The Line (The Line, #1)

Jul 24, 2010 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 3 of 5 stars

If you asked me if I'm a fan a dystopian fiction, I'd tell you no. Yet everything time I read a dystopian novel, I end up loving it.... maybe I am just in denial.

The Line is a very diverting novel. Maybe I'm just a dystopian newbie, but the whole concept was very intriguing. The first part of the novel was a little slow for me, the introduction of the characters, the explanation of the world. Don't let that slow start stop you from reading the rest of the novel, because you will be disappointed...more

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Jun 07, 2010 Becca Lee rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had high hopes for the book, I LOVE dystopianesque (is that even a word?) books. The book is extremely gripping with its “mesmerizing prose.” A review from Mary E. Pearson (Adoration of Jenna Fox) says, “The Line took me ‘away’ in one page-turning gulp. Hall’s writing is seamless, smooth, and compelling – I can’t wait for the next installment. This is a new author to keep an eye on.” I couldn’t agree with her more. I am anxiously awaiting book two and I found myself extremely satisfied yet wan...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip marked it as to-read

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, kindle-can-buy, series-bk-1, teen, library-bloomington, apocalyptic-dystopian

Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Rachel has lived on The Property since before she can remember. Her mother works for Ms. Moore, the owner, as a housekeeper of the large house. Rachel enjoys living far from town and away from the strong governmental control most other people must suffer. People living in towns deal with unfair and random taxes and, when they can't pay, are taken to jail.

Most people would hate living on The Property because it backs up to The Line, a small section...more Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com

Rachel has lived on The Property since before she can remember. Her mother works for Ms. Moore, the owner, as a housekeeper of the large house. Rachel enjoys living far from town and away from the strong governmental control most other people must suffer. People living in towns deal with unfair and random taxes and, when they can't pay, are taken to jail.

Most people would hate living on The Property because it backs up to The Line, a small section of the National Border Defense System that separates the people of the Unified States from Away and the Others. The Line is an invisible barrier that can only be crossed if the government grants permission and deactivates The Line.

Rachel doesn't feel fear when she thinks of Away. She even tried to cross it once, but simply bounced back from The Line and landed flat on her back.

Rachel's quiet life is turned upside down when two things happen.

First, she finds a battered digital voice recorder with a partial message requesting help. Then, during a trip to town with her mother for the weekly supplies, they witness the arrest of a woman her mother recognizes.

Rachel discovers she doesn't know her mother as well as she thought she did, that Ms. Moore has some unbelievable secrets, and the Away and the Others are closer than she thinks. She must use her wits and bravery to get through a dangerous and exciting time in order to save an important historical document and people she doesn't even know.

THE LINE by Teri Hall is a fascinating dystopian novel full of strong female characters and a dark, creepy plot. The end, while a bit abrupt, is satisfying. Readers will definitely want to read more about the adventures Rachel is sure to find. The author leaves the story completely open for a sequel, and I for one can't wait to read it.

The synopsis isn't the only thing I found intriguing about THE LINE. Just take a look at the cover and tell me you don't want to read it! Fantastic art choice!(less)

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Dec 16, 2009 Courtney added it

Shelves: 2009, ya-fiction

I have been looking forward to The Line since the deal announcement went up in Publishers Marketplace, "set in the near future, when an invisible, physical barrier exists between the Unified States and Away, examining a girl's choice to risk crossing not just the barrier, but the lines her protective mother has drawn for her in order to keep her safe from a destructive, controlling government..."

Doesn't it get your mind whirring? Doesn't it make the reader in you say, "Heck yes?" That is totally...more I have been looking forward to The Line since the deal announcement went up in Publishers Marketplace, "set in the near future, when an invisible, physical barrier exists between the Unified States and Away, examining a girl's choice to risk crossing not just the barrier, but the lines her protective mother has drawn for her in order to keep her safe from a destructive, controlling government..."

Doesn't it get your mind whirring? Doesn't it make the reader in you say, "Heck yes?" That is totally what happened when I read the PM announcement. After I read it I said title over and over and over again in my head (TheLineTheLineTheLineTheLineTheLineTheLineTheLineTheLine) until it was ingrained in my memory, so it wouldn't drop off my radar from that point to its release. And it didn't. AND THEN I GOT TO READ IT!

Two words: lucky me!

So let's get right down to it, shall we. One of the first things that struck me about The Line--one of the first things I loved about it--was the style. There is something very fairy tale amazing wonderful about it. Take a look at these few opening sentences: "It seemed to Rachel that she had always lived on The Property, though this wasn't true. Her mother, Vivian, said they moved there when she was three years old, but Rachel didn't remember. To her, The Property was home." Do you see what I mean? I could hear the words in my head, read in this soft and gentle reading-you-a-fairy-tale type voice. It lulled and eased me into this incredible story...

With a VERY sinister edge.

I LOVED THAT. The the setting, the world, the prose offer all these sharp contrasts. Comfort. Discomfort. That you could feel this gentle fairy tale vibe INITIALLY, but it offshoots directly into this darkness that it doesn't shy away from--all while being fantastically consistent--is my favourite thing about this book. It's like a storm is brewing. Brilliant. And Rachel is the perfect kind of character to feed these contrasts to the reader. I loved her questions about The Line, Away, The Government, the reality of being brave juxtaposed against desire to be brave, reconciling what you can do with what you should do, great questions of right/wrong (by the way, this book is going to inspire some great questions and discussions in younger and older readers alike). The Line is about a time and place that is not safe and scary and feels unnervingly possible. I know I am not saying much about what happens in the book but I'm trying to talk FEELINGS here because I don't want to give too much away because I want readers to go into this knowing as little as possible so it can sweep them away like it did me. So good.

Ok so now I'm going to make a really weird comparison, but oh well, that is what I do. The pacing of The Line reminds me of the pacing of the movie Audition. Yes, AUDITION. The Line is not anything like Audition in terms of content (just throwing that in there for those of you who are now reading my review with this face O_O)--but when I watched Audition I could feel myself being wound tighttighttighttighttight, knowing that the pay off was going to leave me saying DAMN. And that is exactly what happened when I was reading The Line (AND unlike Audition, I did not have to walk away and stop The Line!). I got wound tight but I didn't even realize HOW much until I hit that last page and then I was like whoa, DAMN. But I mean that in the best way possible. And then you close the book and you're like DAMN again because the pacing and the tension was just that PERFECT. Which is also what I did after I read the last page. And now I am doing it again.

DAMN.

I can't freaking wait for Away.(less)

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Feb 24, 2011 Kim rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, ebook, dystopian-fiction, booker-challenge-2011, read-in-2011, unfinished, did-not-like-it

TBR Reduce Challenge #4 - 2011 (Lora)

My summary for this book:

I recommend this to anybody who has trouble sleeping and/or with their orchids.

*sighs*

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Aug 25, 2010 Miss Clark rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, history-culture

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Part of the 2010 Debut Author Challenge

2.5 stars (Reads like the first half of a single book, not the first book in a series.)

It was better than I had expected it to be after encountering some less favorable reviews. They were mostly concerned with plot and such.

Evil, corrupt tyrannical government set in a futuristic society? Check.
No rights and obscene, excessive taxes? Check
Girl who will somehow bring about the collapse of this unjust regime and inspire a rebellion? Check.

So, clearly we have a...more Part of the 2010 Debut Author Challenge

2.5 stars (Reads like the first half of a single book, not the first book in a series.)

It was better than I had expected it to be after encountering some less favorable reviews. They were mostly concerned with plot and such.

Evil, corrupt tyrannical government set in a futuristic society? Check.
No rights and obscene, excessive taxes? Check
Girl who will somehow bring about the collapse of this unjust regime and inspire a rebellion? Check.

So, clearly we have all the makings of a dystopian society set in an America years ahead, with all the other countries having different names and borders. To ensure the safety of America's own borders from ground invasion following the passage of international laws making nuclear/missile weapons illegal, the government of the U.S. created a force field around the states and anyone who happened to be on the other side got abandoned there when a neighboring country threw some radioactive weapons at the US. Lots of people died and those that did not ended up gaining some strange abilities down through the generations. (You cannot have radioactive weapons without genetic mutation and super powers. It is some unwritten rule.)

The maps? What are they and why are they so important? How does Pathik know Daniel? Is Daniel still alive? Was not very invested in the fate of the characters, more plot driven. I'll probably pick up the next book to see what happens, but if it is dragged on any farther, I'm out. Publishers need to stop milking stories for more than they have to give.

Cover deserves a mention though because it is a lovely one. It fits the story (the greenhouse being an essential building that figures into the story frequently)and the lighting gives an appropriately mysterious and spooky feel. The font, sparse, thin and rigid speaks volumes, as does the line running down. A cover that fits the book, enhances the attraction of the book and after reading it I was not confused by the cover or feel misled.(less)

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Nov 25, 2011 Murdock. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Dystopian fans.

Shelves: libros-reseñados, favoritos

Reseña extraída de mi blog literario, Pouring Feelings...

El punto de partida de esta reseña es el siguiente: The Line es el primer libro en inglés que leo. Cuando comencé su lectura, no sabía qué iba a encontrarme pues no había leído ni una sola reseña. Su prometedora sinopsis fue suficiente para hacerme con él y leerlo meses más tarde. Tampoco sabía si mi nivel de inglés iba a ser suficiente para leerlo, o si por el contrario se me haría cuesta arriba. No ha sido el caso. Al principio sí miraba...more Reseña extraída de mi blog literario, Pouring Feelings...

El punto de partida de esta reseña es el siguiente: The Line es el primer libro en inglés que leo. Cuando comencé su lectura, no sabía qué iba a encontrarme pues no había leído ni una sola reseña. Su prometedora sinopsis fue suficiente para hacerme con él y leerlo meses más tarde. Tampoco sabía si mi nivel de inglés iba a ser suficiente para leerlo, o si por el contrario se me haría cuesta arriba. No ha sido el caso. Al principio sí miraba cosas en el diccionario pero a medida que avanzaba dejé de recurrir tanto a él. Lo he leído sin complicaciones y lo he disfrutado muchísimo, que es lo más importante.

The Line nos muestra una sociedad supeditada a un estado opresor. Un gobierno que ha dado poder a los policías, hasta el punto en que pueden detenerte por casi cualquier cosa. Basta que haya circulando un rumor sobre ti para que la sombra de la duda les haga vetar tu perfil (ficha informática con todos tus datos). Y después, te Identifican y si no tienes dinero, acabas trabajando para el Estado, viviendo en barracas con otros tantos desgraciados como tú. Por suerte, Vivian y Rachel viven alejadas de todo ese trajín. La madre es ama de casa en La Propiedad perteneciente a la Sra. Moore, mientras que su hija trabaja en el invernadero, haciéndose cargo de las orquídeas de la jefa de Vivian. En principio, todo va bien… pero hay algo que no encaja. Vivian es demasiado protectora. ¿Qué es lo que oculta? No es la única con secretos del pasado, por supuesto. La Sra. Moore también tiene los suyos, relacionados con algo que ocurrió antaño en su Propiedad, algo relacionado con La Línea. ¿Qué es la Línea? ¿Qué hay detrás de ella, en Away?

Me ha sorprendido gratamente la concepción de los Estados Unificados. Si hay algo que caracterice a una distopía, como bien sabréis, son los Estados totalitarios. Conocer cómo se ha llegado ahí, los motivos por los cuáles se crea la Línea, así como comprobar la crueldad que ese gobierno ficticio puede llegar a tener me ha gustado mucho. El hecho de que se explique tan bien la historia le da puntos a favor. En otros libros del mismo corte no lo hacen, o no en tanta profundidad.

Otra baza a favor son los personajes. El narrador usa la tercera persona para expresarse pero lo hace según los sentimientos de cada personaje. La mayoría de las veces es Rachel, la chica protagonista, pero también llegamos a conocer a su madre y a la Sra. Moore. Las tres mujeres me han encantado. Son reales. Como tú o como yo. Vivian y Moore han cometido errores, han pasado mucho tiempo lamentándose por ellos pero son luchadoras y valientes, cada una a su modo. Rachel es inocente pero inteligente y muy (pero que muy) valiente. Confía en sus actos y conoce los motivos que la llevan a ello. Os aseguro que jamás me había sentido tan orgullosa de que un personaje se llamara como yo. Las tres son buenas personas, pero Rachel tiene un halo especial, algo que me hace querer decirle “YOU GO, GIRL” <3

Y no sólo están ellas. Conoceréis a más personajes, como el viejo Jonathan o el misterioso Pathik, que es amor.

Por si estos puntos no fueran suficientes para argumentar mi puntuación, el último lo encontramos en la manera de escribir de la autora. Tiene una pluma preciosa, es capaz de traer a la vida personajes ficticios, perfectamente desarrollados. Ha sabido captar perfectamente los sentimientos contrariados de una anciana, el miedo y el coraje de una madre que lucha por sobrevivir un día más y la dulzura y la valentía de una adolescente que quiere luchar por lo que cree justo.

The Line no es una novela de acción trepidante, al menos no en esta primera entrega. Sin embargo, sabe captar la atención del lector a través de otros muchos puntos fuertes. Estoy deseando leer los siguientes porque me he enamorado de The Line y creo que lo mejor está por llegar.

Puntuación: 4/5.(less)

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Jan 20, 2010 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Line is a clever mix of dystopian fiction, the paranormal, a slight dash of romance, and a bunch of important lessons- it's a good way to pass the time while we all wait for the third Hunger Games book to come out.

I will say this- The Line takes awhile to get started. It starts off as a fairly typical (if there is such a thing) dystopian novel- the U.S. barely won an all out nuclear war and deals with the huge amounts of collateral damage by enforcing draconian laws, taxes, and punishments....more The Line is a clever mix of dystopian fiction, the paranormal, a slight dash of romance, and a bunch of important lessons- it's a good way to pass the time while we all wait for the third Hunger Games book to come out.

I will say this- The Line takes awhile to get started. It starts off as a fairly typical (if there is such a thing) dystopian novel- the U.S. barely won an all out nuclear war and deals with the huge amounts of collateral damage by enforcing draconian laws, taxes, and punishments. Rachel Quillen and her mom, Vivian, live outside of town on The Property, a large parcel of land complete with greenhouse (hence the cover) that's owned by Ms. Moore, Vivian's boss and Rachel's teacher when it comes to growing orchids. Rachel is a likeable enough character- her mom warns her constantly to be vigilant and to think for herself, but Rachel never really understands why.

All that changes when Rachel makes some discoveries about her mom's past, her dad's history, and the truth of what lays on the other side of The Line, which is the boundary between the supposedly safe area and Away, the supposedly vast nuclear wasteland. This is the point in the story (about halfway) where The Line undergoes a transformation and becomes a unique book. Rachel has to make some tough choices and encounters that moment that we all go through when we realize that our parents are not perfect; the secondary characters (especially the Others) get a good share of the attention and their experiences and positions definitely stoked my interest in the next installment, since this is the first book in a series. On an unrelated note, I thought the explanations of the history behind the current political situation in the book were really interesting and, because they took the form of dialogue between Rachel and her mom, didn't bog the story down, which is always nice. A lot of thought obviously went into creating a realistic backstory for the politics and regulations of the world the story is set in.

My main criticism of the book is that the pacing of the book is just a little bit off- we get a whole lot of establishment in the beginning of the book that basically presents the themes of the book, one after the other. Then there's almost a pause, and the action of the story picked up dramatically. I think I would have appreciated a more thorough blending of the two elements. Granted, I read an uncorrected proof and perhaps there are some differences between that and the final product, but the pacing was one thing that stood out in my mind.

With that said, The Line is a good start in what certainly seems to be a promising series. I'm definitely on board for future installments and am excited to find out what happens with the Others and Rachel in the next book.

Overall Grade: B+

Read more reviews at What Book is That?

I will say this- The Line takes awhile to get started. It starts off as a fairly typical (if there is such a thing) dystopian novel- the U.S. barely won an all out nuclear war and deals with the huge amounts of collateral damage by enforcing draconian laws, taxes, and punishments. Rachel Quillen and her mom, Vivian, live outside of town on The Property, a large parcel of land complete with greenhouse (hence the cover) that's owned by Ms. Moore, Vivian's boss and Rachel's teacher when it comes to growing orchids. Rachel is a likeable enough character- her mom warns her constantly to be vigilant and to think for herself, but Rachel never really understands why.

All that changes when Rachel makes some discoveries about her mom's past, her dad's history, and the truth of what lays on the other side of The Line, which is the boundary between the supposedly safe area and Away, the supposedly vast nuclear wasteland. This is the point in the story (about halfway) where The Line undergoes a transformation and becomes a unique book. Rachel has to make some tough choices and encounters that moment that we all go through when we realize that our parents are not perfect; the secondary characters (especially the Others) get a good share of the attention and their experiences and positions definitely stoked my interest in the next installment, since this is the first book in a series. On an unrelated note, I thought the explanations of the history behind the current political situation in the book were really interesting and, because they took the form of dialogue between Rachel and her mom, didn't bog the story down, which is always nice. A lot of thought obviously went into creating a realistic backstory for the politics and regulations of the world the story is set in.

My main criticism of the book is that the pacing of the book is just a little bit off- we get a whole lot of establishment in the beginning of the book that basically presents the themes of the book, one after the other. Then there's almost a pause, and the action of the story picked up dramatically. I think I would have appreciated a more thorough blending of the two elements. Granted, I read an uncorrected proof and perhaps there are some differences between that and the final product, but the pacing was one thing that stood out in my mind.

With that said, The Line is a good start in what certainly seems to be a promising series. I'm definitely on board for future installments and am excited to find out what happens with the Others and Rachel in the next book.(less)

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Mar 27, 2010 Abby Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blogged

Since she can remember, Rachel has lived near The Line, a force field erected to protect the United States from attackers - and to keep The Others out. She's always been fascinated by Away and often wonders what could be out there. But when she receives a message from Away, Rachel begins to uncover the terrible truths that her mother has been hiding from her.

This is an intriguing addition to the genre of dystopian lit and it will please fans of The Giver and Among the Hidden. Recommended for sc...more

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May 07, 2013 Zoe rated it 2 of 5 stars

I was really excited to read this book - from what I'd heard on Goodreads and Amazon, the plot sounded pretty intriguing. But, sadly, this book came nowhere close to reaching my expectations.

The characters seemed unrealistic and not very well-developed. Not only were they unrealistic but I didn't feel for them. Rachel seemed so much more mature than 11; not just in her dialogue but in the way she thought. Vivian, Rachel's mom, was developed a little better than Rachel, but she still definitely f...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Carol rated it 3 of 5 stars

Rachel leads a lonely life as the daughter of the housekeeper on The Property. She spends her time studying "official" government texts, hiding in the orchid greenhouse and searching online for stories about The Others who live Away on the other side of The Line. In fact pretty much all of her spare time is spent obsessing about Away. One day she discovers a recorded plea for help from the other side of The Line. She bravely steps forth to give aid to the unknown. Things start to spiral out of h...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Warren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Setting: The time is in the future. The United States is enclosed with The Line - an energy force field that keeps people out but it also keeps people in. The story takes place in a ranch-like estate called The Property. Outside The Line is Away.

Characters: Rachel is the main character. She is a young girl curious about the Away and is determined to find out what is out there. Vivian is Rachel's mother. She is the housekeeper for the estate. Elizabeth Moore is The Property's owner. She raises or...more

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Sep 21, 2011 Kelly Kiesel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rachel has lived on the Property for as long as she can remember. Rachel’s mother Vivian works for Ms. Moore as the live in house keeper. The Property sits on the border of The Line, a mysterious government controlled border that separates the US from the Away. The Others live in the away and are rumored to be very dangerous. One day Rachel works up the nerve to try to cross the line. When her attempt fails and a window is mysteriously broken she is forced to work for Ms. Moore. Rachel begins wo...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Kelly rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, read-in-2011

This is one of those books where I'm not sure how I feel about it. I like the idea (obviously, or I wouldn't have picked it up to read it) but I felt like sometimes the message was a little heavy handed. I also felt that the writing itself was written for a younger audience. Yes, the argument can be made that it's a young adult book and I'm more in the strictly adult demographic but I've read plenty of YA books that don't feel like their targeted directly toward the YA market. I'm not saying thi...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Line is categorized as a YA (young adult) novel. With that being said my qualifications on the content are less critical than a book that is geared towards a more mature reader. However, I really don't have any criticisms of this book other than the slower start to lure me in. I'd say I wasn't fully invested in the story until page 70 or so, which was about a third of the way through. But from that point on the story kept building, the tension continued to mount until the final page that lef...more The Line is categorized as a YA (young adult) novel. With that being said my qualifications on the content are less critical than a book that is geared towards a more mature reader. However, I really don't have any criticisms of this book other than the slower start to lure me in. I'd say I wasn't fully invested in the story until page 70 or so, which was about a third of the way through. But from that point on the story kept building, the tension continued to mount until the final page that left me wanting to know moreand to go further on this journey with the characters. Luckily there was a 7 or 8 page 'tickler' of the next book included.

Although on a different scope, I consider this book a combination of a dystopian society following a mini post-apocalyptic event. Government is in control to the extreme for the U.S. (now referred to as the Unified States), news and propaganda are filtered and changed before being fed out to society. DNA is recorded at birth as a means of keeping track of people. The list of government rules goes on and on, however there is a region of people who are not under this control. They are the Others who inhabit the land on the other side of the Line. They are Away. The Line is a means of border control, keeps people out and keeps people in. The people the Line is keeping, or kept, out though were it's own citizens. Now after many years of being cut off, barely surviving, a young boy makes his way to the Line in order to see if he can communicate with someone on the other side in order to get medicine for his sick and dying father. That's where this story takes off.

Barriers have always existed in our past, continue in our present, so this barrier in the story isn't hard to believe there is a sense of reality. The Berlin Wall, Japanese segregation camps after the Pearl Harbor attack, apartheid in South Africa are all examples of barriers. They seem apalling to us, but at one time they made perfect sense to someone otherwise they would not have existed. And so the Line exists too.

The Line in my opinion represents fear. Fear then builds upon itself and becomes an entity. What would happen if one of the Others crossed over or vice versa? You'll have to read to find out for yourself. (less)

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Jul 17, 2011 Zarina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Well, I read this in 2 or 3 hours while on trains today, which probably says it all. While a fascinating read it really only felt like an introductionary chapter to a story yet to come, which I suppose in a way it is, being the first novel in a series (trilogy?) but I still would've liked to see more action in the first instalment.

I really love the background this novel is set in: some decades or centuries into the future the US (which means Unified States in case you got confused there, this i...more Well, I read this in 2 or 3 hours while on trains today, which probably says it all. While a fascinating read it really only felt like an introductionary chapter to a story yet to come, which I suppose in a way it is, being the first novel in a series (trilogy?) but I still would've liked to see more action in the first instalment.

I really love the background this novel is set in: some decades or centuries into the future the US (which means Unified States in case you got confused there, this is not one of those novels that believes the United States is the centre of the world or anything...) expects an attack on their borders and to prevent this from happening they create a ground defence system separating the US from whatever evils are lurking outside there. Only problem is that they didn't warn anyone this would happen out of fear that the communication would be intercepted by the enemy (though some high up rich men knew beforehand so they could bring their families to safety, that's democracy for you) and as such the line that was drawn between the US and another part now referred to as Away separated families and friends without a warning and forever. Even if the people in Away survived the nuclear blast there was no way they could ever cross the invisible border back to the US as it'll just make you bounce back.

Go forward a few generations and we meet Rachel and her mother and through their eyes slowly start to get a sense of the totalitarian state they're currently living in, one that's only getting worse. Rachel has grown up on The Property, a place near the Line and slowly gets drawn to it and all the stories she hears about Away; monsters and strange birds and all these other unexplainable things. But which of these stories are true, and which are fabricated by the government to keep people away from er... Away?

Sounds like a fantastic premise for a book, doesn't it? Unfortunately the few revelations that we do get in this one are quite predictable and when the storyline finally progresses into the unknown and exciting the book is already over. I will be seeking out the next instalment but do hope it progresses at a much quicker pace than this one. (less)

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Feb 10, 2011 Charlotte added it

What would it be like if you lost your father in the war? What if you lived by an invisible line controlled by the security of the country? How about if you found a recording in a river and could barely understand it? These are just a few of the things that would happen to you if you were Rachel. The Line is a very intriguing sci-fi book. It takes place in the future in a country known as the Unified States. The protagonist, Rachel, lives in a world protected by the government. Her mother and fa...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Jan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teenbooks

Summary: A dystopia projecting what might happen if the US builds a defense wall (The Line) around the country. A war with another country interferes before the wall is complete and an area of the country is left undefended. The inhabitants are exposed to bio-weapons and are now considered contaminated. The new repressive government forbids contact with them. Rumors swirl about what has happened to them…are they now mutated monsters? Rachel lives with her mother near The Line and one day meets o...more

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Dec 28, 2010 nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, cybils

I've had this on my reading list for a while, so I was psyched when it was one of my first Cybils-related holds to arrive. Hall's debut didn't disappoint. The dystopia laid out is clever, with exposition unfolding through Rachel's history lessons and discussions. Although it quickly becomes obvious that this book is laying out the foundation for a series, this method of allowing the story to unfold through dialogue doesn't feel forced or unnatural. Several of the adult characters have Secrets. A...more

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Sep 04, 2010 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Line has all the hallmarks of great dystopian fare — oppressive government, a population that goes without many creature comforts, a far away unreachable place, and characters filled with motivation and longing for a better life.

What it doesn’t have is speed. I totally trudged through the first three fourths of this book.

Don’t get me wrong. In a dystopian story it’s important, no essential, to provide the reader with historical perspective. It allows us to see how the population got where th...more The Line has all the hallmarks of great dystopian fare — oppressive government, a population that goes without many creature comforts, a far away unreachable place, and characters filled with motivation and longing for a better life.

What it doesn’t have is speed. I totally trudged through the first three fourths of this book.

Don’t get me wrong. In a dystopian story it’s important, no essential, to provide the reader with historical perspective. It allows us to see how the population got where they are when we are clued into their lives. But in the case of The Line there was so much focus on the past lives of the characters that their present is almost entirely pushed aside. I understand that the reader needs that information, it definitely informs who the characters are how they navigate situations they’re put in. But, for some reason it kind of falls flat for a good portion of the time.

That is until the end. In about the last fourth of the book we finally start to see more present day machinations and thoughts to the future. We finally got some action and movement in relation to the hallmark of any dystiopian, that being overcoming adverstity. Without giving too much away, all I’ll say is that there are an interesting series of revelations and actions that culminate towards the end that will lead into the next book.

But back to historical perspective. Where would I have liked to have seen a bit more background? Anything that had to do with Away. The characters, the culture, just about anything. Again, we did get a bit of information towards the end of the book, and I suspect we’ll get even more in the second of the series, but it could have come much sooner for my liking.

So, what is the biggest strength of this book? What might keep me on board for reading book two? Two things, actually, family dynamics and the cliffhanger ending.

Hall has written the families of the story as showing great strength and endurance. Whether living on The Property or perhaps as far as Away the threads between parents and children are tightly woven. All have dealt with so much and through it all remained true to each other. They protect themselves and those close to them, being sure to keep each others secrets thus avoiding further and more deeply torturous persecution.

I’d hesitate saying I loved this book, in fact I have to grudgingly admit I feel somewhat ambivalent about it. However, given where The Line ended book two is not short on potential. I’m certainly interested in seeing where the story progresses and will likely pick it up to give it a secnd chance.(less)

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Jun 09, 2010 Corinne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

What is the Line? It's the invisible but very real border that the government built to keep the people of the U.S. safe - nobody (and nothing) can walk or drive or fly in. No one can really get out, either - unless the government says so, but that's good for everyone, right? If it keeps us all safe?

Rachel always felt like the line was a good idea. Her life outside the city, on the Property, with her mother and the woman they work for, was pretty isolated from the heavy hand of the government unt...more

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Apr 27, 2010 Amanda rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, dystopian, social-issues, middle-school

It's not like there was anything wrong with this book. There just wasn't anything right, either. The writing is really clunky (I am pretty sure some of these paragraphs were "what not to do" examples in my high school creative writing textbooks). The characters are flat and boring. Plus, Hall does that annoying thing where she unnecessarily makes up words to sound more sci-fi ("digim" for "picture," "creds" for "dollars"). Made-up words do not create an interesting world all by themselves. Overa...more

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May 31, 2011 April*procrastinator and proud* rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-that-killed-my-brain, cool-i-dea, series

Okay... I did write a review for this book where I said it was worth a read but..... NO IT ISN'T.
*sigh* Now that I've gotten that out of my system....
The writing wasn't very good (needed more emotion) the characters were bland and the main chick.... i REALLY didn't know what her age was.... HOW OLD WAS SHE! Sometimes I thought she was 16... then i was absolutely convinced she was 10.... then maybe around the 17-ish range... It was all just very confusing for my poor little brain....

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Mar 13, 2010 Cassandra Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another enjoyable book! At first the story is slightly confusing with the terms of Teri Hall's society; terms like "Away" and "the Others." It's a dystopian novel which I absolutely adore ever since I read the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. The story is told in third person, mostly by following Rachel, but sometimes following her mom or Ms. Moore. The pace is superb despite getting used to the terms they use for things. The plot is similar to most dystopian novels. There's a society which wa...more

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Mar 12, 2010 Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, science-fiction, suspense

Ages 10+ (a mention of rape, something else that I'm forgetting)

In the future, people in the U.S. (Unified States) live in a passive police state, held "captive" inside the country by a forcefield that was erected generations earlier under the guise of protection. Of course, the country is pretty big (or so it seems). But for teenage Rachel, who lives on an orchid farm known as the Property, the Line is an every day presence in her life. Life is fairly quiet, with only her mother, Ms. Moore (ow...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Elaine rated it 2 of 5 stars

This is a 2012 Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee; YA book. I love dystopian literature, but this one was disappointing. Basic premise is cool - - future USA divided into sections (ostensibly due to nuclear war) with an invisible, electronic "line" dividing the sections. Main character is young teen Rachel who lives away from the city with her mother and the somewhat mysterious owner of the large expanse called "the property." There are rumors and stories about the Others, who live Away across the...more

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Jan 12, 2011 Victorious rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, meh, middle-school

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.

I have a tendancy to read the last pages of books- usually if I'm so excited I can't help myself (Mockingjay) or so damn bored I want to know the ending so I can stop reading (Graceling). It's a nasty habit I picked up from my mother but I can't seem to stop myself.

For me, The Line fell somewhere in between extreme boredom and nervous excitement. I was rarely tempted to flip to the last page, but the story was decent enough that it kept moving. I won't go...more I'm gonna let you in on a little secret.

I have a tendancy to read the last pages of books- usually if I'm so excited I can't help myself (Mockingjay) or so damn bored I want to know the ending so I can stop reading (Graceling). It's a nasty habit I picked up from my mother but I can't seem to stop myself.

For me, The Line fell somewhere in between extreme boredom and nervous excitement. I was rarely tempted to flip to the last page, but the story was decent enough that it kept moving. I won't go into a plot summary because... I don't feel like it.

To echo what a lot of other readers have said, this book feels like one half of a decent novel. The ending is abrupt- after a shocking revelation (I gasped, thinking, "How did I not see that coming?!") there is literally one paragraph left until the books ends.

The characters are somewhat flat and I felt a strange disconnect from the story- though at 219 pages, it seems a difficult task to explain an entire dystopian society AND fully develop 5 or 6 characters AND explain the complex process of growing orchids. I honestly could not picture the characters in my head when reading like Peter!? I literally pictured Pete from The Sweetest Thing cause all I got for description was tall w/ blonde hair. Kthanks- he's cute so it kinda worked.

Rachel's age seemed unknown to me, too. One minute she was crying like a sissy 9-year-old, but the next Vivian mentions that she's close to adulthood. At first I thought she was 9... but know I'm not so sure.

The hardest thing for me with The Line was the narration. At first I didn't understand why it was written in 3rd person- it seemed like a story to be written in 1st- but the switching focus on characters just didn't work to me. I understand why Hall wrote in this POV, but each new chapter with a new character focus took me out of the bigger story.

Interesting dystopian ideas that made me think of the tv show LOST (the others...), and I will definitely read the 2nd book come Sept, but only b/c of the cliffhanger ending. If it wasn't for the "OMG ARE YOU SERIOUSSSSSSS" last page, I might be tempted to skip the sequel.

3.5 stars. Hear, hear!
(less)

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Sep 28, 2012 Isabel rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. What I liked:
1. This is a concept I haven't come across before- a whole area of the world (appears to be part of North America, but it wasn't completely clear) is cordoned off, nothing goes in or out without permission and the barrier is more or less see through, so you can see beyond the barrier but can't go through it. Not much is known about those on the other side, but they must be there. You can talk to people through the barrier, and there are areas where you cross with a key.
2. The dystop...more What I liked:
1. This is a concept I haven't come across before- a whole area of the world (appears to be part of North America, but it wasn't completely clear) is cordoned off, nothing goes in or out without permission and the barrier is more or less see through, so you can see beyond the barrier but can't go through it. Not much is known about those on the other side, but they must be there. You can talk to people through the barrier, and there are areas where you cross with a key.
2. The dystopian element- I love futuristic dystopias, there is so much the author can do with the world. Almost anything is possible, I guess the only limit is making it possible to follow, so not making it too complicated.
3. I think this book leaves a lot open for the next book to explore- who are the others in Away, what sort of society have they built? There could be flashbacks to the begginning of the Border Defence System, memories of peoples experiences. I am almost scared to read Away in case none of it is there!

What I didn't like:
1. The dystopian government, it's party and party members, it's laws, it's time scales, etc, none of that was explained or developed in much detail.
2. Rachel seems to love her mother and have grown up more or less only with her. However, when the story needs her to leave her, she doesn't seem to put much thought into it. If it was my mother, who I have a close relationship to similar to Rachel, I would be agonising about it, trying to think of another way or just taking her with me. None of this crosses Rachel's mind. She is vaguely sad, but goes anyway and it's almost like she's saying goodbye to an acquaintance. This was hard for me to get past.
3. Ms. Moore turns from overbearing, rude employer who tolerates no bad behaviour, to some eccentric renegade who just happens to have a key, or a way to get one. It doesn't happen slowly- she just suddenly changes, and it's almost like she becomes a different person. I found this jarring.
4. Jonathan is developed at speed at random moments. One second he is a kindly grounds keeper type person, the next he is someone with unrequited romantic ideas towards Ms. Moore, and the baddie of the book who tries to ruin everything and steals something important.(less)

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Nov 09, 2011 Krystal rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Line is set in the future where the U.S. has built a wall around the country. When the wall was built, a section of the country was left on the outside. Nobody truly knows what happened to those people, but wild rumors abound.
Racheal is obsessed with knowing what lies on the other side of the invisible barrier known as the line. In her quest for knowledge she learns there is much more to her past than she once thought.

Its hard to describe how i feel about this one. I think in the end i feel...more

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Apr 26, 2010 Pandora rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi-2nd-floor

The story is another dysutopia story about how wrong things can become. As an adult I have been down this road before. The story might be fresher for kids.

It is okey story - How the rise of the Right lead to the fall of the freedoms of the United States - Unified States. (Dyslexic note - I kept reading United States than I realized that she had changed the name.) Has points about the time just past.

The major problem though is the pace of the story is slow. The book also is not a complete ending...more

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WHO ELSE CRIED DURING THIS BOOK???????????	1	12	Dec 15, 2011 05:28pm
Win a copy of The Line!	9	29	Oct 29, 2011 07:12pm

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