Synopsis according to GoodReads:
"Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization."
This book is fast-paced with a fantastic heroine, a great mythology, and world-building that sucks you in. The language, the structure....I read it in 3 days. As much as I enjoy a YA that makes you stop and think, I do also love YA that's so seamlessly written and frenetically paced you cannot put it down. Blood Red Road was like this- I didn't agree with many of Saba's choices or attitudes, but I was with her all the way.Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization."
I hope Moira Young writes more, and soon- her handle of voice and character arc and pacing is fantastic. Even though the world is post-apocalyptic, it felt very real to me (and very much like the Utah area, actually, or Nevada). There were side characters that I wanted to spend more time with, and a romantic male lead that is exactly my kind of teenage hero. Plus, lots of battling.
This is a highly recommended read for fans of YA, especially if you're looking for a quick read to get entirely lost in, a Mad Max-style apocalyptic novel, and a strong female lead to inspire you.
Love the Mad Max series. :D The four cloaked horsemen sound like the four riders of the apocalypse, perhaps a nod to Katherine An Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider (?)
ReplyDeleteIs this the first book in a series? It sounds great, and I love interesting female protagonists.
Thanks so much for linking-up my dear! I hope y'al are having a great weekend!
xo,
RJ