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Eridu #1
Eve of Eridu
In a world where emotions are forbidden, what happens when you start to feel? The harvest separates the worthy from the unworthy. Those who pass are destined to continue the human race, and the unworthy are culled. For years, Eve has been the poster girl for emotional control. But ever since her brother was culled, Eve is finding it difficult to keep the monitor on her wrist an acceptable blue. The next harvest ceremony is approaching and Eve will do whatever it takes to avoid the same fate as her brother.
Gripping and intriguing, Eve of Eridu explores the lengths that humans will go to in their quest for survival.
Gripping and intriguing, Eve of Eridu explores the lengths that humans will go to in their quest for survival.
242 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2018
16 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Alanah Andrews
22 books53 followersAlanah is an English teacher in Australia. She writes because her imagination overflows onto paper.
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October 11, 2019I wrote this book, so naturally I am a bit biased. However, I poured many, many hours into thinking about it, writing it, editing it and crying over it. Here's a bit more about this novel....
Eve is written in first-person perspective from a girl growing up in a world where emotions are seen as dangerous. There are many reasons why I wrote this book. For starters, I think that people have a tendency to suppress their emotions and think it is 'wrong' to show sadness, anger and so on, so I wanted to explore that.
Secondly, I'm an English teacher so you will see a bit of a comment on rankings and scores as well. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to ask any questions. You can also follow me on facebook: www.facebook.com/alanahandrewsauthor or twitter www.twitter.com/alanah_writes
Eve is written in first-person perspective from a girl growing up in a world where emotions are seen as dangerous. There are many reasons why I wrote this book. For starters, I think that people have a tendency to suppress their emotions and think it is 'wrong' to show sadness, anger and so on, so I wanted to explore that.
Secondly, I'm an English teacher so you will see a bit of a comment on rankings and scores as well. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to ask any questions. You can also follow me on facebook: www.facebook.com/alanahandrewsauthor or twitter www.twitter.com/alanah_writes
January 27, 2022
Wow. I don't think I've ever had this much of a drop in enjoyment between two instalments of a series before.
I read The Harvest (the prequel short story) a week or so ago and was really intrigued by the world the author had built. Eve and Hana were interesting characters, the world was fascinating, and I wanted to know more. Why was Eve's brother, Luc, culled? That was the biggest question I had, and I really wanted to see if Eve of Eridu would answer it. Well, it did... but that answer was less than satisfactory.
It's painfully obvious that Eve of Eridu was written before The Harvest, even though the latter is the prequel. While The Harvest featured distinct characters and an intriguing introduction to the world of Eridu, Eve of Eridu feels incomplete, confusing, and not consistent with its prequel. I kind of liked Eve in The Harvest; she's completely unlikeable in Eve of Eridu. Maybe the author realized she needed to humanize Eve a little more in the prequel so that she didn't come off as a brainwashed sociopath. (Yes, she gets better toward the end of this book, but it's too little, too late... and even then, she's still spouting the cult's sayings like a loyal member. It makes her final actions ring a bit false.) Also, if you liked Hana in The Harvest, you'll be disappointed here; she's little more than a cardboard cutout for Eve to look down upon in this book.
The other way this book seems obviously written first is the writing and editing. The first part is okay, but then the editor seems to give up. The rest of the book is full of comma splices, misplaced action beats, and incorrect punctuation (including a seeming aversion to question marks). If I hadn't wanted so badly to find out how this cult started and what its goal really was, I would've given up.
I can't even imagine reading this book without first reading the prequel. As I was reading Eve of Eridu, I was thinking about how confused I would've been had I not already been introduced to the world and all its terminology. And as for Luc... well, that's probably this book's biggest failing. He's already gone by the time the story starts, so we never get to see his relationship with Eve... and that makes it really difficult to feel anything for her because we don't really know what kind of relationship she's lost. All we know is what she tells us. (Unfortunately, the amount of telling in this book borders on the ridiculous. We're often not shown anything at all, and Eve just explains things to us. At one point, we skip ahead by months, just with one sentence. This transition could've worked... but not stuck in the middle of a random paragraph as it was.)
I'm just disappointed. I so rarely read YA these days, and I thought I'd found a series that I'd actually enjoy. Right now, I'm more annoyed than anything, and hesitant to even recommend the prequel (even though it's far better than this book). Judging by the rating on Goodreads, I'm probably in the minority. Your mileage, as always, may vary. But, if you do decide to read this, make sure you start with The Harvest.
I read The Harvest (the prequel short story) a week or so ago and was really intrigued by the world the author had built. Eve and Hana were interesting characters, the world was fascinating, and I wanted to know more. Why was Eve's brother, Luc, culled? That was the biggest question I had, and I really wanted to see if Eve of Eridu would answer it. Well, it did... but that answer was less than satisfactory.
It's painfully obvious that Eve of Eridu was written before The Harvest, even though the latter is the prequel. While The Harvest featured distinct characters and an intriguing introduction to the world of Eridu, Eve of Eridu feels incomplete, confusing, and not consistent with its prequel. I kind of liked Eve in The Harvest; she's completely unlikeable in Eve of Eridu. Maybe the author realized she needed to humanize Eve a little more in the prequel so that she didn't come off as a brainwashed sociopath. (Yes, she gets better toward the end of this book, but it's too little, too late... and even then, she's still spouting the cult's sayings like a loyal member. It makes her final actions ring a bit false.) Also, if you liked Hana in The Harvest, you'll be disappointed here; she's little more than a cardboard cutout for Eve to look down upon in this book.
The other way this book seems obviously written first is the writing and editing. The first part is okay, but then the editor seems to give up. The rest of the book is full of comma splices, misplaced action beats, and incorrect punctuation (including a seeming aversion to question marks). If I hadn't wanted so badly to find out how this cult started and what its goal really was, I would've given up.
I can't even imagine reading this book without first reading the prequel. As I was reading Eve of Eridu, I was thinking about how confused I would've been had I not already been introduced to the world and all its terminology. And as for Luc... well, that's probably this book's biggest failing. He's already gone by the time the story starts, so we never get to see his relationship with Eve... and that makes it really difficult to feel anything for her because we don't really know what kind of relationship she's lost. All we know is what she tells us. (Unfortunately, the amount of telling in this book borders on the ridiculous. We're often not shown anything at all, and Eve just explains things to us. At one point, we skip ahead by months, just with one sentence. This transition could've worked... but not stuck in the middle of a random paragraph as it was.)
I'm just disappointed. I so rarely read YA these days, and I thought I'd found a series that I'd actually enjoy. Right now, I'm more annoyed than anything, and hesitant to even recommend the prequel (even though it's far better than this book). Judging by the rating on Goodreads, I'm probably in the minority. Your mileage, as always, may vary. But, if you do decide to read this, make sure you start with The Harvest.
August 12, 2018
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. I honestly can't fault this book at all! Eve is such a likeable character and I went through every single emotion she felt with her, even ending the book with a giant sense of loss about all Eve has been through.
Alanah is an amazing writer, with a great eye for descriptions and imagery. This is one of those books that I can already see being made into a movie.
Can't wait until this comes out as a paperback so that I can sit it proudly on my bookshelf.
Alanah is an amazing writer, with a great eye for descriptions and imagery. This is one of those books that I can already see being made into a movie.
Can't wait until this comes out as a paperback so that I can sit it proudly on my bookshelf.
March 6, 2019
I actually really enjoyed this book. I liked the structure - we meet Eve immediately after the most devastating thing imaginable happened, and slowly see her try to cope. I read the prequel, The Harvest, first, and was more attached to Hana than Eve in that one, but Eve of Eridu got me extremely invested in Eve now too, trying to navigate her emotions and sort out her love and grief for her brother in a previously-unquestioned world that no longer makes sense to her. The structure and rules of the dystopian society can get a little silly or heavy-handed at times, but Eve's emotions, confusion, and growing alienation from her society was compelling within the rules of the world set up.
I was really worried when Sam, the Mysterious Love Interest Boy, came into the picture that this would develop into a huge obnoxious romance, but was surprised and delighted to find out that the romance never overtook the other things going on in Eve's life. Yes, the romance is grating - even before we learn What's Up With Sam I was not fond of how much he seemed to be stalking and prodding and bothering Eve - which is kind of disappointing that the romance is there, because the more important emotional through-lines of the book are much more compelling. Eve's love for her brother is the main emotional thread of the story, and trying to understand how the world she thought she understood and had a place in could do this to him. Her fear of death, her fear of herself, her attempt to pretend that everything is normal even as she's losing control, her growing distance from her world, her peers, and the expectations put on her - THAT'S the really interesting and important part, that's the main part, and the romance feels like a distracting mosquito buzzing over the pages of the rest of the book. Even by the ending, it really feels like Eve has much bigger, more important, other things going on in her life and influencing her decisions than the romance, which I was grateful for.
There are no big battles, no dramatic revolutions, but I do feel like this creates a much more emotionally real and compelling story of being a teen and feeling like you don't understand, fit in, or belong to your world, than a lot of "relateable" YA stories do.
I was really worried when Sam, the Mysterious Love Interest Boy, came into the picture that this would develop into a huge obnoxious romance, but was surprised and delighted to find out that the romance never overtook the other things going on in Eve's life. Yes, the romance is grating - even before we learn What's Up With Sam I was not fond of how much he seemed to be stalking and prodding and bothering Eve - which is kind of disappointing that the romance is there, because the more important emotional through-lines of the book are much more compelling. Eve's love for her brother is the main emotional thread of the story, and trying to understand how the world she thought she understood and had a place in could do this to him. Her fear of death, her fear of herself, her attempt to pretend that everything is normal even as she's losing control, her growing distance from her world, her peers, and the expectations put on her - THAT'S the really interesting and important part, that's the main part, and the romance feels like a distracting mosquito buzzing over the pages of the rest of the book. Even by the ending, it really feels like Eve has much bigger, more important, other things going on in her life and influencing her decisions than the romance, which I was grateful for.
There are no big battles, no dramatic revolutions, but I do feel like this creates a much more emotionally real and compelling story of being a teen and feeling like you don't understand, fit in, or belong to your world, than a lot of "relateable" YA stories do.
February 7, 2019
A really enjoyable dystopian young adult novel. Teenagers must prove their worthiness to remain in safe, warm, well-supplied Eridu by controlling their emotions and passing a range of tests. Those who fail are ‘transferred’ to The Grid. Eve wants to pass and get a good position afterwards. She’s always been top of the leaderboard and part of the Elite, so she should have nothing to fear, except one day the unthinkable happens and controlling her emotions is suddenly a struggle.
I recommend reading the freebie prequel first - ‘The Harvest’ currently available to subscribers to the author’s mailing list. It features Hana, who is arguably the most lovable of all the characters. This series has started well and I look forward to the next book.
I recommend reading the freebie prequel first - ‘The Harvest’ currently available to subscribers to the author’s mailing list. It features Hana, who is arguably the most lovable of all the characters. This series has started well and I look forward to the next book.
August 12, 2018
To be content is to be free...
I think it would be a huge understatement to say that I enjoyed this book. I absolutely love this story. You could say that I’ve gone “old world crazy” for it. I couldn’t put down this intelligent, gripping, dystopian YA science fiction thriller. I read it over just two days. I’m blown away by Alanah’s skill and talent for complex, imaginative world building, and the ability to create strong and realistic, relatable characters, all while weaving an intriguing storyline with a profound message. Alanah is an incredibly talented writer. Definitely one to watch! I look forward to reading more of her work. I gave it five stars only because I couldn’t give it more.
I think it would be a huge understatement to say that I enjoyed this book. I absolutely love this story. You could say that I’ve gone “old world crazy” for it. I couldn’t put down this intelligent, gripping, dystopian YA science fiction thriller. I read it over just two days. I’m blown away by Alanah’s skill and talent for complex, imaginative world building, and the ability to create strong and realistic, relatable characters, all while weaving an intriguing storyline with a profound message. Alanah is an incredibly talented writer. Definitely one to watch! I look forward to reading more of her work. I gave it five stars only because I couldn’t give it more.
July 22, 2019
One of the things I love most about this book is that nothing is as it seems. You think you have the twists and turns worked out until you realise you haven't.
The novel really picks up when Sam arrives. He is everything we love and everything Eve is against. We barrack for Sam to break through Eve's veneer. And as we're always inside Eve's head, the gradual delight in seeing her emotions surface is what makes this book so readable.
A perfect dystopian novel.
The novel really picks up when Sam arrives. He is everything we love and everything Eve is against. We barrack for Sam to break through Eve's veneer. And as we're always inside Eve's head, the gradual delight in seeing her emotions surface is what makes this book so readable.
A perfect dystopian novel.
May 18, 2020
I really liked the philosophical question that Alanah asked in this novel: how emotion illiterate are we? Does society at large know how to have conversations about emotions and how we regulate them? Have emotions really been the cause of all the horrible wars we've had in various parts of the world, some lasting decades? Will we be unable to be peaceful if emotions are truly at the core of these social problems?
**Don't continue if you don't want spoilers**
She explores a dystopian world in which any emotion is unacceptable, and the leaders of Eridu created a manifesto that enforces the prescriptive behaviors of their citizens. They are told that the leaderboard is the thing that determines whether they are culled or move onto the Harvest where they might have a chance at being the next generation's leadership.
This sickness was most likely the most dangerous of all the old world. It was called love.
Emotions are the antithesis of humanity. Emotions led to humankind virtually wiping themselves out.
They are taught to believe that emotions ruined the entire globe and forced them to go underground just to save humanity. They can't feel happiness, nor anger, nor grief, nor love. They aren't allowed to feel anything, but they are promised that if they don't get culled, they can have their monitors removed.
So it's my fault that I am suffering from the grief sickness.
They are taught to believe that emotions are their fault, that if they don't remain bluelined that they are the ones who are out of control. It drops them from the leaderboard. It leads them to being culled. It leads them to shun those who won't raise their status, even if they loved and cared for that person when they were young.
It made me think about just how illiterate we are with these feelings and with radical self-love and vulnerability. How we deliberately choose not to embrace feelings, understand them, discover our capacity for emotion, and how to manage them healthfully. How we deliberately choose to raise our children to be stoic because it's seen as 'unseemly'. How we demand children "stop crying" and "stop whining" when those are our tools for communicating discomfort and sadness - instead of doing the easy thing and sitting with that child to understand why they're crying and whining in the first place. How we continually fail to help one another through times of incredible hurt. It could be so easy to embrace emotion, yet we stigmatize it regularly. I've made it a point to let myself cry in public if that's how I feel instead of trying to cover it up. But it's still a WHOLE big thing in the US.
The only thing that fell really flat for me was the ending. It was inspiring, but not what I expected or wanted. I hope that there is a sequel because Alanah really didn't give us closure about much!
**Don't continue if you don't want spoilers**
She explores a dystopian world in which any emotion is unacceptable, and the leaders of Eridu created a manifesto that enforces the prescriptive behaviors of their citizens. They are told that the leaderboard is the thing that determines whether they are culled or move onto the Harvest where they might have a chance at being the next generation's leadership.
This sickness was most likely the most dangerous of all the old world. It was called love.
Emotions are the antithesis of humanity. Emotions led to humankind virtually wiping themselves out.
They are taught to believe that emotions ruined the entire globe and forced them to go underground just to save humanity. They can't feel happiness, nor anger, nor grief, nor love. They aren't allowed to feel anything, but they are promised that if they don't get culled, they can have their monitors removed.
So it's my fault that I am suffering from the grief sickness.
They are taught to believe that emotions are their fault, that if they don't remain bluelined that they are the ones who are out of control. It drops them from the leaderboard. It leads them to being culled. It leads them to shun those who won't raise their status, even if they loved and cared for that person when they were young.
It made me think about just how illiterate we are with these feelings and with radical self-love and vulnerability. How we deliberately choose not to embrace feelings, understand them, discover our capacity for emotion, and how to manage them healthfully. How we deliberately choose to raise our children to be stoic because it's seen as 'unseemly'. How we demand children "stop crying" and "stop whining" when those are our tools for communicating discomfort and sadness - instead of doing the easy thing and sitting with that child to understand why they're crying and whining in the first place. How we continually fail to help one another through times of incredible hurt. It could be so easy to embrace emotion, yet we stigmatize it regularly. I've made it a point to let myself cry in public if that's how I feel instead of trying to cover it up. But it's still a WHOLE big thing in the US.
The only thing that fell really flat for me was the ending. It was inspiring, but not what I expected or wanted. I hope that there is a sequel because Alanah really didn't give us closure about much!
March 2, 2019
This book is a fresh take on YA science fiction and I truly enjoyed it. Here's the premise. World War 3 has left 96 % of the human population dead from either the war itself, radiation poisoning, or a virus that popped up from the 2 combined. Eridu, a city populated by the surviving humans, is located near the center of the earth. Because it was thought that emotions were the cause of the war, the citizens of Eridu value the suppression of them. Those who cannot, face having a lower standing in society or even being 'culling', the lose of one's physical form in exchange for a digital one. The harvest, a series of tests given to all children 12 and older, is used to weed out those who are not fit to keep their human forms.
Eve is at the top of the Leaderboard and is thought become an overseer or architect but when he brother is culled, she loses of control her emotions. Desperate to gain it back and be harvested for a prime position, she is willing to do anything to get back to the emotionless person she used to be. When a mysterious boy comes into her life, her world is thrown on its head once again and she must decide which is more important: her social standing in the only world she's ever known, or giving into something completely new and utterly forbidden... love.
Eve is at the top of the Leaderboard and is thought become an overseer or architect but when he brother is culled, she loses of control her emotions. Desperate to gain it back and be harvested for a prime position, she is willing to do anything to get back to the emotionless person she used to be. When a mysterious boy comes into her life, her world is thrown on its head once again and she must decide which is more important: her social standing in the only world she's ever known, or giving into something completely new and utterly forbidden... love.
March 24, 2020
Compelling near-future fiction
Life is very ordered in Eridu. You go through the accepted stages, and all is good. As long as you don't. Emotions almost saw the downfall of the human race once, so the most vital lesson for children and teens is self control. Eve excels at this, but when her life is upended by something completely unexpected, emotions start to creep in at the edges.
Like Logan's Run for a new generation, Eve of Eridu is a compelling, fascinating read that explores what it means to really live.
Life is very ordered in Eridu. You go through the accepted stages, and all is good. As long as you don't. Emotions almost saw the downfall of the human race once, so the most vital lesson for children and teens is self control. Eve excels at this, but when her life is upended by something completely unexpected, emotions start to creep in at the edges.
Like Logan's Run for a new generation, Eve of Eridu is a compelling, fascinating read that explores what it means to really live.
March 3, 2019
I admit, this book did take me a while to read, in part because a) I have less reading time than I once did, but am proactively changing that! b) I don't usually read ebooks, until I bought my Kindle two days ago! and c) because the story was slow-burn at the start. I wasn't sure it was going to be my cup of tea, though I couldn't fault the writing style: written in first person and persent tense (again, not usually my thing) was executed superbly and, trying to consider the story told from a different narrative POV, I realised this was the most natural and perfect fit for the story and its philosophical musings.
Well, imagine my surprise, starting with this slow-burn, YA-style dystopian story, until I reached just before the midway point... and things started ratcheting up quickly. With Eve's whirlwind of feelings came my own feeling of being forcibly strapped to a rollercoaster on a very, very steep decline (kind of how I imagined calm, implacable Eve must have felt after she redlined and a series of events begin to unfold to undermine her composure and adherence to the virtues).
I personally really enjoy a good story that has something to say, some philosophical underpinning. "Eve of Eridu"'s deeper ponderings weren't immediately apparent, beyond the well-worn precedents in literature investigating what it means to be human, emotions being the devil etc. - but later, deeper questions relating to identity and systems of control (again, not original territory) raised their heads towards the story's conclusion that I really appreciated in their subtlety.
If I had one criticism, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. It didn't wreck the story for me, but mechanically felt like a deus ex machina, if somewhat in reverse. I couldn't really buy Eve just walking off into the sunset - despite her balking at the revelations Architect Nik divulges during the harvest - eschewing all that she has known, all the apprehensions she must be feeling even as she fully embraces emotions; nor could I buy the idea that all these hardwired systems of control being so easily thrown off, despite her horror. I imagine a character so appalled, yet so buried in the system of Eridu, would ultimately surrender and just go with it - that would have been more believable to me. But that is just my opinion, and my gripe is small; it doesn't change my opinion on the rest of the story, because I imagine the author was trying to tell a story of hope by the end.
Great work Alanah.
Well, imagine my surprise, starting with this slow-burn, YA-style dystopian story, until I reached just before the midway point... and things started ratcheting up quickly. With Eve's whirlwind of feelings came my own feeling of being forcibly strapped to a rollercoaster on a very, very steep decline (kind of how I imagined calm, implacable Eve must have felt after she redlined and a series of events begin to unfold to undermine her composure and adherence to the virtues).
I personally really enjoy a good story that has something to say, some philosophical underpinning. "Eve of Eridu"'s deeper ponderings weren't immediately apparent, beyond the well-worn precedents in literature investigating what it means to be human, emotions being the devil etc. - but later, deeper questions relating to identity and systems of control (again, not original territory) raised their heads towards the story's conclusion that I really appreciated in their subtlety.
If I had one criticism, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic. It didn't wreck the story for me, but mechanically felt like a deus ex machina, if somewhat in reverse. I couldn't really buy Eve just walking off into the sunset - despite her balking at the revelations Architect Nik divulges during the harvest - eschewing all that she has known, all the apprehensions she must be feeling even as she fully embraces emotions; nor could I buy the idea that all these hardwired systems of control being so easily thrown off, despite her horror. I imagine a character so appalled, yet so buried in the system of Eridu, would ultimately surrender and just go with it - that would have been more believable to me. But that is just my opinion, and my gripe is small; it doesn't change my opinion on the rest of the story, because I imagine the author was trying to tell a story of hope by the end.
Great work Alanah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2019
Wowee. What a story. I need more. There's going to be a sequel, right? *Promptly redlines and gets culled*
March 30, 2019
A classy, sharp story
Thought provoking and well written. This YA dystopian tale throws us into a world of suppressed emotions, where there is a place for everyone, and everyone knows their place. Or do they? Great main character who struggles through the constraints and tests. Then a final twist and an unexpected ending.
I wouldn't want to live in Eridu, made me feel very uncomfortable. And isn't that the point of a good story? Then this is a good story.
Thought provoking and well written. This YA dystopian tale throws us into a world of suppressed emotions, where there is a place for everyone, and everyone knows their place. Or do they? Great main character who struggles through the constraints and tests. Then a final twist and an unexpected ending.
I wouldn't want to live in Eridu, made me feel very uncomfortable. And isn't that the point of a good story? Then this is a good story.
February 16, 2020
Geez. Don’t get attached to any of the characters.. Of course there are people in power who withhold information. Kind of seems dumb but sometimes humans are that way. I rather like how the book ended, it kind of made sense within the dystopian world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2018
A quiet rebellion
Eve of Eridu isn’t your typical dystopian YA. There are no love triangles or big battles. It also appears to be a standalone - though I imagine more could follow, it is complete as it is. Another big difference IMHO is that the main character is quite likeable. Yes, I enjoyed Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss Everdeen; however, whenever I re-read I remember that I didn’t like the character in the books.
While I don’t think I’ll ever be a fan of first person POV, it works well here. In this future, emotion is considered a dangerous threat so it’s imperative we form a close connection with Eve. I would also like to note the loss of her brother that Eve experiences happens before the book starts – there’s no ripping of a beloved character from us. We do get to know Luc through her memories, but the connection is different than experiencing him firsthand.
The author brings in some unique ideas that have stayed with me (and isn’t that an amazing thing for a writer to be able to do)! As emotions are foreign to Eve, she reads ‘symptoms’ of them and even considers whether they have a taste. I’m not sure I would have selected green beans for any particular emotion, but I like the concept.
The title of my review is a quiet rebellion and that’s the best summary I could write. Following Eve’s journey is more mental and emotional. It’s also a private study in what it means to be human. It doesn’t push big ideas down a reader’s throat but instead offers a discreet conversation on a personal level.
If you’re looking for a different take on this genre, give Eve of Eridu a try!
Eve of Eridu isn’t your typical dystopian YA. There are no love triangles or big battles. It also appears to be a standalone - though I imagine more could follow, it is complete as it is. Another big difference IMHO is that the main character is quite likeable. Yes, I enjoyed Jennifer Lawrence’s portrayal of Katniss Everdeen; however, whenever I re-read I remember that I didn’t like the character in the books.
While I don’t think I’ll ever be a fan of first person POV, it works well here. In this future, emotion is considered a dangerous threat so it’s imperative we form a close connection with Eve. I would also like to note the loss of her brother that Eve experiences happens before the book starts – there’s no ripping of a beloved character from us. We do get to know Luc through her memories, but the connection is different than experiencing him firsthand.
The author brings in some unique ideas that have stayed with me (and isn’t that an amazing thing for a writer to be able to do)! As emotions are foreign to Eve, she reads ‘symptoms’ of them and even considers whether they have a taste. I’m not sure I would have selected green beans for any particular emotion, but I like the concept.
The title of my review is a quiet rebellion and that’s the best summary I could write. Following Eve’s journey is more mental and emotional. It’s also a private study in what it means to be human. It doesn’t push big ideas down a reader’s throat but instead offers a discreet conversation on a personal level.
If you’re looking for a different take on this genre, give Eve of Eridu a try!
October 15, 2018
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, and what I found was an intriguing story that kept me engrossed the whole way through. Eve of Eridu is a Young Adult Dystopian that is told through the point of view of Eve. In an underground society where worthiness is based on their ability to control their emotions, she is at the top of the leaderboard for her age group. Until her brother, who had been the top of his group, is unexpectedly culled.
For the first time, Eve’s emotional control wavers and she is beset by feelings that are viewed as a sickness. As she struggles to regain control, and her position, she is forced to confront hard truths about who she is and the society she is a part of. The introduction of Sam, a mysterious young man who does not follow the rules, sends her on an emotional journey that she is not prepared for.
A story of betrayal and loss, what Eve undergoes is underscored by snippets from the Book of Eridu that tell of the fall of humanity many centuries earlier. With strong emotions blamed for nuclear war and a manmade virus that wiped out almost the entire human race, to not conform is seen to threaten the survival of humanity. This creates a tense story, as Eve comes into conflict with her own beliefs, and she must decide if being able to feel is worse than not feeling at all.
A great dystopian read, with plenty of emotional conflict and tension to keep the reader turning the next page.
For the first time, Eve’s emotional control wavers and she is beset by feelings that are viewed as a sickness. As she struggles to regain control, and her position, she is forced to confront hard truths about who she is and the society she is a part of. The introduction of Sam, a mysterious young man who does not follow the rules, sends her on an emotional journey that she is not prepared for.
A story of betrayal and loss, what Eve undergoes is underscored by snippets from the Book of Eridu that tell of the fall of humanity many centuries earlier. With strong emotions blamed for nuclear war and a manmade virus that wiped out almost the entire human race, to not conform is seen to threaten the survival of humanity. This creates a tense story, as Eve comes into conflict with her own beliefs, and she must decide if being able to feel is worse than not feeling at all.
A great dystopian read, with plenty of emotional conflict and tension to keep the reader turning the next page.
September 21, 2021
Alexa, order more Lortnok so I can suppress my negative emotions about this book.
This is a generous 2.5 stars. It’s an interesting idea but could have been executed a lot better.
There is almost no information on this underground civilization. How long has it been around? How did they even build it with only six founders? How is there a wall surrounding them if they’re underground?
Also, Lortnok just doesn’t make sense in this world (the word itself). It just sounds like something from Welcome to Nightvale (the country of luftnarp) and that’s all I could think of when I read it.
SPOILERS BELOW
Why only praise Alexa? How many people are here? Why is there even a leaderboard If you surviving depends on this silly gene activation? Suppressing emotions activates a gene? What? How?
How do they expect to repopulate the earth if everyone is literally the same six people? There’s so much I just don’t get. And the more I think about it the more annoyed I am.
This is a generous 2.5 stars. It’s an interesting idea but could have been executed a lot better.
There is almost no information on this underground civilization. How long has it been around? How did they even build it with only six founders? How is there a wall surrounding them if they’re underground?
Also, Lortnok just doesn’t make sense in this world (the word itself). It just sounds like something from Welcome to Nightvale (the country of luftnarp) and that’s all I could think of when I read it.
SPOILERS BELOW
Why only praise Alexa? How many people are here? Why is there even a leaderboard If you surviving depends on this silly gene activation? Suppressing emotions activates a gene? What? How?
How do they expect to repopulate the earth if everyone is literally the same six people? There’s so much I just don’t get. And the more I think about it the more annoyed I am.
June 26, 2019
Wow
This book was amazing I read a free copy of book 0 that lead me to quickly to buy this one and delved into it at first I thought the artificial life was somehow sentinant and trying to control everyone but never had I imagined the direction it went in of course I did.... but I want a second book to see what happened after and rose she make it to the other place . There are just so many unanswered questions that I want answers to and I am sure that you would to if you read it. A big thumbs up from me.
This book was amazing I read a free copy of book 0 that lead me to quickly to buy this one and delved into it at first I thought the artificial life was somehow sentinant and trying to control everyone but never had I imagined the direction it went in of course I did.... but I want a second book to see what happened after and rose she make it to the other place . There are just so many unanswered questions that I want answers to and I am sure that you would to if you read it. A big thumbs up from me.
February 28, 2021
Intriguing, engaging, and inspiring. Eve of Eridu is an uplifting YA dystopian tale that held me to the end.
September 19, 2019
Emotions are dangerous; restraint of feeling is necessary for a peaceful society.
~ Book of Eridu
Nuclear fallout and and biological warfare have driven the few remaining people underground to try to keep the human race alive in a new society they call Eridu.
Several generations later, Eve is entering her final cycle before the harvest, which will determine whether she is assigned to an adult role in Eridu, or ‘culled’ to spend eternity in the Grid. Success relies on her ability to suppress her emotions. But staying calm and content has been a whole lot harder since her brother was culled.
Eridu is a world born from fear. The founders took everything that could possibly lead to extremism and banned it. Love, hate, vanity. But unlike many post-apocalyptic worlds, Eridu seems to have been established with the best of intentions rather than a desire for power and control. It’s intended to be a utopia, rather than a dystopia.
If you’d been forced to watch humanity destroy itself and the world, wouldn’t you want to try everything you could to stop it from happening again?
I loved the parallels with modern society. Isn’t this what we say to people all the time? Calm down, stay calm, take a deep breath, take a chill pill, are you off your meds, is it that time of the month? Stop it, you’re getting hysterical.
Showing too much emotion is already considered taboo in our society. Andrews has dialled this up to the extreme in Eve of Eridu.
This sickness was most likely the most dangerous of all in the old world. It was called love.
~ Book of Eridu
Patriotism, greed, vanity, fear, extremism of any kind, these are the emotions we blame when countries are driven to war. But in Eridu, love is considered the most dangerous emotion of all. It’s the original bond from which all other negative emotions stem.
And yet, Eridu is a sort of utopia. Kindness, after all, is an action. We show kindness, we don’t feel kindness.
Of course, in order to feel nothing but contentment, the environment has to be modified. Citizens are surrounded by calming colours and guaranteed the basic necessities of life – food, water, shelter, oxygen. In Eridu even the fear of death is removed. There is no death. A person’s consciousness is uploaded to the Grid where relatives and friends can speak to them through an interface.
And yet, in this utopian world, Eve becomes less satisfied and more emotionally unstable as her harvest time approaches. Will she make the cut? Or will she be culled, like her brother before her?
This is a really interesting YA read. It would be fine for readers at the early end of YA as well �� there’s no graphic violence or adult content, apart from a brief kiss and discussion of death.
November 1, 2018
Originally posted at Chain Interaction
This concept, on the surface, isn’t entirely new. I’m reminded of the Delerium books that I read as a teenager and absolutely loved. The idea of a society based around hiding or concealing your feelings is in theory nothing new. However, I thought that the various details that were added to this concept really turned it into something different. Where other books include an operation or similar to stop members of society from feeling, this book is far more about conditioning, about negative (and some positive) reinforcement encouraging young people not to feel anything. There was something of The Dark Intercept in there, the idea of your emotions being tracked and monitored for the greater good of the people. It makes for sinister reading, particularly when you are reading from the perspective of someone who, for a good portion of the book, genuinely believes this to be a positive thing. It takes a lot to shake Eve from her view of the world, which felt quite significant since so often in stories like these it doesn’t take too much to unseat the main character from their beliefs.
I also enjoyed some of the ideas of the wider setting, which I won’t go into too much detail on because you should probably explore them for yourself, but things like attitudes towards the afterlife and death, in general, are very interesting in this world. There’s also a huge scope for this world to expand in a later novel, or perhaps a companion novel? I don’t think it needs to, but it would be interesting to explore what life on the surface is like while humanity has been shut in a bunker.
My one criticism with this book, and it’s a criticism I have with pretty much every ’emotions are a bad thing’ book I’ve read, the idea that love is essential. That people aren’t living if they don’t experience love. It isn’t as prevalent in this story as it is in, for example, Delerium, but it is still there and I do think it’s a harmful attitude to have and does somewhat ignore Aromantic representation. I’d quite like to read a book like this that has platonic love or affection as the core point, which this does have to a point which is partly why it does so much better than other examples of the genre.
I loved the way that the mystery unfolded in this book. I always love an unreliable narrator or a narrator who finds themselves questioning aspects of their world that they have always believed to be true. The pacing of this book works well for that, you never feel like you’re being bombarded with plot twist after plot twist, but it keeps the excitement up throughout. By around 1/3 of the way in I was totally hooked, I needed to know how this one ended. It also managed to genuinely surprise me at times, which is no mean feat at this point!
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This concept, on the surface, isn’t entirely new. I’m reminded of the Delerium books that I read as a teenager and absolutely loved. The idea of a society based around hiding or concealing your feelings is in theory nothing new. However, I thought that the various details that were added to this concept really turned it into something different. Where other books include an operation or similar to stop members of society from feeling, this book is far more about conditioning, about negative (and some positive) reinforcement encouraging young people not to feel anything. There was something of The Dark Intercept in there, the idea of your emotions being tracked and monitored for the greater good of the people. It makes for sinister reading, particularly when you are reading from the perspective of someone who, for a good portion of the book, genuinely believes this to be a positive thing. It takes a lot to shake Eve from her view of the world, which felt quite significant since so often in stories like these it doesn’t take too much to unseat the main character from their beliefs.
I also enjoyed some of the ideas of the wider setting, which I won’t go into too much detail on because you should probably explore them for yourself, but things like attitudes towards the afterlife and death, in general, are very interesting in this world. There’s also a huge scope for this world to expand in a later novel, or perhaps a companion novel? I don’t think it needs to, but it would be interesting to explore what life on the surface is like while humanity has been shut in a bunker.
My one criticism with this book, and it’s a criticism I have with pretty much every ’emotions are a bad thing’ book I’ve read, the idea that love is essential. That people aren’t living if they don’t experience love. It isn’t as prevalent in this story as it is in, for example, Delerium, but it is still there and I do think it’s a harmful attitude to have and does somewhat ignore Aromantic representation. I’d quite like to read a book like this that has platonic love or affection as the core point, which this does have to a point which is partly why it does so much better than other examples of the genre.
I loved the way that the mystery unfolded in this book. I always love an unreliable narrator or a narrator who finds themselves questioning aspects of their world that they have always believed to be true. The pacing of this book works well for that, you never feel like you’re being bombarded with plot twist after plot twist, but it keeps the excitement up throughout. By around 1/3 of the way in I was totally hooked, I needed to know how this one ended. It also managed to genuinely surprise me at times, which is no mean feat at this point!
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 14, 2018
So, 'Eve of Eridu' is about a girl called Eve, who lives - wait for it - in Eridu. Eve has lived her whole life committed to suppressing her emotions, just like everyone else in Eridu. She's been the perfect student, constantly at the top of the leaderboard, everything is as going as well as it can in her post-apocalyptic world.
That is, of course, until her brother - like her an exceptional student at the top of his leaderboard - fails the harvest. Instead of being assigned a role in the new world, he is culled. And Eve has to be content with that. To be content is to be free, says the Book of Eridu, which all citizens do their utmost to follow. After all it has been proven that emotions - love, greed, jealousy, anger and hate - had caused the wars of history and resulted in the destruction of the world. The scant thousands who lived underground in Eridu were all that was left of humanity, and they could not allow the mistakes of the past to be repeated.
Eve struggles to be content with the sudden and unexpected loss of her brother, and to make things worse, there's a new kid, Sam, who won't leaver her alone. Struggling to keep her monitor a calm blue, and with it her place on the leaderboard, Eve's emotions threaten to overwhelm her, threaten her chances of surviving the upcoming harvest. But not only does she have to pass the tests, she needs to uncover the secrets behind Sam's mysterious appearance, and confront the chilling truths of the world the founders of Eridu created.
Andrews has crafted this dystopian post-apocalyptic society superbly, and it is sure to send chills down your spine. One of the remarkable components of this story is the Grid, which is in effect a digital afterlife, where the essences of Eridu's citizens are transferred to when they are culled or die. Eve is a compelling character, confronted with a staggering challenge and a mystery that might shake her to the core. The one criticism that I have is that it was too short, I would have enjoyed more exploration of the changing relationships Eve had with Sam, her colleagues, guardians and the overseers of Eridu. But I say that about almost every book I read - I always want more!
Ultimately it's an excellent story about a teen struggling to fit in, struggling to be the person everyone expects her to be.
That is, of course, until her brother - like her an exceptional student at the top of his leaderboard - fails the harvest. Instead of being assigned a role in the new world, he is culled. And Eve has to be content with that. To be content is to be free, says the Book of Eridu, which all citizens do their utmost to follow. After all it has been proven that emotions - love, greed, jealousy, anger and hate - had caused the wars of history and resulted in the destruction of the world. The scant thousands who lived underground in Eridu were all that was left of humanity, and they could not allow the mistakes of the past to be repeated.
Eve struggles to be content with the sudden and unexpected loss of her brother, and to make things worse, there's a new kid, Sam, who won't leaver her alone. Struggling to keep her monitor a calm blue, and with it her place on the leaderboard, Eve's emotions threaten to overwhelm her, threaten her chances of surviving the upcoming harvest. But not only does she have to pass the tests, she needs to uncover the secrets behind Sam's mysterious appearance, and confront the chilling truths of the world the founders of Eridu created.
Andrews has crafted this dystopian post-apocalyptic society superbly, and it is sure to send chills down your spine. One of the remarkable components of this story is the Grid, which is in effect a digital afterlife, where the essences of Eridu's citizens are transferred to when they are culled or die. Eve is a compelling character, confronted with a staggering challenge and a mystery that might shake her to the core. The one criticism that I have is that it was too short, I would have enjoyed more exploration of the changing relationships Eve had with Sam, her colleagues, guardians and the overseers of Eridu. But I say that about almost every book I read - I always want more!
Ultimately it's an excellent story about a teen struggling to fit in, struggling to be the person everyone expects her to be.
October 27, 2018
The story opens with Eve, who has just gone through the traumatic event of her brother Luc, being culled. This is what happens when you fail the Harvest, which determines if you are worthy to remain in Eridu. This traumatic event causes her to redline, which in this society where emotions are forbidden, is not good news for Eve. Now on to what I loved about this book: It reminded me of the Divergent series, which is a compliment because anyone who knows me knows that the series is one of my all-time favorites. But while it had it’s similarities, the uniqueness of the story really stood out to me. I found the history behind Eridu and the founders very compelling, and just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about Eridu, the author gave me more that had my jaw on the floor! From beginning to end, this book was well written, and the story was exuded pretty nicely.
I also loved how this story was relatable, and could easily be compared to so many current issues in our modern society. How we view death, the afterlife, religion. How our skills, or lack thereof, determine how we contribute to society every day. Making sacrifices for the greater good.
Eve’s relationship with Sam was cute, but not overdone which was just right for flow of the story. By the time I got to the end, when it all finally made sense, I wanted to shed a tear for these characters, even the ones what were minor. (I won’t say what “IT” is because SPOILERS) But you won’t be disappointed, and I highly recommend this book for those who love dystopian sci-fi fiction!
I also loved how this story was relatable, and could easily be compared to so many current issues in our modern society. How we view death, the afterlife, religion. How our skills, or lack thereof, determine how we contribute to society every day. Making sacrifices for the greater good.
Eve’s relationship with Sam was cute, but not overdone which was just right for flow of the story. By the time I got to the end, when it all finally made sense, I wanted to shed a tear for these characters, even the ones what were minor. (I won’t say what “IT” is because SPOILERS) But you won’t be disappointed, and I highly recommend this book for those who love dystopian sci-fi fiction!
December 16, 2018
Emotions have been blamed of all the human disasters, diseases and tragic ends, so in a future world, emotions have been forbidden. Since birth people are taught to suppress their feelings and emotions. Control is the key and Eve has been really good at it but an unexpected turn of events makes her feel... yes, feel all kind of emotions.
Eve has been working all her life to be the best and to be on the top positions for the harvest, but suddenly all of her works seems useless and little by little the life she had planned slips through her fingers. She is a really good character, her struggle is real and you feel sympathy for her situation. The addition of a male character to help her during her journey was expectable and also a good choice. Of course, there is romance but is sweet, natural and it doesn't take the aim of other parts of the book.
I liked how the story goes unraveling the secrets and truths behind this world the survivors created. The information comes at a pace that it's easy to follow without feeling overwhelmed. The plot is solid and every detail has been taking care off. The author has a really good writing style.
I enjoyed every chapter of it and is a really good book. I really like the outcome and was satisfied by the end.
*** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
Eve has been working all her life to be the best and to be on the top positions for the harvest, but suddenly all of her works seems useless and little by little the life she had planned slips through her fingers. She is a really good character, her struggle is real and you feel sympathy for her situation. The addition of a male character to help her during her journey was expectable and also a good choice. Of course, there is romance but is sweet, natural and it doesn't take the aim of other parts of the book.
I liked how the story goes unraveling the secrets and truths behind this world the survivors created. The information comes at a pace that it's easy to follow without feeling overwhelmed. The plot is solid and every detail has been taking care off. The author has a really good writing style.
I enjoyed every chapter of it and is a really good book. I really like the outcome and was satisfied by the end.
*** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. ***
December 21, 2019
Five stars for this wonderful dystopian YA novel!
Eve of Eridu takes place after the human race has been virtually wiped out by both a nuclear war and a deadly virus. The survivors created Eridu - built, safe from the radiation and virus, underground. Because its founders believed that strong emotions were the root of humanity’s downfall, children are taught from a young age to suppress all feelings - they wear monitors on their wrists which glow blue when they feel no emotion, through amber to red for strong emotion. At the end of their school years they will either be ‘harvested’ for various jobs in Eridu, or culled.
The title character, Eve, is top of her year and looks set to be chosen for a prestigious job. Her brother Luc, one year ahead of her, has also been top of his year all throughout his schooling, but the story opens, shockingly, just as Luc has been culled.
Eve’s monitor ‘redlines’ and she topples from her position on the leaderboard. She has a year to conquer the devastation and confusion she feels at the inexplicable loss of her brother and drag herself back up the leaderboard, or face being culled herself. But the task of suppressing emotions becomes even more difficult when the enigmatic Sam walks into her life.
Alanah Andrews writes with a beautifully clear, accurate, uncluttered style, and her world-building is solid and believable.
Eve of Eridu takes place after the human race has been virtually wiped out by both a nuclear war and a deadly virus. The survivors created Eridu - built, safe from the radiation and virus, underground. Because its founders believed that strong emotions were the root of humanity’s downfall, children are taught from a young age to suppress all feelings - they wear monitors on their wrists which glow blue when they feel no emotion, through amber to red for strong emotion. At the end of their school years they will either be ‘harvested’ for various jobs in Eridu, or culled.
The title character, Eve, is top of her year and looks set to be chosen for a prestigious job. Her brother Luc, one year ahead of her, has also been top of his year all throughout his schooling, but the story opens, shockingly, just as Luc has been culled.
Eve’s monitor ‘redlines’ and she topples from her position on the leaderboard. She has a year to conquer the devastation and confusion she feels at the inexplicable loss of her brother and drag herself back up the leaderboard, or face being culled herself. But the task of suppressing emotions becomes even more difficult when the enigmatic Sam walks into her life.
Alanah Andrews writes with a beautifully clear, accurate, uncluttered style, and her world-building is solid and believable.
May 17, 2019
Eve of Eridu is a dystopian novel filled with danger, even though it was a wee bit boring. It's still good, though. Don't get me wrong on that.
Emotion. In the underground land of Eridu, it's forbidden. Emotion leads to war in the old world. Emotion leads to death. Now, Eve has lost her brother. She's begun to feel. Knowing that this will lower her chances in Eridu, she does everything in her apathetic power to control it. Sam, an informer, and someone she should stay far away from isn't helping.
Really, I don't have much to say about this book. I was bored with it, but I read it so I could get the review out for this for people who like dystopian novels. I was lost by the ending. It was a cliffhanger, but it was confusing how she made a promise to somebody that she wasn't even friends with, and wasn't culled despite being so low on the leaderboard. I don't get how a little tiny foldable screen doesn't break when you fold it.
In the section of things that I liked, well, I have a couple of things on the list. I liked how Eve falls in love with somebody who's been brought back from the Grid (read the book to learn more). It brings a nice lil’ twist to the story. Although, can somebody please explain why Sam was telling Eve all of his secrets in one night? Please?
Emotion. In the underground land of Eridu, it's forbidden. Emotion leads to war in the old world. Emotion leads to death. Now, Eve has lost her brother. She's begun to feel. Knowing that this will lower her chances in Eridu, she does everything in her apathetic power to control it. Sam, an informer, and someone she should stay far away from isn't helping.
Really, I don't have much to say about this book. I was bored with it, but I read it so I could get the review out for this for people who like dystopian novels. I was lost by the ending. It was a cliffhanger, but it was confusing how she made a promise to somebody that she wasn't even friends with, and wasn't culled despite being so low on the leaderboard. I don't get how a little tiny foldable screen doesn't break when you fold it.
In the section of things that I liked, well, I have a couple of things on the list. I liked how Eve falls in love with somebody who's been brought back from the Grid (read the book to learn more). It brings a nice lil’ twist to the story. Although, can somebody please explain why Sam was telling Eve all of his secrets in one night? Please?
September 17, 2018
There is a sense of the familiar when reading Eve of Eridu by Alanah Andrews. The first chapters of the Eve of Eridu echo the set-ups of The Hunger Games and the Divergent series. This concerned me while reading the first chapters. I didn’t want the book to be a copycat storyline of those series. There was no cause for concern Eve of Eridu seems inspired by dystopian styles, but it has its own voice.
I found myself easing into the story, enjoying every chapter, and looking forward to the next. Alanah Andrews has an engaging style of writing that is neither too much introspection or too heavy on action. Eve of Eridu is also clean. There is no worry of language or anything else. Eve of Eridu is a book you could easily share with a 7thgrader on up.
If you enjoy light dystopian reads, then this book would be a great addition to your TBR list. For those that prefer things are the darker side Eve of Eridu might be a bit too vanilla.
Note to Author: For some reason Amazon is blocking me from leaving a review. Perhaps, because I am also an indie author. This is the only reason I did not post one there as well.
I found myself easing into the story, enjoying every chapter, and looking forward to the next. Alanah Andrews has an engaging style of writing that is neither too much introspection or too heavy on action. Eve of Eridu is also clean. There is no worry of language or anything else. Eve of Eridu is a book you could easily share with a 7thgrader on up.
If you enjoy light dystopian reads, then this book would be a great addition to your TBR list. For those that prefer things are the darker side Eve of Eridu might be a bit too vanilla.
Note to Author: For some reason Amazon is blocking me from leaving a review. Perhaps, because I am also an indie author. This is the only reason I did not post one there as well.
July 10, 2019
After having read the short prequel to this book got free on Amazon, I purchased the Kindle version immediately. I’m going to do my best to make this review spoiler-free.
This book surprised me. Not just because I’m not familiar with the author— it’s crazy how many amazing books are out there that should get more attention, so I try to give everyone an equal chance to captivate me. The world-building was incredible and the main character was (mostly) relatable. Even when she would not cooperate with what I wanted for her, I was rooting for Eve (and also cursing her half the time for making stupid choices). You see, I’m a rule-follower, so I get incredibly anxious when things do not go the way they “should”. It’s a character flaw of mine, but I think most people feel that anticipation anxiety when reading this type of book. It makes it more addicting to read because you’re dying to see things happen “correctly” (in your mind).
Eve lives on Eridu— an underground sanctuary made by her ancestors to save the human race. Because of a Third World War, a devastating virus wiped out 97% of the population of the world, if the nuclear warfare didn’t take them first. The remaining were left with a mission to save mankind, with a precious few immune to the disease. The incredible thing about Eve’s world is that no one ever dies— they’re sent to a place called the Grid when they are about to die, when they choose to die, or when they are decided to be of no use to Eridu’s sanctuary and are “culled” to the Grid. The people in the Grid live forever and are always accessible to anyone in Eridu to speak with, or so it is told to them.
Eve is a perfect citizen. That is, until her seemingly perfect brother— always at top rank— is culled on the day of his harvest ceremony. Eve goes into shock and redlines for the first time, from then on struggling with not only her status in Eridu, but with everything she was raised to believe and believes in herself.
Revelations about her world and also about Eve herself actually came as a surprise. This was the kind of story where I was sure I knew what was *really* going on the whole time, but ended up receiving a few curve balls. The is-all-of-this-a-lie flooded my veins constantly, and I was just so surprised by the reality of it all and it was very well delivered.
I am going to just say this once because it was the only thing I didn’t love: the ending. I would assume this is my inner child screaming for everything to happen “the way it’s supposed to”, but for god’s sake, Eve, come on.
Looking forward to book 2 & its release date!!
This book surprised me. Not just because I’m not familiar with the author— it’s crazy how many amazing books are out there that should get more attention, so I try to give everyone an equal chance to captivate me. The world-building was incredible and the main character was (mostly) relatable. Even when she would not cooperate with what I wanted for her, I was rooting for Eve (and also cursing her half the time for making stupid choices). You see, I’m a rule-follower, so I get incredibly anxious when things do not go the way they “should”. It’s a character flaw of mine, but I think most people feel that anticipation anxiety when reading this type of book. It makes it more addicting to read because you’re dying to see things happen “correctly” (in your mind).
Eve lives on Eridu— an underground sanctuary made by her ancestors to save the human race. Because of a Third World War, a devastating virus wiped out 97% of the population of the world, if the nuclear warfare didn’t take them first. The remaining were left with a mission to save mankind, with a precious few immune to the disease. The incredible thing about Eve’s world is that no one ever dies— they’re sent to a place called the Grid when they are about to die, when they choose to die, or when they are decided to be of no use to Eridu’s sanctuary and are “culled” to the Grid. The people in the Grid live forever and are always accessible to anyone in Eridu to speak with, or so it is told to them.
Eve is a perfect citizen. That is, until her seemingly perfect brother— always at top rank— is culled on the day of his harvest ceremony. Eve goes into shock and redlines for the first time, from then on struggling with not only her status in Eridu, but with everything she was raised to believe and believes in herself.
Revelations about her world and also about Eve herself actually came as a surprise. This was the kind of story where I was sure I knew what was *really* going on the whole time, but ended up receiving a few curve balls. The is-all-of-this-a-lie flooded my veins constantly, and I was just so surprised by the reality of it all and it was very well delivered.
I am going to just say this once because it was the only thing I didn’t love: the ending. I would assume this is my inner child screaming for everything to happen “the way it’s supposed to”, but for god’s sake, Eve, come on.
Looking forward to book 2 & its release date!!
November 27, 2019
When Eve's older brother is unexpectedly shifted to a different plane of existence, Eve is supposed to accept it and be content. She is supposed to have faith that the system produces the best outcomes for everyone. She is supposed to forget him and focus on remaining at the top of the leader board as the paragon of unemotional perfection. Her detachment and faith are tested when a new-comer ignores protocol by constantly asking her questions about the foundation of their society, as outlined in the Book of Eridu. And by making her...feel.
For a character that doesn't feel much, she certainly made me feel enough for the both of us. Eve shouldn't be likeable. She's cold, distant, blindly obedient to a system that even she has doubts about, and could be used as the very definition of a 'Mary Sue' (at least within the parameters of her community). And yet, it quickly becomes obvious that her 'perfection' is in fact her biggest flaw, and the mysteries and trials she faces had me red-lining like a pre-schooler.
Fans of The Giver, Brave New World and other such creepy dystopians will love this easy-to-read post-apocalyptic adventure. Looking forward to the next brave step!
For a character that doesn't feel much, she certainly made me feel enough for the both of us. Eve shouldn't be likeable. She's cold, distant, blindly obedient to a system that even she has doubts about, and could be used as the very definition of a 'Mary Sue' (at least within the parameters of her community). And yet, it quickly becomes obvious that her 'perfection' is in fact her biggest flaw, and the mysteries and trials she faces had me red-lining like a pre-schooler.
Fans of The Giver, Brave New World and other such creepy dystopians will love this easy-to-read post-apocalyptic adventure. Looking forward to the next brave step!
September 28, 2018
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For me this one was a slow burner. It picks up halfway through when the main character Eve starts to let herself feel emotions. The deeper I got into this story though the least interesting Eve became. I will honestly say that I was far more interested in the supporting character ,Sam. He made this book for me and I’d love to read a book from his POV but I digress. The novel isn’t anything that I haven’t read before. It lacks originality but is still a decent read and fans of popular dystopian novels would definitely eat this one up. It kind of reminded me of The Giver mixed with Divergent. It also reminded me of this anime called psycho-pass, with the whole “no emotions” bit. Aside from that the writing is superb. The world building wasn't overwhelming and everything flowed smoothly. I’m not typically a fan of the first person narrative but Alanah's prose is exceptional which made this book a nice read.
For me this one was a slow burner. It picks up halfway through when the main character Eve starts to let herself feel emotions. The deeper I got into this story though the least interesting Eve became. I will honestly say that I was far more interested in the supporting character ,Sam. He made this book for me and I’d love to read a book from his POV but I digress. The novel isn’t anything that I haven’t read before. It lacks originality but is still a decent read and fans of popular dystopian novels would definitely eat this one up. It kind of reminded me of The Giver mixed with Divergent. It also reminded me of this anime called psycho-pass, with the whole “no emotions” bit. Aside from that the writing is superb. The world building wasn't overwhelming and everything flowed smoothly. I’m not typically a fan of the first person narrative but Alanah's prose is exceptional which made this book a nice read.
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