Away by Teri Hall

Book Summer (Via Goodreads): After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice

Book Review:
Ever since I turned the last page of The Line, I have been anxiously awaiting the follow-up, Away. Away takes you on a journey to the other side of "the line." Rachel discovers a life stripped of convenient comforts. One where the people "left behind" try to pick up the pieces of society left forgotten, and make a new life for themselves. Rachel discovers that there's more to life than her accustomed comforts, as she embarks on the next stage of her life. Out in the wilderness left forgotten, people have formed societies of their own, some barbaric, and others more civilized. It reminded me of a milder version of Lord of the Flies. While the story takes an interesting and necessary turn, I found myself not quite as engaged as I had been in The Line. In this new frontier, Rachel is constantly questioning herself as well as her new found cohorts. I enjoyed embarking on this journey with her. The pace was smooth and steady, and the plot held my interest. The overall story did seem somewhat familiar. However, I am curious as to where things will go from here, as the final notes ended on a cliffhanger.

Favorite Quote:

“Even the weak and the foolish feel love. They just don't know how to make that matter to someone other than themselves.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I love the contrast of color compared to the first book in the series, The Line. The shattered glass and barren land gives a very distinct distopian feel.

Rating:

The Line by Teri Hall

Book Summery:
Rachel lives with her mother on The Property. The good thing about living there is that it's far from the city, where the oppressive government is most active. The bad thing, at least to most people, is that it's close to the Line - an uncrossable section of the National Border Defense System, an invisible barrier that encloses the entire country.

She can see the Line from the greenhouse windows, but she is forbidden to go near it. Across the Line is Away, and though Rachel has heard many whispers about the dangers there, she's never really believed the stories. Until the day she hears a recording that could only have come from across the Line. It's a voice asking for help. Who sent the message? What is her mother hiding? And to what lengths will Rachel go in order to do what she thinks is right? -goodreads.com

Book Review:
Before I say anything, I must admit that this is one of those books that will stay with me long after I've finished it. The first thing I love about this book (besides the cover...for more, see the "cover art commentary" section), is the world building. Hall does an amazing job at building a future dystopian U.S. It's almost frighteningly realistic! Hall does a great job of incorporating ""history lessons" of how the U.S. went from "land of the free" to "land of the enslaved." I also really loved the characters in this book. They are all flawed, each containing their own secrets. Instead of building up the characters, Hall strips them away, layer by layer, until we reach the core of their understanding. I found this aspect to make the characters more believable and substantial.
Another aspect I enjoyed about this book, is the pacing. First, we learn about Rachel, Vivian, and Ms. Moore. Then, as the story progresses, we are introduced to more characters and delve deeper into their pasts and secrets. It truly made for fantastic pacing. I found myself constantly thinking about the book and eager to return to it. My only complaint is the ending! What a cliffhanger! I am DYING to find out what happens next. Overall, I absolutely relished The Line and anxiously await for Hall's follow-up Away. Check out Teri Hall's website for more information! ;)

Favorite Quote:

"What did you say?" Vivian reached up and stroked Rachel's hair.

"Monsters," Rachel replied. "You said people turned into monsters because they were so afraid."

"They did." Vivian nodded. "They still do."

Rachel shrugged her mother's hand away from her hair and turned toward the passenger's window.

"After today," she said, "I don't see how we're any different from them." (p. 89)

Cover Art Commentary:
I really love the cover of this book. It's one of the first things that drew me to the book. As you read the story, you can just imagine the way the greenhouse looks at night, all lit up, against the dark countryside. I love that you can somewhat see the orchids inside the greenhouse! ;)

Overall Rating: