What do you think?
Rate this book
Safe Lands #1
Captives
One choice could destroy them all.
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2013
43 people are currently reading
5525 people want to read
About the author
Jill Williamson
66 books1,620 followersJill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She’s written over thirty books for readers of all ages and is best known for her Blood of Kings fantasy series, two of which won Christy Awards and made VOYA magazine’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list. She produces films with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences. Visit her at www.jillwilliamson.com.
Jill's author website.
Jill's Amazon Author page.
Jill's Instagram.
Click here for a FULL LIST OF Jill's BOOKS.
Newest Series:
Thirst Duology
Fan favorites:
Writing books:
Jill's author website.
Jill's Amazon Author page.
Jill's Instagram.
Click here for a FULL LIST OF Jill's BOOKS.
Newest Series:
Thirst Duology
Fan favorites:
Writing books:
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
Read
March 17, 2024Did you know the Safe Lands has a prequel series?
Learn more here.
Thirst Duology
Learn more here.
Thirst Duology
August 5, 2014
I'll start this review by saying that, while I enjoyed this book, I do not recommend it to everyone. More specifically, I DON'T recommend it to kids and younger teenagers. I DO recommend it for older teens. Keep reading for an explanation.
The themes presented in this book are excellent. The main characters are kidnapped into a society that pretty much embodies all the worldly selfishness currently destroying our country. I loved the moral courage shown by Levi, Mason and Shaylinn in standing up against the self-serving draw of the world they are thrust into. The book never even thinks about becoming preachy, yet the call to be set-apart from the world and follow God rather than ease is clearly expressed. It can be read simply for entertainment, but if you take the time to think about the implications of the characters actions, there are many lessons to be learned.
The reason I don't recommend it to younger readers is because of some of the subject material. The main characters--all citizens of Glenrock--are kidnapped into this culture--the Safe Lands--because the population is being killed off by an illness called the thinning disease (I think it's sort of like AIDS). Because the citizens of Glenrock don't have the disease, the Safe Landers are wanted to produce babies. Because this is central to the story, reproductive processes are at the forefront of many scenes. While the author handles the topic tastefully, that's why I recommend this book for older teens only.
If you are an older teen and are okay with that type of subject matter, this is a great, thought provoking, and entertaining story and I recommend it. I know I'll be buying book two when it comes out.
The themes presented in this book are excellent. The main characters are kidnapped into a society that pretty much embodies all the worldly selfishness currently destroying our country. I loved the moral courage shown by Levi, Mason and Shaylinn in standing up against the self-serving draw of the world they are thrust into. The book never even thinks about becoming preachy, yet the call to be set-apart from the world and follow God rather than ease is clearly expressed. It can be read simply for entertainment, but if you take the time to think about the implications of the characters actions, there are many lessons to be learned.
The reason I don't recommend it to younger readers is because of some of the subject material. The main characters--all citizens of Glenrock--are kidnapped into this culture--the Safe Lands--because the population is being killed off by an illness called the thinning disease (I think it's sort of like AIDS). Because the citizens of Glenrock don't have the disease, the Safe Landers are wanted to produce babies. Because this is central to the story, reproductive processes are at the forefront of many scenes. While the author handles the topic tastefully, that's why I recommend this book for older teens only.
If you are an older teen and are okay with that type of subject matter, this is a great, thought provoking, and entertaining story and I recommend it. I know I'll be buying book two when it comes out.
December 7, 2015
This was an awkward book to read. And I didn't even finish it! The whole plot was waaaaaay too sexual.
Here's some of what bugged me, noted, that I stopped at page 103.
Killing(detailed), Death(detailed), Shooting(detailed), Blood(detailed) and a dog is killed (semi, which was way too detailed for a dog-lover like me.). Also "maggot"(three times), dumb'(once), sissy'(many), "shut up"(once), "buck up"(twice), and "son of a cockroach's vomit" (once) is all said. Mentions of drugs and liberation.
And then all the sexual hints, mentions and awkwardness:
The Safe Lands need people (who don't have the plague) to "donate" (their....uh..baby making parts, "eggs" are mentioned) (normally forcing them to) so that they can get the girls pregnant ("forced pregnancies", a major one being them making a 14-year-old girl have no choice, and her having to be pregnant) and then there's "surrogacy team", "hormones", "embryo transfer" and telling those who (are forced to) donate not to "pair up". There's also notices of women's figures.
So, yeah, I won't be finishing this book.
Here's some of what bugged me, noted, that I stopped at page 103.
Killing(detailed), Death(detailed), Shooting(detailed), Blood(detailed) and a dog is killed (semi, which was way too detailed for a dog-lover like me.). Also "maggot"(three times), dumb'(once), sissy'(many), "shut up"(once), "buck up"(twice), and "son of a cockroach's vomit" (once) is all said. Mentions of drugs and liberation.
And then all the sexual hints, mentions and awkwardness:
The Safe Lands need people (who don't have the plague) to "donate" (their....uh..baby making parts, "eggs" are mentioned) (normally forcing them to) so that they can get the girls pregnant ("forced pregnancies", a major one being them making a 14-year-old girl have no choice, and her having to be pregnant) and then there's "surrogacy team", "hormones", "embryo transfer" and telling those who (are forced to) donate not to "pair up". There's also notices of women's figures.
So, yeah, I won't be finishing this book.
April 16, 2020
I enjoyed this one, really. I just never...quite...connected with all the characters as much as I was hoping, probably because there were so many of them. This is definitely the first in a series and I'd be interested to read the sequels, but I don't know when.
October 3, 2014
I WANT a SimTag. I've never been a fan of tattoos and my skin is free of ink, but if I could - I would seriously get a SimTag. Right on the side of my neck.
Of course, in the book it was more like:
Crazy, awesome dystopia going on in this book. And to offset the insanity of this world, we also have sweet references to this:
Which I loved.
"I will never doubt again." {swoon}
Of course, in the book it was more like:
Crazy, awesome dystopia going on in this book. And to offset the insanity of this world, we also have sweet references to this:
Which I loved.
"I will never doubt again." {swoon}
December 4, 2013
I loved Captives so much I blurbed it. Williamson is fabulous with her world building in this one and her characters stick with you in a way that makes putting the story aside a near impossibility. Add it to your TBR stack. You'll thank me.
February 20, 2018
This one was tough for me to get into. I made it to thirty percent before calling it quits. Under-age marriages and forced pregnancies were advocated heavily, and it became obvious that those things were what the plot was going to revolve around. Those topics seemed too intimate for a young adult book, so I wouldn't recommend this book for teens; it promotes teen pregnancy and teen marriage.
There were other things that made this a tough read for me, such as tattoos, painting the skin, and made-up curse words.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
There were other things that made this a tough read for me, such as tattoos, painting the skin, and made-up curse words.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
May 2, 2013
The Story. A plague initially carried in the water supply wiped out most of the population of earth. However, a small community with access to clean water survived. They walled themselves in, named themselves the Safe Lands, and built a society utilizing some of the most advanced technology available. The goal of the citizens is to live happy, pleasurable lives. Their “have a nice day” has morphed into “have pleasure in life.”
A handful of small communities exist outside the walled city, also relying on the same water source, but these people do not have the resources or the technology of those in the Safe Lands. They rely on scavenging and hunting to survive. To them, family and community relationships are of utmost importance, and they adhere to the traditions that have been passed down from their elders.
Another major difference exists between the two cultures: the people in the Safe Lands are all infected with a virus passed through bodily fluids. Along with other symptoms, their women can no longer bear children.
The outsiders, however, are healthy, monogamous, and have strong familial ties.
The Guild governing the Safe Lands decide they need to bring in outsiders to repopulate their land. Hence, with the help of one young disgruntled outsider, they forcibly take the entire village of Glenrock captive—those they don’t kill—and move them into the Safe Lands. One young man, engaged to be married, was away during the attack, and he determines to get his people back.
Strengths. What isn’t a strength in this story? I’ll be honest—I love Jill Williamson’s writing. Her stories engage me from the beginning, and I race through them. You might say I find them to be page-turners. But in my experience, page-turners, books I gulp down, tend to be ones I quickly forget. That’s not the case with Captives.
First, the characters are memorable, distinct, engaging—even the sell-out who enabled the Safe Landers to capture the people of Glenrock. From time to time I complain about multiple-points-of-view stories, largely because I feel disconnected from all the characters. Captives is a story about Levi, Omar, Mason (three brothers), and Shaylinn. There’s even a prologue in the point of view of one of the Safe Landers, and yet I feel equally invested in each one of the characters, though I admit I was initially partial to Mason.
Jill has done a remarkable job making me care for each person as they adjust to life as honored prisoners. I understand their motives and the decisions each makes. I cheer for them to be wise and careful and strong. I want them to resist the temptations that the “have pleasure in life” way of living throws at them. I even want them to escape the consequences of the situation in which they’ve been thrust. It’s heart rending at times.
The plot obviously is filled with conflict. The overarching story question is, will the captives escape or will they choose to become a part of the Safe Lands? That question, in one form or another, drives the plot.
Stated in that way, it doesn’t seem so different from run-of-the-mill kidnap stories, but another significant factor in Captives is the setting. Jill has created such an incredible world–with advanced technology but with enough connection to our culture today, that it feels so real. She’s created future slang, future attitudes toward reproduction, future monetary system, future approach to employment, future entertainment, future penal system, future outlook on growing old and on death, and more.
Each of these, standing in stark contrast to the outsiders and their traditions, creates a spotlight on our own culture, which of course, lays the groundwork for the themes of Captive. In short, this novel has all the elements of a good story, in the proper doses.
Weaknesses. I have one issue that’s really too picky to mention and another one I’m willing to ignore. So that’s it.
OK, for those of you too curious to accept such a brush off, the too picky issue has to do with time. The story takes place in 2088, but that seems too close to now for the traditions in both cultures to have built up. I like the fact that it isn’t in the distant future because that makes the similarities with our culture believable. But I think a better time might have been another generation later–maybe 2120 or somewhere around there.
The other point which I willingly ignored and only thought about because I was planning this review, is something that happened too easily. It would be a huge spoiler to go into detail, but there was a character made a dramatic change. I thought it was believable and well motivated, but other characters seemed to accept this change with little angst or serious working through of issues that should be worked through.
Recommendation. Great book. Really entertaining, full of material that provokes thought and, potentially, discussion. Love this story. For young adults–a must read. However, I think any reader can enjoy it, so I also highly recommend Captives for anyone who enjoys a story with a gripping conflict and engaging characters.
A handful of small communities exist outside the walled city, also relying on the same water source, but these people do not have the resources or the technology of those in the Safe Lands. They rely on scavenging and hunting to survive. To them, family and community relationships are of utmost importance, and they adhere to the traditions that have been passed down from their elders.
Another major difference exists between the two cultures: the people in the Safe Lands are all infected with a virus passed through bodily fluids. Along with other symptoms, their women can no longer bear children.
The outsiders, however, are healthy, monogamous, and have strong familial ties.
The Guild governing the Safe Lands decide they need to bring in outsiders to repopulate their land. Hence, with the help of one young disgruntled outsider, they forcibly take the entire village of Glenrock captive—those they don’t kill—and move them into the Safe Lands. One young man, engaged to be married, was away during the attack, and he determines to get his people back.
Strengths. What isn’t a strength in this story? I’ll be honest—I love Jill Williamson’s writing. Her stories engage me from the beginning, and I race through them. You might say I find them to be page-turners. But in my experience, page-turners, books I gulp down, tend to be ones I quickly forget. That’s not the case with Captives.
First, the characters are memorable, distinct, engaging—even the sell-out who enabled the Safe Landers to capture the people of Glenrock. From time to time I complain about multiple-points-of-view stories, largely because I feel disconnected from all the characters. Captives is a story about Levi, Omar, Mason (three brothers), and Shaylinn. There’s even a prologue in the point of view of one of the Safe Landers, and yet I feel equally invested in each one of the characters, though I admit I was initially partial to Mason.
Jill has done a remarkable job making me care for each person as they adjust to life as honored prisoners. I understand their motives and the decisions each makes. I cheer for them to be wise and careful and strong. I want them to resist the temptations that the “have pleasure in life” way of living throws at them. I even want them to escape the consequences of the situation in which they’ve been thrust. It’s heart rending at times.
The plot obviously is filled with conflict. The overarching story question is, will the captives escape or will they choose to become a part of the Safe Lands? That question, in one form or another, drives the plot.
Stated in that way, it doesn’t seem so different from run-of-the-mill kidnap stories, but another significant factor in Captives is the setting. Jill has created such an incredible world–with advanced technology but with enough connection to our culture today, that it feels so real. She’s created future slang, future attitudes toward reproduction, future monetary system, future approach to employment, future entertainment, future penal system, future outlook on growing old and on death, and more.
Each of these, standing in stark contrast to the outsiders and their traditions, creates a spotlight on our own culture, which of course, lays the groundwork for the themes of Captive. In short, this novel has all the elements of a good story, in the proper doses.
Weaknesses. I have one issue that’s really too picky to mention and another one I’m willing to ignore. So that’s it.
OK, for those of you too curious to accept such a brush off, the too picky issue has to do with time. The story takes place in 2088, but that seems too close to now for the traditions in both cultures to have built up. I like the fact that it isn’t in the distant future because that makes the similarities with our culture believable. But I think a better time might have been another generation later–maybe 2120 or somewhere around there.
The other point which I willingly ignored and only thought about because I was planning this review, is something that happened too easily. It would be a huge spoiler to go into detail, but there was a character made a dramatic change. I thought it was believable and well motivated, but other characters seemed to accept this change with little angst or serious working through of issues that should be worked through.
Recommendation. Great book. Really entertaining, full of material that provokes thought and, potentially, discussion. Love this story. For young adults–a must read. However, I think any reader can enjoy it, so I also highly recommend Captives for anyone who enjoys a story with a gripping conflict and engaging characters.
May 6, 2013
What I Liked
Mason, the one who doesn't quite fit in. Omar, the one who thinks everyone hates him. Levi, the one with the secret that could cost him everything.
These three brothers tugged me into the story from the beginning. Even when the sciency stuff had my brain spinning (It's probably because of all the historical fiction I read that I was having that reaction!), I kept reading because these three guys have such a complicated relationship with one another -- and suddenly they're plopped in the middle of the biggest danger they have ever faced.
I've said it before, but Jill WIlliamson really does a slam-dunk job with voice. These guys really sound like guys (I say this with a straight face). It's fascinating watching them adjust to life in this place that is so different from the one in which they grew up. I was just as drawn in and nauseated at the Safe Lands reality as they were (except, of course, for Omar, who throws himself into everything to escape what he's done).
One of the sweetest things about the story for me was Levi's courage. Left alone in his village after everyone is abducted? The chances of him sneaking into the Safe Lands slim to none and only slightly higher than his desire to spirit everyone out of the Safe Lands again? It doesn't matter that the situation looks completely hopeless. He tries anyway. (Whether he succeeds or not I'll leave to you to find out.)
And may I congratulate Jill for making nothing easy? I was expecting a quick fix for at least one of the super-dangerous circumstances, but not once did she settle for giving her characters an easy way out. This kept me reading.
What I Didn't Like As Much
What almost made me stop reading was the horror of it all. The Safe Lands is not all it's cracked up to be, as Levi, Omar, and the others soon discover. This society glitters, but it truly is a "gilded cage," as Mason says. The Safe Lands seems to offer everything one could ever want--and often that translates into drugs and immoral living.
Jill does a great job of tactfully portraying the lifestyle, but I still wanted to wince at a few sections. I could have done without some of the descriptions of vaping (high-tech smoking), but maybe that's the point? To show how horribly wrong what seems so outwardly wonderful really is?
Why I Recommend This Book
Because of the lifestyle choices made by certain characters and the (delicately written) procedure some of the women are expected to undergo, I would not recommend this book for readers younger than 16. Fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent, however, will want to put Captives on their to-read list. Not only is it Dystopian (complete with almost Doctor-Who-ish science), but it's a story chock-full of characters who have their own goals and voices.
And the ending? I won't give it away, but it just awesome. I look forward to Book Two!
Mason, the one who doesn't quite fit in. Omar, the one who thinks everyone hates him. Levi, the one with the secret that could cost him everything.
These three brothers tugged me into the story from the beginning. Even when the sciency stuff had my brain spinning (It's probably because of all the historical fiction I read that I was having that reaction!), I kept reading because these three guys have such a complicated relationship with one another -- and suddenly they're plopped in the middle of the biggest danger they have ever faced.
I've said it before, but Jill WIlliamson really does a slam-dunk job with voice. These guys really sound like guys (I say this with a straight face). It's fascinating watching them adjust to life in this place that is so different from the one in which they grew up. I was just as drawn in and nauseated at the Safe Lands reality as they were (except, of course, for Omar, who throws himself into everything to escape what he's done).
One of the sweetest things about the story for me was Levi's courage. Left alone in his village after everyone is abducted? The chances of him sneaking into the Safe Lands slim to none and only slightly higher than his desire to spirit everyone out of the Safe Lands again? It doesn't matter that the situation looks completely hopeless. He tries anyway. (Whether he succeeds or not I'll leave to you to find out.)
And may I congratulate Jill for making nothing easy? I was expecting a quick fix for at least one of the super-dangerous circumstances, but not once did she settle for giving her characters an easy way out. This kept me reading.
What I Didn't Like As Much
What almost made me stop reading was the horror of it all. The Safe Lands is not all it's cracked up to be, as Levi, Omar, and the others soon discover. This society glitters, but it truly is a "gilded cage," as Mason says. The Safe Lands seems to offer everything one could ever want--and often that translates into drugs and immoral living.
Jill does a great job of tactfully portraying the lifestyle, but I still wanted to wince at a few sections. I could have done without some of the descriptions of vaping (high-tech smoking), but maybe that's the point? To show how horribly wrong what seems so outwardly wonderful really is?
Why I Recommend This Book
Because of the lifestyle choices made by certain characters and the (delicately written) procedure some of the women are expected to undergo, I would not recommend this book for readers younger than 16. Fans of The Hunger Games and Divergent, however, will want to put Captives on their to-read list. Not only is it Dystopian (complete with almost Doctor-Who-ish science), but it's a story chock-full of characters who have their own goals and voices.
And the ending? I won't give it away, but it just awesome. I look forward to Book Two!
May 24, 2013
Having enjoyed two of Jill Williamson's previous books and being a huge fan of the dystopian books I've read, I was pretty sure I'd like Captives before I even started it... and my hunch was right!
The whole story matter was very interesting (the virus, how The Safe Lands' people need donors and surrogates to continue populating, etc.). I really liked the characters in Captives. My favorite was Mason, but I pretty much liked everyone except Mia and the "bad guys".
Captives has a wonderful cliff-hanger ending that makes me anxious to read the next book in the series! I'm excited to see where the story heads for Mason and his crew.
Overall, Captives was a really good read! There are a few things that might not be appropriate for young readers, but I definitely recommend this book to mature teens and adults who are fans of YA/dystopian novels.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
The whole story matter was very interesting (the virus, how The Safe Lands' people need donors and surrogates to continue populating, etc.). I really liked the characters in Captives. My favorite was Mason, but I pretty much liked everyone except Mia and the "bad guys".
Captives has a wonderful cliff-hanger ending that makes me anxious to read the next book in the series! I'm excited to see where the story heads for Mason and his crew.
Overall, Captives was a really good read! There are a few things that might not be appropriate for young readers, but I definitely recommend this book to mature teens and adults who are fans of YA/dystopian novels.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
April 8, 2013
A really excellent book. What happens when a group of outsiders are brought into a world where pleasure is the only good, even if it means a slow death? Jill Williamson creates an unforgettable world and some great characters in this book. I can't wait to see what happens next!
December 2, 2023
Very suspenseful. Great story and worldbuilding. It wasn't really my style, though.
January 24, 2016
While I love reimagined Bible stories, Captives takes the concept a step further. Rather than a retelling the book of Daniel, Jill Williamson has created a dystopian world based on a futuristic version the Biblical Babylon. She's also populated it with fascinating characters and cool technology.
What I love about this world is the way Ms. Williamson makes the Safe Lands enticing. You can see why people would be drawn into the lifestyle. And why it would be a temptation to those from Glenrock.
Characters are the most important part of a story for me. Mason, Levi, and Omar, the three brothers who are the center of the story are well-developed characters with flaws and virtues that will carry the series.
Levi is the oldest and the "good son" loved by their harsh and critical father. He embodies the "ideal" - a hunter and a "man's man". He's strong, loyal, and devoted to the people of Glenrock. He's also bigoted, hot-tempered, and self-righteous.
Mason is my favorite character and probably the most-balanced. He's intelligent and wants to be a doctor although in their world it's a woman's profession. He's a bit naive and sometimes too trusting.
Omar is the youngest. An artist he's seen as a weak and sickly "sissy". Both he and Mason are abused (mostly verbally) by their father. Curious about the world outside of Glenrock, Omar is fascinated by the Safe Lands and cannot wait to visit it.
Only a spoiler for the very beginning of the story, Omar betrays the people of Glenrock and is seen by many as a traitor. When the group is taken captive to the Safe Lands, it's Omar who fully embraces the culture.
I was glad that I read this story just before the release of Outcasts because I could not wait for the next book. The pacing is excellent with the story unfolding at a great pace. I could not put it down.
What I love about this world is the way Ms. Williamson makes the Safe Lands enticing. You can see why people would be drawn into the lifestyle. And why it would be a temptation to those from Glenrock.
Characters are the most important part of a story for me. Mason, Levi, and Omar, the three brothers who are the center of the story are well-developed characters with flaws and virtues that will carry the series.
Levi is the oldest and the "good son" loved by their harsh and critical father. He embodies the "ideal" - a hunter and a "man's man". He's strong, loyal, and devoted to the people of Glenrock. He's also bigoted, hot-tempered, and self-righteous.
Mason is my favorite character and probably the most-balanced. He's intelligent and wants to be a doctor although in their world it's a woman's profession. He's a bit naive and sometimes too trusting.
Omar is the youngest. An artist he's seen as a weak and sickly "sissy". Both he and Mason are abused (mostly verbally) by their father. Curious about the world outside of Glenrock, Omar is fascinated by the Safe Lands and cannot wait to visit it.
Only a spoiler for the very beginning of the story, Omar betrays the people of Glenrock and is seen by many as a traitor. When the group is taken captive to the Safe Lands, it's Omar who fully embraces the culture.
I was glad that I read this story just before the release of Outcasts because I could not wait for the next book. The pacing is excellent with the story unfolding at a great pace. I could not put it down.
June 22, 2013
Dystopia is a tough genre to write in. There's a tendency towards one dimensional characters and one dimensional worlds.
Jill Williamson side-steps both with a novel that creates rich characters and a very rich story world.
The book focuses on what happens in a post-apocalyptic world when the younger citizens of the Christian-dominated albeit primitive villge of Glenrock are kidnapped and taken to the Safelands, a wealthy and pleasure-loving city that's afflicted with a plague that makes carrying a pregnancy to term nearly impossible. The citizens of Glenrock don't have the plague and are needed to replenish the dying population.
The book takes place from the point of view of three brothers; Levi, Omar, Mason, and a plain-looking girl from their village named Shaylinn. Each character is fleshed out pretty well, as well as their reaction to the changes in their world. The characters take on a real life of their own. While Mason wasn't even mentioned in the Amazon copy for this book, he emerges as a vitally important character.
I also have to praise Williamson's creation of Omar. I've read a couple of reviewers state that Omar's behavior was inconsistent. Not at all: Williamson established Omar a self-centered impulsive character who can be peevish, rarely understands the consequences of anything, and acts by feeling. There are characters like that in real life and they're dangerous to everyone around them. Thus is the case with Omar who on a moment's notice acts out of instinct. Omar is the key to how this story turns.
The world is as real as the characters in it. Williamson did a good job creating a complex and real feeling world. Her stories. The young citizens of Glenrock were not snatched from a Christian utopia and plunged into a secularist hellhole. While Glenrock was a community that was peaceful and relatively wholesome, it also allowed for the father of the three boys to behave in an abusive manner. Levi is in love with the girl he's engaged to and that's a rarity in Glenrock.
The debauched Safelands is not without its appeal. Its imaginative high tech landscape where pleasures abound and individuals have a chance to do the jobs they test best for.
In Glenrock, Mason is ridiculed and mocked for being a vegetarian, his dreams of becoming the town doctor are looked on with suspicion, and he's forced into an arranged marriage with a beautiful but shrewish young woman. In the Safe Lands, Mason is tasked as a medic and given exposure to high technical medical techniques. At home, Shaylinn suffers ridicule and being told she's ugly. She and the women of Glenrock receive opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment that they couldn't in Glenrock. She gets to feel pretty and happy.
Of course, behind that niceness are some raw facts: They are being forcibly impregnated to shore up the dying Safe Lands population and the men of Glenrock are expected to contribute to the cause. Behind all the glitter (both figurative and literal), there's a spiritual emptiness, and dark secrets.
The book is full of great takeaways for teens and older readers. Glenrock's choosing to allow unchristlike attitudes and behaviors caused pain, and in fact set up the situation. Omar unwittingly betrayed his people to the Enforcers in an effort to please his rough and abusive father. Similarly, the more churches tolerate ungodly pride and arrogance, the greater the danger they can open themselves up to attack.
I also thought the story of the young citizens of Glenrock going into the Safelands and dealing with the temptations to conform to that world is something that many Christian teens will be able to relate to. And the way Mason and Shaylinn deal with these temptations provides a great example for teens.
The big negative of the book is that the four point of views were kind of tough to sustain. I find it helpful to have a POV character to break in every few chapters but Williamson kept one POV character per chapter and some chapters were long and you didn't hear from a character every four chapters. The result of this is that sometimes you were pulled away from character whose story you were really engaged it to another that you could barely remember. This may have been more a problem for me as a I read a chapter a day.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, but I'd be wanting to read the second story anyway. I'm left with a quite a few plot questions.I hope to get cleared up.
The book combines some familiar elements that seem contradictory. For example, at age 40, all citizens are "liberated." This calls to mind, "Logan's Run" where alleged decline in resources led to everyone dying at 30 unless they were "renewed." Similarly the focus on forced pregnancy in the name of replenishing the population calls to my the Handmaid's Tale which was caused by declining birth rates. To see the two elements applied side by side is odd and I'm wondering what the reason for it is.
I'm also wanting to get a sense of who the people behind the curtain are. This is a big mystery that this book doesn't answer.
Still, as this is a series, Williamson will succeed well in the goal of any first book: gaining a captive audience for the next installments. I'll be eagerly awaiting Part Two.
Jill Williamson side-steps both with a novel that creates rich characters and a very rich story world.
The book focuses on what happens in a post-apocalyptic world when the younger citizens of the Christian-dominated albeit primitive villge of Glenrock are kidnapped and taken to the Safelands, a wealthy and pleasure-loving city that's afflicted with a plague that makes carrying a pregnancy to term nearly impossible. The citizens of Glenrock don't have the plague and are needed to replenish the dying population.
The book takes place from the point of view of three brothers; Levi, Omar, Mason, and a plain-looking girl from their village named Shaylinn. Each character is fleshed out pretty well, as well as their reaction to the changes in their world. The characters take on a real life of their own. While Mason wasn't even mentioned in the Amazon copy for this book, he emerges as a vitally important character.
I also have to praise Williamson's creation of Omar. I've read a couple of reviewers state that Omar's behavior was inconsistent. Not at all: Williamson established Omar a self-centered impulsive character who can be peevish, rarely understands the consequences of anything, and acts by feeling. There are characters like that in real life and they're dangerous to everyone around them. Thus is the case with Omar who on a moment's notice acts out of instinct. Omar is the key to how this story turns.
The world is as real as the characters in it. Williamson did a good job creating a complex and real feeling world. Her stories. The young citizens of Glenrock were not snatched from a Christian utopia and plunged into a secularist hellhole. While Glenrock was a community that was peaceful and relatively wholesome, it also allowed for the father of the three boys to behave in an abusive manner. Levi is in love with the girl he's engaged to and that's a rarity in Glenrock.
The debauched Safelands is not without its appeal. Its imaginative high tech landscape where pleasures abound and individuals have a chance to do the jobs they test best for.
In Glenrock, Mason is ridiculed and mocked for being a vegetarian, his dreams of becoming the town doctor are looked on with suspicion, and he's forced into an arranged marriage with a beautiful but shrewish young woman. In the Safe Lands, Mason is tasked as a medic and given exposure to high technical medical techniques. At home, Shaylinn suffers ridicule and being told she's ugly. She and the women of Glenrock receive opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment that they couldn't in Glenrock. She gets to feel pretty and happy.
Of course, behind that niceness are some raw facts: They are being forcibly impregnated to shore up the dying Safe Lands population and the men of Glenrock are expected to contribute to the cause. Behind all the glitter (both figurative and literal), there's a spiritual emptiness, and dark secrets.
The book is full of great takeaways for teens and older readers. Glenrock's choosing to allow unchristlike attitudes and behaviors caused pain, and in fact set up the situation. Omar unwittingly betrayed his people to the Enforcers in an effort to please his rough and abusive father. Similarly, the more churches tolerate ungodly pride and arrogance, the greater the danger they can open themselves up to attack.
I also thought the story of the young citizens of Glenrock going into the Safelands and dealing with the temptations to conform to that world is something that many Christian teens will be able to relate to. And the way Mason and Shaylinn deal with these temptations provides a great example for teens.
The big negative of the book is that the four point of views were kind of tough to sustain. I find it helpful to have a POV character to break in every few chapters but Williamson kept one POV character per chapter and some chapters were long and you didn't hear from a character every four chapters. The result of this is that sometimes you were pulled away from character whose story you were really engaged it to another that you could barely remember. This may have been more a problem for me as a I read a chapter a day.
The book ends on a cliffhanger, but I'd be wanting to read the second story anyway. I'm left with a quite a few plot questions.I hope to get cleared up.
The book combines some familiar elements that seem contradictory. For example, at age 40, all citizens are "liberated." This calls to mind, "Logan's Run" where alleged decline in resources led to everyone dying at 30 unless they were "renewed." Similarly the focus on forced pregnancy in the name of replenishing the population calls to my the Handmaid's Tale which was caused by declining birth rates. To see the two elements applied side by side is odd and I'm wondering what the reason for it is.
I'm also wanting to get a sense of who the people behind the curtain are. This is a big mystery that this book doesn't answer.
Still, as this is a series, Williamson will succeed well in the goal of any first book: gaining a captive audience for the next installments. I'll be eagerly awaiting Part Two.
November 27, 2019
Brilliant Book looking forward to Bk #2 already . . . full review to follow!
MY REVIEW
I received this one from Jill Williamson as the copy sent to me by Netgalley was on epub at that time. I received the book free in exchange for my honest review.
The cover represents the books really well. I would say the male on the cover is Levi, though the man could be one of the other young Glenrock males I suppose. I think of it being Levi when he gains access to the safelands, staring up at their large somewhat over powering buildings. I like covers tat I can place within the concept of the book. The fontand colours of the title, series name and author name all work well placed at the top of the cover.
Now to the book, I admit to being pulled in and hooked almost straight away. The first line of the blurb is a really big statement in relation to the book, as One Choice made by a young man disgruntled at his father appearing to love and care for him as much as his brother does bring disaster to the village of Glenrock. Omar is always being ridiculed by his father as weak and useless, preferring to paint and be artistic tan fighting and hunting for his family. In a temper one day Omar comes across a Safe Lander. Omar seems to think all is problems would be over if he lived in the Safe Lands. Life seems so easy over the other side of the great wall which surrounds the Safe Lands. A plan is hatched . . .Omar agrees a party of Safe Landers should come to his village and persuade the people at Glenrock to move to Safe Lands. In Omar's mind all this will happen in a friendly peacable manner, however his decision to give away the exact location of his village as tragic circumstances.
The Safe Landers come to Glenrock, but they don't speak peacefully they take the females and young men by force any of the older males that get in the way are shot and killed. Even the village elder.
Once inside the Safe Lands walls the whole story about Omar and the safelander's is made apparent. Obviously the young males and females held Captive resent Omar and see what he did as betrayal. The only hope is Levi. Levi was not captured, can he get into the Safe Lands and rescue them all?
There's so much more to this book, like the plague the Safelanders have, the reason they need the young males and the women to help them continue their existence. I really could go on and on about this book.
The characters I liked a lot are Jem and Levi, their true love for each other that lasts the whole way through the book, no matter what is happening to them. I also like one or two of the Safe Lander's such as Bender, Lonn and Ciddah the medic at the Highland Harem where the women are coerced to stay.
When reading this book a phrase came to mind "the grass is always greener on the other side" but will that be the case for all or in fact any of the Glenrock people.
So did I enjoy this book? Loved it, I really felt sucked right into the book, and really enjoyed it. Would I recommend this book? Yes, especially to those who love dystopian books. Would I read a BK#2? Yes please,I'd read Bk#2 now if I could! Will I read more by Jill Williamson? Yes, I have read one of her other books Replication which I also enjoyed lots too. So definitely will be looking out for more books by Jill!
MY REVIEW
I received this one from Jill Williamson as the copy sent to me by Netgalley was on epub at that time. I received the book free in exchange for my honest review.
The cover represents the books really well. I would say the male on the cover is Levi, though the man could be one of the other young Glenrock males I suppose. I think of it being Levi when he gains access to the safelands, staring up at their large somewhat over powering buildings. I like covers tat I can place within the concept of the book. The fontand colours of the title, series name and author name all work well placed at the top of the cover.
Now to the book, I admit to being pulled in and hooked almost straight away. The first line of the blurb is a really big statement in relation to the book, as One Choice made by a young man disgruntled at his father appearing to love and care for him as much as his brother does bring disaster to the village of Glenrock. Omar is always being ridiculed by his father as weak and useless, preferring to paint and be artistic tan fighting and hunting for his family. In a temper one day Omar comes across a Safe Lander. Omar seems to think all is problems would be over if he lived in the Safe Lands. Life seems so easy over the other side of the great wall which surrounds the Safe Lands. A plan is hatched . . .Omar agrees a party of Safe Landers should come to his village and persuade the people at Glenrock to move to Safe Lands. In Omar's mind all this will happen in a friendly peacable manner, however his decision to give away the exact location of his village as tragic circumstances.
The Safe Landers come to Glenrock, but they don't speak peacefully they take the females and young men by force any of the older males that get in the way are shot and killed. Even the village elder.
Once inside the Safe Lands walls the whole story about Omar and the safelander's is made apparent. Obviously the young males and females held Captive resent Omar and see what he did as betrayal. The only hope is Levi. Levi was not captured, can he get into the Safe Lands and rescue them all?
There's so much more to this book, like the plague the Safelanders have, the reason they need the young males and the women to help them continue their existence. I really could go on and on about this book.
The characters I liked a lot are Jem and Levi, their true love for each other that lasts the whole way through the book, no matter what is happening to them. I also like one or two of the Safe Lander's such as Bender, Lonn and Ciddah the medic at the Highland Harem where the women are coerced to stay.
When reading this book a phrase came to mind "the grass is always greener on the other side" but will that be the case for all or in fact any of the Glenrock people.
So did I enjoy this book? Loved it, I really felt sucked right into the book, and really enjoyed it. Would I recommend this book? Yes, especially to those who love dystopian books. Would I read a BK#2? Yes please,I'd read Bk#2 now if I could! Will I read more by Jill Williamson? Yes, I have read one of her other books Replication which I also enjoyed lots too. So definitely will be looking out for more books by Jill!
April 30, 2013
About the Book:
One choice could destroy them all. When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he'd find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed by enforcers, and many---including his fiancee, Jem--taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Land, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away to Denver City, but helping the enforcers was necessary.
Living off the land like nomads and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago ... and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar's dreams. Meanwhile, Jem is locked in a cell, awaiting the Safe Landers' plan to protect their future by seizing her own. Can Levi uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land's facade before it's too late?
About the Author:
Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to love books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Visit Jill online at www.jillwilliamson.com
My Review:
Imagine the year 2088, what would the world we live in be like? And how would Christianity survive it, if at all? Jill takes our minds and imaginations into what she thinks it will be like with her latest novel Captives from The Safe Lands Series. The main character in the book; Levi, is 18 years old and finds the village he lives in destroyed. At the same time there is a plague going on that involves people that have this dreadful disease to have very thin skin that you can literally see through.Yuck!
This book is packed to the gills with action and intrigue. It is a real page turner. For me and my daughter because we both read it, you just want to keep reading to see what is going to happen next. Levi has taken it upon himself to save whoever is left. I'm sure the fact is that Jem, his lady love is the driving force as to him facing the Enforcers to try and save as many as he can. Omar was trying to protect him by sending him away but now he may be in even more trouble. Tune in to see what happens next. I'm sure it will be a doozy.
**Disclosure** This book was provided by the author for my honest review.
One choice could destroy them all. When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he'd find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed by enforcers, and many---including his fiancee, Jem--taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Land, a walled city that seems anything but safe. Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away to Denver City, but helping the enforcers was necessary.
Living off the land like nomads and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago ... and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar's dreams. Meanwhile, Jem is locked in a cell, awaiting the Safe Landers' plan to protect their future by seizing her own. Can Levi uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land's facade before it's too late?
About the Author:
Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to love books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Visit Jill online at www.jillwilliamson.com
My Review:
Imagine the year 2088, what would the world we live in be like? And how would Christianity survive it, if at all? Jill takes our minds and imaginations into what she thinks it will be like with her latest novel Captives from The Safe Lands Series. The main character in the book; Levi, is 18 years old and finds the village he lives in destroyed. At the same time there is a plague going on that involves people that have this dreadful disease to have very thin skin that you can literally see through.Yuck!
This book is packed to the gills with action and intrigue. It is a real page turner. For me and my daughter because we both read it, you just want to keep reading to see what is going to happen next. Levi has taken it upon himself to save whoever is left. I'm sure the fact is that Jem, his lady love is the driving force as to him facing the Enforcers to try and save as many as he can. Omar was trying to protect him by sending him away but now he may be in even more trouble. Tune in to see what happens next. I'm sure it will be a doozy.
**Disclosure** This book was provided by the author for my honest review.
March 21, 2013
I recently finished reading "The Safe Lands Captives " by Jill Williamson. This is an upcoming release(on sale April 2, 2013) and it's publisher is Zondervan.
This is a futuristic/adventure teen novel. This book reminded me of The Lord of the Rings (without the Orks), The Hunger Games (instead of districts, there are villages and it is futuristic) and the movie "Gattica" (creating life with "perfect" surrogates/donors).
There is a perfect, utopia-like place called the Safe Lands where life is sugar-coated and appears to good to be true. The community has been cursed by the thin plague. In their attempts to not have their community wiped out, they have decided to look for healthy donors (males) and surrogates (females ) to keep their race going. They find someone from the Glenrock village who is willing to "sell-out" his village and his own family to have a better life. (Hmmm sounds like a traitor to me). In doing so, a rippling effect of deceipt, death, sin and corruption takes place. His family and friends are taken against their will and marked/ranked. They are entrapped and become prisoners in this sinful community. However, Levi and his family and friends they maintain their faith throughout the story. Will Levi save them~~his mother, his brother, his fiancee, his friends and other family members and the children??? What will it take to bring them to their freedom??
This book has a major cliff-hanger. It stopped just when I wanted it to keep going~~ I had all kinds of questions going on in my mind. Although this is a teen book I really enjoyed it. I will definetly seek out book 2 in the series.
I have to say, so many emotions and feelings were stirring in my mind. I know I was disturbed by how the people in the SafeLands are encouraged to use Stims~~yes, stimulants. I first thought, I would not want my teen to read this book, but as I read on I realized that it really is a story about good vs. evil. And, I felt they were being drugged for a purpose~~so they would no longer have control over themselves and their lives. They think it is just to have "fun." I think otherwise. What do you think??? Well, now, you have to read the book;-)
I do recommend this book to both adults and older teens.
This is a futuristic/adventure teen novel. This book reminded me of The Lord of the Rings (without the Orks), The Hunger Games (instead of districts, there are villages and it is futuristic) and the movie "Gattica" (creating life with "perfect" surrogates/donors).
There is a perfect, utopia-like place called the Safe Lands where life is sugar-coated and appears to good to be true. The community has been cursed by the thin plague. In their attempts to not have their community wiped out, they have decided to look for healthy donors (males) and surrogates (females ) to keep their race going. They find someone from the Glenrock village who is willing to "sell-out" his village and his own family to have a better life. (Hmmm sounds like a traitor to me). In doing so, a rippling effect of deceipt, death, sin and corruption takes place. His family and friends are taken against their will and marked/ranked. They are entrapped and become prisoners in this sinful community. However, Levi and his family and friends they maintain their faith throughout the story. Will Levi save them~~his mother, his brother, his fiancee, his friends and other family members and the children??? What will it take to bring them to their freedom??
This book has a major cliff-hanger. It stopped just when I wanted it to keep going~~ I had all kinds of questions going on in my mind. Although this is a teen book I really enjoyed it. I will definetly seek out book 2 in the series.
I have to say, so many emotions and feelings were stirring in my mind. I know I was disturbed by how the people in the SafeLands are encouraged to use Stims~~yes, stimulants. I first thought, I would not want my teen to read this book, but as I read on I realized that it really is a story about good vs. evil. And, I felt they were being drugged for a purpose~~so they would no longer have control over themselves and their lives. They think it is just to have "fun." I think otherwise. What do you think??? Well, now, you have to read the book;-)
I do recommend this book to both adults and older teens.
October 17, 2015
In this young adult dystopian novel, award-winning author Jill Williamson tells the story of how one brother's choice dramatically affects the lives of those around him.
In Captives (Safe Lands, The), three brothers live in a rural village outside the walls of the Safe Lands. The youngest, Omar, struggles to fit in, making him susceptible to the lies of a better life behind the walls. Mason dreams of becoming a doctor and helping others, while the eldest , Levi, eventually will follow in his father's footsteps as the elder.
Omar sends Levi on a wild goose chase while he helps the Safe Land enforcers take over the village. Promised wealth and power, Omar doesn't realize his choice will result in deaths and captivity. When Levi returns, he finds his fiancée, Mason, and others taken captives. Those who resisted, like their father, are dead. Levi vows to enter the Safe Lands and rescue them. Will he be able to rescue his beloved before it is too late?
The walled cities are built to protect people, but not necessarily families. With its citizens infected by a deadly disease, the government tries to increase the population by capturing uninfected males as donors and females as surrogates. When the villagers are captured, can they maintain their faith in the midst of their captivity? What will happen as they live among the pleasures and perceived freedoms of the Safe Lands?
Williamson is a master storyteller, setting the stage with fascinating storyline, excellent character and plot development, and a believable future world. Captives is based on Daniel 1, the Babylonian captivity, but set years in the future, after the world's population was decimated by a pandemic.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I am allowed to keep the ARC but not required to post a positive review. I liked it so much that I ordered a final copy to give to a friend!
In Captives (Safe Lands, The), three brothers live in a rural village outside the walls of the Safe Lands. The youngest, Omar, struggles to fit in, making him susceptible to the lies of a better life behind the walls. Mason dreams of becoming a doctor and helping others, while the eldest , Levi, eventually will follow in his father's footsteps as the elder.
Omar sends Levi on a wild goose chase while he helps the Safe Land enforcers take over the village. Promised wealth and power, Omar doesn't realize his choice will result in deaths and captivity. When Levi returns, he finds his fiancée, Mason, and others taken captives. Those who resisted, like their father, are dead. Levi vows to enter the Safe Lands and rescue them. Will he be able to rescue his beloved before it is too late?
The walled cities are built to protect people, but not necessarily families. With its citizens infected by a deadly disease, the government tries to increase the population by capturing uninfected males as donors and females as surrogates. When the villagers are captured, can they maintain their faith in the midst of their captivity? What will happen as they live among the pleasures and perceived freedoms of the Safe Lands?
Williamson is a master storyteller, setting the stage with fascinating storyline, excellent character and plot development, and a believable future world. Captives is based on Daniel 1, the Babylonian captivity, but set years in the future, after the world's population was decimated by a pandemic.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I am allowed to keep the ARC but not required to post a positive review. I liked it so much that I ordered a final copy to give to a friend!
March 28, 2013
: I enjoyed it even more than I’d hoped to! Previously I read Replication – that was while I was gone for the summer last year, so my blog never got a review, though GoodReads got a brief one. I didn’t love it, but was fascinated by it. But this one? Really good! I’ve read a couple of dystopian series, but this one promises to be my favorite – after all, it’s futuristic, but God is still in it! Indeed, it was very futuristic (2088) but also quite believable – yup, a little scary I’ve gotta admit. I found myself empathizing with the characters, and was quite caught up in the story! Though I had to put the book down multiple times, and sometimes was forced to go several days without reading, I was always able and eager to pick it up again.
There were also several literature/classic references that I caught, including: Princess Bride quotes and names (what’s not to love?), Anne of Green Gables quotes (so cool!), a reference to Anna and the King of Siam (a book I’ve read). Also, and I don’t know if this was coincidence or not, the woman who redesigns the woman who are in the city is named Tyra. Anyone who’s ever watched “America’s Next Top Model” will recognize that name as belonging to Tyra Banks, host of that show. Anyway, catching references like that always makes me happy.
The only thing that bothered me much/at all about this book was the horrible punctuation throughout. However, I’m 95% sure that this will all be fixed in the final edition – I received an ARC for review. Overall? I’d say anyone who enjoys dystopian and futuristic fiction should definitely give this book a try! And it’s cheap enough to buy too.
**Many thanks to Zondervan for sending me an ARC copy of this book in return for my honest review. I received no other compensation. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I wasn’t required to post a positive review.**
There were also several literature/classic references that I caught, including: Princess Bride quotes and names (what’s not to love?), Anne of Green Gables quotes (so cool!), a reference to Anna and the King of Siam (a book I’ve read). Also, and I don’t know if this was coincidence or not, the woman who redesigns the woman who are in the city is named Tyra. Anyone who’s ever watched “America’s Next Top Model” will recognize that name as belonging to Tyra Banks, host of that show. Anyway, catching references like that always makes me happy.
The only thing that bothered me much/at all about this book was the horrible punctuation throughout. However, I’m 95% sure that this will all be fixed in the final edition – I received an ARC for review. Overall? I’d say anyone who enjoys dystopian and futuristic fiction should definitely give this book a try! And it’s cheap enough to buy too.
**Many thanks to Zondervan for sending me an ARC copy of this book in return for my honest review. I received no other compensation. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I wasn’t required to post a positive review.**
July 27, 2016
From the moment I started reading CAPTIVES, I was glued to the page. I read it in a single day, staying up till midnight to finish because I just couldn't put it down. My favorite part of the book? Levi, without a doubt. He was such a wonderful character and he totally made the book for me. I want to go back and reread all the parts he's in.
CAPTIVES, book 1 of The Safe Lands, is the story of the rural villagers of Glenrock in a conflict with the Safe Lands--a high-tech city that uses the guise of paradise to thinly veil its twisted evils. Levi and his younger brother Mason (also a favorite of mine) must work against overwhelming odds to save the remnant of their people from the captivating walls that hold them prisoner.
Award-winning author Jill Williamson once more tells a gripping tale full of well-drawn characters in a fascinating setting, with heart-stopping action and suspense, as well as faith, romance, and humor. I am very eagerly awaiting all of her future books--they're definitely going to go on my shelf along with the quickly growing collection I already have. The more she writes, the happier I'll be.
Despite dystopian books not being my favorite (too scary for me) and having read only a few, I still liked CAPTIVES, and believe that fans of the dystopian genre will love it. I recommend this book to readers 18 and up who enjoy a suspenseful and well-told story that keeps the pages turning.
(I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.)
EDIT: I originally rated this 4 stars but I'm dropping the rating to 3 stars simply because Dystopian is NOT my thing, it was really scary, and a lot of it felt inappropriate for a "YA" book, to me at least. I'm sure other people probably don't mind though, so if you like Dystopian, give this one a try. :)
CAPTIVES, book 1 of The Safe Lands, is the story of the rural villagers of Glenrock in a conflict with the Safe Lands--a high-tech city that uses the guise of paradise to thinly veil its twisted evils. Levi and his younger brother Mason (also a favorite of mine) must work against overwhelming odds to save the remnant of their people from the captivating walls that hold them prisoner.
Award-winning author Jill Williamson once more tells a gripping tale full of well-drawn characters in a fascinating setting, with heart-stopping action and suspense, as well as faith, romance, and humor. I am very eagerly awaiting all of her future books--they're definitely going to go on my shelf along with the quickly growing collection I already have. The more she writes, the happier I'll be.
Despite dystopian books not being my favorite (too scary for me) and having read only a few, I still liked CAPTIVES, and believe that fans of the dystopian genre will love it. I recommend this book to readers 18 and up who enjoy a suspenseful and well-told story that keeps the pages turning.
(I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.)
EDIT: I originally rated this 4 stars but I'm dropping the rating to 3 stars simply because Dystopian is NOT my thing, it was really scary, and a lot of it felt inappropriate for a "YA" book, to me at least. I'm sure other people probably don't mind though, so if you like Dystopian, give this one a try. :)
April 14, 2014
Let me start off by saying I really respect Williamson and what she has been contributing to the Christian YA literature available. In many respects, she’s helped raise the bar for modern Christian teen fiction, which was drastically needed. Her writing is good. I just couldn’t get into this story. And I wouldn’t recommend this to just anyone. There are some rather mature themes in this book. I started reading it after a teen complained to me that it had too much sexual content and made him uncomfortable reading it. So I thought I should check it out. Let’s clarify one thing here. There are no sex scenes in this book, but the main plot does revolve around the inability of the majority of the modern population who live in the Safelands to produce health children (since pretty much everyone is infected with an STD), so the inhabitants of a remote village are brought in to help produce healthy offspring. The fertilization is done through artificial means, but the entire book does dance around the issues of sexuality and reproduction. Also, the Safelands inhabitants are all about having fun in any way possible, so alcohol, drugs, partying, and other “fun” things are very much a part of their culture. Williamson said this book was inspired by Daniel and his friends in Babylon. And I can see that, and how she is using this book to encourage readers to think about the fading pleasures of this life versus eternal things. Which is important. But it most definitely will not be the best choice for all readers. Know yourself or the teen your recommending this book to before getting it.
Notes on content: No language issues. See above for sexually related content and drug/alcohol use. There is a huge massacre at one point and several people are shot, with a couple deaths/wounds described. The Safelands police like to use tasers and they are used several times in the book.
Notes on content: No language issues. See above for sexually related content and drug/alcohol use. There is a huge massacre at one point and several people are shot, with a couple deaths/wounds described. The Safelands police like to use tasers and they are used several times in the book.
April 8, 2013
Have you ever read a book, and then struggled to decide if you liked it? After all, people died horribly and unimaginable suffering was visited upon the protagonists. You can't really walk away with a, "well that was fun!" And yet, you are glad you read the book...more than that, you are grateful. It reached down inside of you and forced you to deal with ideas and emotions you hope will never see the light of day outside the pages of a book. You come away stronger, more aware of yourself, your world, and your beliefs.
Captives was one of those books. It isn't a fun Sunday afternoon read. It isn't a book you go around summarizing easily. You remember trying to explain Hunger Games to someone the first time? "It's a book about a bunch of kids getting put into an arena to kill each other. Which they do." On the surface, the plot leaves you reeling. But of course, we're talking about the surface. The part that allows the real plot to function.
Captives is a hard book that doesn't really belong in the hands of younger readers. But because it is a hard story, it is a great story. So don't hand it to the ten year old who loved the Blood of Kings Trilogy. Read it yourself and grow from it. And look forward to someday working through it with a teenager who is asking the questions Captives makes you answer. How far is too far? Will having everything make me happy? Does the end justify the means? Can I save humanity if the price is my family?
My thanks to Jill Williamson for providing me with an ARC of Captives in return for my honest opinion of the book. For more about Captives and my full review of the book, check out my other internet home, http://lytherus.com/ where Jill is participating in the author spotlight feature with a giveaway, an interview, and a guest post.
Captives was one of those books. It isn't a fun Sunday afternoon read. It isn't a book you go around summarizing easily. You remember trying to explain Hunger Games to someone the first time? "It's a book about a bunch of kids getting put into an arena to kill each other. Which they do." On the surface, the plot leaves you reeling. But of course, we're talking about the surface. The part that allows the real plot to function.
Captives is a hard book that doesn't really belong in the hands of younger readers. But because it is a hard story, it is a great story. So don't hand it to the ten year old who loved the Blood of Kings Trilogy. Read it yourself and grow from it. And look forward to someday working through it with a teenager who is asking the questions Captives makes you answer. How far is too far? Will having everything make me happy? Does the end justify the means? Can I save humanity if the price is my family?
My thanks to Jill Williamson for providing me with an ARC of Captives in return for my honest opinion of the book. For more about Captives and my full review of the book, check out my other internet home, http://lytherus.com/ where Jill is participating in the author spotlight feature with a giveaway, an interview, and a guest post.
May 29, 2013
Compelling, but mature
Make no mistake, Captives is an extremely engaging book. In fact, so much so that I read it in two days flat, despite it being very long, around 800 pages.
It is a fast paced story too, there's never a dull moment, and never a shortage of conflict for the characters. They themselves are well-drawn and definitely likeable, even relatable. Each one is flawed in their own way, which somehow makes them even more loveable. My only problem was that I felt four main characters were too many, since I didn't get enough page-time with each.
The storyworld was also well-planned, if nothing particularily original. It took me a long time to oreintate myself in in it, however, because it was so complex and so different from the one we live in. When I did get to know it though, I could picture it clearly.
Now for my note of warning.
The content matter of the book is very mature. This is a society where almost everyone is on drugs and living a wild life, while forcing some others to bear all the nation's children. Though the author skips over the more 'sticky' scenes we still know these exist and that alone was enought to make me, as a teen, uncomfortable. For this reason, I would only recommend this book to those over 14, and even then with a word of caution. If you are alright with all this, do go on and read the book, if not, maybe it is not for you.
On all counts, this is an incredibly powerful book. It made me laugh, it kept me involved and it has left me thinking. Definitely worth trying.
Make no mistake, Captives is an extremely engaging book. In fact, so much so that I read it in two days flat, despite it being very long, around 800 pages.
It is a fast paced story too, there's never a dull moment, and never a shortage of conflict for the characters. They themselves are well-drawn and definitely likeable, even relatable. Each one is flawed in their own way, which somehow makes them even more loveable. My only problem was that I felt four main characters were too many, since I didn't get enough page-time with each.
The storyworld was also well-planned, if nothing particularily original. It took me a long time to oreintate myself in in it, however, because it was so complex and so different from the one we live in. When I did get to know it though, I could picture it clearly.
Now for my note of warning.
The content matter of the book is very mature. This is a society where almost everyone is on drugs and living a wild life, while forcing some others to bear all the nation's children. Though the author skips over the more 'sticky' scenes we still know these exist and that alone was enought to make me, as a teen, uncomfortable. For this reason, I would only recommend this book to those over 14, and even then with a word of caution. If you are alright with all this, do go on and read the book, if not, maybe it is not for you.
On all counts, this is an incredibly powerful book. It made me laugh, it kept me involved and it has left me thinking. Definitely worth trying.
April 20, 2013
The initial novel in Jill Williamson's "The Safe Lands" series, "Captives" introduces us to an alternate western US where a certain area called Safe Lands is infected by a plague that causes them to be sterile & unable to have children. The people from this land raid outlying areas for suitable women, men & children to grow this society. The main players in this book are Omar Strong who betrays his entire village for a chance at a legitimate wife & causes the village itself to suffer mass consequences, Levi who he & his fiancee Jemma become the center of this after their engagement while he's away & she gets taken, & Mason who ends up in the middle of this Harem to understand exactly what is going on. Williamson's story is part Christian fiction story with the simple ways of the people of the town of Glenrock & part distopian America story since we really as readers never exactly find out what caused the plague or how it began. Throughout this quick moving story we see moments of loyalty, love & an ability to fight change no matter the cost. The ending itself is even a bit of a twist that gives us a glimpse into where this series is likely headed next. Overall a nice entry into a series that has a lot more to reveal as to how & why this era exists.
June 6, 2013
Personal Opinion - The world was colorful and original and new, with new technology which was interesting and believable that one day we could get to that. The language was cool in how it changed from how we speak today. The characters were diverse and realistic, with real dreams and pains and struggles. There were a couple of times the character reactions didn't seem believable such as how they started enjoying the Safe Lands after being kidnapped, seen family killed and taken away, and told they will have children against their will yet don't fight too hard and eat the food and dress in their clothes. The pacing was good, moving a long and introducing the world pretty well as the story went. I found it a bit slow though but I can't seem to pin point what made it feel that way. Most of the reasons I come up with are all me so I'm leaning towards that is the reason. Still, Jill's books are good and this one was still interesting and the characters are good so I will be reading the next book in the Safe Lands series.
Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.
Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.
March 16, 2021
I loved this book! It's a fresh take on the Christian dystopian sub-genre. It poses thought-provoking and relevant questions without being preachy. That being said, much of the plot does revolve around differing views on intimate relationships in society. While it was handled quite tastefully, I would say that issue alone makes this a book suitable only for mature teens and up. (Like Christian speculative fiction? Check out full-length reviews and more at thebookhoundchristianspecfic.blogspot.com)
August 3, 2017
A solid dystopian from a Christian worldview. Nothing preachy, but the characters occasionally remember different verses and their lives are sometimes guided by them. At first I wasn't sure which character was the main one as we're introduced to several up front, but as the book progressed it becomes clear that all of them are important to the plot. Definitely the first book in a series as many aspects are left unresolved by book's end. Still satisfying though.
November 7, 2021
I thought Jill Williamson did a great job on this book. She gave good Christian views without preaching, and showed very clearly what our world is headed for if we don't start changing the way we live.
December 9, 2013
Full Review Soon.
February 11, 2020
Good story. For some reason, I like dystopians that deal with medical stuff. I don't have it completely straight who's related to who, but I was still able to enjoy it without being too confused. And I loved the Princess Bride references. :D And Omar. I want to slug that guy. Not for younger readers, due to subject matter, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews