May 15, 2013

{Blog Tour} Review + Giveaway for Terra by Gretchen Powell

Seeing Night Reviews is the next stop in the Terra Blog Tour for Gretchen Powell.

Terra by Gretchen Powell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

GENRE: YA Dystopian
THEME: Science Fiction, Romance
RECEIVED: Blog Tour
AUTHORS BLOG: Gretchen Powells' Site

BLURB:
A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.
In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.
Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.

REVIEW:
Even with the heavy amount of dystopian novels that have come out recently I was excited to read Terra because it focuses on science fiction. The characters are easy to connect too, the plot has many surprises and the romance is sure to hook the readers.

Terra follows a young terrestrial girl named Terra; she is the sole provider for her and her brother Mica. Meaning she must put herself in danger each day to scavenge for anything that she collect to trade for money. But on one scavenge she discovers an unusual object that changes everything. Being apart of the poor people that live on earth she never seen much money until she trades in the object. With that she begins to ask questions, until she meets someone who has all the answers.

Terra fits the bill to most dystopian female protagonist, with her tough exterior and survival instincts. She is the main caretaker and will do anything to keep her brother safe. Taking on a role as the provider, it was interesting to see how she and her brother Mica interact. Their relationship is strong, even though he gives her a hard time at some moments. He’s only thirteen but extremely smart and knows that his sister is taking in a lot on her shoulders. She is someone who wants answers to everything, especially when collections day comes and she’s given more money than she could ever dream of for some scrap she found. Her questions lead her to danger and that where she meets Adam.

Adam is one big mystery; he’s also the most fascinating character and my favorite. He clashes with Terra a bit in the beginning, she slowly begins to trust him after he helps her a couple of times. I do have a pet peeve about characters relationships going from banter to insta-love; I wish it was paced a little more evenly to evolve. But nonetheless I loved their interactions and how Adams secret give her one heck of a wake up call. In the end the readers will find out how important Adam is and that Terra might be in a little over her head now that she’s met him.

Overall get ready for a science fiction thrill ride, the plot may have that dystopian aspect that sounds familiar, but the science fiction twist adds a punch to excite any reader. With mystery, romance, conspiracy, family love and great character development this is a story that I was glad to read. What I found interesting was how the rich and poor were divided by sky and land; it was original along with the plot that kept me reading in one sitting. The ending isn’t so much a cliffhanger as it’s a beginning to something big and exiting. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Terra, Mica and Adam.


RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult science fiction novel with some minor violence and kissing but overall a book for everyone. Fans of The Host by Stephenie Meyers and Taken by Erin Bowman will enjoy Terra by Gretchen Powell.
View all my reviews

About the Author
Half-Chinese and the daughter of a US diplomat, Gretchen Powell spent her childhood growing up in far-off places. She made it all the way to her mid-twenties whilst maintaining her deep-seated love for young adult novels, so she decided to write one of her own.

Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include anything with polka dots, Harry Potter, and playing the ukulele.

When she isn't crafting devastated futuristic worlds and fiery heroines, Gretchen also writes a healthy living blog, entitled "Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!"

She lives in Northern Virginia with her two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.


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A signed copy of the book and three signed bookmarks to ONE WINNER.
The giveaway is US ONLY.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 comments:

  1. I haven't had the pleasure of reading this story yet, but I think it would be cool to live in a sky city :) but I also wish I could fly :) I think it would be awesome to fly like a eagle! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmm Probably a city in the sky. It would be a change of scenery. LOL

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!!!

    ReplyDelete