Book Review: Eve

Media Type: Print Book
Title: Eve
   *Series: Eve #1
Author: Anna Carey
Publisher: Harper
Pages: Hardcover; 318
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Source: Library
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Intended Reading Group: Young Adult
Content Screening: Mild Violence
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HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart
Recommended to: Fans of dystopian fiction, readers who enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale.

Add it on: Goodreads / Shelfari / Amazon / B&N

Where do you go when nowhere is safe?

Sixteen years after a deadly virus wiped out most of Earth’s population, the world is a perilous place. Eighteen-year-old Eve has never been beyond the heavily guarded perimeter of her school, where she and two hundred other orphaned girls have been promised a future as the teachers and artists of the New America. But the night before graduation, Eve learns the shocking truth about her school’s real purpose–and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Arden, her former rival from school, and Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust . . . and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

After realizing that I somehow managed never to actually write a review for Eve, I rushed to borrow a copy from the library. Having the sequel, Once, in front of me reminded me that I had a blurry remembrance of events past. I think it’s important to let you know that, as a re-read, I had certain biases already. Still, I made sure to clear my mind and just sit down to enjoy a good story. It was time to get lost in a book.

My first impression of the book was, once again, really great. I found myself trapped inside Eve’s world. A world of oppression. A stifling world, that is built on a basis of lies and deceit. Even before I reached the climax that I knew was coming, I had already fallen for the world that Anna Carey built for her readers. It’s hard not to forgive Eve for the way she acts when you see how she was raised. Eve’s society brainwashes women into mindless drones. It’s terrifying and fascinating all at the same time.

That being said, I was able to feel for Eve a lot more this read through. It’s true that she can be selfish, quite often in fact. Remembering her background helped me step past that and enjoy the rest of the story. It’s Caleb who really made me fall in love though. Here is a boy that, despite everything else in his world, wants to help a stranger. I’ll admit I swooned a bit. After all, who wouldn’t fall in love with a guy who is willing to put his life on the line for you? His story, and the stories of the boys he protects, are what really kept me reading on.

The ending broke my heart in two, even though I knew it was coming. If you haven’t had a chance to read Eve yet, you should know that there is a heart wrenching cliffhanger. It will make you come back. I promise. So, at the end of the day I actually liked Eve a lot more this time around! Enough to warrant it a whole extra star. Fans of dystopian fiction will fall in love with Anna Carey’s new world, and the heart of the story will keep you coming back for more.

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.