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The Eden Saga #1
Saving Eden
Sixteen-year-old Angela and her father are the last survivors on earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But staying in the garden sure gets lonely.
When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, his presence upheavals everything she knew about the world. She dares to leave her garden for the first time to find a better home.
In the authoritarian society that she finds the line between man and mutant is murkier than she expected. Her father is danger, and the men tasked with protecting the settlement are extremely fond of murder. With their lives on the line, can Angela create one last happy ending in a hopeless world?
Fans of dystopian societies, post-apocalyptic futures, diverse characters, fantasy, and coming-of-age adventures with heart will fall in love with this post-apocalyptic fairy tale.
When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, his presence upheavals everything she knew about the world. She dares to leave her garden for the first time to find a better home.
In the authoritarian society that she finds the line between man and mutant is murkier than she expected. Her father is danger, and the men tasked with protecting the settlement are extremely fond of murder. With their lives on the line, can Angela create one last happy ending in a hopeless world?
Fans of dystopian societies, post-apocalyptic futures, diverse characters, fantasy, and coming-of-age adventures with heart will fall in love with this post-apocalyptic fairy tale.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2019
101 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
May 15, 2020
Post- apocalyptic, dystopian, YA romance.
The story started out a little slow but picked up eventually. Angela is a mutant teen, living with her father in an isolated garden. She had never seen anyone else in their world since her childhood but had always wondered about life beyond the wall. One day she accidentally met a boy, Jesse, and she impulsively abandoned her father and secretly followed Jesse to the world beyond.
This book was a quick, clean, YA romance with promise of adventure and discovery. While I didn't appreciate that Angela chose to abandon her father for a stranger she knew nothing about, it was an interesting experience.
The story started out a little slow but picked up eventually. Angela is a mutant teen, living with her father in an isolated garden. She had never seen anyone else in their world since her childhood but had always wondered about life beyond the wall. One day she accidentally met a boy, Jesse, and she impulsively abandoned her father and secretly followed Jesse to the world beyond.
This book was a quick, clean, YA romance with promise of adventure and discovery. While I didn't appreciate that Angela chose to abandon her father for a stranger she knew nothing about, it was an interesting experience.
December 11, 2021
An intriguing and highly entertaining dystopian/post-apocalyptic coming-of-age story that I really loved.
Saving Eden is one of those books that you just don't want to put down. With an intriguing premise, set on the background of a nicely drawn world and starring easy to root for likeable characters, this is one of those tales that would be perfect as a movie. I'm serious people. I really think it would be a hit.
It's both fast paced, as well as nicely flowing, with a constantly upping tension and a sweet clean romance. And even though it isn't quite perfect, it has that irresistible something that's bound to draw any reader in - young and old alike.
I read it in one sitting and will be definitely picking up the rest in the series too.
Saving Eden is one of those books that you just don't want to put down. With an intriguing premise, set on the background of a nicely drawn world and starring easy to root for likeable characters, this is one of those tales that would be perfect as a movie. I'm serious people. I really think it would be a hit.
It's both fast paced, as well as nicely flowing, with a constantly upping tension and a sweet clean romance. And even though it isn't quite perfect, it has that irresistible something that's bound to draw any reader in - young and old alike.
I read it in one sitting and will be definitely picking up the rest in the series too.
February 3, 2025
2018 52 Book Challenge - 6) A Science Fiction Novel
This was a very fast paced dystopian novel. It was so fast paced that it didn't really flesh out what the issues in society were, except that BioWars had happened and the human race had been at least halved, and the American Government had tightened restrictions. I enjoyed it, I just wish that it had been a bit more fleshed out.
The characters suffered from the same fast paced treatment, as we got their names and something they were good at, and then nothing more than that.
That being said, I did enjoy the book, and I did find it interesting, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was a very fast paced dystopian novel. It was so fast paced that it didn't really flesh out what the issues in society were, except that BioWars had happened and the human race had been at least halved, and the American Government had tightened restrictions. I enjoyed it, I just wish that it had been a bit more fleshed out.
The characters suffered from the same fast paced treatment, as we got their names and something they were good at, and then nothing more than that.
That being said, I did enjoy the book, and I did find it interesting, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 28, 2019
If you love dystopian adventures, then this is the book for you! Saving Eden was a great read, quick for an adult, and perfect for the young adult group!
Teenage Angela has spent her whole life sheltered from what's left of the end of the world. Like most teenagers, she longs to see what else is out there! You'll be drawn in and excited about the development of her story as she becomes more aware of the outside world and her own inner world.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I found the story to be quick, easy to jump into, containing just the right amount of information without being overly wordy. Just as I began to wonder about the plot, the author revealed the exact information I was wanting.
I look forward to the next installment to find out if Angela's dystopia has a happy ever after!
Teenage Angela has spent her whole life sheltered from what's left of the end of the world. Like most teenagers, she longs to see what else is out there! You'll be drawn in and excited about the development of her story as she becomes more aware of the outside world and her own inner world.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I found the story to be quick, easy to jump into, containing just the right amount of information without being overly wordy. Just as I began to wonder about the plot, the author revealed the exact information I was wanting.
I look forward to the next installment to find out if Angela's dystopia has a happy ever after!
December 24, 2019
In my humble opinion, it’s pretty great!
December 28, 2020
Saving Eden is book is about a sixteen year old girl named Angela who lives with her father far from civilization in a garden paradise because they are the last survivors on earth. At least that’s what Angela is led to believe. All of that becomes challenged when she meets a seventeen year old boy stealing food from their garden. At that point, she realizes there must be some world beyond the confines of her garden, as she seeks to find out what that world might be. 👀
First of all, I don’t wanna be cliche by saying that I love the Black girl representation in this dystopian, but it literally is true to how I felt after reading. There are very few YA dystopians out there with Black leads, so THANK YOU to the author for filling that void on our bookshelves. It was so effortless too — the book didn’t scream “HEY, HELLO, I’m a black girl in this wonky world!” That wasn’t the focus of the story, yet the descriptions of the lead would definitely help young Black readers feel included and represented while reading. Big points here.
Now onto the meat of the story, I’d specifically like to speak on the plot/storyline and the characters. The plot was unique and it kept me interested throughout as I wanted to know how she was going to discover the world outside of her own with little to know knowledge about how life outside of her garden works. It felt like I was on this adventure with her. The descriptions of both worlds were well done!
The characters in the new world were also fantastic. Each had their own unique personality that were easily distinguishable, and I remembered each of them because of how they were characterized.
One thing I did want to be fleshed out a little more was Angela’s relationship with Jesse, since the book has a romance touch. I loved their budding relationship, particularly in the beginning, so I just personally wanted to spend more time with them. However, I do know Jesse had other motives and when he met Angela, and I don’t want to spoil it, so I hope their relationship can be more fleshed out and expanded in the sequel.
There were some areas of the book where the narration told/revealed information that the reader already did/could have figured out on their own without the narration outright telling it. For example, “Freedom had likely ordered Jesse to find her.” This had already been implied through the author’s brilliant writing of Jesse’s actions, through revealing information about her mother, and Angela discovering her powers. So the narration telling us that piece of information really weakened the previous techniques used to help the reader come to that conclusion by themselves. (P.S.: I fall in this trap too as a writer quite a bit ... it’s hard not to do🤦🏾♀️)
Overall, this is a good middle grade, positive, coming of age young adult read. Especially for Black YA readers. It’s clean, engaging, quick read, and has a fun storyline. Check it out! 💖
First of all, I don’t wanna be cliche by saying that I love the Black girl representation in this dystopian, but it literally is true to how I felt after reading. There are very few YA dystopians out there with Black leads, so THANK YOU to the author for filling that void on our bookshelves. It was so effortless too — the book didn’t scream “HEY, HELLO, I’m a black girl in this wonky world!” That wasn’t the focus of the story, yet the descriptions of the lead would definitely help young Black readers feel included and represented while reading. Big points here.
Now onto the meat of the story, I’d specifically like to speak on the plot/storyline and the characters. The plot was unique and it kept me interested throughout as I wanted to know how she was going to discover the world outside of her own with little to know knowledge about how life outside of her garden works. It felt like I was on this adventure with her. The descriptions of both worlds were well done!
The characters in the new world were also fantastic. Each had their own unique personality that were easily distinguishable, and I remembered each of them because of how they were characterized.
One thing I did want to be fleshed out a little more was Angela’s relationship with Jesse, since the book has a romance touch. I loved their budding relationship, particularly in the beginning, so I just personally wanted to spend more time with them. However, I do know Jesse had other motives and when he met Angela, and I don’t want to spoil it, so I hope their relationship can be more fleshed out and expanded in the sequel.
There were some areas of the book where the narration told/revealed information that the reader already did/could have figured out on their own without the narration outright telling it. For example, “Freedom had likely ordered Jesse to find her.” This had already been implied through the author’s brilliant writing of Jesse’s actions, through revealing information about her mother, and Angela discovering her powers. So the narration telling us that piece of information really weakened the previous techniques used to help the reader come to that conclusion by themselves. (P.S.: I fall in this trap too as a writer quite a bit ... it’s hard not to do🤦🏾♀️)
Overall, this is a good middle grade, positive, coming of age young adult read. Especially for Black YA readers. It’s clean, engaging, quick read, and has a fun storyline. Check it out! 💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
I received an ARC and I am so happy that I did because this is such a great book! The main character, Angela, is reminiscent of Rapunzel in her dreaming of what exists beyond the garden she's grown up in. Her imagination and dreams are inspired by the fairy tales her father has read to her throughout her life. However, Angela can't help but to wonder what else the world has to offer her. A fairy tale meets a dystopian landscape where everyone is just searching for their own happy ending.
This story is fast paced and moves from scene to scene without dwelling too long on details. I, for one, really like nitty gritty details and so this book gets four stars from me.
This story is fast paced and moves from scene to scene without dwelling too long on details. I, for one, really like nitty gritty details and so this book gets four stars from me.
December 31, 2019
After reading this book, I wanted to write and post this review to share my honest experiences toward the story.
This is a fast paced and enjoyable post-apocalyptic read. Angela lives in a little home with her father, and she believes they are the last two people alive on earth. Her father tells her stories, and while confined to her garden paradise, she remains unaware that contaminants have caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts. That is, until a boy finds his way into her garden with news of a thriving community.
This is an amazing tale filled with adventure, questioning what is right and wrong, and self development, with a Garden of Eden reference. I really enjoyed reading this post-apocalyptic fairy tale.
This is a fast paced and enjoyable post-apocalyptic read. Angela lives in a little home with her father, and she believes they are the last two people alive on earth. Her father tells her stories, and while confined to her garden paradise, she remains unaware that contaminants have caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts. That is, until a boy finds his way into her garden with news of a thriving community.
This is an amazing tale filled with adventure, questioning what is right and wrong, and self development, with a Garden of Eden reference. I really enjoyed reading this post-apocalyptic fairy tale.
January 1, 2020
"But the real world has teeth, and its sickness reaches far beyond the aftermath of war."
As a debut novel, I have to say that this story is intriguing! I found myself swept up in the story, curious to know what Angela would discover next, and also interested to see just how much the real world had changed. I'm looking forward to book 2!
As a debut novel, I have to say that this story is intriguing! I found myself swept up in the story, curious to know what Angela would discover next, and also interested to see just how much the real world had changed. I'm looking forward to book 2!
December 28, 2019
I received an ARC. I loved it. Saving Eden is a sweet mix of post-apoc/dystopian, fantasy & romance. The characters are well developed and as a northern Illinois girl I loved the Chi-town setting. While this would be a wonderful stand-alone novel, I would love to see a sequel.
January 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who likes post apocalyptic adventures. The characters are likable and the world is unique and the storyline is engaging.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 31, 2020
Angela’s Adventure
What is better than having hope? Making it happen. Angela is unschooled and living with her dad in a 30 acre Eden. All the way through this story she is challenged in her quest to make the world a better place. Family is an important part of the story. As is the wardens killing anyone different. I really enjoyed the ending. It was a very positive look at a dystopia.
What is better than having hope? Making it happen. Angela is unschooled and living with her dad in a 30 acre Eden. All the way through this story she is challenged in her quest to make the world a better place. Family is an important part of the story. As is the wardens killing anyone different. I really enjoyed the ending. It was a very positive look at a dystopia.
March 16, 2020
I couldn't put this story down. It was fast-paced and the author had me guessing till the end. I usually don't read dystopian novels, but I really enjoyed this one. I definitely recommend it to others!
July 15, 2020
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. I won a giveaway hosted by the author.
I listened to Saving Eden on Audible and I read it by using KindleUnlimited. Saving Eden was such a wonderful and enjoyable listen and read for me.
First, I have to say that I enjoyed the narrator's singing and her overall narration of this story! I appreciate the authenticity for her actually singing the songs. I like and appreciate the small things like that.
This as a story about a teen named Angela, who is living with her father in this forest oasis or their own "Eden" after the world has became a dystopian wasteland due to a virus and wars.
Angela has grown up to believe that her father and her are the last of humankind. She loves fairytales and has been very sheltered. She doesn’t know how to read or write but knows how to read music and play the piano. Her father is very over protective. One night she sneaks out and finds a backpack and sees a human shape. She keeps it’s from her dad and eventually meets the boy.
After he tells her that he’s part of the rebellion/resistance fighting against the Watch in Chicago she decides to go with him. I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say that this was a quick, delightful read. I love how the author was describing the characters. I hope for the next book that we get more interaction or information about the Watch.
I found it funny when she was asking him many questions due to her naivety and being sheltered. I enjoyed the story and it flowed well, wasn't too predictable but I was able to see where the story could be going. I can't wait to read and listen to the next book. I hope the same narrator will be used.
5/5 read/listen :)
I listened to Saving Eden on Audible and I read it by using KindleUnlimited. Saving Eden was such a wonderful and enjoyable listen and read for me.
First, I have to say that I enjoyed the narrator's singing and her overall narration of this story! I appreciate the authenticity for her actually singing the songs. I like and appreciate the small things like that.
This as a story about a teen named Angela, who is living with her father in this forest oasis or their own "Eden" after the world has became a dystopian wasteland due to a virus and wars.
Angela has grown up to believe that her father and her are the last of humankind. She loves fairytales and has been very sheltered. She doesn’t know how to read or write but knows how to read music and play the piano. Her father is very over protective. One night she sneaks out and finds a backpack and sees a human shape. She keeps it’s from her dad and eventually meets the boy.
After he tells her that he’s part of the rebellion/resistance fighting against the Watch in Chicago she decides to go with him. I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say that this was a quick, delightful read. I love how the author was describing the characters. I hope for the next book that we get more interaction or information about the Watch.
I found it funny when she was asking him many questions due to her naivety and being sheltered. I enjoyed the story and it flowed well, wasn't too predictable but I was able to see where the story could be going. I can't wait to read and listen to the next book. I hope the same narrator will be used.
5/5 read/listen :)
January 26, 2020
This is a fantastic, YA post-apocalyptic read! Wonderful world building, a great storyline, and an extremely likeable main character (not to mention the gorgeous cover)! I enjoyed it thoroughly!
May 4, 2020
Enjoyable YA
I was pleased to find a dystopian story that had something of a hopeful tone. Well written and fun to read. If you need post-humans in your life, this is for you!
I was pleased to find a dystopian story that had something of a hopeful tone. Well written and fun to read. If you need post-humans in your life, this is for you!
November 30, 2020
Awesome Series
I totally loved this story. I got acquainted with the characters through the authors words. I hope this story isn't over yet. I was awesome
I totally loved this story. I got acquainted with the characters through the authors words. I hope this story isn't over yet. I was awesome
September 21, 2020
Dandelions and hope.
Looking forward to the second book in this series very much. A gem of a book with a powerful message of hope. Don’t discount the dandelions in this world. Don’t trample them underfoot. Mutant/diversity, whatever you call it, the world can be made a better place if you have patience, understanding, and can learn to work together.
Looking forward to the second book in this series very much. A gem of a book with a powerful message of hope. Don’t discount the dandelions in this world. Don’t trample them underfoot. Mutant/diversity, whatever you call it, the world can be made a better place if you have patience, understanding, and can learn to work together.
December 25, 2019
I found this book online when the author was looking for readers she gave me the book to read and review. I like the story I especially like that it wasn't a stereotypical end of the world story that i thought it might be, but its more of a story about a society that kills people who are mutants and have special powers. The girl runs away with a boy to this city and finds out that her dad might be in danger back home. She also finds out she has powers but i don't wan to tell the whole story. The only thing I didn't like was some of the chapters were a little long and it took them a long time to get to the city. Then when she was at the city she was worried about coming back home for the rest of the book. But overall it was a good story and I really like angelas character the most.
March 3, 2020
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Saving Eden. The premise was intriguing and it often felt like a fairy tale, especially the scenes in the garden and just how innocent and unaware of the outside world Angela is. I liked the scenes of Angela not knowing something that has been ingrained in our culture, like the phrase "living under a rock." It added to her naivete and made her arc more endearing.
I do think that the novel had some formatting and grammatical errors that, while they didn't throw me off, could turn other readers off. Additionally, because there's some science involved within the book, I would have liked to see that fleshed out more.
Overall, this was a quick, good read that kept my attention. It's not a perfect book but it's a wonderful start to what I hope is a great series!
I enjoyed Saving Eden. The premise was intriguing and it often felt like a fairy tale, especially the scenes in the garden and just how innocent and unaware of the outside world Angela is. I liked the scenes of Angela not knowing something that has been ingrained in our culture, like the phrase "living under a rock." It added to her naivete and made her arc more endearing.
I do think that the novel had some formatting and grammatical errors that, while they didn't throw me off, could turn other readers off. Additionally, because there's some science involved within the book, I would have liked to see that fleshed out more.
Overall, this was a quick, good read that kept my attention. It's not a perfect book but it's a wonderful start to what I hope is a great series!
December 30, 2019
Wonderful YA book. Loved the main character. Story is well paced, fascinating and perfect for teens and YA.
dnf
October 19, 2020Not a huge fan of the writing style. I do love dystopian novels, of people looking for their Eden, or making it. The development of the world is my favorite part. But... what if, in the end, you had that paradise, but felt closed in and suffocated rather than safe and well fed. This is that story. While it is a great plot base, I couldn't get with the childish character who was so sheltered she doesn't know how to read. I can't rate this one fairly. I didn't finish because it wasn't my trope.
April 8, 2020
I’m a huge fan of dystopian stories, so when I first came across this one, I couldn’t wait to read it.
Be warned that this one starts off a bit slow as we orient ourselves to the sheltered life of 16 year old Angela. Angela and her father live outside of the dystopian society off-grid, so Angela is ignorant to the ways of the world. She quickly learns how different the world is from her own once she meets a strange boy who stumbles upon her in her garden.
The world building is fantastic. I loved the post-apocalyptic type setting. There’s a whole myriad of diverse characters that we meet who are a part of The Resistance. Interestingly, because Angela was raised outside of the post-apocalyptic grid, she gives an outside perspective to the dystopian society, which I thought was really unique.
The pacing of the plot really took off and everything was one non-stop adventure. Definitely a fun read!
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
Be warned that this one starts off a bit slow as we orient ourselves to the sheltered life of 16 year old Angela. Angela and her father live outside of the dystopian society off-grid, so Angela is ignorant to the ways of the world. She quickly learns how different the world is from her own once she meets a strange boy who stumbles upon her in her garden.
The world building is fantastic. I loved the post-apocalyptic type setting. There’s a whole myriad of diverse characters that we meet who are a part of The Resistance. Interestingly, because Angela was raised outside of the post-apocalyptic grid, she gives an outside perspective to the dystopian society, which I thought was really unique.
The pacing of the plot really took off and everything was one non-stop adventure. Definitely a fun read!
Thank you to the author for my gifted copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
January 10, 2020
Full disclaimer I was offered the book to read for free in exchange for an unbiased review, but after enjoying the book I bought a copy!
Would I recommend this book to another person?
I would absolutely recommend this book to young adults. The novel has a good pace, while I read tremendously fast, I do think the story is engaging and offers good characters to follow after. I will be adding it to my yearly list of books to recommend for sure. I do think that some details could have come out a little more in the story, and some side characters more space to define the world. Otherwise, I think it’s a great light read and book to enjoy.
A more in-depth review on my blog
What type of person would like this book?
I think any youth of color or music-loving people would appreciate the details and the complexity of this book. If you favor dystopian stories, this is definitely one to add to your list for sure!
Would I recommend this book to another person?
I would absolutely recommend this book to young adults. The novel has a good pace, while I read tremendously fast, I do think the story is engaging and offers good characters to follow after. I will be adding it to my yearly list of books to recommend for sure. I do think that some details could have come out a little more in the story, and some side characters more space to define the world. Otherwise, I think it’s a great light read and book to enjoy.
A more in-depth review on my blog
What type of person would like this book?
I think any youth of color or music-loving people would appreciate the details and the complexity of this book. If you favor dystopian stories, this is definitely one to add to your list for sure!
November 12, 2020
This story left me feeling irritated.
The writing was amateurish. It had lots of description, but too much telling instead of showing (ie she saw, she wondered, she noticed, she thought).
There were multiple unbelievable actions going on, such as the main character climbing out of a window and down a tree while holding a bowl of soup. Later she had to use the front door because the tree was too far from the window for her to climb back in.
Another character fixed her 13+ yr old watch (after declaring that the battery wasn't the problem - personally my watch battery only lasts about 2 yrs). He preceded to 'fix' the watch with his bare hands - no tools or spare parts, making me think that the author knows absolutely nothing about watches.
Later in a scene with super-fast mutants, the mutants kindly waited for their prey to kill them despite having already moved into striking range in the blink of an eye.
The main character was not believable. She grow up with her father, having not seen another person since she was 3 yrs old, but she could accurately guess the ages of people she met and knew how to interact with them.
She was hung up on not being able to read despite not having met anyone other than her father who could read.
She was an unbelievable mix of naivety and modern girl who knew what she should have been like.
She knew what a cell phone was despite never having seen one used.
She was able to use a sword and a gun despite never having been taught or used one previously.
She was surprised by how fast seeds grew under her care despite the fact plants have always been like that around her.
The relationship between the main character and a boy was underdeveloped and cringe-worthy considering the power-disparity between the two. She knew about romantic kissing despite her father being the only person she'd know since she was 3 yrs old.
The main character's reasons for leaving her safe garden were childish although vaguely believable. Her reasons for wanting to stay in the city once she had seen what it was like, were not believable.
I listened to the audio book. The editing of the narration was also amateurish with various words obviously added in or 'fixed' after the fact.
The story idea was interesting, and it had a beginning, middle and end, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped, and had too many of the above mentioned issues for me to enjoy.
The writing was amateurish. It had lots of description, but too much telling instead of showing (ie she saw, she wondered, she noticed, she thought).
There were multiple unbelievable actions going on, such as the main character climbing out of a window and down a tree while holding a bowl of soup. Later she had to use the front door because the tree was too far from the window for her to climb back in.
Another character fixed her 13+ yr old watch (after declaring that the battery wasn't the problem - personally my watch battery only lasts about 2 yrs). He preceded to 'fix' the watch with his bare hands - no tools or spare parts, making me think that the author knows absolutely nothing about watches.
Later in a scene with super-fast mutants, the mutants kindly waited for their prey to kill them despite having already moved into striking range in the blink of an eye.
The main character was not believable. She grow up with her father, having not seen another person since she was 3 yrs old, but she could accurately guess the ages of people she met and knew how to interact with them.
She was hung up on not being able to read despite not having met anyone other than her father who could read.
She was an unbelievable mix of naivety and modern girl who knew what she should have been like.
She knew what a cell phone was despite never having seen one used.
She was able to use a sword and a gun despite never having been taught or used one previously.
She was surprised by how fast seeds grew under her care despite the fact plants have always been like that around her.
The relationship between the main character and a boy was underdeveloped and cringe-worthy considering the power-disparity between the two. She knew about romantic kissing despite her father being the only person she'd know since she was 3 yrs old.
The main character's reasons for leaving her safe garden were childish although vaguely believable. Her reasons for wanting to stay in the city once she had seen what it was like, were not believable.
I listened to the audio book. The editing of the narration was also amateurish with various words obviously added in or 'fixed' after the fact.
The story idea was interesting, and it had a beginning, middle and end, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped, and had too many of the above mentioned issues for me to enjoy.
January 11, 2021
Title: Saving Eden
Author: K.R.S. McEntire
Publisher: K.R.S. McEntire
ISBN: B082Z61CC3
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Eden Saga 1
Sixteen-year-old Angela and her father are the last survivors on earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But staying in the garden sure gets lonely.
When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, his presence upheavals everything she knew about the world. She dares to leave her garden for the first time to find a better home.
In the authoritarian society that she finds the line between man and mutant is murkier than she expected. Her father is danger, and the men tasked with protecting the settlement are extremely fond of murder. With their lives on the line, can Angela create one last happy ending in a hopeless world?
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
Angela lives alone with her father without ever seeing anyone else. All Angela has is the stories her father tells her about what the world was like before most of the world was destroyed. Their home has a garden filled with fresh produce and everything Angela could ever want except for friends. One night Angela sees something strange and she keeps looking until she finds a backpack that was left behind. Angela is determined to find out what lies beyond her home, but what she finds may not be exactly what she was looking for.
This was an incredible post-apocalyptic story that takes Angela from her secure home to the outside world filled with wonders and despair. The outside world may not be what Angela expects, but the friendships and conflicts she finds teach Angela an old lesson. Things are not always greener on the other side of the fence. The journey leads Angela to learning about herself and the world around her.
This was an incredible audio-book and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book in The Eden Saga series.
Author: K.R.S. McEntire
Publisher: K.R.S. McEntire
ISBN: B082Z61CC3
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
The Eden Saga 1
Sixteen-year-old Angela and her father are the last survivors on earth. She dreams of adventure and romance but only finds it in books. In the confines of her garden paradise, she’s untouched by contaminants that caused the rest of humanity to mutate into murderous beasts or die. But staying in the garden sure gets lonely.
When a seventeen-year-old boy stumbles upon Angela’s home with news about a thriving community, his presence upheavals everything she knew about the world. She dares to leave her garden for the first time to find a better home.
In the authoritarian society that she finds the line between man and mutant is murkier than she expected. Her father is danger, and the men tasked with protecting the settlement are extremely fond of murder. With their lives on the line, can Angela create one last happy ending in a hopeless world?
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
Angela lives alone with her father without ever seeing anyone else. All Angela has is the stories her father tells her about what the world was like before most of the world was destroyed. Their home has a garden filled with fresh produce and everything Angela could ever want except for friends. One night Angela sees something strange and she keeps looking until she finds a backpack that was left behind. Angela is determined to find out what lies beyond her home, but what she finds may not be exactly what she was looking for.
This was an incredible post-apocalyptic story that takes Angela from her secure home to the outside world filled with wonders and despair. The outside world may not be what Angela expects, but the friendships and conflicts she finds teach Angela an old lesson. Things are not always greener on the other side of the fence. The journey leads Angela to learning about herself and the world around her.
This was an incredible audio-book and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book in The Eden Saga series.
July 15, 2020
If you raise a girl in the middle of nowhere and tell her you are the last people on earth and that she is living a fairy tale, do you think she would believe it? Saving Eden begins with this narrative. Only, sixteen-year-old Angela doesn't entirely believe it when she finds a backpack filled with food in her garden. And as much as she loves playing her piano, what she really wants is to learn to read all those symbols in her Dad's books. And find other people.
Set in a post-Apocalyptic America that is so close to our present reality that it is almost believable, KRS spins a fantastic tale of a country that dabbled in intentional genetic alterations and mutations, which ended up killing many and causing the world to protest. In the aftermath, Angela's father hid her away from the world to protect her and succeeded in raising the most naive, kindhearted girl one could imagine. Too naive for her own good, she leaves the safety of home in the middle of the night with a boy who claims to be from Chicago in the hopes of finding a community where she and her father could be safe and live among other people. She meets the Resistance, a group of people who are fighting on behalf of the mutants, to cure those with dangerous mutations and to provide safety for those who just want to live peacefully in society. She also meets the Wardens, peacekeepers who hunt down and publically execute mutants. Will she be safe? And will she be able to bring her father to join her?
This is a well-imagined and beautifully-told story. Angela is a little hard to believe at times because of her naivete (think of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). But that also makes her so endearing and sets her apart from both the world her father tried to create for her and the strange new world that is the remnants of Chicago. It's a great setup for what promises to be a fantastic new series (which I have read out of order so far - but book two is even better)! The narration was fantastic as well. I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author through StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly because it was so delightful.
Set in a post-Apocalyptic America that is so close to our present reality that it is almost believable, KRS spins a fantastic tale of a country that dabbled in intentional genetic alterations and mutations, which ended up killing many and causing the world to protest. In the aftermath, Angela's father hid her away from the world to protect her and succeeded in raising the most naive, kindhearted girl one could imagine. Too naive for her own good, she leaves the safety of home in the middle of the night with a boy who claims to be from Chicago in the hopes of finding a community where she and her father could be safe and live among other people. She meets the Resistance, a group of people who are fighting on behalf of the mutants, to cure those with dangerous mutations and to provide safety for those who just want to live peacefully in society. She also meets the Wardens, peacekeepers who hunt down and publically execute mutants. Will she be safe? And will she be able to bring her father to join her?
This is a well-imagined and beautifully-told story. Angela is a little hard to believe at times because of her naivete (think of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt). But that also makes her so endearing and sets her apart from both the world her father tried to create for her and the strange new world that is the remnants of Chicago. It's a great setup for what promises to be a fantastic new series (which I have read out of order so far - but book two is even better)! The narration was fantastic as well. I received a free copy of the audiobook from the author through StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly because it was so delightful.
October 8, 2020
Re-telling of Divergent with a Rapunzel twist.
Angela grows up believing that all humans on earth were destroyed in the Mutant Wars. She and her father are the only two humans left. This is a coming of age story that follows Angela as she learns about the world outside her idyllic garden. She meets other humans who live in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Chicago. The action picks up when she starts putting the pieces together. Will she fall victim to people who only want to use her? Who can she believe? Most importantly, can she escape with her life?
The literary world is rich with re-tellings and reinterpretations of previous works. I don't know how I feel about this one. My gut tells me that there are too many elements of the Divergent in this book. I couldn't help comparing the two stories the entire time that I was reading this book.
This audiobook is only four hours long but didn't need to be. I prefer to listen to audiobooks at the narrator's normal speaking speed (usually 1.0). However, I had to slow this one down to 0.8 or 20% slower than the published speed. The original speed was distracting and monotone. When I slowed the book down, the narrator sounded much more human. I would have preferred more excitement in her voice during action scenes.
The pacing starts slow and picks up toward the end. Developmental and line editing could have taken this book to the next level. I will definitely watch for future books from this author as she matures. I like the way she thinks.
I would recommend this book to post-apocalyptic YA readers of any age who are looking for a good rainy day or weekend book.
Angela grows up believing that all humans on earth were destroyed in the Mutant Wars. She and her father are the only two humans left. This is a coming of age story that follows Angela as she learns about the world outside her idyllic garden. She meets other humans who live in the post-apocalyptic ruins of Chicago. The action picks up when she starts putting the pieces together. Will she fall victim to people who only want to use her? Who can she believe? Most importantly, can she escape with her life?
The literary world is rich with re-tellings and reinterpretations of previous works. I don't know how I feel about this one. My gut tells me that there are too many elements of the Divergent in this book. I couldn't help comparing the two stories the entire time that I was reading this book.
This audiobook is only four hours long but didn't need to be. I prefer to listen to audiobooks at the narrator's normal speaking speed (usually 1.0). However, I had to slow this one down to 0.8 or 20% slower than the published speed. The original speed was distracting and monotone. When I slowed the book down, the narrator sounded much more human. I would have preferred more excitement in her voice during action scenes.
The pacing starts slow and picks up toward the end. Developmental and line editing could have taken this book to the next level. I will definitely watch for future books from this author as she matures. I like the way she thinks.
I would recommend this book to post-apocalyptic YA readers of any age who are looking for a good rainy day or weekend book.
February 27, 2023
I’ve read two previous short stories from K.R.S McEntire. I really liked her writing, and I could not wait to read a full novel from her. I am glad to say that Saving Eden did not disappoint.
Sixteen-year-old Angela lives in a garden paradise with her father and believes that she is the last survivor on earth and that the rest of humanity have either died off or mutated into murderous beasts. But when she discovers a teenage boy raiding her garden, she learns that everything she thought might not be true.
This dystopian fairytale retelling reminded me specifically of the movie Tangled. Both protagonists are young woman who share an innocent and earnest view of the world, their journey is one of wonder and self-discovery, they both have unique magic that is coveted by those around them, they are accompanied by roguish male love interests, and both face potential betrayals by friends and close family members. So yeah, Tangled, but dystopian and more diverse. There’s even singing!
Angela is a very sweet character, who only wants to learn how to read, connect with other human beings, and who cares a lot about her dad. I really liked the circular nature of the ending, which really contributed to the fairytale vibe, and I liked how the narrative around Angela’s magic played out through the story. A big part of the book was set in Chicago, and it was fun to go traipsing around a dystopian version of the city.
Overall, the book was very charming. Perfect for readers who enjoy a diverse cast with an innocent MC, dystopian YA adventures, and dystopian fairytale retellings.
Sixteen-year-old Angela lives in a garden paradise with her father and believes that she is the last survivor on earth and that the rest of humanity have either died off or mutated into murderous beasts. But when she discovers a teenage boy raiding her garden, she learns that everything she thought might not be true.
This dystopian fairytale retelling reminded me specifically of the movie Tangled. Both protagonists are young woman who share an innocent and earnest view of the world, their journey is one of wonder and self-discovery, they both have unique magic that is coveted by those around them, they are accompanied by roguish male love interests, and both face potential betrayals by friends and close family members. So yeah, Tangled, but dystopian and more diverse. There’s even singing!
Angela is a very sweet character, who only wants to learn how to read, connect with other human beings, and who cares a lot about her dad. I really liked the circular nature of the ending, which really contributed to the fairytale vibe, and I liked how the narrative around Angela’s magic played out through the story. A big part of the book was set in Chicago, and it was fun to go traipsing around a dystopian version of the city.
Overall, the book was very charming. Perfect for readers who enjoy a diverse cast with an innocent MC, dystopian YA adventures, and dystopian fairytale retellings.
August 2, 2020
*I was sent a link to review the audiobook of this story by the author in exchange for an honest review. A huge thank you to the author, and all thoughts and opinions are my own*
I went into this blind, which is usually how I end up going into these dystopian style novels because I know that things will be explained and I don't want to have any sort of preconceived notions about the book, and this one was no exception. It was a quick listen, and it was easy to follow along with from start to finish. I liked the dynamics of the characters and how they changed as this story went on, and there was a lot that happened in the 20 chapters that this audiobook contained.
The biggest reason that I have decided on a three star rating for this one is because of the fact that there was a lot that could have been explained more, and that there were times were I could find myself losing focus and not paying as much attention to what was going on. That being said, this was a really strong start to a dystopian series that I feel like could get stronger with every single book.
I would recommend this to someone that is new to YA dystopian or is looking for a quick dystopian read, and those that like biowarfare sort of stories, with mutations being a part of it. I can see me picking up the next book in this series, especially if I am fortunate enough to get the audiobook of it.
Thank you again to K.R.S. McEntire for allowing me to get the audiobook of your book to review it, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes!
I went into this blind, which is usually how I end up going into these dystopian style novels because I know that things will be explained and I don't want to have any sort of preconceived notions about the book, and this one was no exception. It was a quick listen, and it was easy to follow along with from start to finish. I liked the dynamics of the characters and how they changed as this story went on, and there was a lot that happened in the 20 chapters that this audiobook contained.
The biggest reason that I have decided on a three star rating for this one is because of the fact that there was a lot that could have been explained more, and that there were times were I could find myself losing focus and not paying as much attention to what was going on. That being said, this was a really strong start to a dystopian series that I feel like could get stronger with every single book.
I would recommend this to someone that is new to YA dystopian or is looking for a quick dystopian read, and those that like biowarfare sort of stories, with mutations being a part of it. I can see me picking up the next book in this series, especially if I am fortunate enough to get the audiobook of it.
Thank you again to K.R.S. McEntire for allowing me to get the audiobook of your book to review it, and I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes!
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