. It takes a while to try and figure out what is what. But you will eventually. Other then that, this book is pretty amazing especially once you get to the end. Oh goodness, the end. It killed me. Highly recommended and definitely going on the Favorites lists of 2013!
May 25, 2013
For as long as she can remember, Mira has lived a difficult life. A descendant of the defeated Texan rebels, she's worked on a farm in the hopes of helping her family make ends meet. While things are grueling at best, it's the only life she knows. A life she hopes to make the most of with her beloved, Tanner, standing by her side. Yet all that chances when a First shows up intent on claiming one of the children as his Second.
When Mira is unexpectedly chosen, she's not exactly sure as to what to make of things. Deep inside, she knows she should feel honored by the fact that she's now been given a chance at a better life. Sadly, she's anything but happy. She can't fathom the thought of leaving her family behind, most especially letting Max fend for himself. To her chagrin, she has no say in the matter at hand.
She's now been Absolved, and she must follow through with her new life and the decrees that she's been given. Determined to make the most of the situation, Mira does her best to understand what it means to be a Second. In her mind, she has a chance of making something of herself. There are so many options at her disposal that it's hard to truly make sense of anything.
When secrets about what it means to be a Second come to light, Mira soon realizes that not everything is what it seems. For the sake of keeping the country in one piece many have chosen to continue on in one way or another. Ironically, this means that those chosen don't really have a choice when it comes to keeping their lives in the long run. If she's to succeed at coming out on top, she'll need to play by society's own rules. Unfortunately, doing so comes with a price she's not exactly sure she wants to pay.
The first book in the Live Once series, First, is definitely a story that won't disappoint. A truly original storyline, we're quickly immersed in the life and times of Mira, a girl who just wants to survive and live a good life with her beloved boyfriend-soon-to-be-husband, Tanner. A life, she soon learns, will never be one of her making.
Chanda has done a lovely job in building a world where things are not what they seem. America has changed completely, and it doesn't seem like it's for the better. People now live in farms, trying to overcome the adversities they've been saddled with ever since the Texan rebels tried to put a stop to the Firsts and their convoluted program. In their mind's eyes, they want America to be free, once and for all. I definitely can't wait to see what's in store next for Mira and those she loves. Will the rebels succeed in freeing America, I wonder? Only time will tell.
When Mira is unexpectedly chosen, she's not exactly sure as to what to make of things. Deep inside, she knows she should feel honored by the fact that she's now been given a chance at a better life. Sadly, she's anything but happy. She can't fathom the thought of leaving her family behind, most especially letting Max fend for himself. To her chagrin, she has no say in the matter at hand.
She's now been Absolved, and she must follow through with her new life and the decrees that she's been given. Determined to make the most of the situation, Mira does her best to understand what it means to be a Second. In her mind, she has a chance of making something of herself. There are so many options at her disposal that it's hard to truly make sense of anything.
When secrets about what it means to be a Second come to light, Mira soon realizes that not everything is what it seems. For the sake of keeping the country in one piece many have chosen to continue on in one way or another. Ironically, this means that those chosen don't really have a choice when it comes to keeping their lives in the long run. If she's to succeed at coming out on top, she'll need to play by society's own rules. Unfortunately, doing so comes with a price she's not exactly sure she wants to pay.
The first book in the Live Once series, First, is definitely a story that won't disappoint. A truly original storyline, we're quickly immersed in the life and times of Mira, a girl who just wants to survive and live a good life with her beloved boyfriend-soon-to-be-husband, Tanner. A life, she soon learns, will never be one of her making.
Chanda has done a lovely job in building a world where things are not what they seem. America has changed completely, and it doesn't seem like it's for the better. People now live in farms, trying to overcome the adversities they've been saddled with ever since the Texan rebels tried to put a stop to the Firsts and their convoluted program. In their mind's eyes, they want America to be free, once and for all. I definitely can't wait to see what's in store next for Mira and those she loves. Will the rebels succeed in freeing America, I wonder? Only time will tell.
May 28, 2013
Once again, I am battling to avoid spoilers. To avoid "Oooh, you are not going to believe that they ..." and "Wow! I can't believe that ..." and "Oh. My. Gosh! Did you see that coming?!"
With a post-apocalyptic feel, First is the story of what might happen when science surpasses morality. When a part of society forgets that we're all human. When an old man and a young woman question what has always been.
The story opens with Adrian, who has been chosen as a Second. It's not clear what that means, at this point, but it does seem to be important. While Adrian listens at the door, outside the Release Ceremony, it appears that something has gone wrong. Terribly wrong. He attempts to fight, as the guards pull him away. It is a futile effort.
Two years later, we meet Mira. A seventeen-year-old Texan, sentenced to servitude because of the actions of her ancestors. The first First, searching for his next Second, is about to arrive and all of the children are required to line-up for selection.
This is an honor, they have been told. They have been trained to give the right answers, when asked. Mira doesn't want the honor. She wants to stay where she is; too old, in a few short weeks, to stand for selection.
Instead, she is chosen.
~*~*~
When I agree to read and review a book, I hope for the best. When I agree to read a book for a blog tour, I pray that it won't be something that challenges my ability to 'just say something nice'. Then there are those books that cause me to embarrass myself, genuflecting at the author's feet. This would be one of those books, because it is so much more than I expected.
Set several centuries in the future, it paints a picture of a world that, sadly, is not that difficult to imagine. A group of Americans took action against the government and, as a result, their descendants are forever doomed to pay for those wrongs. Another group finds a way to, essentially, live forever - lying to themselves and the children of the doomed.
This is a thought-provoking look at what can happen when one part of society places itself above the rest and, in the process, loses its humanity. The ending will leave you desperate for the next book.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
With a post-apocalyptic feel, First is the story of what might happen when science surpasses morality. When a part of society forgets that we're all human. When an old man and a young woman question what has always been.
The story opens with Adrian, who has been chosen as a Second. It's not clear what that means, at this point, but it does seem to be important. While Adrian listens at the door, outside the Release Ceremony, it appears that something has gone wrong. Terribly wrong. He attempts to fight, as the guards pull him away. It is a futile effort.
Two years later, we meet Mira. A seventeen-year-old Texan, sentenced to servitude because of the actions of her ancestors. The first First, searching for his next Second, is about to arrive and all of the children are required to line-up for selection.
This is an honor, they have been told. They have been trained to give the right answers, when asked. Mira doesn't want the honor. She wants to stay where she is; too old, in a few short weeks, to stand for selection.
Instead, she is chosen.
~*~*~
When I agree to read and review a book, I hope for the best. When I agree to read a book for a blog tour, I pray that it won't be something that challenges my ability to 'just say something nice'. Then there are those books that cause me to embarrass myself, genuflecting at the author's feet. This would be one of those books, because it is so much more than I expected.
Set several centuries in the future, it paints a picture of a world that, sadly, is not that difficult to imagine. A group of Americans took action against the government and, as a result, their descendants are forever doomed to pay for those wrongs. Another group finds a way to, essentially, live forever - lying to themselves and the children of the doomed.
This is a thought-provoking look at what can happen when one part of society places itself above the rest and, in the process, loses its humanity. The ending will leave you desperate for the next book.
~*~*~
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 10, 2015
4.5
In a post-apocalyptic America Texans are no longer free. After they rose up against the government 200 years ago and bombed the White House and Pentagon they have been reduced to slaves for their treason. Raised on farms like cattle they are tattooed with a bar code and must do all of the work that their betters don’t want to do. In addition, children of a certain age must stand on line when a First shows up at a farm looking for a Second. The Texans don’t have a clue what being a Second really means because they aren’t allowed to watch television. The only things they know are that the Second is Absolved of their ancestor’s crime, they leave the farm with their First never to return and it’s a great honor.
When the first of the Firsts, Socrates, shows up at Chesaning Farms and chooses Mira as his Second a set of events is put into motion that will have repercussions across the country. Live Once rebels are working tirelessly to take out the Firsts and save the Seconds and as many of the country’s children as they can. Mira, resentful, but resigned to being chosen is about to find out what the free people consider an honor and why Live Once is dead set against the process. Stuck between a rock and a hard place what is Mira going to do?
Told from the alternating points of view of Socrates and Mira this story puts forth an interesting concept in a well-written and fast-paced plot. The fact that the Texans revolted and were consequentially enslaved for their treason and that science had progressed far enough to create the Firsts were interesting while at the same time frightening. Socrates is someone it’s hard to hate and I like those kinds of ‘villains.’ Mira is young and ignorant of the way things truly are and you just want to pull her aside and spill what you know. People trapped by circumstance and by government control are always good fodder for an excellent rebellion and this story is no different as the rumblings of that rebellion heat up. At the end we are left with a stunning decision and an anxious anticipation of the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
*Book source ~ Many thanks to Red Adept for providing a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
In a post-apocalyptic America Texans are no longer free. After they rose up against the government 200 years ago and bombed the White House and Pentagon they have been reduced to slaves for their treason. Raised on farms like cattle they are tattooed with a bar code and must do all of the work that their betters don’t want to do. In addition, children of a certain age must stand on line when a First shows up at a farm looking for a Second. The Texans don’t have a clue what being a Second really means because they aren’t allowed to watch television. The only things they know are that the Second is Absolved of their ancestor’s crime, they leave the farm with their First never to return and it’s a great honor.
When the first of the Firsts, Socrates, shows up at Chesaning Farms and chooses Mira as his Second a set of events is put into motion that will have repercussions across the country. Live Once rebels are working tirelessly to take out the Firsts and save the Seconds and as many of the country’s children as they can. Mira, resentful, but resigned to being chosen is about to find out what the free people consider an honor and why Live Once is dead set against the process. Stuck between a rock and a hard place what is Mira going to do?
Told from the alternating points of view of Socrates and Mira this story puts forth an interesting concept in a well-written and fast-paced plot. The fact that the Texans revolted and were consequentially enslaved for their treason and that science had progressed far enough to create the Firsts were interesting while at the same time frightening. Socrates is someone it’s hard to hate and I like those kinds of ‘villains.’ Mira is young and ignorant of the way things truly are and you just want to pull her aside and spill what you know. People trapped by circumstance and by government control are always good fodder for an excellent rebellion and this story is no different as the rumblings of that rebellion heat up. At the end we are left with a stunning decision and an anxious anticipation of the next book. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
*Book source ~ Many thanks to Red Adept for providing a review copy. Please see disclaimer page on my blog.
March 5, 2015
Chanda Stafford originally sent a copy of Firsts to me to read before I beta read for her next novel. However, while reading, I enjoyed this novel so much that I asked the author myself if I could have permission to review this novel.
I'm absolutely thrown back at how amazing this book is! It's different from any other YA dystopians that I have read before. It may have a corrupted government with rebels, but it also questions immortality, a person's free will, and sacrificing a human life. Is it worth to preserve our history to better our society? Is it worth to choose someone who is beneath the elite social class? Do people really have a choice to live or to die?
These and many other questions all arises in this novel. I find it interesting that Chanda Stafford brings in reincarnation to the midst of rebellion. There are 2 types of people in these society: the Firsts (the important people of society that is there to help preserve history) & the Seconds (those that provide a body so Firsts could have when they reincarnate).
Socrates is the firsts of the Firsts that survived the procedure when it was first introduced. This novel is interesting because it seems as if the antagonist is society itself. You would have thought that Socrates is a protagonist, but since we do read from his perspective too, it turns out that he is trying to create a better society by trying to pass the Free America Act (I forgot what the Act was called but its something along the lines of that). When you read from Socrates perspective, you understand him more making you sympathesize for him as well as Mira, the other main protagonist of the story.
This falls true for the other characters as well. They are so well developed and the plot too that I was just breezing through the story. You could see the characters progressively developing as they learn more about each other and the world that they live in.
I think that the writing has to justify this because I do enjoy the writing as well. It was well written, but for the most part I enjoyed reading about the characters and story more.
I definitely think that more people should read this book because it has a unique plot, great characters and writing!
I'm absolutely thrown back at how amazing this book is! It's different from any other YA dystopians that I have read before. It may have a corrupted government with rebels, but it also questions immortality, a person's free will, and sacrificing a human life. Is it worth to preserve our history to better our society? Is it worth to choose someone who is beneath the elite social class? Do people really have a choice to live or to die?
These and many other questions all arises in this novel. I find it interesting that Chanda Stafford brings in reincarnation to the midst of rebellion. There are 2 types of people in these society: the Firsts (the important people of society that is there to help preserve history) & the Seconds (those that provide a body so Firsts could have when they reincarnate).
Socrates is the firsts of the Firsts that survived the procedure when it was first introduced. This novel is interesting because it seems as if the antagonist is society itself. You would have thought that Socrates is a protagonist, but since we do read from his perspective too, it turns out that he is trying to create a better society by trying to pass the Free America Act (I forgot what the Act was called but its something along the lines of that). When you read from Socrates perspective, you understand him more making you sympathesize for him as well as Mira, the other main protagonist of the story.
This falls true for the other characters as well. They are so well developed and the plot too that I was just breezing through the story. You could see the characters progressively developing as they learn more about each other and the world that they live in.
I think that the writing has to justify this because I do enjoy the writing as well. It was well written, but for the most part I enjoyed reading about the characters and story more.
I definitely think that more people should read this book because it has a unique plot, great characters and writing!
June 27, 2013
From Goodreads.com:
Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
My Thoughts:
Let’s start this by saying I’m always up for a new dystopian series. I am always intrigued by authors who can put reality aside and come up with something completely mew and raw. Chanda Stafford did exactly this with First.
I am a bit impatient when it comes to waiting for things to unfold in stories. I want to know immediately what is going on. With stories like this, when it takes a while to tell what is going on now and lay the groundwork, I find myself speeding through the book until I feel I have enough information to understand it all. At that point, I can finally relax and enjoy the read.
Such an intriguing premise for this book. It’s set a few hundred years in the future. They have found a way to keep the best and brightest alive when their bodies fail them, but they do it by giving them host bodies. But for that to happen, they have to kill the host, which is a child. The children that are selected from live in Texas, where previously there was an uprising. Very Hunger Games‘esque.
Mira is a very interesting character. Like many characters in these dystopian novels, there is always something at risk if you don’t go along with what you are asked forced to do.
Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to see what happens in the next two. But I hate waiting around for them.
I give First 5 out of 5 bookmarks and officially add this to my Summer Reads list!
Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.
When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.
With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.
My Thoughts:
Let’s start this by saying I’m always up for a new dystopian series. I am always intrigued by authors who can put reality aside and come up with something completely mew and raw. Chanda Stafford did exactly this with First.
I am a bit impatient when it comes to waiting for things to unfold in stories. I want to know immediately what is going on. With stories like this, when it takes a while to tell what is going on now and lay the groundwork, I find myself speeding through the book until I feel I have enough information to understand it all. At that point, I can finally relax and enjoy the read.
Such an intriguing premise for this book. It’s set a few hundred years in the future. They have found a way to keep the best and brightest alive when their bodies fail them, but they do it by giving them host bodies. But for that to happen, they have to kill the host, which is a child. The children that are selected from live in Texas, where previously there was an uprising. Very Hunger Games‘esque.
Mira is a very interesting character. Like many characters in these dystopian novels, there is always something at risk if you don’t go along with what you are asked forced to do.
Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to see what happens in the next two. But I hate waiting around for them.
I give First 5 out of 5 bookmarks and officially add this to my Summer Reads list!
October 20, 2014
Dystopian young adult novels are a dime a dozen. There. I said it. You can't go through the Teen section of Barnes And Noble without seeing even more dystopian fiction than paranormal these days.
Joining the ranks of The Hunger Games and Divergent is the novel First by Chanda Stafford, Book One in the Live Once Trilogy.
500 years in the future, America is a disturbing place, where the state of Texas once rebelled and is now a slave state. Their only hope of greatness is if one of their children is chosenby a First to be Absolved...but no one really knows what happens to the Absolved, as they're never seen again.
Firsts have lived hundreds of lifetimes, despite still being nearly human, but how do they do it? And why are there rebels plotting against the Firsts and the rest of the government?
Chosen Absolved, teenage Mira, is determined to find out!
Teenage heroines are usually tough girls wearing leather and toting some sort of weapon. Mira is an enslaved Texan with little education and a LOT of personal baggage, a bad haircut and no weapons except for her wit and sense of self-preservation.
Socrates, her First, is actually a delightful old man with a strong sense of values and a great plan for freeing Texas. I liked him immediately, despite his many character flaws.
The secondary characters, from Mira's family, Socrates life partner, to the servants and guards in Washington D.C., are perfectly formed and each so essential in their own way. Without any of them, this story would not have been the same
It moves at a very fast pace and is very engaging, so young minds with short attention spans can still enjoy this book. Both men and women, adults and kids, will love this book and eagerly await the second installment in the trilogy. If I could go higher than a 5 with my rating, I would!
Joining the ranks of The Hunger Games and Divergent is the novel First by Chanda Stafford, Book One in the Live Once Trilogy.
500 years in the future, America is a disturbing place, where the state of Texas once rebelled and is now a slave state. Their only hope of greatness is if one of their children is chosenby a First to be Absolved...but no one really knows what happens to the Absolved, as they're never seen again.
Firsts have lived hundreds of lifetimes, despite still being nearly human, but how do they do it? And why are there rebels plotting against the Firsts and the rest of the government?
Chosen Absolved, teenage Mira, is determined to find out!
Teenage heroines are usually tough girls wearing leather and toting some sort of weapon. Mira is an enslaved Texan with little education and a LOT of personal baggage, a bad haircut and no weapons except for her wit and sense of self-preservation.
Socrates, her First, is actually a delightful old man with a strong sense of values and a great plan for freeing Texas. I liked him immediately, despite his many character flaws.
The secondary characters, from Mira's family, Socrates life partner, to the servants and guards in Washington D.C., are perfectly formed and each so essential in their own way. Without any of them, this story would not have been the same
It moves at a very fast pace and is very engaging, so young minds with short attention spans can still enjoy this book. Both men and women, adults and kids, will love this book and eagerly await the second installment in the trilogy. If I could go higher than a 5 with my rating, I would!
June 13, 2013
This was a quick story that contained a number of heavy themes, like slavery and multiple lives, and the ethics of harvesting bodies. Even though it sounds serious, and some of the ideas were scary and horrifying, the story itself was quite entertaining.
Mira, and even Socrates, were easy to sympathize with for very different reasons. Mira was a slave who was chosen to be a Second. It’s not the glamourous role that she was taught growing up, but she handles the changes to her life with grace and maturity. Socrates has lived several hundred years. He is the first of the Firsts, and while the other Firsts are famous for achievements they have accomplished, he is known for being the first to survive. It’s a hard role to maintain, and I felt quite sad for his situation.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, yet serious, read. It had a semi-cliffhanger ending that was a bit predictable, but yet still satisfying. It should lead to quite a bit of commotion in the next book, which I look forward to reading.
Mira, and even Socrates, were easy to sympathize with for very different reasons. Mira was a slave who was chosen to be a Second. It’s not the glamourous role that she was taught growing up, but she handles the changes to her life with grace and maturity. Socrates has lived several hundred years. He is the first of the Firsts, and while the other Firsts are famous for achievements they have accomplished, he is known for being the first to survive. It’s a hard role to maintain, and I felt quite sad for his situation.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, yet serious, read. It had a semi-cliffhanger ending that was a bit predictable, but yet still satisfying. It should lead to quite a bit of commotion in the next book, which I look forward to reading.
August 30, 2015
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion.
Socrates is the first if the Firsts. People throughout history chosen to live life after life by taking new bodies because they have knowledge the world feels needs to live on. He comes to Chesaning farm in Texas to pick a new Second from amongst the kids. Since Texans have been enslaved due to actions their ancestors made these farms are where the Firsts choose their new bodies from.
Mira doesnt want to be chosen but is. She wants to stay on the farm & help raise her brother Max and marry Tanner her bestfriend. But when she's chosen she meets Will. Will is a servant but he shows her kindness and shows her the big secret about how Seconds are used by the Firsts. They die so their Firsts can live on.
The ending left me with my mouth open wanting more.
Socrates is the first if the Firsts. People throughout history chosen to live life after life by taking new bodies because they have knowledge the world feels needs to live on. He comes to Chesaning farm in Texas to pick a new Second from amongst the kids. Since Texans have been enslaved due to actions their ancestors made these farms are where the Firsts choose their new bodies from.
Mira doesnt want to be chosen but is. She wants to stay on the farm & help raise her brother Max and marry Tanner her bestfriend. But when she's chosen she meets Will. Will is a servant but he shows her kindness and shows her the big secret about how Seconds are used by the Firsts. They die so their Firsts can live on.
The ending left me with my mouth open wanting more.
June 23, 2015
Thank you to the author, Chanda Stafford for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Be patient. It was a good story, with unique plots and exceptional twists. However, it took me a long time to get over with some of the chapters, but I promise you that everything will get better..
Story:
I was excited to read this just by reading its summary. I've always love dystopian book for I am always fascinated of the possible horrible outcome of our society. Don't get me wrong, I don't really want our future to be horrible, but I believe that it is better to expect for the worst and be prepared..
First is a story where humanity has found a way to cheat death. Few selected people get to live a long timefor as long as they like/want, really so that their talents and knowledge wouldn't die when they did.
Immortality does sound great and amazing, however, there's always a catch. Imagine how it must be to meet different kinds of people, friends, family and eventually outlive them, and the same thing will surely happen again on the next lifetime, sound exhausting right?
Firsts also get to choose a second. What a second mean? Yeah, I mean that was my question for the full 1/3 part of the book too. To put it simply,second means, your body get to be a host for the First who chooses you, so they can continue to live. It was a top secret information.. for Texans, where seconds were picked. It's a good opportunity for them for they get to be absolved of the crimes of their ancestor who rebelled in the immigration war. Even though they don't really know what their role would be after being selected, many of them would love to volunteer, what an honor it would be for them.
I wouldn't hesitate to give this book a full five star for its uniqueness. I mean, I never doubted the advances of our technology, really, I guess it just never occurred to me that it may cheat death too. I did however, imagined how it must be to be an immortal, but of course, I always believed that you have to be a vampire, wereworlf, maybe an angel or a nephilim or any other paranormal being first to live forever.
Characters:
The book was told on two POV's. Socrates, The first of the first and Mira, the second picked by him. I was entertained on Socrates POV, I am imagining him to be in our generation, and 500 years later, the simple things we used fascinates him, I also love his relationship with his wife, Ellie turned Eliot, it's literally being together "FOREVER". On the other hand,I am a little bit bored on some of the parts of the book, mostly on Mira's part. I find her inconsistent.
That's what she said.. and then in the same conversation, where she was told that when Free America Act gets passed, it will free her people..
Girl, you just said you don't want to leave the farm, you haven't even left yet and you can't bear being sent back to the place you said you don't wanna leave?
Romance:
If you hate love triangles or complicated love stories, don't let this part of the summary scares you. There hasn't been much of a love story. Despite Mira's inconsistent thoughts, I would like to commend her for being brave and not letting any man to save or always be there for her, although not much of an action really took place, but still... And oh by they way, how the romance can continue of the next book? Well that was one of the few things that make it really exciting to read the next book. **Wink
Be patient. It was a good story, with unique plots and exceptional twists. However, it took me a long time to get over with some of the chapters, but I promise you that everything will get better..
Story:
I was excited to read this just by reading its summary. I've always love dystopian book for I am always fascinated of the possible horrible outcome of our society. Don't get me wrong, I don't really want our future to be horrible, but I believe that it is better to expect for the worst and be prepared..
First is a story where humanity has found a way to cheat death. Few selected people get to live a long timefor as long as they like/want, really so that their talents and knowledge wouldn't die when they did.
Immortality does sound great and amazing, however, there's always a catch. Imagine how it must be to meet different kinds of people, friends, family and eventually outlive them, and the same thing will surely happen again on the next lifetime, sound exhausting right?
Firsts also get to choose a second. What a second mean? Yeah, I mean that was my question for the full 1/3 part of the book too. To put it simply,second means, your body get to be a host for the First who chooses you, so they can continue to live. It was a top secret information.. for Texans, where seconds were picked. It's a good opportunity for them for they get to be absolved of the crimes of their ancestor who rebelled in the immigration war. Even though they don't really know what their role would be after being selected, many of them would love to volunteer, what an honor it would be for them.
I wouldn't hesitate to give this book a full five star for its uniqueness. I mean, I never doubted the advances of our technology, really, I guess it just never occurred to me that it may cheat death too. I did however, imagined how it must be to be an immortal, but of course, I always believed that you have to be a vampire, wereworlf, maybe an angel or a nephilim or any other paranormal being first to live forever.
Characters:
The book was told on two POV's. Socrates, The first of the first and Mira, the second picked by him. I was entertained on Socrates POV, I am imagining him to be in our generation, and 500 years later, the simple things we used fascinates him, I also love his relationship with his wife, Ellie turned Eliot, it's literally being together "FOREVER". On the other hand,I am a little bit bored on some of the parts of the book, mostly on Mira's part. I find her inconsistent.
I just.. I don't want to leave the farm. I want to stay here with my mom and brother. With Tanner. It's the only place I've ever known
That's what she said.. and then in the same conversation, where she was told that when Free America Act gets passed, it will free her people..
"But what'll happen to me?"
"You'll still be Second, if that's what you're afraid of. He won't send you back."
"Good. I don't think I could bear being sent back."
Girl, you just said you don't want to leave the farm, you haven't even left yet and you can't bear being sent back to the place you said you don't wanna leave?
Romance:
"With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead."
If you hate love triangles or complicated love stories, don't let this part of the summary scares you. There hasn't been much of a love story. Despite Mira's inconsistent thoughts, I would like to commend her for being brave and not letting any man to save or always be there for her, although not much of an action really took place, but still... And oh by they way, how the romance can continue of the next book? Well that was one of the few things that make it really exciting to read the next book. **Wink
July 24, 2015
Actual rating: 4.8 stars out of 5!
Edit: 24/7/15
Thanks to me for requesting a hard copy of First in my school library, we now have one and I saw it first hand this morning! I can't wait until I see it being borrowed!!
I was given a free PDF copy by the author from the group All About YA in exchange for an honest review.
First by Chanda Stafford follows 17 year- old Mira who works on a farm with her family in Texas.
Socrates, a First; chooses her to be his Second. Being a Firsts'- Second is considered to be a great honour, but there's a catch; the Seconds are never to see their families again.
Mira is thrust into a world full of luxuries she's never even dreamed of. She's uncomfortable with this new life she's living and wishing she could go back to the farm and start her life with Tanner, whom she considers to be more than like a brother than anything else. But soon, she meets a boy named Will and suddenly, Mira realises that nothing is quite what it seemed and being a Second is far more dangerous than anyone's ever imagined...
Wow, wow, wow, wow and wow... I am speechless!
I thoroughly enjoyed First and it's one of the most unique novels I've ever read.
The novel did start off quite slow and I did find myself being bored and uninterested. Then it really picked up and I found myself flying through it, it was different, dark and compelling.
The characters were great! I absolutely adored the two alternating Point of View's bewteen Socrates and Mira. It was thrilling being able to read from the perspective of a poor girl and high, rich and powerful man!
* * * *
Mira, what an interesting (the protagonist) character she is... I can't really say much about her. I like her as a character and sometimes found myself finding her to be slightly childish, but she really progressed and I found myself liking her even more by the end of the book and I can't wait to see how she progresses in Imposter (the second book).
Socrates, what an amazing and utterly bewildering old man! Correct me if you think otherwise, but I kept thinking of Socrates as part of the (current) Royal Family.
Tanner... no. Just no. I'm sorry, I really disliked Tanner, I felt that he was pushy and didn't try to do what was best for Mira but more of what was best for himself.
Will, ah, good ol' Will. He wasn't around for as long as I hoped he would be; but nonetheless, I think he had some of the best character development out of most of the characters in the novel.
Some issues I had was that:
1. Sometimes I had no clue what was going on
2. I got confused as to who was what and what was who and who was supposed to be doing what and I felt like sometimes we received many pieces information at once and sometimes it felt hard to process it all.
I loved the concept of the novel and overall, I would highly suggest giving First a go. It was so very different to other Dystopia novels and was new, fresh and exciting and its very own masterpiece.
I can't wait to get my hands on Imposter and see what's in store next!
Edit: 24/7/15
Thanks to me for requesting a hard copy of First in my school library, we now have one and I saw it first hand this morning! I can't wait until I see it being borrowed!!
I was given a free PDF copy by the author from the group All About YA in exchange for an honest review.
First by Chanda Stafford follows 17 year- old Mira who works on a farm with her family in Texas.
Socrates, a First; chooses her to be his Second. Being a Firsts'- Second is considered to be a great honour, but there's a catch; the Seconds are never to see their families again.
Mira is thrust into a world full of luxuries she's never even dreamed of. She's uncomfortable with this new life she's living and wishing she could go back to the farm and start her life with Tanner, whom she considers to be more than like a brother than anything else. But soon, she meets a boy named Will and suddenly, Mira realises that nothing is quite what it seemed and being a Second is far more dangerous than anyone's ever imagined...
Wow, wow, wow, wow and wow... I am speechless!
I thoroughly enjoyed First and it's one of the most unique novels I've ever read.
The novel did start off quite slow and I did find myself being bored and uninterested. Then it really picked up and I found myself flying through it, it was different, dark and compelling.
The characters were great! I absolutely adored the two alternating Point of View's bewteen Socrates and Mira. It was thrilling being able to read from the perspective of a poor girl and high, rich and powerful man!
* * * *
Mira, what an interesting (the protagonist) character she is... I can't really say much about her. I like her as a character and sometimes found myself finding her to be slightly childish, but she really progressed and I found myself liking her even more by the end of the book and I can't wait to see how she progresses in Imposter (the second book).
Socrates, what an amazing and utterly bewildering old man! Correct me if you think otherwise, but I kept thinking of Socrates as part of the (current) Royal Family.
Tanner... no. Just no. I'm sorry, I really disliked Tanner, I felt that he was pushy and didn't try to do what was best for Mira but more of what was best for himself.
Will, ah, good ol' Will. He wasn't around for as long as I hoped he would be; but nonetheless, I think he had some of the best character development out of most of the characters in the novel.
Some issues I had was that:
1. Sometimes I had no clue what was going on
2. I got confused as to who was what and what was who and who was supposed to be doing what and I felt like sometimes we received many pieces information at once and sometimes it felt hard to process it all.
I loved the concept of the novel and overall, I would highly suggest giving First a go. It was so very different to other Dystopia novels and was new, fresh and exciting and its very own masterpiece.
I can't wait to get my hands on Imposter and see what's in store next!
June 9, 2013
I attended a conference recently and heard once again that dystopian is no longer "in." Okay, I thought, since I was reading one on my Kindle that very day. All I know is I like the genre and if publishers and authors are going to make their stories available, I will read it if it interests me. First by Chanda Stafford is such a book.
The futuristic world of First is nuanced. Told in dual points-of-view by a young girl, Mira, and a wiser, powerful older man, Socrates, we first see Mira at home. She lives in Texas, a state which declared war on the White House but lost the fight and they've been suffering the after effects for centuries. Mira, almost eighteen, lives on Chesaning Farms where residents sport barcodes and are made to work. When a First visits the farm, the kids are rounded up and put on display for this important man, Socrates. He has been seeking a Second to groom under him and Mira catches his eye. Mira doesn't want to be there in this selection process, she's weeks shy of turning eighteen and being 'too old' so she's there to support her younger brother, but her defiant stance catches the eye of Socrates and he picks her. Being chosen is a huge honor since the ancestors of the chosen one are absolved of their sins against the government. Mira isn't keen to leave her baby brother or Tanner, the boy she's grown up and obviously loves, but her mother is proud to have her daughter chosen.
From then on this fast-paced story had me fully involved. A group seeking to destroy the Firsts and their governing hand, Live Once, gets involved, and we begin to see the type of man Socrates is. I know I was supposed to dislike Socrates but I couldn't. As for Mira, I liked her character. She's strong, defiant, yet knows when to keep her mouth shut. She's torn between two guys, her beloved Tanner or her enigmatic assistant, Will. There are murmurs of a rising revolt and Mira is torn between honoring her family or settling with her heart. The opening chapter involving Adrian begins to make sense as the story progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed First and found it hard to put down. Chanda Stafford has a way with words and she revealed the right amount to keep me guessing and my eyes riveted to the page. Occasionally, I can get lost in futuristic tales with its world building, politics and action. That did not happen here. The main characters were deftly created and I love when I have difficulty hating the antagonist. This futuristic world and its politics intrigued me and I will keep an eye out for the second book in this series. Entertaining, mysterious, romantic and involving, First is a dystopian fans need to know about.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
The futuristic world of First is nuanced. Told in dual points-of-view by a young girl, Mira, and a wiser, powerful older man, Socrates, we first see Mira at home. She lives in Texas, a state which declared war on the White House but lost the fight and they've been suffering the after effects for centuries. Mira, almost eighteen, lives on Chesaning Farms where residents sport barcodes and are made to work. When a First visits the farm, the kids are rounded up and put on display for this important man, Socrates. He has been seeking a Second to groom under him and Mira catches his eye. Mira doesn't want to be there in this selection process, she's weeks shy of turning eighteen and being 'too old' so she's there to support her younger brother, but her defiant stance catches the eye of Socrates and he picks her. Being chosen is a huge honor since the ancestors of the chosen one are absolved of their sins against the government. Mira isn't keen to leave her baby brother or Tanner, the boy she's grown up and obviously loves, but her mother is proud to have her daughter chosen.
From then on this fast-paced story had me fully involved. A group seeking to destroy the Firsts and their governing hand, Live Once, gets involved, and we begin to see the type of man Socrates is. I know I was supposed to dislike Socrates but I couldn't. As for Mira, I liked her character. She's strong, defiant, yet knows when to keep her mouth shut. She's torn between two guys, her beloved Tanner or her enigmatic assistant, Will. There are murmurs of a rising revolt and Mira is torn between honoring her family or settling with her heart. The opening chapter involving Adrian begins to make sense as the story progresses.
I thoroughly enjoyed First and found it hard to put down. Chanda Stafford has a way with words and she revealed the right amount to keep me guessing and my eyes riveted to the page. Occasionally, I can get lost in futuristic tales with its world building, politics and action. That did not happen here. The main characters were deftly created and I love when I have difficulty hating the antagonist. This futuristic world and its politics intrigued me and I will keep an eye out for the second book in this series. Entertaining, mysterious, romantic and involving, First is a dystopian fans need to know about.
(http://www.readergirlsblog.com/2013/0...)
June 9, 2015
My first thought after reading the ending: I am doomed. That was some ending right there! What is going to happen next? OMG
**The ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
If you think there's more to The Hunger Games, you might want to move on to the next book and that is, First! Most of the time while reading the book, it reminds me of The Hunger Games. At the beginning of First, readers are introduced to Mira's cousin, Adrian. Later part of the story, it takes off to Mira and Socrate's POV that will eventually tackle on the issues and truths of being an Absolved.
Mira is an ordinary girl from Texan Chesaning farm where not many Firsts choose their Second. Candidates entitled to be Absolved are considered lucky and will have better opportunity in getting out of the country and much freedom than not being selected at all. Socrate has been to a few farms to choose his Second. He was losing hope at having a chance to pick the best Second he could have until he discovered Mira's attributes at a first and second impression. Without any hesitation Mira fascinated him, see something in her that no one has discovered yet.
Initially, I thought the concept of the whole story was a bit complicated because I was struggling to keep up with the flow of the story. But that's just probably me whenever I start reading a dystopian novel. It was pretty confusing at first that I thought it was that intelligible rather it was more of the terms used in the novel. The names.
To be honest, I truly had a pleasant time knowing the characters. Not that many significant events to tell because it lacks a bit of action, in my opinion. I would like to highlight the ending that captured my attention. It was such a huge decision for Mira. Convincing herself she's capable of handling such pain and sacrificing everything that has her living it all for the people of the country. She's brave and true to herself that I like her unique and different from everyone in the story. She's done it through action and hold on to what she had planned ahead of her.
An intriguing ending to the novel as it was such an unexpected twist I didn't see it coming! The cliffhanger made me a bit frantic in a kind of good way. I just had to speak out loud the words, "What was that?!". It was that kind of reaction. First did not instantly clicked with me but it definitely will not disappoint dystopian readers!
(Actual) Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review Originally posted on Queekie Girl Reads
**The ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
If you think there's more to The Hunger Games, you might want to move on to the next book and that is, First! Most of the time while reading the book, it reminds me of The Hunger Games. At the beginning of First, readers are introduced to Mira's cousin, Adrian. Later part of the story, it takes off to Mira and Socrate's POV that will eventually tackle on the issues and truths of being an Absolved.
Mira is an ordinary girl from Texan Chesaning farm where not many Firsts choose their Second. Candidates entitled to be Absolved are considered lucky and will have better opportunity in getting out of the country and much freedom than not being selected at all. Socrate has been to a few farms to choose his Second. He was losing hope at having a chance to pick the best Second he could have until he discovered Mira's attributes at a first and second impression. Without any hesitation Mira fascinated him, see something in her that no one has discovered yet.
Initially, I thought the concept of the whole story was a bit complicated because I was struggling to keep up with the flow of the story. But that's just probably me whenever I start reading a dystopian novel. It was pretty confusing at first that I thought it was that intelligible rather it was more of the terms used in the novel. The names.
To be honest, I truly had a pleasant time knowing the characters. Not that many significant events to tell because it lacks a bit of action, in my opinion. I would like to highlight the ending that captured my attention. It was such a huge decision for Mira. Convincing herself she's capable of handling such pain and sacrificing everything that has her living it all for the people of the country. She's brave and true to herself that I like her unique and different from everyone in the story. She's done it through action and hold on to what she had planned ahead of her.
An intriguing ending to the novel as it was such an unexpected twist I didn't see it coming! The cliffhanger made me a bit frantic in a kind of good way. I just had to speak out loud the words, "What was that?!". It was that kind of reaction. First did not instantly clicked with me but it definitely will not disappoint dystopian readers!
(Actual) Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Review Originally posted on Queekie Girl Reads
December 14, 2015
Told in dual point of views, the story begins with farmgirl Mira being chosen as Second by the first of the First, Socrates. Because their ancestors, Texans, rebelled against the country, their descendants are not acknowleged as citizens and their only chance to be Absolved, meaning that they are pardoned, is to be chosen as a Second. This position is an honor, but the Seconds are never seen again after being chosen. Mira doesn't want to go, she has to take care of her little brother, Max, and she has an entire future before her, not as some apprentice to an old man. She has no choice but to go, and soon discovers not everything is what it seems with this system.
I just finished this book and I can say, this is not what I expected, but in a good way. The author's writing style was easy to understand and there were many plot twists.
The First/Second system reminded me of Beth Revis' Eldest/Elder system in her Across the Universe series, with some differences, of course.
The story was quite interesting, but I thought the characters were not developed enough. While Mira may be a great character, I don't think she grew enough at the end of the novel and there was not enough action, but I guess I have to read the next books to know more. I also thought I would hate Socrates because of what he did to live, but I sympathized with him and could kind of understand why he did those things. Also, I liked the character Will, even if I could not understand how he could develop feelings of love for Mira in such a short amount of time. I really like the way the story is going to at the end of the book and I'm definitely curious about what happens next.
Overall, it was a great read, entertaining and interesting, and I recommend this book to dystopian and sci-fi lovers.
I just finished this book and I can say, this is not what I expected, but in a good way. The author's writing style was easy to understand and there were many plot twists.
The First/Second system reminded me of Beth Revis' Eldest/Elder system in her Across the Universe series, with some differences, of course.
The story was quite interesting, but I thought the characters were not developed enough. While Mira may be a great character, I don't think she grew enough at the end of the novel and there was not enough action, but I guess I have to read the next books to know more. I also thought I would hate Socrates because of what he did to live, but I sympathized with him and could kind of understand why he did those things. Also, I liked the character Will, even if I could not understand how he could develop feelings of love for Mira in such a short amount of time. I really like the way the story is going to at the end of the book and I'm definitely curious about what happens next.
Overall, it was a great read, entertaining and interesting, and I recommend this book to dystopian and sci-fi lovers.
July 13, 2015
I got a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Even though I rated this 4 stars, you should know that this book was AMAZING!
What should I do? How should I say it? I feel so empty.
This book, story, plot, twist, whatever it may be, was just so...amazing.
I was confused with the first chapter. The history of their world also left me hanging. After reading about 7 chapters and finally having enough understanding of what was going on, I went back to read the first chapter. It finally made sense!
I was quite impress with the idea of "First" and "Seconds", the switching of bodies. That made the story a lot more interesting than I thought it would.
One thing from this book I didn't really fall for was the relationship between Mira and Will. Her first impression and the electricity she felt between them just wasn't my thing. But then again, their relationship did develop in a normal way. And Mira, thinking Will was handsome, I have to say, was or can be a normal thing. Ehhh, it's all good.
I liked that the story built on its plot. I almost cried at one point. I won't tell you which. The ending seriously killed me. KILLED ME!.
IT WAS SO GOOD. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.
Even though I rated this 4 stars, you should know that this book was AMAZING!
What should I do? How should I say it? I feel so empty.
This book, story, plot, twist, whatever it may be, was just so...amazing.
I was confused with the first chapter. The history of their world also left me hanging. After reading about 7 chapters and finally having enough understanding of what was going on, I went back to read the first chapter. It finally made sense!
I was quite impress with the idea of "First" and "Seconds", the switching of bodies. That made the story a lot more interesting than I thought it would.
One thing from this book I didn't really fall for was the relationship between Mira and Will. Her first impression and the electricity she felt between them just wasn't my thing. But then again, their relationship did develop in a normal way. And Mira, thinking Will was handsome, I have to say, was or can be a normal thing. Ehhh, it's all good.
I liked that the story built on its plot. I almost cried at one point. I won't tell you which. The ending seriously killed me. KILLED ME!.
IT WAS SO GOOD. I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.
August 11, 2015
*This was given to me by the author for a honest review*
This was a great book. I thought it was extremely original and different from other books I have read. Its interesting and a very different take on a dystopian future. Texans were rebels. Therefore they were punished. They had no choice but, to be seconds to firsts who are apparently immortal. However, it is found out that they kill these seconds to transports souls from one body to another. Unfortunately, for this world I did not find that unbelievable. I could see people doing that to other people even now and even in the future. The world is a pretty bad place. I liked how this was in both points of view. I like how there wasn't much of a love triangle between Tanner, Mira, and Will. I loved Will and Mira's chemistry and I loved his determination to make things better. I loved how there were good people in the higher positions of power and the debate between good and bad made the good come to fruition in the end. Even though it was a cliffhanger, it was not a shock and I can't wait to read the book and see what happens to Will and Mira's relationship as well as the bill that hopefully frees the Texans.
I wish the author all the luck and hope her book does well because it deserves to be recognised way more then some popular books out there
This was a great book. I thought it was extremely original and different from other books I have read. Its interesting and a very different take on a dystopian future. Texans were rebels. Therefore they were punished. They had no choice but, to be seconds to firsts who are apparently immortal. However, it is found out that they kill these seconds to transports souls from one body to another. Unfortunately, for this world I did not find that unbelievable. I could see people doing that to other people even now and even in the future. The world is a pretty bad place. I liked how this was in both points of view. I like how there wasn't much of a love triangle between Tanner, Mira, and Will. I loved Will and Mira's chemistry and I loved his determination to make things better. I loved how there were good people in the higher positions of power and the debate between good and bad made the good come to fruition in the end. Even though it was a cliffhanger, it was not a shock and I can't wait to read the book and see what happens to Will and Mira's relationship as well as the bill that hopefully frees the Texans.
I wish the author all the luck and hope her book does well because it deserves to be recognised way more then some popular books out there
October 3, 2014
Review: FIRST
Tolstoy wrote in ANNA KARENINA: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” He may not have had the benefit of contemporary Dystopian fiction, but I do, and I will borrow his edict, with a difference:
All Dystopia are alike; yet all Dystopias are different.
I believe this to be accurate in fact (witness, for example, Chairman Mao' s China, Nazi Germany, Stalinist Soviet, Pol Pot' s Cambodia, Pinochet' s Chile; not to mention Franco's Spain, and North Korea. All are alike, yet all are different. )
The same is true in fiction; think how DIVERGENT or MONUMENT 19 differ from the Dystopian classics: A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ; ALAS, BABYLON; ON THE BEACH; BRAVE NEW WORLD. And here in FIRST (#1 in LIVE ONCE trillogy), somewhat the same (death, near-starvation, servant status for most, providing for the ruling oligarchy. I must say that the nomenclature and dystopian structure used in this novel does ring remembrance for me with the tenets of a certain highly-populated religious institution.
http://redadeptpublishing.com/young-a...
Tolstoy wrote in ANNA KARENINA: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” He may not have had the benefit of contemporary Dystopian fiction, but I do, and I will borrow his edict, with a difference:
All Dystopia are alike; yet all Dystopias are different.
I believe this to be accurate in fact (witness, for example, Chairman Mao' s China, Nazi Germany, Stalinist Soviet, Pol Pot' s Cambodia, Pinochet' s Chile; not to mention Franco's Spain, and North Korea. All are alike, yet all are different. )
The same is true in fiction; think how DIVERGENT or MONUMENT 19 differ from the Dystopian classics: A CANTICLE FOR LEIBOWITZ; ALAS, BABYLON; ON THE BEACH; BRAVE NEW WORLD. And here in FIRST (#1 in LIVE ONCE trillogy), somewhat the same (death, near-starvation, servant status for most, providing for the ruling oligarchy. I must say that the nomenclature and dystopian structure used in this novel does ring remembrance for me with the tenets of a certain highly-populated religious institution.
http://redadeptpublishing.com/young-a...
April 17, 2015
Honestly, when I first read the description of the book it was just amazed me, as I read the book, it begun to be dull and just was not capturing my reading taste. However, I continued to read it, and I have mix feelings about it still. Mira, 17 is very protective of her brother, she is kind of the mother to him. She works on a farm, which is confusing because they are rebels. She is pick as a second, and it is consider a great honor. In a way she is a slave because the seconds are given a freedom at the end of all this. What confused me the most was the firsts are immortal? That the need the seconds to prolong the former’s life.
As the story goes on I was confused by what was going on did Mira wanted to die for Socrates? Run away with Will? I did however, love the two different point of views given in the book. Socrates and Mira were two different point of views that it was needed for this story, because I think if I had to read Mira’s view the whole time I would have stop reading.
As the story goes on I was confused by what was going on did Mira wanted to die for Socrates? Run away with Will? I did however, love the two different point of views given in the book. Socrates and Mira were two different point of views that it was needed for this story, because I think if I had to read Mira’s view the whole time I would have stop reading.
August 31, 2015
Pretty crazy interesting!
Mira, a 17-year-old Texan farmhand lives in an age after the Texans rebelled against the government and are treated as an inferior class. A class that has children chosen to be Seconds to centuries old Firsts that need a continuous supply of young bodies. When Mira is chosen, by Socrates, she leaves her world behind, not knowing what kind of "Privilege" she's been given - only that something doesn't feel right.
Told by both Mira, a strong-willed and intelligent young woman and Socrates, a 500 year old man who's at war with himself and the choices he has to make, this story was both humane/inhumane at points which made it such a great read and asks questions that are not easily answered.
I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Mira, a 17-year-old Texan farmhand lives in an age after the Texans rebelled against the government and are treated as an inferior class. A class that has children chosen to be Seconds to centuries old Firsts that need a continuous supply of young bodies. When Mira is chosen, by Socrates, she leaves her world behind, not knowing what kind of "Privilege" she's been given - only that something doesn't feel right.
Told by both Mira, a strong-willed and intelligent young woman and Socrates, a 500 year old man who's at war with himself and the choices he has to make, this story was both humane/inhumane at points which made it such a great read and asks questions that are not easily answered.
I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
January 11, 2018
Freedom
I was not expecting anything that happened in this story. I usually can feel what would come next. Very well written with a lot of Sufi future world things happening. Kept me wanting to keep on reading til the end. Chandra did a wonderful job of creating this future world & keeping me entertained & wanting more.
I was not expecting anything that happened in this story. I usually can feel what would come next. Very well written with a lot of Sufi future world things happening. Kept me wanting to keep on reading til the end. Chandra did a wonderful job of creating this future world & keeping me entertained & wanting more.
November 15, 2017
Wow what an amazing introduction to the world of Mira. Her life is one that isn’t easy. Couldn’t put it down. Loved every bit.
February 6, 2020
Loved this! Moving onto the next!
January 20, 2016
(Actual rating: 2.5 stars)
A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever thought about where society would be if Mother Theresa had had another 80 years to continue her humanitarian work and minister to the needs of the poor? If Leonardo da Vinci had had more time to study and invent and create? If Albert Einstein had had another lifetime in which to contribute to the field of theoretical physics?
In First, humanity has figured out "a way for a select few to live forever so that their talents [won't] die when they [do].” The work of these “select few,” known as Firsts, is not limited by a short lifespan. Instead, the Firsts are immortal, able to carry on with their duties as ambassadors, humanitarians, inventors, etc. with no interruptions by death.
It is tradition for each First to choose a young boy or girl to serve as his or her Second. Being chosen is a great honor, as Seconds are granted Absolution of their ancestors’ crimes. What are these crimes, you ask? Well, 200 years ago, Texas rebelled against the rest of the United States, leading to a bitter war and the eventual subjugation of all of Texas. Even though the war took place two centuries ago, modern-day Texans are still forced to labor as slaves as punishment for the sins of their forefathers.
The only escape from this life of servitude is to be chosen as a Second, which comes at a price: a Second must leave his or her home and go to live with their First, never to see their family or friends again. Despite this stipulation and the fact that most children have no understanding of what being a Second entails, most jump at the chance to be Absolved.
First is told from the alternating points of view of Socrates, a First, and Mira, the 17-year-old girl he chooses as his Second. Socrates is hands down what I loved most about the book. As the first of the Firsts, he’s over 500 years old and has great insight about the history of Project ReGenesis and the motivations of the people who started it. I found this fascinating, as I really, really like the idea that influential people can live on and contribute to the world without their efforts being abbreviated by mortality.
It’s not just Socrates’ insight that I appreciated – I liked his personality as well. He’s gruff, kind, and nostalgic about the old days when “antiques” such as ballpoint pens and motorcycles were still in use. His health is failing and his memory is slipping, but he clings fiercely to his independence despite his reliance on a service dog and cane. He’s got a sense of humor, as shown by the lovely banter between him and his partner Ellie, who is also a First. The relationship between these two is something else I really enjoyed. There’s an abiding fondness and familiarity between Socrates and Ellie that comes from centuries of companionship, and it warmed my heart.
As much as I liked Socrates, I wasn’t crazy about the sections of the book narrated by Mira. It’s not that she’s an unlikable character, just an inconsistent one. In fact, this was a problem not only with Mira, but with the novel as a whole.
Several of the characters seemed to change moods and beliefs frequently, swinging from furious to flirtatious to depressed to passionate. This left my head spinning, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether all of the characters were suffering from bipolar disorder. On one page, for example, Mira calls Socrates a monster, but just a few pages later she’s helping him and insisting that she doesn’t consider him a monster. Likewise, there’s a scene in which we get this quote: “Anger smolders to life, but I squash it down. This is no place to get into an argument. I jump to my feet. If Will and the others think I’m going to just sit back for this, they’re the idiots.” She contradicts herself in the space of a single paragraph - she says she isn't going to argue, and yet she jumps out of her seat to do that very thing.
The inconsistencies extend to the plot as well. Sometimes the key to the Firsts’ immortality is treated like a closely guarded secret, and other times it is appears to be common knowledge. Likewise, Mira’s status as a Second leads to her being alternately pampered and treated like trash, which left me confused.
Another problem I had with First is that I really struggled with the whole Texas / rebellion / Absolution concept. I have a hard time believing that the entire state of Texas would still be enslaved for crimes that their forefathers had committed 200 years ago. So much of the plot hinges on this construct that the lack of believability made it really difficult for me to get into the story.
In spite of all this, I still have to say that I love the basic premise of First. This, plus a superb ending to the book (it’s a powerful, moving, and fitting conclusion), means that I will most likely be checking out the next book in this Live Once trilogy.
This review can also be found on my blog, Angela's Library.
A free copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever thought about where society would be if Mother Theresa had had another 80 years to continue her humanitarian work and minister to the needs of the poor? If Leonardo da Vinci had had more time to study and invent and create? If Albert Einstein had had another lifetime in which to contribute to the field of theoretical physics?
In First, humanity has figured out "a way for a select few to live forever so that their talents [won't] die when they [do].” The work of these “select few,” known as Firsts, is not limited by a short lifespan. Instead, the Firsts are immortal, able to carry on with their duties as ambassadors, humanitarians, inventors, etc. with no interruptions by death.
It is tradition for each First to choose a young boy or girl to serve as his or her Second. Being chosen is a great honor, as Seconds are granted Absolution of their ancestors’ crimes. What are these crimes, you ask? Well, 200 years ago, Texas rebelled against the rest of the United States, leading to a bitter war and the eventual subjugation of all of Texas. Even though the war took place two centuries ago, modern-day Texans are still forced to labor as slaves as punishment for the sins of their forefathers.
The only escape from this life of servitude is to be chosen as a Second, which comes at a price: a Second must leave his or her home and go to live with their First, never to see their family or friends again. Despite this stipulation and the fact that most children have no understanding of what being a Second entails, most jump at the chance to be Absolved.
First is told from the alternating points of view of Socrates, a First, and Mira, the 17-year-old girl he chooses as his Second. Socrates is hands down what I loved most about the book. As the first of the Firsts, he’s over 500 years old and has great insight about the history of Project ReGenesis and the motivations of the people who started it. I found this fascinating, as I really, really like the idea that influential people can live on and contribute to the world without their efforts being abbreviated by mortality.
It’s not just Socrates’ insight that I appreciated – I liked his personality as well. He’s gruff, kind, and nostalgic about the old days when “antiques” such as ballpoint pens and motorcycles were still in use. His health is failing and his memory is slipping, but he clings fiercely to his independence despite his reliance on a service dog and cane. He’s got a sense of humor, as shown by the lovely banter between him and his partner Ellie, who is also a First. The relationship between these two is something else I really enjoyed. There’s an abiding fondness and familiarity between Socrates and Ellie that comes from centuries of companionship, and it warmed my heart.
As much as I liked Socrates, I wasn’t crazy about the sections of the book narrated by Mira. It’s not that she’s an unlikable character, just an inconsistent one. In fact, this was a problem not only with Mira, but with the novel as a whole.
Several of the characters seemed to change moods and beliefs frequently, swinging from furious to flirtatious to depressed to passionate. This left my head spinning, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether all of the characters were suffering from bipolar disorder. On one page, for example, Mira calls Socrates a monster, but just a few pages later she’s helping him and insisting that she doesn’t consider him a monster. Likewise, there’s a scene in which we get this quote: “Anger smolders to life, but I squash it down. This is no place to get into an argument. I jump to my feet. If Will and the others think I’m going to just sit back for this, they’re the idiots.” She contradicts herself in the space of a single paragraph - she says she isn't going to argue, and yet she jumps out of her seat to do that very thing.
The inconsistencies extend to the plot as well. Sometimes the key to the Firsts’ immortality is treated like a closely guarded secret, and other times it is appears to be common knowledge. Likewise, Mira’s status as a Second leads to her being alternately pampered and treated like trash, which left me confused.
Another problem I had with First is that I really struggled with the whole Texas / rebellion / Absolution concept. I have a hard time believing that the entire state of Texas would still be enslaved for crimes that their forefathers had committed 200 years ago. So much of the plot hinges on this construct that the lack of believability made it really difficult for me to get into the story.
In spite of all this, I still have to say that I love the basic premise of First. This, plus a superb ending to the book (it’s a powerful, moving, and fitting conclusion), means that I will most likely be checking out the next book in this Live Once trilogy.
This review can also be found on my blog, Angela's Library.
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