Summary:
This is the first novel in an eight book series and it was a great start to the series! Obernewtyn takes place in a dystopian setting after the Great White (apocalypse) has occurred. The Council is the head of all the land and they, along with their religious group the Herders, forbid anyone from keeping things or doing things from the Beforetimes. They also frown upon any odd behavior. Anyone who disobeys the Council or displays signs that they have odd powers (these people are called Misfits) are either burned at stake, sent to work in the Council farms (who farm a deadly substance), or are sent to Obernewtyn (a mysterious place no one knows much about except that it's a place for Misfits). Elspeth's parents were burned at stake, leaving her and her brother as orphans. She tries to keep her Misfit vision powers hidden, but soon finds herself on a carriage to Obernewtyn where she'll find out she's a part of something much, much bigger. . .

Opinion:
My friend Tamara recommended this series to me last February and I finally got to reading it a few weeks ago. I must say that I absolutely LOVED the book; it was packed with action and many surprising events. I usually try to guess what's going to happen in books, but this one was quite unpredictable. I want to give it five out of five stars, but I have to admit it lacked a few elements for me; the whole book seemed as though it were one novel-long introduction and I do believe there were too many characters that weren't at all that important. Other then that, AMAZING read with a great plot!

I would recommend this book to teens and young adults as there are some violent and adult events that happen.