ARC Review: The Forsaken (The Forsaken, #1) by Lisa M. Stasse

A thought-provoking and exciting start to a riveting new dystopian trilogy.

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

For the past few years I've tried my best to try out more and more dystopian titles. I was hesitant at first, but after finding that I was enjoying the books I picked up more and more, I've found that now I can't resist them. I'm adding titles like these to my TBR list more often and I couldn't be more thrilled to branch out that much more in the genres I have come to love and call my favorites. Stasse has a winner on her hands. Not that these titles have anything to do with the other, but if you're a fan of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Divergent by Veronica Roth, than I think you'll find that this title needs to be added to your list. It was a standout for sure!

Without knowing anything about the author, or the book other than the short description given on the back I was at a loss on what to expect going into this title. But I can honestly say that despite my not having many expectations for this one, it surpassed any that I would have projected regardless. It was fast paced, well written, the scenes flowed into each other nicely and just the right amount of a back story and details were given. Stasse didn't overload her readers, but instead left them desiring more information, more insight into this new world and horrid government at the helm. It was addicting and impossible to put down.

Alenna as well as a wonderful cast of her fellow characters have quite the adventure ahead of them. An island of misfits and dangerous individuals is no laughing matter. Deserted and expected to fend for themselves (or better yet no survive at all) there is no one to look to for help or answers. Her world was turned upside down in a matter of minutes and she knew that unless she used her mind and whatever bravery she could conjure up, she wouldn't stand a chance. I can't say enough how much fun it was to read this quick dialogue, meet the unique and intriguing characters, and all the while trying my best to solve the puzzles of the island as well as what this government is really up to. Fun will be had by all! Truly looking forward to checking out the next installment in the series when it's released.

I gave The Forsaken (The Forsaken, #1) 4 shamrocks!!!!