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As part of the blog tour Gabrielle Arrowsmith's Concealed in the Shadows, a newly released Dystopian YA, I have a review for it. So without a further ado...
Sydney Harter has long awaited September 12th, 2033, her eighteenth birthday. She can finally apply for guardianship of her sister Evvie, her only family and entire world. Sydney holds a sliver of hope that they will be lawfully reunited, and that light will return to her desolate life, but she is prepared to defy authority and risk everything to escape Miles County so that she and Evvie can live full lives together.
Escaping will be difficult and dangerous. Citizens are bound to their county by sophisticated chip implants that deliver shocks to anyone who crosses the county's electric barrier. Sydney is very clever, but her trickery is limited against the all-seeing eyes of county technology. It seems impossible to escape into the forgotten forests and cities of the past, but Sydney is determined to find a way if she is denied guardianship of her sister. For years she has longed to break free from the government's experimental Petri Dish and the hallowed drones that inhabit it.
What Sydney doesn't know is that the county has particular interest in her. Her place in this complex dystopia is about to change. Deceit, fear, and warfare, will come to characterize her life, yet her love for Evvie will always prevail. She must protect her sister, but at what cost?
Review:
When I was offered the chance to read and review Concealed in the Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith, I instantly said yes. It sounded interesting and unique, and since it was part of the Dystopian genre, one of my favorites, I knew I had to give it a try. As it turns out, Concealed in the Shadows was an intriguing and fast paced debut!
Concealed in the Shadows tells the story of Sydney Harter, a girl living in the a Dystopian version of America in the year 2033. Ever since the death of their mother and father, Sydney and her sister Evvie have been mistreated and thrown around by their governments version of foster care. However, on September 12th, Sydney's eighteenth birthday, she's given the chance to change everything for her sister as well as herself, as she can now file for full custody of Evvie. Sydney's worried about what the outcome of the case will be, especially what it means if she looses the case. However, as Sydney's about to learn, this case is just the beginning of a long journey, one that will be filled with rebellion, tears, bloodshed, and the chance at love, but will she and her sister make it out alive? Only time and more pages can tell!
I have to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of Sydney at first. She was kind of bland and just there if you know what I mean. She had one way of thinking, and truthfully, she wasn't quick to show any type of emotion. She was good person, as she did love her sister and want what was best for her. However, I just really wasn't able to get a good grasp of Sydney and what she stood for besides that point. As the novel progressed, though, Sydney did as well, and that transformation was great. She turned into someone I truly admired and rooted for. Plus she finally started to act more human like...always a welcomed change in my opinion. With Evvie, I had no trouble liking her from the start. She was a sweet girl, even if she was a tad naive. It was always fun to see her and Sydney interact though, as for each point that Sydney was cold and reserved, Evvie was emotional and lively.
The plot in this was intriguing and full of action...just as I expected. I really enjoyed seeing Gabrielle's version of a future America. She did a great job of developing each area. Better yet, I loved how she made some of the changes seem like they really could happen, because not only did it add world development but it gave the book a chilling and scary aspect. I won't give much away about the plot, as it's the kind of read where giving one thing away may change a reader's experience, but I will say it managed to surprise me at times, especially at the end when Gabrielle through in some pretty tough punches.
In all, Concealed in the Shadows is a compelling and well presented debut novel. It's a little slow to start, but by the end, it really manages to pull its own weight. Other than that, all I have to say is: when does book #2 come out because I NEED to know what happens next!
Grade: B+
Concealed in the Shadows (Amazon/ Goodreads/ Createspace) is now out in paperback and eBook formats!
Source: Author for blog tour- thanks Gabrielle!
About the Author:
GABRIELLE ARROWSMTIH enjoyed writing her debut novel, Concealed in the Shadows, during a lovely Minnestoa summer that she had off from her primary profession, teaching. She looks forward to continuing the story. Acting, playing and coaching soccer, reading, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends are among her other interests.
When I was offered the chance to read and review Concealed in the Shadows by Gabrielle Arrowsmith, I instantly said yes. It sounded interesting and unique, and since it was part of the Dystopian genre, one of my favorites, I knew I had to give it a try. As it turns out, Concealed in the Shadows was an intriguing and fast paced debut!
Concealed in the Shadows tells the story of Sydney Harter, a girl living in the a Dystopian version of America in the year 2033. Ever since the death of their mother and father, Sydney and her sister Evvie have been mistreated and thrown around by their governments version of foster care. However, on September 12th, Sydney's eighteenth birthday, she's given the chance to change everything for her sister as well as herself, as she can now file for full custody of Evvie. Sydney's worried about what the outcome of the case will be, especially what it means if she looses the case. However, as Sydney's about to learn, this case is just the beginning of a long journey, one that will be filled with rebellion, tears, bloodshed, and the chance at love, but will she and her sister make it out alive? Only time and more pages can tell!
I have to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of Sydney at first. She was kind of bland and just there if you know what I mean. She had one way of thinking, and truthfully, she wasn't quick to show any type of emotion. She was good person, as she did love her sister and want what was best for her. However, I just really wasn't able to get a good grasp of Sydney and what she stood for besides that point. As the novel progressed, though, Sydney did as well, and that transformation was great. She turned into someone I truly admired and rooted for. Plus she finally started to act more human like...always a welcomed change in my opinion. With Evvie, I had no trouble liking her from the start. She was a sweet girl, even if she was a tad naive. It was always fun to see her and Sydney interact though, as for each point that Sydney was cold and reserved, Evvie was emotional and lively.
The plot in this was intriguing and full of action...just as I expected. I really enjoyed seeing Gabrielle's version of a future America. She did a great job of developing each area. Better yet, I loved how she made some of the changes seem like they really could happen, because not only did it add world development but it gave the book a chilling and scary aspect. I won't give much away about the plot, as it's the kind of read where giving one thing away may change a reader's experience, but I will say it managed to surprise me at times, especially at the end when Gabrielle through in some pretty tough punches.
In all, Concealed in the Shadows is a compelling and well presented debut novel. It's a little slow to start, but by the end, it really manages to pull its own weight. Other than that, all I have to say is: when does book #2 come out because I NEED to know what happens next!
Grade: B+
Concealed in the Shadows (Amazon/ Goodreads/ Createspace) is now out in paperback and eBook formats!
Source: Author for blog tour- thanks Gabrielle!
GABRIELLE ARROWSMTIH enjoyed writing her debut novel, Concealed in the Shadows, during a lovely Minnestoa summer that she had off from her primary profession, teaching. She looks forward to continuing the story. Acting, playing and coaching soccer, reading, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends are among her other interests.
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