Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for TORN, being hosted by Paper Lantern Lit! Today I have my review of the book to share with you. Enjoy!
Torn (The Feuds #2)
Author: Avery Hastings
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia/Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Description:
In an America split into
the genetically superior and inferior, a fiercely ambitious ballerina
and a boy from the wrong side of the tracks must stop a deadly virus
that is spreading quickly.
Determined to escape from TOR-N, a corrupt
Narxis research center, Davis meets another recovered patient, Mercer,
whose sweet smile and quirky sense of humor give her hope in humanity
again—and a way out. As they make a perilous journey seeking clues that
could lead to a cure, Davis and Mercer's friendship begins to evolve
into something more... but she's still struggling to let go of her
feelings for Cole, whom she believes is dead.
Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.
Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?
Meanwhile, Cole has plans to change his identity in order to compete in the Olympiads—where Imps have now been invited to compete against Priors. He begins training with Mari, the intense and rebellious daughter of a retired fighter, but through trials and tests that are both exhausting and exhilarating, he finds himself in over his head—literally.
Will both Davis and Cole have the strength to resist temptation? Will they have the courage to face the answers they're seeking? Will their love survive across the divide?
Torn is the conclusion of the young adult science fiction/dystopian romance series, The Feuds. It continues to follow our two main characters - Davis and Cole - as they fight to find a cure for the deadly Narxis virus that's killing the majority of the Priors, like Davis. Cole and Davis are separated - with Davis believing that Cole is dead. When she meets another Prior who didn't die from Narxis, they set off together in search of a cure. Mercer is just what Davis needs - a fun and quirky guy with a great sense of humor - and they find that their friendship is turning into something more serious. Davis doesn't know what to do about the situation - she's still heartbroken over Cole, whom she believes is dead. Meanwhile, Cole is training to fight in the Olympiads - where it's now legal for Imps to compete against Priors. He teams up with Mari - the rebellious daughter of a retired fighter - who helps him prepare and train for the event. Cole faces tons of obstacles and tests that both beat him down as well as leave him exhilarated - and he finds himself in way over his head. Will Davis and Mercer be able to find a cure for Narxis? Will Davis and Cole be reunited? If they are, will they have the courage to fight alongside one another and let their love finally win?
I have to say right off that I'm so sad and disappointed that this was only a duology - only because I wanted MORE! More books, more Cole and Davis, more suspense - more of everything! But the two books that we did get have to be enough, and I'm glad that I got to read them - even if there are just two - instead of not having read them at all. That being said, I have no idea where to start this review or what to say. There was so much happening in this book that it would take forever to talk through it all. Obviously, you need to read the first book before you read this one. Without doing so, you will be pretty confused and lost and there's just no way you could connect as deeply with the characters otherwise.
Ah! The characters! Cole and Davis - a Romeo and Juliet type of relationship where she's the genetically enhanced Prior whose father is a politician; and he's an underground fighter in the FEUDS and an Imp - star-crossed lovers the whole way. Their relationship was incredibly emotional for me for some reason. I'm not sure if it's the way the author wrote each of their characters and their relationship with one another - or if I'm being a giant romantic sap. Either way - this was a huge emotional roller coaster for me. I don't usually react viscerally to books - at most, I might get a bit misty-eyed. Not for these books. I was completely swooning one minute, then absolutely sobbing later on - and every emotion in between. (For those of you who have read these books, you'll know which parts I'm referring to.) Honestly, I don't know why I reacted this way. I am a big romantic at heart and I guess I have a soft spot for the whole star-crossed lovers idea. I'm literally sitting here trying to come up with the right words (or any words) to help describe what I felt and why it all effected me like it did. I just can't do it. All I have are adjectives or images (now would be the perfect time to start using GIF's!) - like soaring high, absolutely shredding my heart into teeny tiny pieces, trying to put said pieces back together in some resemblance of what it was before all of this, hesitant smiles and hope, tears of both grief and joy - to name just a few. There just aren't the right words to express it and whatever I tried wouldn't nearly do it justice. Like now, as I ramble on about it and just go in circles without making much sense. SO. That's all I can say about that part of the story.
The plot was original and truly unique - aside from the whole "star-crossed lovers" part. I loved the way the author took so many different concepts and blended them together to create one intricate story. There's so much that's going on during the book - the Narxis virus and trying to find a cure, the whole Imp versus Prior issues that effect the entire world they live in, the Olympiads, and - of course - Davis and Cole, with their own personal stories along with their relationship. There wasn't a dull moment during the book - I found myself devouring each page as fast as I could just to see what would happen next. The author uses a quick but natural flow for the story, which made it a fast read for me. The book is written in the third person point of view, alternating between Cole and Davis. I'm always remarking on point of view and it's importance, and this book was no different. I really wish that it was told from the first person POV of the two main characters. We would've gotten an inside look at each of their inner thoughts, emotions, fears, and their perspective on what was happening. It would have made a much more personal experience for the reader and would have allowed a deeper connection to the characters. Although it's done in third person POV, the author did a great job of bringing the characters and their world to life. By using vivid descriptions and imagery, I was able to easily slip inside the world the author created and found myself alongside both Davis and Cole and all the situations they encountered. The only thing I can really think of is how effected I was by Davis and Cole's relationship in the story - and what it would've been like if it was written in the first person instead. I can't even begin to imagine what that would've been like - although I desperately wish I could experience it.
Overall, I loved this book. There are things I hate - like the fact that the series is over and there were only two books. But the rest - the things that matter - were fantastic. Like I mentioned - my emotions were all over the place, and I didn't even talk about how the tension and suspense built up to the point where you could practically feel it. Davis and Cole's relationship throughout both books was nothing short of mesmerizing. I very highly recommend this book - and series - to fans of science fiction, dystopias, fantasy, suspense, and - of course - romance (especially the Romeo + Juliet type). It has a bit of something for everyone.
Author Links:
https://twitter.com/AveryEHastings
https://plus.google.com/u/0/113395644099408541481/
Buy Links:
