April 15, 2013

Terra by Gretchen Powell (Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway)

Terra by Gretchen Powell
Release Date: December 12, 2012
Publisher: Hopewell Media
Pages: 286
Series: Terrestrials
#1
Review Source: eBook from author

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.

A discovery that will change everything.

In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.

Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.
My Thoughts:
What I really loved about ‘Terra’ is that it felt unique to me. Not only was the book interesting, but it was a story I haven’t read a zillion times over, which I definitely appreciated.

Our main character, Terra, is a tough girl. I loved how much she cared for her little brother, and how she would do anything to take care of him and protect him. I also loved the technology in ‘Terra’: the futuristic society was incredibly interesting. You had all the rich people living in floating cities, while the people on the ground are (for the most part) poor, eating slop, and working to repurpose the junk that the skyworld citizens throw away. These groundworld citizens are, of course, governed from afar by these skydwellers. I really enjoyed the world building. It felt like it was introduced naturally, instead of in an info-dump type of way, and it was something I could really picture.

What’s great about ‘Terra’ is that it appeals to fans of many different genres. There’s some sci-fi as well as dystopian and post-apocalyptic, plus there’s an action-adventure aspect and even some romance. The romance was the one aspect that didn’t feel entirely natural to me, however. I loved the friendship connection between Terra and Adam, but I didn’t quite see the romantic chemistry between them. Nevertheless I appreciated how it was a slow-building relationship rather than an instant love connection.

If you’re looking for something that’s unique and well-written, definitely check out ‘Terra’. The whole book leads up to an action-packed ending that satisfies, while still leaving readers in want of the second book.

The Cover:
Like it!!

Rating:
[4/5]

Find Terra by Gretchen Powell on Goodreads & check Where To Buy on Gretchen's site.

Where to find Gretchen: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Excerpt from 'Terra':

“Got her!” The sound is victorious and terrifying. With the flashlight lighting my path from behind, I immediately understand why. An enormous wall made up of huge metal panels stands twenty feet in front of me, blocking off the rest of the tunnel from top to bottom.

“No…” A small cry escapes my lips. Barricaded in front, raiders at my back. There’s nowhere left to run. I reach the wall and pound on it hopelessly, my fists echoing against the steel. The adrenaline that has been propelling me drains from my body as my impending defeat washes over me. A muffled ringing fills my ears, pressing against my brain, and I feel an icy chill in my cheeks, which should still be hot from the chase. The throbbing rhythm in my head calls forth a cool darkness that begins to seep into the edges of my consciousness.

A surge of light suddenly blinds me. Strong arms wrap around me, wrenching me from the wall. The arms are bare; I can feel the smooth skin against my own. I wonder with detached interest why the raiders would take off their jackets after going through the trouble of using masks and gloves up top.

My instincts tell me to struggle but it just seems so futile, I simply let my captor pull me back. Through the fog of the spreading blackness, I hear screams of outrage.

Why are they mad? They’ve caught me.

I am shoved from behind and burst through a door into impossible sunlight. I blink rapidly; my eyes, adjusted for the blackness of the tunnel, burn in response to the sudden brightness. I reach up to rub them and find them wet. The light must be making them water. Yes, that must be it.

A heavy hammering echoes from behind me, fists banging against metal, but the darkness and pain in my head has consumed me. I spin around just in time to see bare arms reaching for me, before I crumple to the ground.

Dun dun dun! Does that make you want to read the book, or what?? You can also check out the first two chapters (PDF link), find out where to buy Terra, and/or you can enter the giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 comments:

  1. I enjoy a tough main character and a unique plot line, so sounds interesting.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love cross-genre books! The worldbuilding here sounds very interesting and I'm SO glad to hear that it followed none of the usual patterns. I'm always on the lookout for something new and original.
    Glad you enjoyed.
    GReat review.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds like such a unique read, and I'm glad that it actually IS a unique read. I'd love to get my hands on this book, and to read a story that hasn't been done 50 million times!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, it's hard to find something unique these days, so when something feels fresh and lives up to the concept? Even better.

      Delete
  4. Sounds like a good mix of sci fi an dystopia. :) Thanks for sharing your review.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This dystopian is really different sounding. I love that there are skydwellers and groundworlders. So awesome!

    ReplyDelete

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

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