BLOOD RED ROAD-Book Review

BLOOD RED ROAD

By Moira Young

Book 1 of the Dustland Trilogy

2011

218 Pages

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried up wasteland savaged by constant dust storms. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother, Lugh is around. But when a monster sand storm arrives bearing four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on a quest to get him back.

Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself. She is a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of revolutionaries called the free hawks, Saba enters a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

My thoughts:

First let me say that I'm so excited that this is the first book of a trilogy. This book blew my mind. I stupidly picked it up the day after Christmas and everything in my house skidded to a halt. I couldn't put it down.

Saba's world is bleak. It's hot, miserable, and filled with dust.  Saba's family has scratched out a living in Silverlake-which dried up long ago.

Saba's whole world is rocked the day four strangers show up and destroy her family and the only life she has ever known. Saba is left to pick up the pieces and find the strength to find the brother they took.

Saba travels down a dark and violent path to find Lugh and bring him home.

Saba is the most kick ass heroine I've met since Katniss of the Hunger Games. If both of them had to compete against each other I'm not sure who the winner would be.

The relationship that I found most interesting and emotionally raw was the often rocky relationship between Saba and her little sister Emmi. I also loved Jack. The inner battle that goes on with Saba concerning him was a roller coaster ride.

I can't wait for the sequel from this brilliant author. The characters grabbed hold of me and I can't wait to catch up with them again.

Prophecy of the Sisters-Book Review

PROPHECY OF THE SISTERS
By Michelle Zink
343 pages
2009
From Inside Cover:
Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.
Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.
They just know they can't trust each other.
My thoughts:
Prophecy of the Sisters is a dark fantasy filled with magic and mystery. It's the first book in a planned trilogy. The book opens with the Milthrope children standing in the rain at their father's funeral. All the more tragic because their mother died a few years earlier which now leaves them orphans and in the care of an aunt.
Shortly after her father's death Lia develops a strange mark on her wrist. In addition to strange and terrifying dreams she also notices that her twin is acting cold and distant. Soon an old book is discovered and it's revealed that Lia and Alice are part of an ancient battle that puts the sisters on opposing sides. One sister shall be the guardian of the gate-a protector while the other shall be the gateway to the Apocalypse-which will bring death and destruction.
A few twists and turns keep the reader on their toes as the story reveals more secrets.
I look forward to more character development with Lia's friends' Sophia and Luisa. I'm also interested in seeing where the relationship with Jame and Lia go. But what I'm really hoping for is a deeper look into Alice and her mind. Hopefully that will happen in the next book-Guardian of the Gate.
I enjoyed this story. The plot was engrossing and the characters were interesting. I will buy the next book in the trilogy to see where this tale takes me.
I purchased this book used from Amazon.com and I will be donating it to my local Middle School Library.