Sunday 16 September 2012

Eden's Root by Rachel E. Fisher

Series: Eden's Root Trilogy
Author: Rachel E. Fisher
Edition: Paperback
Pages: 380
Published: December 17th, 2011
My rating: 3
 
Blurb
The year is 2033 and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.
 
Review

It's the year 2033, world chaos, one girl and her family. Sounded interesting, and proved to be so. There were some turn effects for me, though, but we'll get to that later. The main concept of this dystopian novel seemed to spin around the problem of food, a problem that I think is connected with real life. Fi Kelly's- the protagonist- dad is on the verge of death because of the sickness, but he has secrets that will change Fi's whole life. Before her fathers death, he reveals to her that the very food they eat is killing them all. Sickfood. Yikes, huh? But there is a solution- and it'll be the biggest risk she'll ever have to face.

Fi Kelly, she's a very different character. Petite in size, but when it comes to energy, she's bursting with it. Seriously, she is, and that sort of threw me back a little. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love a strong female character, but I don't like them perfect. There were times when she'd go out on raids and stack her bag with like, a dozen cans and who knows what else. I can barely hold a grocery bag to my car, and I'm tall, but this petite girl can stack a whole bag and run with it without slowing down? Seemed a bit unrealistic. Her ego, didn't like that either. She felt herself responsible for everyone's safety, so she would put up this I'm so strong shield in front of everyone, and then complain when alone. Got tired of her a long time ago. Don't get me started on the whole Sean thing (trying not to spoil much).

Just because I didn't like Fi, didn't mean I didn't like the story. There was something about it that kept me bound for some reason. Maybe it was the thrill of all the adventure, or just wanting to know how things would end up. I will be honest though, this was one of those stories where there weren't that many surprises. And it sort of repeated itself. For example, Fi and her family met with people along the way, adding them to their family. When you thought the family was done, well, you'd be wrong.

One thing that made me laugh a little was french. Yeah, there was some french here or there, and speaking french myself (Canadian here!), I found it funny when the characters said something wrong.

Ok, this one I have to write down, because it irked me to no end! The characters in the story.... drum roll please... LAUGHED. AT. EVERYTHING. Even the things that made no sense, and at random times.

Then there was the romance. It was slow, very slow, and when I thought it might get interesting, it got triangular (oh hahaha). I'm not a fan of love triangles, unless their written pro-ishly. Period.

In all, I realise that this review wasn't all positive, but it was the most honest I've ever been. Why I gave it three stars? The first was for the effort and the idea. The idea was creative, very. Second, If I read to the end, it deserves some credit. And the third star, well, I did enjoy it a little. With a bit of tinkering, I think the story could go far.

1 comment:

  1. Great review! I'm glad I read your review before picking this up! Thanks Zanib!

    ReplyDelete