Glowpublication: September 27th 2011 by St. Martin’s Griffin
copy received from publisher
synopsis from goodreads:
What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you’d been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?
Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth’s collapse, the ship’s crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader’s efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don’t know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them…
Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he’s the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.
But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren’t all from the outside.
Ever since I saw the cover and read the synopsis I wanted to read this book – I had this feeling that this is going to be good! And… I was right! This is one example for a thrilling YA SciFi novel that will suck you in and leaves you wanting for more….
The Story Line in the beginning is typical for this kind of genere. People live on a Space Ship with a direction to go to a new planet to start a life there. Here we have two ships that both were leaving Earth- The Empyrean and New Horizon, but we follow Waverly a girl born on the Empyrean. The life on the ship is all Waverly ever knew and she’s one of the oldest kids together with Kieran who one day will be the captain of the ship. But when they suddenly see their sister ship “New Horizon” coming closer they all know something is not right and soon their little world is turned upside down….
And I can tell you right here that this will be a very compelling and thrilling ride for Waverley and all the kids on the ship. Things will happen that you won’t anticipate and that will leave you speechless! ..and crying might also be involved … a tiny bit!
Waverley was an interesting characters. Although she was born and raised on the ship she still believed that there is more out there than what she can reach on the ship. Marriage with 15 to start soon enough to get children? Marrying the one everyone thinks she should marry? Waverley struggles and questiones the choices that are made for her and remains her own head and makes up her own mind.
I really liked this girl – not only her free way of thinking but also her bravery! And oh this girl is brave!
There is romance and there is the slight hint of a romance – but this is not the main focus of this story! Kieran, the boy everyone thinks Waverley should marry will one day be captain and he is raised to be one. He’s a sweet and smart boy but he’s also soft…
Then there is Seth – the dark boy who is not afraid to ask questions no one ever would dare asking is not happy with the way things work when the sister ship arrives. But, I have to say I have yet to determine whether I like him or not…
This is the fact with both boys: I’m not sure which of the boys I like most and this makes “Glow” so intriguing and compelling. All characters are flawed – no one is perfect and everyone is making mistakes – Big Ones! Specially the ending leaves you thinking about the character of each boy if you maybe have bet on the wrong boy. This was very compelling for me to follow my own emotional attachement to the boy. Normally I’m a fast judge – easily picking Teams. Here? I truly have no idea – first I loved Kieran then Seth – then I didn’t like Seth AT ALL but the ending turned my feelings again upside down…
Intriguing, multi layered characters which change drastically with all they have to go through and with everything they have to face. The story starts out slow but speeds up fast and I promise the end will leave you speechless and wanting for more!
Random Notes and Additional Info:
“Glow” is said being the next Hunger Games.. Well, I wouldn’t go that far but I absolutely agree that is is a compelling and thrilling story! There is a cool Facbeook App with lots of games and additional info!
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I'm torn about the guys, too. I really don't know what I think about them. I'm leaning toward Seth, but that whole part (you know what part) is making me think I DON'T like him. So I'm not sure. You're very right–no one in this book is perfect, that's for sure!
I was totally sucked into the story though. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
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I I felt the same way as you! I really liked this book and it was very difficult to have a clue to like when they ALL made some crazy mistakes. Very crazy book but very good!
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Alright. You got me at "multi-layered characters." I'm a sucker for some good characterization!
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What a fun fabulous review! And the cover is AMAZING! It's been a long time since I have read a SciFi so I think I will have to check this one out!
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Danny I got this one to read and haven't read it yet. I 'm moving it to the top of the list right after Sweet Venom and Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I'm not a big Sci-Fi fan, but what little I got to read of Across the Universe before someone took over it-son- I loved.
Heather
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Oh YES I know what you are talking about and seriously this is where he lost me. But then?? At the end? I was ready to forgive him.. this is a very intriguing situation..
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Glad you feel the same way Candace. Normally it's so pretty easy to decide which character you like or not even though they all have some flaws but here? So very hard – but this makes the book the more interesting for me!
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Oh you will like this one! Very intriguing and non of the characters are black and white good or bad! You have to look at their motives to find out who you are going to like more!
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Oh YES the cover is soooooo pretty! I also don't read so many SciFi but this one was goodie good! I hope you are going to like it!
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Oh yes Daughter of Smoke and Bone first! *squeals* I loved this one soooo very much!
I know – SciFi is also not my most fav genre, but Across the Universe and Glow were realllly good! So when I saw this I had to read it and I'm glad I did!
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I know!! That ending had me really rethinking things. Especially with how Kieran is now. I'm hoping maybe with Waverly there to help hopefully Seth wouldn't do the same things again.
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The ending was somehow very VERY disturbing … I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.. I really liked Seth but then again … in between he was horrible! *pulls hair* such incredible characters!
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It sounds like BSG + Zenon + Wither. I definitely want to read this!
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