Monday, October 31, 2016

Review: The Surrendered by Case Maynard

The Surrendered
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Blaze Publishing
ISBN:  0997010460
ISBN13: 9780997010466
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Review Copy Source: NetGalley
After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.

Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.

Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind.

The cover for THE SURRENDERED didn't really drab me in, but I read the blurb and thought, "Wow, what a crazy premise for a story". I was definitely intrigued and decided to give it a shot.

The characters were well developed, the storyline had a great flow and the world was unique and filled with drama, danger and situations that make you think that this could really happen. Everything about THE SURRENDERED kept me reading.

The main character, Vee, was very well thought out and put together. She is very strong-willed, bold, and will fight tooth and nail for what is right, even if it puts her life in danger. She was very easy to look and root for. I honestly had no issue with any of the characters that we were supposed to like. There is a bit of romance in THE SURRENDERED. Not IN YOUR FACE romance, but light and in the background romance. I would have loved to see it explored more.

The world was very realistic. I pictured everything that was talked about and nothing was so out there that I couldn't imagine it. The story unfolded at a nice pace with plenty of action and details. It really feels like THE SURRENDERED is just the start of a bigger story. It in no way feels finished and even ends on a note that leaves you thinking there will be more. I will keep an eye out to see if there will be a follow-up book.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.