“What started as a nuclear war destroyed your civilization, along with most of the planet… out of that war came my world.”
Welcome to Elusis. The new world - post nuclear war. Where perfection is everything, being different is shamed, and the people of the old world are being awakened hundreds of years later to a very different existence. This book hooked me from the very first page and held onto me until the last word. It is Sci-fi/fantasy so perfectly done. Are we sure this is a debut author? Just brilliant.
THE WORLD
You are immediately thrown into the story with Kansis awakening a pod, Amelia, and explaining the new world they live in and why life is structured so differently from before. This world the author has built is fascinating. No detail was spared to help you understand and fully immerse yourself into it. The way the different territories are divided with specific physical features differentiating the people in each one - different hair colors! So cool! I also loved how the new world, Elusis, took things of the old world and attempted to make them “better” and more functional. There idea of love and matching people together through blood was very unique and made for a great part of the story. One of my favorite details is all of the unique “gifts” people have. The future world is different, but you can totally see how the leadership would come to make these decisions based on the failings of our world now - sci-fi at its finest!
THE CHARACTERS
I LOVED all of the characters - more specifically, Kansis. She is the underdog and you can’t help but root for her. I felt like her big sister cheering her on (and getting really pissed at her too) the entire book. The dialogue between her and her subconscious is amazing! I found myself actually laughing out loud multiple times during these scenes. Amelia is fascinating! I cannot figure her out. Between how she is now versus what she is like in the flashbacks has you constantly questioning her motives. I have no words for Aker - my eyes are rolling as I type his name. Pypen is the loyal friend we all wish we had. The Aevii are nutty and creepy! I can’t wait to learn more about Flister and Oaken and all of the immortal leadership. There are just too many phenomenal characters to name, but I’ll end with my favorite - Scout. SCOUT! What a guy. I loved him right from the beginning. He can do no wrong in my eyes. The author wrote his personality perfectly. Oh and what I wouldn’t give to spend a day as part of the Unopened Gifts Circus!
THE STORY
What I loved about the story as a whole is that it is extremely unique - in the best way! Dystopian worlds are a common theme for sci-fi books, yet this is a plot I have not come across. I sometimes don’t like hopping around different characters in each chapter or having flashbacks, but this book was an example of it being done the right way. The story flowed from one thing to another flawlessly. Being taken back in time didn’t disrupt the story, it added to it. The author’s creativity really shines. It is a very immersive reading experience. Every time I had to set the book down, I could not wait to pick it back up and get back into the Elusian world. Each page had me craving for more, wanting to know what was going to happen. And THAT ENDING. Wow, just so good.
This is a book I will not soon forget. The characters and story will stay with me. My only criticism is that the second book is not out yet for me to read! Can’t wait to continue the series!