I was given an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of this book for an honest review and more publicity, because everyone knows my readers show everyone they know my posts. Because I'm so awesome.
WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING
Back of the cover:
One choice could destroy them all.
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.
Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?
Book trailer:
Doesn't that just give you chills?
Anyway, this blog tour (I sure do a lot of blog tours lately, huh?) is for Captives by Jill Williamson, if you haven't already figured that out. I love her books. Replication is my absolute favorite. It's so perfectly written and makes you think and just . . . helps you understand. And Captives is no different. Eeeh . . . except maybe genre and a few small details (such as character names and backstories and themes and . . . yeah).
It's a YA Dystopian (much to my delight), and it's definitely a new genre from Jill. Just let me start off by saying, it is absolutely AMAZING. The characters are delightful. And it's Christian! Perfect, right?
Okay, so it's based off of the book of Daniel (from the Bible, yes). There's a video (which you can find at the bottom of the post maybe, cuz I think I figured out how to embed videos) about where she got the idea from. And it's incredible. I mean, to take inspiration from one of the most famous stories in the Bible, set it in a future world that's like a cross from Uglies (by Scott Westserfeld) and Hunger Games (If you don't know who wrote this series, shame on you) is pure genius!
For me, this story made me think. How would I react to being snatched from my very home, forced to live with and around people who treated me as nothing more than their golden ticket to healthy humanity? Would I be as calm as these characters were? Would I have enough trust in God and the one or two guys that weren't taken to save me and what was left of my friends and family? The truth is, probably not.
I mean, think about it. These are teens and young adults. They were just captured by people who hadn't bothered them before, but still treated them as if they were the ones who were sick. I'd be pulling a Naomi around those people. They call me shell and I pour sweet, acidy sarcasm all over their dried up corpses. "Well, excuse you. I'm not the one who looks like dry desert dirt painted to portray an Easter egg, thankyouverymuch."
I'd also most likely be killed.
But, hey, at least I'd have told them, right?
This is getting off topic. I have too many good things to say about this and I'm about to just tell y'all what happens if I don't shut up. So, moving on.
I didn't like that there was so much from Omar's point of view. I mean, I get that it's what was needed. She had to show us what it was like in the Safe Lands, and not just . . . I wonder if that counts as spoilers. Meh. I just didn't like that there was a pretty big gap of Mason. I had a bond with Mason before I even opened the book, and it's totally not because Bethany told me I would. I'm not sure why, because he's not the eldest (Levi is). But I'm not sure if he's the youngest or the middle child. I don't think it was ever specified. And if it was, I'll feel really stupid.
I felt bad for Omar, because he seemed to be really messed up in the head. But I didn't really care much for him. I just couldn't make myself like him much. I couldn't really like Levi much either. Or their father. He was emotionally abusive. I didn't feel bad at all when *Censored for spoilers*
So, yeah. It was great. There's even a bi-polar lady. Okay, so she's probably not bi-polar, but she acts like it sometimes. I ship her and Mason. *wink* I'm always shipping crazy people with sane people. It's a lot of fun.
Okay, this post is getting long. I've lost half of y'all, haven't I? I'M SORRY I RAMBLE.
Anywaaaaaaay . . .
I give this 4.5 stars. The only thing that really bothered me was the lack of more Mason. I'm going to end this here by saying you need to get it. And Miss Jill has graciously offered a paperback copy of the book! Just fill out the rafflecopter form for a chance to win!
And if you don't win, or you're too lazy to do the rafflecopter (no judging here. I get ya), you can buy the book yourself!
Click HERE for Amazon
Click HERE for Barnes and Noble
Click HERE for the video on how the author got her inspiration!
Sorry for all the links. I imagine this post looks like a Wikipedia page. Blah. But wait, there's more!
Check out all these other blogs while you're at it:
ADD Librarian
Blooming with Books
Bookworm Reading
Chris Kolmorgen
Christian Book Review Blog
Christian Bookshelf Reviews
CTF Devourer
Emily Rachelle Writes
Heavenward Reviews
Jessica Laurie
Labor Not in Vain
The Life of a Teenage Writer <--- You are here.
The Maniacal Bookworm
Mrs. Southern Bride
Oh, Restless Bird
Pages from My Journal
The Pen and Parchment
Rachelle Rea
The Ramblings of a Young Author
Realm of Hearts
Shadow Writer World
A Simple Life, Really?!
Surrendering All of Me
Terri Harr
Verbosity Book Reviews
Who YA Reading?
Worthy2Read
The Writings of Rosie
This has to be the messiest review I have ever done. Wow.
Thanks for reading!
About Team Novel Teen:
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Captives by Jill Williamson by clicking on the links above, and click here for more information about Team Novel Teen.
***Sorry for any mistakes. I finished this at 3am today. Don't judge me***
WARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNINGWARNING
CAPTIVES
Back of the cover:
One choice could destroy them all.
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.
Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?
Book trailer:
Doesn't that just give you chills?
Anyway, this blog tour (I sure do a lot of blog tours lately, huh?) is for Captives by Jill Williamson, if you haven't already figured that out. I love her books. Replication is my absolute favorite. It's so perfectly written and makes you think and just . . . helps you understand. And Captives is no different. Eeeh . . . except maybe genre and a few small details (such as character names and backstories and themes and . . . yeah).
It's a YA Dystopian (much to my delight), and it's definitely a new genre from Jill. Just let me start off by saying, it is absolutely AMAZING. The characters are delightful. And it's Christian! Perfect, right?
Okay, so it's based off of the book of Daniel (from the Bible, yes). There's a video (which you can find at the bottom of the post maybe, cuz I think I figured out how to embed videos) about where she got the idea from. And it's incredible. I mean, to take inspiration from one of the most famous stories in the Bible, set it in a future world that's like a cross from Uglies (by Scott Westserfeld) and Hunger Games (If you don't know who wrote this series, shame on you) is pure genius!
For me, this story made me think. How would I react to being snatched from my very home, forced to live with and around people who treated me as nothing more than their golden ticket to healthy humanity? Would I be as calm as these characters were? Would I have enough trust in God and the one or two guys that weren't taken to save me and what was left of my friends and family? The truth is, probably not.
I mean, think about it. These are teens and young adults. They were just captured by people who hadn't bothered them before, but still treated them as if they were the ones who were sick. I'd be pulling a Naomi around those people. They call me shell and I pour sweet, acidy sarcasm all over their dried up corpses. "Well, excuse you. I'm not the one who looks like dry desert dirt painted to portray an Easter egg, thankyouverymuch."
I'd also most likely be killed.
But, hey, at least I'd have told them, right?
This is getting off topic. I have too many good things to say about this and I'm about to just tell y'all what happens if I don't shut up. So, moving on.
I didn't like that there was so much from Omar's point of view. I mean, I get that it's what was needed. She had to show us what it was like in the Safe Lands, and not just . . . I wonder if that counts as spoilers. Meh. I just didn't like that there was a pretty big gap of Mason. I had a bond with Mason before I even opened the book, and it's totally not because Bethany told me I would. I'm not sure why, because he's not the eldest (Levi is). But I'm not sure if he's the youngest or the middle child. I don't think it was ever specified. And if it was, I'll feel really stupid.
I felt bad for Omar, because he seemed to be really messed up in the head. But I didn't really care much for him. I just couldn't make myself like him much. I couldn't really like Levi much either. Or their father. He was emotionally abusive. I didn't feel bad at all when *Censored for spoilers*
So, yeah. It was great. There's even a bi-polar lady. Okay, so she's probably not bi-polar, but she acts like it sometimes. I ship her and Mason. *wink* I'm always shipping crazy people with sane people. It's a lot of fun.
Okay, this post is getting long. I've lost half of y'all, haven't I? I'M SORRY I RAMBLE.
Anywaaaaaaay . . .
I give this 4.5 stars. The only thing that really bothered me was the lack of more Mason. I'm going to end this here by saying you need to get it. And Miss Jill has graciously offered a paperback copy of the book! Just fill out the rafflecopter form for a chance to win!
And if you don't win, or you're too lazy to do the rafflecopter (no judging here. I get ya), you can buy the book yourself!
Click HERE for Amazon
Click HERE for Barnes and Noble
Click HERE for the video on how the author got her inspiration!
Sorry for all the links. I imagine this post looks like a Wikipedia page. Blah. But wait, there's more!
Check out all these other blogs while you're at it:
ADD Librarian
Blooming with Books
Bookworm Reading
Chris Kolmorgen
Christian Book Review Blog
Christian Bookshelf Reviews
CTF Devourer
Emily Rachelle Writes
Heavenward Reviews
Jessica Laurie
Labor Not in Vain
The Life of a Teenage Writer <--- You are here.
The Maniacal Bookworm
Mrs. Southern Bride
Oh, Restless Bird
Pages from My Journal
The Pen and Parchment
Rachelle Rea
The Ramblings of a Young Author
Realm of Hearts
Shadow Writer World
A Simple Life, Really?!
Surrendering All of Me
Terri Harr
Verbosity Book Reviews
Who YA Reading?
Worthy2Read
The Writings of Rosie
This has to be the messiest review I have ever done. Wow.
Thanks for reading!
About Team Novel Teen:
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Captives by Jill Williamson by clicking on the links above, and click here for more information about Team Novel Teen.
***Sorry for any mistakes. I finished this at 3am today. Don't judge me***
Great review! I can't wait to read Captives. Replication WAS AWESOME (I mean, MARTY...what more is there to say?).
ReplyDeleteYES. Marty = 'Nuff said. I WANT A WITTLE BITTY MARTY TO WALK AROUND AS A PET. And that sounds so wrong . . .
DeleteI loved Replication too! And Captives. Oh, so good! But Ciddah is not not NOT bipolar! She's just a conflicted, sweet lady trying to do what's right while her entire lifestyle and worldview is being shifted by the things Mason tells her. Anyone would seem conflicted in that situation!
ReplyDeleteThat whole bond-with-Mason thing? It's because he's Mason. And you're practically required to love him. Fact.
As for the too-much-of-Omar, I disagree. I thought those parts were really well-done and humanized the guy that could have been painted as a self-absorbed villain. I mean, he kinda was that, but then that scene at the end... my heart just broke for him. I thought I'd hate him forever, but I just couldn't. (Neither he nor Levi is any Mason, though, I'll give you that.)
I liked Levi, even though I didn't 'get' him. Probably because I totally loved and connected with Jemma. Father... I don't think anyone likes Father.
Yeah, I realize that. I would be conflicted too. But I do like Ciddah. I've liked her since the start.
DeleteSo. True. You have to love Mason because he's Mason. There's no other reason needed.
I get that it was needed to characterize him a bit more, but I just didn't like him. Not because he betrayed the tribe, though. I just didn't really connect with him like I did the other characters.
I didn't "get" Levi either. Some moments he seemed like a good guy, but others he just seemed to be too much like his father. So, I wasn't really sure how to feel towards him.
I really enjoyed reading The Captives. Mason was definitely my favorite character. Levi annoyed me somewhat, but redeemed himself in the end, I think. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think he almost redeemed himself for me. Not quite, but I look forward to seeing if he can make me really like him in the next book.
DeleteI agree with Mrs. Pedersen. I LOVE Mason and by the end really liked Levi.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I felt bad for Omar, but couldn't bring myself to like him. Maybe he will grow on me in the next book.
Ciddah...I just can't seem to like her. Never thought about her being bi-polar. That's funny.
I don't really think she's bi-polar. :P I just think she's a little moody. But aren't all women at some point? I have an idea why . . . but I won't discuss it, in case I am right.
DeleteThe lack of more Mason. Ha ha. I heart Mason too. He's the middle child, Katelyn. Ciddah is NOT bipolar. She's just ... uh... spoilers for book 2.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Katelyn. I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :-)
I kinda figured he was the middle child. Omar didn't seem mature enough to be in the middle. And I chalked Ciddah's attitude up to her just being stressed. But I do have an idea of why she may actually be like that. I look forward to see if I'm right.
DeleteThanks for letting me review!
Levi is probably the most like his father, and he needs to work on that. Jemma will help him.
ReplyDeleteRandom trivia: Jemma was named Jemimah originally, but EVERYONE hated that name and said they could only think of syrup. So, yeah...
Jemma is awesome. She'll get Levi into shape, I'm sure. That does remind me of the syrup. O.o It's still a pretty cool name, though.
DeleteIt's a great review, Katelyn! ;)
ReplyDeleteI too would have liked to have seen more Mason. But perhaps we will in Book 2, Jill?? :)
I hope so. MASON IS THE BEST CHARACTER IN THE BOOK. I NEED TO KNOW MORE.
DeleteYou'd have the right idea, then. :P I'd probably just quit and die, like the drama queen that I am. Some people are just better mentally prepared for something like that than others.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I really have to read this. You know how you really want to read this one book, and whenever you get the chance you forget? Yeah, that's me. All the time. I'll read it someday, hopefully soon.
ReplyDelete*cough* I'll rig the competition for you. ;D Don't tell anyone. Yeeeah, you need to read it. I think you'll like it, a lot.
Deletehaha, this is the first time I've read one your blog posts, and I love your style! Made me smile and see a few things in the story I hadn't before, though I did like Omar. *ducks under a chair* He just turned into a complex character, and I like the complex ones. :P But I did like Mason too! Mason was the only truly sensible one of the bunch. ;)
ReplyDeleteNoooooo. GET OUT. NO OMAR FANS ALLOWED. Nah, you can come out from under the chair. We're friendly people. Most of the time.
DeleteI don't know how I would react. I'd probably be really scared.
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I'd panic.
DeleteEnjoyed your fun review :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete1) Really glad Jemimah got to become Jemma. :)
ReplyDelete2) Yes, I loved that this book made me think!
It's kinda of impossible to not think when reading one of Jill's books.
DeleteFun review! This book definitely made me think too, and I felt really, really bad for Omar too! Poor guy!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGood review, Katelyn --
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to go to The Safe Lands anytime. I wonder what I would do if I was one of the captives?
Who knows? I imagine there would be so many mixed reactions.
DeleteUmm... not well. I can guarantee that much.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Sounds like a great story!
Thanks!
DeleteHey Katelyn! I follow you girls at A Pinch of Classy! I would love if you would return the favor at my new blog keepcalmandsparkle1099.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Aww, thanks for the follow! I'll check your blog out!
Delete