Sara Grant is an American living in the UK. Born and raised in Washington, Indiana, Sara graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and psychology. She now works as a freelance writer and editor for Working Partners, a London-based company creating series fiction for children. She lives in London with her husband. This is her first novel. Find Sara online at her website, www.sara-grant.com.
Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...
Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.
Title: Dark Parties
Author: Sara Grant
ISBN-13: 9780316085946
ARC: 308 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Big Honcho Media
drey's thoughts:
Sara Grant's Dark Parties takes place in a world under a bubble. The Protectosphere has erased everything that signifies individuality and uniqueness, and everyone pretty much looks alike. Barred from the Outside by lies and propaganda along with a force field barrier, Neva's expected to live her life as expected--including which job, whom to marry, and how many children she's supposed to have.
But she's a rebel--what teenager isn't? She sports a tattoo, and her best friend Sanna brands her cheek. And as Neva notices that people are going missing, she starts collecting their names--and if it's unknown then their descriptions--in a journal she hides from everybody. Neva is sure that the government is not quite as benign and kindly as they'd like you to think, and together with Sanna decides to stage a protest. It doesn't take long before things get out of hand, and Neva and Sanna both make it on the government's watch list.
Neva is your typical teenager rebelling against the world as it is. She's also strong and courageous, and cannot imagine living the life she's been told to live. Sanna is a bit more outrageous when we meet her, but has her needy side show up--of course, it concerns boys. I like the story Sara Grant has spun within this world-in-a-bubble, and definitely wouldn't mind more Neva.
drey's rating: Excellent! Want more? Read an excerpt...
Giveaway!
Thanks to Big Honcho Media, I have two copies of Dark Parties for you lucky ducks who live in the US! To enter, fill out the form below before 6pm CST July 24th. Good luck!
4 comments:
I'm not convinced this is for me, but your review has piqued my curiosity enough that I'd like to give it a try. Thanks for the giveaway!
This book sounds like a dandy! Thanks so much for sharing today and for the giveaway opportunity.
Wow, the bloody snowflake is pretty striking. Thanks for the intro to the book and giveaway!
Thanks, Kathy--that's a huge compliment! :)
Denise & Julia--thanks for stopping in & commenting!
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