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Escape the Machine
Clara's mission behind enemy lines is over, but danger follows her home.
Young Clara and Hawk are lauded as the heroes who ended the war. Their victory has proven once-and-for-all that traditionally conceived people are on the path to extinction, while the genetically engineered are destined to rule the world. However, Clara has come to know the downside of biotechnology and wonders if she did the right thing.
Tired of being in the public eye, and having to guard her every word, she’s ready for life to return to normal. Then the secret she’s been hiding resurfaces, threatening to pull her into a conspiracy to overthrow the government.
On her own, without anyone to lean on, she lives in fear that her traitorous heart will be her downfall. So when an anarchist offers her a way out in exchange for information, she’s tempted to go. But government spies lurk in the shadows, and Luddite rebels have vowed to kill her and Hawk, making escape feel like suicide. Will Clara stay or risk making the dash toward freedom?
Young Clara and Hawk are lauded as the heroes who ended the war. Their victory has proven once-and-for-all that traditionally conceived people are on the path to extinction, while the genetically engineered are destined to rule the world. However, Clara has come to know the downside of biotechnology and wonders if she did the right thing.
Tired of being in the public eye, and having to guard her every word, she’s ready for life to return to normal. Then the secret she’s been hiding resurfaces, threatening to pull her into a conspiracy to overthrow the government.
On her own, without anyone to lean on, she lives in fear that her traitorous heart will be her downfall. So when an anarchist offers her a way out in exchange for information, she’s tempted to go. But government spies lurk in the shadows, and Luddite rebels have vowed to kill her and Hawk, making escape feel like suicide. Will Clara stay or risk making the dash toward freedom?
246 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2017
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
C.D. Verhoff
7 books127 followersI live in rural Ohio with my husband and our two teenagers. I've worn many hats over the course of my life, including: retail clerk, elementary school teacher, medical lab processor, registered rep in insurance and finance. My reading tastes are eclectic, but when I write my own stories they usually contain elements of fantasy, science fiction or the paranormal. Thank you for stopping by.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 20, 2017
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Escape the Machine begins right where we left off with our stunning protagonists Clara and Hawke trying to navigate their newfound celebrity status. But Clara can’t shake off the sinking feeling that saving Avantica was a horrible mistake. No longer blinded by her nation’s propaganda she finally see’s her country for what it truly is.
The first half of the book progressed at a slow pace which sometimes made it hard to stay focused on the plot especially after leaving off on a very climactic point in the first book. Instead of the fast-paced action, I was used to in Resist the Machine, the sequel instead focused on world building and conspiracies. However, the pace definitely kicks into action as the book comes to a close. Several climactic moments become entwined at once which truly represented the utter chaos that has taken over Clara’s life.
I was absolutely thrilled to delve deeper into Avantica’s world building. I love how Verhoff strays from the usual narrative of a society of perfect clones. Although there are many clones who possess ideal beauty (such as Clara herself) there are plenty people from other castes who possess abnormalities such as extra arms, or even antlers.
I also absolutely adore the vast diversity represented in her series. POC and LGBT characters are always present and essential to the plot-line. As an LGBT kid myself it was the most exhilarating moment to discover that Clara is bisexual. I’m rarely exposed to LGBT protagonists in fiction that is not strictly about being LGBT. I love how normalized it is.
I must give a huge thank you to C.D. Verhoff for giving me the opportunity to read the second installment in the Avant Nation series. Not only was I very excited to continue this dystopian rollercoaster- but this book got me out of a 4 month long reading slump. You have no idea how important that is for me. I am beyond thankful for that.
Escape the Machine begins right where we left off with our stunning protagonists Clara and Hawke trying to navigate their newfound celebrity status. But Clara can’t shake off the sinking feeling that saving Avantica was a horrible mistake. No longer blinded by her nation’s propaganda she finally see’s her country for what it truly is.
The first half of the book progressed at a slow pace which sometimes made it hard to stay focused on the plot especially after leaving off on a very climactic point in the first book. Instead of the fast-paced action, I was used to in Resist the Machine, the sequel instead focused on world building and conspiracies. However, the pace definitely kicks into action as the book comes to a close. Several climactic moments become entwined at once which truly represented the utter chaos that has taken over Clara’s life.
I was absolutely thrilled to delve deeper into Avantica’s world building. I love how Verhoff strays from the usual narrative of a society of perfect clones. Although there are many clones who possess ideal beauty (such as Clara herself) there are plenty people from other castes who possess abnormalities such as extra arms, or even antlers.
I also absolutely adore the vast diversity represented in her series. POC and LGBT characters are always present and essential to the plot-line. As an LGBT kid myself it was the most exhilarating moment to discover that Clara is bisexual. I’m rarely exposed to LGBT protagonists in fiction that is not strictly about being LGBT. I love how normalized it is.
I must give a huge thank you to C.D. Verhoff for giving me the opportunity to read the second installment in the Avant Nation series. Not only was I very excited to continue this dystopian rollercoaster- but this book got me out of a 4 month long reading slump. You have no idea how important that is for me. I am beyond thankful for that.
September 14, 2017
This one was even more fun than the first one. Clara is now an international celebrity (not that she wants to be) and, as a result, is living with Hawk in a posh penthouse apartment at the government's expense. However, she is also being dragged deeper into a conspiracy to overthrow the Avant way of life -- which is only made trickier by her high social profile. As things get gnarlier than ever, several new twists drive her into more and more dangerous situations, and she finds herself more and more odds with her in utero brainwashing. No spoilers here, but I'll just say that readers will have to wait until Book 3 to see Clara save the world (as I've no doubt she will do).
December 2, 2017
After reading the first book in this series I was undecided whether to read this one. I looked on Amazon and saw this was a two book series so decided to go ahead. Unfortunately, Amazon's listing was wrong. This is part of a trilogy, however the 3rd book in the trilogy is not expected to be finished until Winter 2018. I am very disappointed that I read this book because it ends quite unsatisfyingly and I will most likely never read the third when it comes out.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews