October 7, 2011

Eve by Anna Carey

Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 318
Series: Eve Trilogy #1
Review Source: Netgalley


Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

My Thoughts:
Sometimes when I go to review a book I have these great ideas about what I want to say and I know exactly how I feel about the book. Not so with ‘Eve’. I’m still not exactly sure how I feel about it, perhaps because my feelings are somewhat so-so. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. When you think of post-apocolyptic and dystopian stories you usually think of a lot of world building and complex situations, but I think there’s another type of story within these genres and that’s a more personal narrative.

‘Eve’, to me, is one of these personal narratives. The main character is escaping from a situation put into place by a larger regime, but she starts off clueless about the world and what’s actually going on. It’s more believable, then, when Eve is naive and has to learn about all the deceptions that have existed in her life. I’m not sure I completely buy how she initially finds out about the truth, but at least it’s believable that she’s clueless because of the closed environment she’s grown up in.

This is a pretty quick read and there’s lot of action, yet for some reason, despite all the bad things that go on, I never felt like the danger was quite present. I always believed Eve would be okay and would escape, and that made reading the book less interesting. The romance? Eh. Caleb and Eve are cute together, but it was definitely an insta-relationship. I found myself more interested in the dynamic between Eve and Arden, another girl who has escaped the school where the two of them grew up.

As I mentioned I definitely didn’t dislike this book, and I even enjoyed the reading experience in general. The ending was a bit predictable, though, and I have to say I found it melodramatic, almost self-sacrificing of one character. Perhaps that’s just my interpretation of the events, but it just seemed strange. One very positive thing about the book is that it actually has a pretty concrete ending. You know there’s more to the overarching story, but the specific narrative of Eve’s journey reaches completion, which made me very happy. Overall I think you’ll have to judge this book for yourself. Some people are raving about it and some people are slamming it. Me? I suppose I’m on the fence. It’s worth reading, but I wouldn’t go in with especially high expectations.

The Cover:
Super freaking gorgeous!

Rating:
[3/5]

Find Eve by Anna Carey on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

8 comments:

  1. NOOOO! Please no more insta-love:( Their relationship sounds a bit frustrating in its similarity to innumerable books before it, but I still like the overall premise of this one. Maybe now that I know what to expect a bit more it will be an enjoyable read for me:) Thanks Ashley!

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  2. I thin I liked this book a little better than you did but I also think you make some valid points. I didn't really thing Caleb and Eve's love was instant, they did get to know each other in the cave but it was definitely intense after they get back together. I blame that more on their circumstances though. I think this book is a great jumping off point. The author said the next one focuses more on the City and I can't wait to see where that leads. Great review!

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  3. Meh, I'm not really feeling this book lately. I don't know why.
    But I'm glad the experience was okay for you :)

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  4. I've read quite a few mixed reviews for Eve, so I've been kind of put off from reading it. I fee like there are so many other books I could read and love instead without stating with mixed feelings already, you know? Thanks for the review, Ashley!

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  5. This sounds like just an average YA novel with nothing special or original to give out. I've seen a lot of mixed opinions on it I'm almost scared to try it. Thanks for the review!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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  6. I had some of the same feelings as you about EVE. Although I liked it more than not, the constant naiveness of Eve was at times unbearable and the way she put everyone around her in danger from moronic decisions she made me want to scream!Great review though loved seeing your thoughts on it! check mine out and compare:)

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  7. Yeah, I'm with you. And I really liked the Eve-Arden dynamic better than the "love" relationship. A so-so reaction. Maybe it'll escalate in the next book.

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  8. I actually just won a copy of this one from A Trail of Books Left Behind. I've read both pro and con reviews of this one, so I think I'm just gonna go in blind and see where the story takes me.

    Thanks for the review!


    Smiles!
    Lori

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment; I appreciate each one!

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