Title: Children of Eden
Author: Joey Graceffa
Audio Narrator: Sarah Grayson
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian
Number of pages: 278 pages
Time it took me to read: 5 Days
Synopsis:
Rowan is a Second Child in a world where population control measures make her an outlaw marked for death. She can never go to school, make friends, or get the eye implants that will mark her as a true member of Eden. Her kaleidoscope eyes will give her away to the ruthless Center government.
Outside of Eden, Earth is poisoned and dead. All animals and most plants have been destroyed by a man-made catastrophe. Long ago the brilliant scientist Aaron al Baz saved a pocket of civilization by designing the EcoPanopticon, a massive computer program that hijacked all global technology and put it to use preserving the last vestiges of mankind. Humans will wait for thousands of years in Eden until the EcoPan heals the world.
As an illegal Second Child, Rowan has been hidden away in her family’s compound for 16 years. Now, restless and desperate to see the world, she recklessly escapes for what she swears will be only one night of adventure. Though she finds an exotic world and even a friend, the night leads to tragedy. Soon Rowan becomes a renegade on the run – unleashing a chain of events that could change the world of Eden forever.
Novel Review:
I loved this read! The female protagonist is smart, athletic, and finally takes her life into her own hands which creates the conflict of this story. Rowan is a second child and is hidden away because her existence is forbidden. Imagine being forced into hidden panels in the walls of your home whenever there is a knock at the door. Crazy, I know!
I have had this book on my TBR for probably over a year now. I watched a few of Joey’s YouTube Videos and was interesting in his autobiography seeing as he is a very popular and successful gay YouTuber. Also, his pretty awesome book trailer may have had a little sway in my need to read this. But why did I take so long to pick it up? Not too sure but I am kicking myself in the butt now.
There is a lot of world building in this first book which, to me, makes a hell lot of sense seeing as it is dystopian and *duh* a first book. Some people have a problem with this but I didn’t see those issues in this one. There are also a lot of social commentary that can be applied to our current world events and I love that dystopian novels do this so well. I mean one child rule, environmental destruction, political corruption and possible more with a closer read.
I will also mention that there is a love triangle but it’s one that has not been done or at the very least definitely not overdone. Now trust me I do get sick of the overly done love triangles that seem to plague young adult fiction but I do love them when they are done well or bring in a new element. I was cheering for this love triangle after I figured it out and I still don’t know what team I am rooting for because it is so well done.
I recommend this book to those who like a lighter dystopia and an interesting read.
My rating:
Find out more about the book and Joey Graceffa here