The Forsaken Review

Title: The Forsaken

Author: Lisa M. Strasse

Date of Publication: July 10, 2012

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-Book

Synopsis: Alenna was ten years old when the UNA, the combined countries of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, arrested her parents and dragged her out of her home into a government run orphanage. When Alenna fails the government test to determine the likelihood of criminal activity later in life she is sent to the wheel, an island of teenagers who have also failed the test. With a life expectancy of 2 years Alenna is determined to find a way off the island before she is killed by rival tribes or illness. With the help of her new friend Gadya and Liam, who she feels a growing attraction toward, Alenna and a small band of teenagers travel to the most mysterious part of the island looking for answers. There they find out shocking truths about the government and the real reasons they were sent to the wheel.

My Review:

After I saw the awesome cover and read the summary online I was extremely excited to read this novel. I absolutely love dystopian novels and with the popularity of The Hunger Games there has been a huge influx into the genre lately. Unfortunately while The Forsaken was an interesting novel with an original plot, it was a little predictable and a tad forgettable.

The thing that annoyed me most about this novel was the immature romance. The interactions between Liam and Alenna reminded me of middle schoolers asking each other out for the first time, it just didn't fit with the tone of the novel. Even though Gadya and Alenna are struggling to survive they have time to fight over Liam, who is barely present in the first three fourths of the novel.

I really did like the plot though; exciting and original Stasse came up with a fascinating plot. The first half of the book was a little slow but as soon as Alenna and her friends went on their expedition to escape the island the story quickly picks up. The constant danger from rival tribes and the mechanical mechanisms, called feelers, that kidnap members of the island kept me on my toes and left me wondering who would be taken next.

Despite the childish romance, The Forsaken is an interesting dystopian novel that will definitely appeal to fans of the The Hunger Games. The shocking conclusion and exciting journey to get there will keep readers turning pages. A bit forgettable but still a great read high school fans of science fiction will love this book.

4/5