Happy Thursday, everyone! Today, I'm gonna be speedy and not go on and on. I have a review of an amazing book for you all. Plus, there will be a giveaway at the bottom of this post for 2 e-copies. YAY! Grab a cup of coffee and let's get going!
As usual, the information on the book before we drop into the review:
Title:
Crewel (Crewel World #1)
Author: Gennifer Albin
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Length (print): 368 pages
Buy Links: Amazon
Hardcover $7.20 (as of this review)
Synopsis:
Deadly Secrets
Tangled Lies
Woven truths
Incapable. Awkward. Artless. That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: She wants to fail. Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen to work the looms is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to manipulate the very fabric of reality. But if controlling what people eat, where they live, and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.
Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and used her hidden talent for a moment. Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her dad’s jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.
Because tonight, they’ll come for her.
**Will not appear in review elsewhere. Okay, so I admit to meeting Gennifer at UtopYA Con 2014 where she signed a copy of Altered (book 2) for me. Her message: Discover who you are. I didn't get it then. After I read book one, I was still a bit lost. Halfway through book 2 now, and I see what she meant by that. I freaking LOVE this cover. I bought the hardcover with this image rather than the other one because it's just so dang pretty.**
On to the review!
I grabbed the hardcover edition of
Crewel so I'd have it in my huge library of books. After picking up a copy of
Altered, I knew I had to have the first in the series so I could start things out right. So, I moseyed on over to Amazon and grabbed one. I couldn't put it down. I read it in just a few sittings, but would've finished much sooner if not for other obligations. It's compelling, original, and scary in a brutal, beautiful way. But let me go into why.
From a Reader's Perspective:
Albin built a whole new society that's both functional and dysfunctional at the same time. Everything runs the way it should according to Guild rules. But the main character, Adelice, has parents with wisdom and verve, who constantly remind their daughter not to take anything at face value and never to forget who she is and where she comes from. And, the central plot is born. All appears okay on the outside, but if you scratch the surface, it unravels. Since I don't put spoilers in my reviews, I'll stop there. You'll understand when you get into the story.
As far as pacing goes, I never felt like the book dragged, even in the middle where it was day-to-day tasks and regular life happening. There was always something happening behind the scenes or a feeling of foreboding that kept me turning pages.
I liked the relationship between Adelice and Jost. They were sweet, tender, and slow building. Anything that's rushed leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth, and I appreciate the time the author is taking in building these two up.
Crewel is written in first person, present tense. Keeps you in the action.
I spoke of the book inciting fear because it's terrifying how much control the Guild has over the residents. It's not something Albin shoves down your throat; it builds slowly in the background, waiting to erupt and envelop you in darkness. Shivers abound.
There was a major cliffhanger at the end of book one, but since book three is out, there will be no waiting around to find out what happens.
From an Editor's Perspective:
Nothing to write home about. Clean.
Rating:
1 Star for scaring the crap out of me by building the world of the Guild
1 Star for slow, simmering romances that were feel good without going boom
1 Star for pacing
1 Star for making me believe in Arras
1 Star for editing
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars! Recommended for anyone who loves a clean story that's different, compelling, and extremely well done.
Now, enter for your chance to win a copy for your Kindle!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What do you think? Will you check it out? Did you enter?
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
