By Susan Beth Pfeffer
Genre YA post apocalyptic
Pages 337
Recommended by Susan Bloggin' 'Bout Books
First sentence Lisa is pregnant.
Synopsis
It was supposed to be an exciting astrological event. A meteor hitting the moon. But no one predicated it would actually knock the moon out of orbit, knock it closer to the earth causing earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions that coats the sky in ash and blocks out the sun. Miranda journals the whole event and describes how her family survives after the horrifying event.
What it has going for it
First of all, I loved reading a book that was actually taking place DURING an apocalyptic event. Usually it seems these books take place after, sometimes years, after the event. Seeing how it all unfolded was terrifying and fun all at once. I was impressed with Miranda's mother and her quick thinking that definitely saved their lives. The journal style was a great choice for this type of book, as well. It brought you right into the action and made the emotions that much more potent. I'm not sure how scientifically accurate everything was but I never questioned anything and that alone impressed me. I loved how the characters desires, reactions and attitudes were realistic. It made for a very believable story that, if nothing else, entertained.
What's lacking
Miranda was sixteen...around there, anyway, but she came off like a twelve year old. I could relate to her frustration and angst but she just sounded a little younger than sixteen to me. My biggest issue with the book, after some reflection, was there just wasn't a heck of a lot of hope. I get that having any sort of hope in this type of a situation is probably near impossible but it made for a really depressing read. People say it made them want to get some food storage and prepared but it just made me horribly depressed. It didn't help that the end wasn't much of a resolution. I might read the rest of the series just to see if it comes to a happier ending, but I'm not sure I can handle any more of the smothering depression it inflicted.
Favorite moment
I'm not sure why but chocolate chip eating scene was so vivid and scary and funny all at once that it evoked the strangest feelings in me so, yeah, it takes favorite moment.
Yea or Nay?
I would recommend it as it seems to encourage most people to be prepared, but be get ready for a rather depressing read.
We so think alike. I'm always wondering how scientifically possible a plot line is. Having said that, any book that can make choc chip eating scary is probably a goer. Oddly enough, I find YA paranormal much more depression than dystopian or post apocalyptic.
ReplyDeleteDepressing because it's so bad? ;)
DeleteI started reading this as a sample on my Nook and got the same impression about Miranda. I'll probably read it someday though. The sample ended before the event occurred, so I want to see how that happens!
ReplyDeleteI love samples! they've saved me from some pretty bad books. It was worth a read even if it was depressing.
DeleteI have this one on my Nook, but haven't read it yet. It sounds interesting and exciting.
ReplyDeleteThe author is coming to our local library this fall??? well, at some point, anyway. I thought I should hurry and read at least one of her books.
DeleteYes...in Oct or Nov
DeleteThank you! I couldn't remember.
DeleteI really enjoyed Life as We Knew it, but you're right, it's not really a happy book. I thought Dead and Gone was more depressing and This World we Live in to be a little less depressing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'll read the second one but I do want to read the third just to see if it resolves well.
DeleteIt's not a happy ending kind of book for sure. But I swear I have that grocery store scene BURNED into my memory. *shudder*
ReplyDeleteI've read several books with those grocery store scenes and they scare the crap out of me too! I hope I never have to experience that!
DeleteOh man... I've heard some good things about this book, but I'm a little terrified of how depressing it is. Books have to seriously blow me away if they are depressing and I even prefer my sad books to make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThis one really held my attention despite how depressing it was and I did laugh a few times. I'd give it a go.
DeleteThis series is totally depressing, but it's also completely riveting. And vivid, so distressingly vivid. I love it! I also love the author's blog -- she's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely riveting. How weird that the author is so funny when her books are not. I'm glad to hear it, though. She's coming to speak at our library. Sounds like it's going to be very entertaining.
DeleteDoesn't it just make you want to go out and stock up?
ReplyDeleteMeh. My mom has been stocked up for years and I have some food storage. It does make me realize how much food you'd really need though.
DeleteI'm a sucker for post-apocalypic books. This one sounds good! Sometimes it is hard to read depressing books, but if it's good I'm usually all in. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteIt's good even though it is depressing.
DeleteI have never finished any YA postapocalyptic novels, mostly because all I started reading were more about teenage love in a postapocalyptic world than the surviving and dangers, but this sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThis one has practically NO romance. I'm bothered with these books that are romances in the guise of post apocalyptics too.
DeleteI'm pretty sure that I have this on my Kindle. I need to read it.
ReplyDeleteThe age-range thing has been bugging me in YA lately too. In THE MAZE RUNNER series, Thomas is 16, but acts alternately like he's 12 or 30. Maybe that is the way of teens.
That's why I don't want to write YA, it's too hard to capture the age right.
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