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The Remnants
Germany has defeated the Allies, won WWII in Europe and cleansed the territory of undesirables. Yet the war in the Far East still wages on. Welcome to the future of Germania.
16-year-old Stella Engel has lived her entire life in a sheltered, but comfortable middle class existence within the Reich where she has made lifelong friends and fostered her love of science. For most of her childhood, she has hoped to grow up to serve the Reich as a doctor. Her high achievements have earned her a place at the annual Eugenics Competition, where only the best and brightest students in science are invited to compete, securing their future in a high ranking medical school. However, her trip is marred when her best friend Pia, and Pia's entire family suddenly, go missing. After searching for her friend to no avail, something even stranger happens: the Eugenics Competition is interrupted by the mass arrest of all of the contestants. They are now under suspicion of carrying "dirty" genes, or the genes of those the Reich has convinced the public have long been eradicated. Stella's mother helps her manage to flee from the SS temporarily, where Stella learns that nothing in the Reich is as it seems; and that includes Stella herself.
16-year-old Stella Engel has lived her entire life in a sheltered, but comfortable middle class existence within the Reich where she has made lifelong friends and fostered her love of science. For most of her childhood, she has hoped to grow up to serve the Reich as a doctor. Her high achievements have earned her a place at the annual Eugenics Competition, where only the best and brightest students in science are invited to compete, securing their future in a high ranking medical school. However, her trip is marred when her best friend Pia, and Pia's entire family suddenly, go missing. After searching for her friend to no avail, something even stranger happens: the Eugenics Competition is interrupted by the mass arrest of all of the contestants. They are now under suspicion of carrying "dirty" genes, or the genes of those the Reich has convinced the public have long been eradicated. Stella's mother helps her manage to flee from the SS temporarily, where Stella learns that nothing in the Reich is as it seems; and that includes Stella herself.
296 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2014
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1164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 14, 2016
I won this book as a goodreads giveaway and it took several months to receive it. By the time I received it, it was on the bottom of my list, so I just now had the chance to read it.
I really debated how to rate this book. On the one hand, I really admire authors who self publish and I really appreciate the opportunity to win books through giveaways.
First, let me say that the plot/story idea was great. Five stars. Part of me does hope that Scanlon continues the series.
However, the production quality of the book is absolutely terrible. It's so terrible that I'm not sure I could bring myself to try another of Scanlon's books. There are multiple typos per page, words used incorrectly (as in, I think the author thinks they mean something they don't actually mean), punctuation errors, etc. The formatting is also totally off the wall. What boggles my mind is that she has a 5 star plot and these things that distract from the greatness of the story so much could have been fixed by hiring the right professionals to polish the book before publishing.
With all that said, I really can't recommend the book in its current form. I hope that the author will revisit the book and publish a second edition where the actual story can shine through much better.
I really debated how to rate this book. On the one hand, I really admire authors who self publish and I really appreciate the opportunity to win books through giveaways.
First, let me say that the plot/story idea was great. Five stars. Part of me does hope that Scanlon continues the series.
However, the production quality of the book is absolutely terrible. It's so terrible that I'm not sure I could bring myself to try another of Scanlon's books. There are multiple typos per page, words used incorrectly (as in, I think the author thinks they mean something they don't actually mean), punctuation errors, etc. The formatting is also totally off the wall. What boggles my mind is that she has a 5 star plot and these things that distract from the greatness of the story so much could have been fixed by hiring the right professionals to polish the book before publishing.
With all that said, I really can't recommend the book in its current form. I hope that the author will revisit the book and publish a second edition where the actual story can shine through much better.
December 19, 2015
Alternate history..
So, Nazi Germany won the war, but they still can't wipe out the Jews, or make 16 year-old girls less dumb.
This was actually kind of interesting, but there were too many grammar issues and fuzzy details to rate another star. The main character, Stella, is just your average teenage Nazi girl, who is smart, but never questions the bulls!#! that she's been taught her whole life. She thinks it's a good thing to always be at war, and that wiping out millions that aren't of pure German ancestry is just fine.
Then she finds out that she is a remnant, that she has Jewish blood. She has to go on the run, and that's where the story begins to unravel.
The descriptions of Germania are very clear, but the people and landscape outside is blurred. The people outside take her right in, despite her insulting behavior. Perhaps the author wanted it to seem more dreamlike, but it kind of lost me there.
Results: ok for teens and young adults, but maybe too formulaic for older adults.
So, Nazi Germany won the war, but they still can't wipe out the Jews, or make 16 year-old girls less dumb.
This was actually kind of interesting, but there were too many grammar issues and fuzzy details to rate another star. The main character, Stella, is just your average teenage Nazi girl, who is smart, but never questions the bulls!#! that she's been taught her whole life. She thinks it's a good thing to always be at war, and that wiping out millions that aren't of pure German ancestry is just fine.
Then she finds out that she is a remnant, that she has Jewish blood. She has to go on the run, and that's where the story begins to unravel.
The descriptions of Germania are very clear, but the people and landscape outside is blurred. The people outside take her right in, despite her insulting behavior. Perhaps the author wanted it to seem more dreamlike, but it kind of lost me there.
Results: ok for teens and young adults, but maybe too formulaic for older adults.
February 26, 2016
YA alternate history in which Germany won the war, takes place about 100 years after WWII. Germany is still trying to take over the world, but constant wars and their internal policies have left things in bad shape. The cities have tech and innovations, while the countryside is primitive. Cities are fenced off and guarded.
16 year old Stella is hoping to be a doctor, and is very excited to be chosen for a competition by the Eugenics board. But it turns out to lead her to learn about her own true heritage and the realstate of things in the country where she was raised.
Stella is a somewhat unlikable narrator at points because of her racist and entitled views, but it fits with her growing up in Germania. By the end of the book she is showing growth that will hopefully continue through the series.
Book does need an editor, but I enjoyed the story enough to keep reading.
16 year old Stella is hoping to be a doctor, and is very excited to be chosen for a competition by the Eugenics board. But it turns out to lead her to learn about her own true heritage and the realstate of things in the country where she was raised.
Stella is a somewhat unlikable narrator at points because of her racist and entitled views, but it fits with her growing up in Germania. By the end of the book she is showing growth that will hopefully continue through the series.
Book does need an editor, but I enjoyed the story enough to keep reading.
July 25, 2015
I started reading this book and in the beginning I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to read as it appeared to be glorifying the Reich but that changed as the book progressed. I was a very informative and surprising book that showed how easily young people can be brainwashed. I really enjoyed it and would have awarded 5 stars if it wasn't for the typos and grammar errors. I am a big fan of Anna Scanlon her books are so totally unique I am not sure what genre they belong in maybe we should make a special one for her. This is the 3rd book I have read and have really enjoyed every one. I am eagerly awaiting follow on books.
August 17, 2015
A novel read. I've never read a book with this kind of storyline. Set in the near future after Hitler won WWII.
This story follows a teenage girl living in a very different Germany, a Germany after Adolf Hitler one the war where Eugenics is a vital part of society.
A fast paced, easy read, that keeps your attention till the last page. The characters are not overly deep or well described but you don't care as you want to keep reading.
This story follows a teenage girl living in a very different Germany, a Germany after Adolf Hitler one the war where Eugenics is a vital part of society.
A fast paced, easy read, that keeps your attention till the last page. The characters are not overly deep or well described but you don't care as you want to keep reading.
January 2, 2016
Brilliant
There are a few errors in the text. If that kind of thing bothers you enough to disparage the writing, don't bother reading this. If, however, you look to the originality, the life stories that can be told through this medium, then read!!!
There are a few errors in the text. If that kind of thing bothers you enough to disparage the writing, don't bother reading this. If, however, you look to the originality, the life stories that can be told through this medium, then read!!!
January 5, 2016
The first 75% was solid and a good story line but like many books the story gets out of focus towards the end and fails to maintain a realistic end game. It was also surprising to read so many missed editing opportunities and what appeared to be typos. I would say it may be best for young adults.
April 26, 2016
Quick easy read
This made me think of what could have happened. What could still happen. It is scary to think of a future that is like the one encountered in this story
This made me think of what could have happened. What could still happen. It is scary to think of a future that is like the one encountered in this story
December 26, 2016
Interesting concept: what if Hitler won the war? But has some issues brought up that I did not agree with at all. Besides that, well written. But not a book I'd recommend reading.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews