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Escape from Eden
Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.
But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?
But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 18, 2013
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January 24, 2014
Review also posted at Ja čitam, a ti?
Recently while reviewing The Almost Girl I talked about dystopian books becoming realistic and how that scares me. Well, let me tell you this one was truly easy to believe in. You might not think the same but who knows what's happening in those wild parts of the world.
Anyhow back to start. So this book is about Edanton, a place in South American jungle where people are supposed to experience "Garden of Eden" and by that they are given set of strict rules which they must follow. The work for the community and have strictly enclosed space they are kept in. Mia, a girl who's been part of this program since age of ten is starting the question the system and the idea of it. When a mysterious boy Gabriel shows up he finds that the truth is far from what they've been presented. When she sees what in reality they're there to do she cannot do anything different but fight and try to find a way out.
All that with greatly pictured idea of people who are used basically as slaves with the shocking ways of controlling the minds. It was hard not to imagine this all in the wilds of Amazon forest and the whole corruption which seems too real.
What I really liked in this story are unexpected twist which moved the story the right way and which kept the pace and you never knew what's happening next. That and the romance was enough to make me love this story with the addition of realty of the story.
All in all, it's just everything I could ask for in dystopian story.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Recently while reviewing The Almost Girl I talked about dystopian books becoming realistic and how that scares me. Well, let me tell you this one was truly easy to believe in. You might not think the same but who knows what's happening in those wild parts of the world.
Anyhow back to start. So this book is about Edanton, a place in South American jungle where people are supposed to experience "Garden of Eden" and by that they are given set of strict rules which they must follow. The work for the community and have strictly enclosed space they are kept in. Mia, a girl who's been part of this program since age of ten is starting the question the system and the idea of it. When a mysterious boy Gabriel shows up he finds that the truth is far from what they've been presented. When she sees what in reality they're there to do she cannot do anything different but fight and try to find a way out.
All that with greatly pictured idea of people who are used basically as slaves with the shocking ways of controlling the minds. It was hard not to imagine this all in the wilds of Amazon forest and the whole corruption which seems too real.
What I really liked in this story are unexpected twist which moved the story the right way and which kept the pace and you never knew what's happening next. That and the romance was enough to make me love this story with the addition of realty of the story.
All in all, it's just everything I could ask for in dystopian story.
Rating: 4.5 stars.
August 6, 2013
Well, I read five books last week, and I was hesitant to read this one (because I wasn't sure what direction it would take and if it would go too far) ... but guess what? It ended up being my favorite book of the lot!
The writing sucked me in from the beginning. I predicted that it would be a bit creepy with the whole cult thing going on and when it got to the creepiest scene (I'm not giving it away here), I had to take a deep breath and read carefully. I was so worried Nader would take it too far - - - you know - - - step over that line in your mind where your gut wrenches and your heart aches because bad things just shouldn't happen to kids.
Yes. That's right. I'm an adult reading YA. And I hate it when adults (even fictional ones) hurt kids (regardless of their ages). So I was relieved that Nader didn't go too far. Now, don't get me wrong, she pushed me right up to the edge, but thankfully she didn't shove me off the cliff. *sigh* Well maybe she fake-shoved me and then yanked me back to safety. :)
And the plot took turns I was not expecting. LOVE that in a book.
There was a lot of violence in the book. So if that bothers you - this book is not for you. There was sexuality also, but it was well done and didn't go too far. I honestly can't remember if there was cussing - so there must not have been enough to bother me.
A great book. A great adventure. A little creepy.
The writing sucked me in from the beginning. I predicted that it would be a bit creepy with the whole cult thing going on and when it got to the creepiest scene (I'm not giving it away here), I had to take a deep breath and read carefully. I was so worried Nader would take it too far - - - you know - - - step over that line in your mind where your gut wrenches and your heart aches because bad things just shouldn't happen to kids.
Yes. That's right. I'm an adult reading YA. And I hate it when adults (even fictional ones) hurt kids (regardless of their ages). So I was relieved that Nader didn't go too far. Now, don't get me wrong, she pushed me right up to the edge, but thankfully she didn't shove me off the cliff. *sigh* Well maybe she fake-shoved me and then yanked me back to safety. :)
And the plot took turns I was not expecting. LOVE that in a book.
There was a lot of violence in the book. So if that bothers you - this book is not for you. There was sexuality also, but it was well done and didn't go too far. I honestly can't remember if there was cussing - so there must not have been enough to bother me.
A great book. A great adventure. A little creepy.
March 17, 2016
You can read this review and more on my blog:
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Xpresso Book Tours.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I had no idea what to expect, I've never read a book about a cult so I was apprehensive when I started this one. would it be too dark for me, and filled with perversion and sick twisted violence or would it be boring? If you're wondering some of the same things, I can sum this book up for you with two words:
While I was reading I kept rotating between holding my breath because I was so worried about what would happen to the characters next and swooning over Gabriel!
Edenton was supposed to be a utopian society where everyone lived and worked in perfect harmony. But as the story progresses, we find out just how twisted the true Edenton is. Mya's mother packed her up and moved them to Edenton when Mya was only ten, but she remembers her life before well enough to know that something about the way things are run in Edenton is not right.Both the romance and suspense begin when Gabriel is forced by his parents to move to Edenton and he and Mya meet.
Gabriel has no intentions of staying in Edenton. He is 17 years old, and as soon as he turns 18, he plans on leaving what he considers to be a freak show behind. But the moment he lays eyes on her, Gabriel sees something in Mya that tells him she is not as devoted to Edenton and its leader as everyone else. After some very disturbing secrets are exposed, they both decide that it might be best to escape Edenton, but that is not as easy as they hoped.
I will never be the same after reading this book! The one thing that movies have over books is that you can cover your eyes when things become too intense while watching a movie. Sure you can skim certain parts of books, and I do, but with a book like Escaping Eden you can't skim because you will miss something very important to the plot. I was forced to read every line and by the end I was curled up in a little ball!
I don't want to scare you away from reading this so I will let you know that even though this book deals with some very serious themes, it never went too far in my opinion. It does just enough to have you on edge, and the stress comes from not knowing what secret is going to be revealed next. This book is immensely entertaining because of all the twist and turns. It kept me guessing until the very last page, and the ending was satisfying, but left me wanting more.
Now that I have covered the suspense, let's get to the good part! I try not to be overly enthusiastic about the male characters in the books I read, I really really do, but sometimes I just can't stop myself.
Sometimes you run across a male character who is just so darn attractive, and you can't help but swoon!
Gabriel was funny, sarcastic, strong, and just screwed up enough for Mya. It's hard to believe, but what Gabriel went through before he ended up in Edenton, was worse than anything that Mya had endured so she was actually able to help him deal with some of his past traumas. But Gabriel did plenty to help Mya too. He knew just what to say to light a fire under her and make her fight for her freedom, he looked out for her, and most importantly he taught her how to flirt!
They had some of the sweetest moments at some of the strangest times, and in some of the weirdest places. Their romance starts of with a simmer, and builds towards a steady boil throughout the entire novel.
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I am giving you almost no information about the plot in this review, but that is on purpose. I am being very careful not to reveal much of anything because that would spoil your reading experience. What I can say is that this book is filled with interesting relationships, mystery, and character development, and you're just going to have to trust me when I say it is fantastic. I am sure that it's not for everyone, but if you like psychological thrillers, romance, action, and mystery, then I would give this book a try!
Because of violence, language, and mild sexual content, I would recommend this book for ages 15 and up.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Xpresso Book Tours.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I had no idea what to expect, I've never read a book about a cult so I was apprehensive when I started this one. would it be too dark for me, and filled with perversion and sick twisted violence or would it be boring? If you're wondering some of the same things, I can sum this book up for you with two words:
While I was reading I kept rotating between holding my breath because I was so worried about what would happen to the characters next and swooning over Gabriel!
Edenton was supposed to be a utopian society where everyone lived and worked in perfect harmony. But as the story progresses, we find out just how twisted the true Edenton is. Mya's mother packed her up and moved them to Edenton when Mya was only ten, but she remembers her life before well enough to know that something about the way things are run in Edenton is not right.Both the romance and suspense begin when Gabriel is forced by his parents to move to Edenton and he and Mya meet.
Gabriel has no intentions of staying in Edenton. He is 17 years old, and as soon as he turns 18, he plans on leaving what he considers to be a freak show behind. But the moment he lays eyes on her, Gabriel sees something in Mya that tells him she is not as devoted to Edenton and its leader as everyone else. After some very disturbing secrets are exposed, they both decide that it might be best to escape Edenton, but that is not as easy as they hoped.
I will never be the same after reading this book! The one thing that movies have over books is that you can cover your eyes when things become too intense while watching a movie. Sure you can skim certain parts of books, and I do, but with a book like Escaping Eden you can't skim because you will miss something very important to the plot. I was forced to read every line and by the end I was curled up in a little ball!
I don't want to scare you away from reading this so I will let you know that even though this book deals with some very serious themes, it never went too far in my opinion. It does just enough to have you on edge, and the stress comes from not knowing what secret is going to be revealed next. This book is immensely entertaining because of all the twist and turns. It kept me guessing until the very last page, and the ending was satisfying, but left me wanting more.
Now that I have covered the suspense, let's get to the good part! I try not to be overly enthusiastic about the male characters in the books I read, I really really do, but sometimes I just can't stop myself.
Sometimes you run across a male character who is just so darn attractive, and you can't help but swoon!
Gabriel was funny, sarcastic, strong, and just screwed up enough for Mya. It's hard to believe, but what Gabriel went through before he ended up in Edenton, was worse than anything that Mya had endured so she was actually able to help him deal with some of his past traumas. But Gabriel did plenty to help Mya too. He knew just what to say to light a fire under her and make her fight for her freedom, he looked out for her, and most importantly he taught her how to flirt!
They had some of the sweetest moments at some of the strangest times, and in some of the weirdest places. Their romance starts of with a simmer, and builds towards a steady boil throughout the entire novel.
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I am giving you almost no information about the plot in this review, but that is on purpose. I am being very careful not to reveal much of anything because that would spoil your reading experience. What I can say is that this book is filled with interesting relationships, mystery, and character development, and you're just going to have to trust me when I say it is fantastic. I am sure that it's not for everyone, but if you like psychological thrillers, romance, action, and mystery, then I would give this book a try!
Because of violence, language, and mild sexual content, I would recommend this book for ages 15 and up.
August 7, 2013
Read the review on my blog:
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/5...
http://thaliasbooks.tumblr.com/post/5...
September 25, 2013
4.5/5 Stars
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I really LOVED this book! It started out with an intriguing concept and then kept me guessing throughout the entire story. I really never knew where this book was going to go next - something that I loved!
The summary describes the book pretty well, so I'll get right to my review.
The negatives:
Slightly unbelievable.
I occasionally had a hard time believing that all of the cult members were going along with everything that the Reverend was doing. I mean, I know they're supposed to be brainwashed and all, but it was obvious that some of them at least had figured out that the Reverend and especially his "prayer circle" weren't all they were cracked up to be. So, I was especially confused when they all went along with everything the Reverend told them - particularly at the end of the book when he tells them all to do something particularly atrocious. I guess that was the point of the book, though - he had them SO brainwashed and beaten down that they would do anything he said. I still had a little bit of a hard time buying it at times, but it didn't really cut down on my enjoyment of the book much.
What I LOVED:
The cult.
I know I said that I sometimes found some of what happened in the cult unbelievable, but overall I was fascinated by it. I found the whole concept of a cult intriguing and I was not disappointed when crazy things started happening pretty early on. It was really interesting to think about what it would have been like to live in those circumstances and how people could go along with it all and think it was okay!
Mia and Gabrielle.
I was really happy with the progression of the romance in this book. While, Mia was pretty instantly attracted to Gabriel, this didn't feel like insta-love to me. The attraction was minor at first and then built throughout the book. It isn't until they are in some truly crazy and terrifying circumstances together and they share a bit more of themselves that their attraction turns to anything more and it felt very believable to me that they would connect under those circumstances. There was some see-sawing of emotions but, again, those emotions rang true to me because of what the characters were going through and what they had been through in their pasts. I was very vested in Mia and Gabrielle and was definitely rooting for them to end up together!
The twists and turns.
There were quite a few times in this book when I wondered where it was going to head next - sometimes I thought I might have an idea about what would happen, but most of the time I was surprised (and even when I guessed some details, the way that it all played out was definitely unique and not what I was expecting!). I love it when a book keeps me guessing!
I highly recommend Escape From Eden to just about anyone - anyone who would appreciate a fast-paced, exciting YA romance novel with an intriguing concept! 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I really LOVED this book! It started out with an intriguing concept and then kept me guessing throughout the entire story. I really never knew where this book was going to go next - something that I loved!
The summary describes the book pretty well, so I'll get right to my review.
The negatives:
Slightly unbelievable.
I occasionally had a hard time believing that all of the cult members were going along with everything that the Reverend was doing. I mean, I know they're supposed to be brainwashed and all, but it was obvious that some of them at least had figured out that the Reverend and especially his "prayer circle" weren't all they were cracked up to be. So, I was especially confused when they all went along with everything the Reverend told them - particularly at the end of the book when he tells them all to do something particularly atrocious. I guess that was the point of the book, though - he had them SO brainwashed and beaten down that they would do anything he said. I still had a little bit of a hard time buying it at times, but it didn't really cut down on my enjoyment of the book much.
What I LOVED:
The cult.
I know I said that I sometimes found some of what happened in the cult unbelievable, but overall I was fascinated by it. I found the whole concept of a cult intriguing and I was not disappointed when crazy things started happening pretty early on. It was really interesting to think about what it would have been like to live in those circumstances and how people could go along with it all and think it was okay!
Mia and Gabrielle.
I was really happy with the progression of the romance in this book. While, Mia was pretty instantly attracted to Gabriel, this didn't feel like insta-love to me. The attraction was minor at first and then built throughout the book. It isn't until they are in some truly crazy and terrifying circumstances together and they share a bit more of themselves that their attraction turns to anything more and it felt very believable to me that they would connect under those circumstances. There was some see-sawing of emotions but, again, those emotions rang true to me because of what the characters were going through and what they had been through in their pasts. I was very vested in Mia and Gabrielle and was definitely rooting for them to end up together!
The twists and turns.
There were quite a few times in this book when I wondered where it was going to head next - sometimes I thought I might have an idea about what would happen, but most of the time I was surprised (and even when I guessed some details, the way that it all played out was definitely unique and not what I was expecting!). I love it when a book keeps me guessing!
I highly recommend Escape From Eden to just about anyone - anyone who would appreciate a fast-paced, exciting YA romance novel with an intriguing concept! 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
October 28, 2014
The synopsis makes this one sound like a great read, right? The forty-four bookmarks' worth of "wish-I-had-a-red-pen" snarky editor comments in my e-reading app make it pretty clear that this book did not live up to my expectations. I rolled my eyes so many times while reading this, my eyeballs still hurt.
What's the problem? First of all, the Reverend, his dastardly master plan, and his absolute control over the community are too far-fetched to be believed. Edenton has supposedly been around for decades, and yet nobody except for our little heroine has been spunky enough to make any change until now. And Mia isn't really that special, so that doesn't make much sense. She's a Mary Sue, unremarkable in almost every way. She's supposedly "different" because she'd rather be out in the real world, having a 21st-century teenager experience, instead of blindly following the dictates of some religious nut in a South American jungle like an obedient sheep. That doesn't make her "different". That makes her extremely, boringly normal.
Second, we've got a bad case of insta-love going on here. I've seen quick romances in some YA books, but this one took the cake. Almost from the instant Mia lays eyes on Gabriel, she's smitten. Their first meeting (mere hours after his arrival) triggers some pretty sudden lovey-dovey crap in Mia, though all Gabriel really does is stand there looking sexy before stealing a kitchen knife. Then we get to listen to Mia go on about how she likes him, and then watch her act like she doesn't, and then roll our eyes when she thinks that maybe, just maybe, she should be thinking about things other than Gabriel's hot bod when the lives of two hundred people are at stake. Gee, Mia. You think?
Third, the writing was pretty awful, and the editing was even worse. There were so many continuity problems and plot holes that I got confused even trying to keep track of them all. And after all that, we got a heroine who isn't even the hero of her own story. I hate it when someone other than the protagonist ends up resolving the main conflict.
Fourth, we seem to be heading for a sequel. Do I really want to read another 270+ pages of Mia waffling over the oh-so-hot Gabriel? I don't think so. No, I know so. Escape from Eden was too long as it was. There's not much here to recommend, other than the hint of a perfectly good premise that was ruined by weak writing and an unrealistic romance.
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.ca/20...
What's the problem? First of all, the Reverend, his dastardly master plan, and his absolute control over the community are too far-fetched to be believed. Edenton has supposedly been around for decades, and yet nobody except for our little heroine has been spunky enough to make any change until now. And Mia isn't really that special, so that doesn't make much sense. She's a Mary Sue, unremarkable in almost every way. She's supposedly "different" because she'd rather be out in the real world, having a 21st-century teenager experience, instead of blindly following the dictates of some religious nut in a South American jungle like an obedient sheep. That doesn't make her "different". That makes her extremely, boringly normal.
Second, we've got a bad case of insta-love going on here. I've seen quick romances in some YA books, but this one took the cake. Almost from the instant Mia lays eyes on Gabriel, she's smitten. Their first meeting (mere hours after his arrival) triggers some pretty sudden lovey-dovey crap in Mia, though all Gabriel really does is stand there looking sexy before stealing a kitchen knife. Then we get to listen to Mia go on about how she likes him, and then watch her act like she doesn't, and then roll our eyes when she thinks that maybe, just maybe, she should be thinking about things other than Gabriel's hot bod when the lives of two hundred people are at stake. Gee, Mia. You think?
Third, the writing was pretty awful, and the editing was even worse. There were so many continuity problems and plot holes that I got confused even trying to keep track of them all. And after all that, we got a heroine who isn't even the hero of her own story. I hate it when someone other than the protagonist ends up resolving the main conflict.
Fourth, we seem to be heading for a sequel. Do I really want to read another 270+ pages of Mia waffling over the oh-so-hot Gabriel? I don't think so. No, I know so. Escape from Eden was too long as it was. There's not much here to recommend, other than the hint of a perfectly good premise that was ruined by weak writing and an unrealistic romance.
http://theladybugreads.blogspot.ca/20...
January 21, 2014
A really sharp chick named Judith Viorst once said, “Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands—and then eat just one of the pieces.” Yeah, that’s pretty much how I felt after reading Elisa Nader’s novel, Escape From Eden because after I finished the final page, I went to reach for the next piece…and there was none to be had. Nooooooooooooooooooooo!
Nader’s novel starts in the thick of things, like a dense South American jungle, as our unwitting protagonist, Mia, sits through a raging sermon by the utopian leader, Ethan Eden. From there, I learned the basics of the theology of this society, but thankfully (praise baby Jesus!) nothing too deep that would catapult this reader into a snore fest. Instead, I delved into the rebellious thoughts of Mia, and how she is jonesing for the opportunity to fly the coop, only to discover the pen is literally lined with razor wire. She is briefly distracted by the arrival of hot and saucy Gabriel, who willing leads her around the fence for a taste of what’s beyond her reach.
Be warned, the content of this young adult novel added plenty of spice to the original YA dystopian recipe. There are bare butts, brutal blood-shed, and SPOILER ALERT…a sex trafficking scandal, not to mention our hottie’s potty mouth. Would I give the stamp of approval to a teen to read this novel? Abso-friggin’-lutely. There’s nothing in these pages that a kids hasn’t heard in the halls of a modern-day high school or seen depicted on the silver (or small) screen with a PG-13 rating.
Nader’s writing is strong, and her banter between characters is quick, witty, and humorous in places where the reader needs a break from clenching her butt cheeks together during the adrenaline-filled close calls Mia and Gabriel are constantly battling. As far as I know, there isn’t a sequel; thankfully, the ending was strong enough to leave this chick satisfied, yet testing Viorst’s theory to the strength of eating only one of the four pieces of chocolate. Truth, sista. It took strength, indeed.
Nader’s novel starts in the thick of things, like a dense South American jungle, as our unwitting protagonist, Mia, sits through a raging sermon by the utopian leader, Ethan Eden. From there, I learned the basics of the theology of this society, but thankfully (praise baby Jesus!) nothing too deep that would catapult this reader into a snore fest. Instead, I delved into the rebellious thoughts of Mia, and how she is jonesing for the opportunity to fly the coop, only to discover the pen is literally lined with razor wire. She is briefly distracted by the arrival of hot and saucy Gabriel, who willing leads her around the fence for a taste of what’s beyond her reach.
Be warned, the content of this young adult novel added plenty of spice to the original YA dystopian recipe. There are bare butts, brutal blood-shed, and SPOILER ALERT…a sex trafficking scandal, not to mention our hottie’s potty mouth. Would I give the stamp of approval to a teen to read this novel? Abso-friggin’-lutely. There’s nothing in these pages that a kids hasn’t heard in the halls of a modern-day high school or seen depicted on the silver (or small) screen with a PG-13 rating.
Nader’s writing is strong, and her banter between characters is quick, witty, and humorous in places where the reader needs a break from clenching her butt cheeks together during the adrenaline-filled close calls Mia and Gabriel are constantly battling. As far as I know, there isn’t a sequel; thankfully, the ending was strong enough to leave this chick satisfied, yet testing Viorst’s theory to the strength of eating only one of the four pieces of chocolate. Truth, sista. It took strength, indeed.
September 4, 2013
Elisa Nader’s YA suspense adventure novel, Escape from Eden, grabs the reader right from the start with first person narration and a pleasantly snarky teen narrator. Transported to the middle of the jungle, living in a religious cult, waiting on the cusp of adulthood, Mia sets up breakfast for the commune before bed, bakes cookies to order, lives in the girl’s dorm, and wonders if her friend will get to wear pink when she goes to Prayer Circle. When a new family joins the cult, Gabriel’s honest anger brings a refreshing glimpse of a long-lost world. But Mia still has to sit through long boring sermons, and the dangerous jungle offers no escape.
This is Edenton, and everything’s going to change. Cross Hunger Games with Jim Jones and other familiar cults. Add two great protagonists, plenty of secrets, confident storytelling and excellent timing. Then hide yourself away from distractions, because this book will keep you glued to the pages until story’s end; seriously good YA coming-of-age fiction, with action, suspense, undercurrents of romance that go just far enough but never too far, thought-provoking guilt and innocence, and surprises with every chapter. This YA novel should be a classic.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this book and promised my honest review. I honestly loved it.
This is Edenton, and everything’s going to change. Cross Hunger Games with Jim Jones and other familiar cults. Add two great protagonists, plenty of secrets, confident storytelling and excellent timing. Then hide yourself away from distractions, because this book will keep you glued to the pages until story’s end; seriously good YA coming-of-age fiction, with action, suspense, undercurrents of romance that go just far enough but never too far, thought-provoking guilt and innocence, and surprises with every chapter. This YA novel should be a classic.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this book and promised my honest review. I honestly loved it.
July 21, 2016
3.5 Stars
I actually found this book quite hard to stomach. I think it was all a bit too much for me.
Mia doesn't believe in this religious dystopia that the Reverend has made. She remembers the pleasures of life before she was forced to come live in Eden. All her little friends are innocent and happy to be religious zombies but Mia longs for escape.
I liked the romantic banter. Mia and Gabriel are really two peas in a pod.
Mia - “When was the last time you punched someone?”
Gabriel - “About ten minutes ago.”
“Entirely too long.”
Gabriel is a rascal and he made me smile. He's always got a quick comeback and he lives for an adrenaline rush. He's flippant and disrespectful. He also has the sweetest crush on Mia.
The book is certainly not boring. But some of the things that happen really annoyed me. The characters' logic sometimes just doesn't make sense. For instance, when Mia's friend is being choked to death, Mia stops to try and identify the attacker instead of, I don't know, try and rescue her friend? There are quite a few weird inconsistencies that really bugged me. Also, towards the end, the cycle of hopelessness and uselessness started to piss me off. Mia and Gabriel come out on top through sheer luck and none of their own intelligence or skill. I always have a problem with books like that.
I actually found this book quite hard to stomach. I think it was all a bit too much for me.
Mia doesn't believe in this religious dystopia that the Reverend has made. She remembers the pleasures of life before she was forced to come live in Eden. All her little friends are innocent and happy to be religious zombies but Mia longs for escape.
I liked the romantic banter. Mia and Gabriel are really two peas in a pod.
Mia - “When was the last time you punched someone?”
Gabriel - “About ten minutes ago.”
“Entirely too long.”
Gabriel is a rascal and he made me smile. He's always got a quick comeback and he lives for an adrenaline rush. He's flippant and disrespectful. He also has the sweetest crush on Mia.
The book is certainly not boring. But some of the things that happen really annoyed me. The characters' logic sometimes just doesn't make sense. For instance, when Mia's friend is being choked to death, Mia stops to try and identify the attacker instead of, I don't know, try and rescue her friend? There are quite a few weird inconsistencies that really bugged me. Also, towards the end, the cycle of hopelessness and uselessness started to piss me off. Mia and Gabriel come out on top through sheer luck and none of their own intelligence or skill. I always have a problem with books like that.
September 18, 2013
Mia, her mother, and little brother did not always live in Edenton. There was a time when Mia can remember life before Eden when her father was alive. Now Mia and her family live in Eden. They are not alone. Eden is a compound for cult followers. In Eden, Reverend Elias is in charge.
Mia has dreamed of leaving Eden. She finds that her dream might become a reality when she meets the new boy, Gabriel. Together they learn things about the Reverend. The biggest surprise is that there really is life outside of Eden. Now Mia and Gabriel are more determined to escape.
This book turned out to be way better than I thought it would be. I love when this happens. Mia is a good character. The younger readers will relate to her. I was fascinated by the world of Eden. It is amazing how easy people can just give up their lives and let someone else tell them how to act, feel, who to love, etc. There was some violence in this book but it was mild and age appropriate for the reader audience that this book is geared towards. Not to say that the adult older readers will not enjoy this book. My only real issue with this book would be the ending. I felt it was a little weak and rushed. Still a book worth checking out.
Mia has dreamed of leaving Eden. She finds that her dream might become a reality when she meets the new boy, Gabriel. Together they learn things about the Reverend. The biggest surprise is that there really is life outside of Eden. Now Mia and Gabriel are more determined to escape.
This book turned out to be way better than I thought it would be. I love when this happens. Mia is a good character. The younger readers will relate to her. I was fascinated by the world of Eden. It is amazing how easy people can just give up their lives and let someone else tell them how to act, feel, who to love, etc. There was some violence in this book but it was mild and age appropriate for the reader audience that this book is geared towards. Not to say that the adult older readers will not enjoy this book. My only real issue with this book would be the ending. I felt it was a little weak and rushed. Still a book worth checking out.
October 26, 2017
If you’ve paid creepily close attention to my reviews, you probably know that I have a thing for cult books. I’ve read a lot of them. Like, a lot of them. Unfortunately, Escape from Eden wasn’t one of my favorites.
Sixteen-year-old Mia lives in a Jonestown-like community deep in the South American rainforest. She dreams of escaping from her life of constant backbreaking labor, but she has no idea how to go about doing it. Then she meets the rebellious (and unbearably sexy) Gabriel. Together, they uncover the secrets of their community and use them to defeat the corrupt Reverend.
If you love romance and thrillers, you’ll probably like this book a lot more than I did. Mia falls in insta-lust with Gabriel within the first few pages. Then the plot takes off and doesn’t slow down. This book is intense. If you like action, then you’ll love it.
My problem is that I don’t believe the action. The characters make decisions that don’t seem logical to me. The book starts with the Reverend murdering eleven people in front of the entire community. Nobody reacts to this. Most people don’t seem to care at all. People in cults aren’t brainless robots, so I have an issue with this mass non-reaction to murder.
Then there’s the whole escape thing. Escaping from the community seems pretty straightforward to me. There’s a road that connects the community to the nearest town, which Mia knows is 10 miles away. Mia and Gabriel have snuck past the guards before. Why is it so hard to figure out how to escape? Start walking and don’t stop.
I also had a hard time believing the personality-altering injection thing. And the ending . . . just . . . no. We all adore The Hunger Games, but . . . no. The plot is too farfetched for my tastes.
I did love that the book is Jonestown inspired. At first, I thought that would make the story predictable, but it isn’t predictable at all. Despite the believability issues, I appreciate that the author deviates from the real-life script.
The writing isn’t great. I actually got confused during one of the action scenes, but the dialogue is where this novel shines. The banter between Gabriel and Mia is kind of hilarious. I like both main characters and wanted them to live happily ever after.
This isn’t my favorite cult novel, but I’m not the right audience for it. You’d probably love it if you like romance and action. And if you don’t mind books that push the boundaries of believability.
Sixteen-year-old Mia lives in a Jonestown-like community deep in the South American rainforest. She dreams of escaping from her life of constant backbreaking labor, but she has no idea how to go about doing it. Then she meets the rebellious (and unbearably sexy) Gabriel. Together, they uncover the secrets of their community and use them to defeat the corrupt Reverend.
If you love romance and thrillers, you’ll probably like this book a lot more than I did. Mia falls in insta-lust with Gabriel within the first few pages. Then the plot takes off and doesn’t slow down. This book is intense. If you like action, then you’ll love it.
My problem is that I don’t believe the action. The characters make decisions that don’t seem logical to me. The book starts with the Reverend murdering eleven people in front of the entire community. Nobody reacts to this. Most people don’t seem to care at all. People in cults aren’t brainless robots, so I have an issue with this mass non-reaction to murder.
Then there’s the whole escape thing. Escaping from the community seems pretty straightforward to me. There’s a road that connects the community to the nearest town, which Mia knows is 10 miles away. Mia and Gabriel have snuck past the guards before. Why is it so hard to figure out how to escape? Start walking and don’t stop.
I also had a hard time believing the personality-altering injection thing. And the ending . . . just . . . no. We all adore The Hunger Games, but . . . no. The plot is too farfetched for my tastes.
I did love that the book is Jonestown inspired. At first, I thought that would make the story predictable, but it isn’t predictable at all. Despite the believability issues, I appreciate that the author deviates from the real-life script.
The writing isn’t great. I actually got confused during one of the action scenes, but the dialogue is where this novel shines. The banter between Gabriel and Mia is kind of hilarious. I like both main characters and wanted them to live happily ever after.
“We're hiding in a tree with people chasing us. Do you really think this is an appropriate time to make suggestive comments?” – Escape from Eden
This isn’t my favorite cult novel, but I’m not the right audience for it. You’d probably love it if you like romance and action. And if you don’t mind books that push the boundaries of believability.
“‘What is the matter with you?’
‘You want an alphabetical list?’” – Escape from Eden
August 19, 2016
Paradise.
Deep in the South American jungle, Reverend Elias Eden and his flock of worshipers build a self sustaining little compound to worship freely, kindly, and peacefully their God. Mia Eden (for all the flock are given the surname Eden as they are all family in this new paradise) has lived in Edenton since she was ten. Now sixteen, she is struggling with the gray uniforms, unending hard work, fitness regimens, and harsh punishments. So long has Mia lived in this utilitarian ''utopia'' that she has nearly forgotten how to feel. Passion, imagination, and love are feelings of the past. That is, until a new family arrives in Edenton; a mother and father with their troubled and rebellious son, Gabriel. Mia feels a fire begin to kindle within herself, and the brief encounters that bring her closer to Gabriel only fan the flame of her desire to escape this false paradise.
Escape doesn't come easy, and always comes with a price. The compound is said to be ten miles from the nearest town and is surrounded by jungle filled with deadly animals and reptiles. What isn't surrounded by the deadly jungle is blocked off by a large razor wire topped wall. This wall is said to keep the curious villagers out, but as the years press on they realize it is to keep the flock in.
Reverend Eden's initial vision and implementation of Edenton was true and pure and for the good of the flock; however, the reverend's right hand man, Thaddeus, has a more profitable and sinister plan. As Gabriel and Mia meet in the cover of darkness she begins to feel the oppression lift, and they embark on dangerous discoveries that could cost them their lives.
This is the END of the Spoiler Free zone. Read on at your own risk!! SPOILERS AHEAD!
____________________________________________________________
A few examples of the Utopian vision turned sick and disturbing are:
*The children are removed from their parents at about age 13 and moved into communal housing with each other sleeping in bunks almost like a dorm room. Women with women and men with men. Reverend Eden chooses the life partner for each of his flock members. He does this after introduction into a highly secretive event called "prayer circle." To receive an invitation to prayer circle makes you the envy of the young flock members who haven't yet gotten one. The invitation singles you out as special and indicates that you are ready to be partnered with a member of the flock of the opposite sex of the Reverend's choosing. Even if you love a fellow flock member, that doesn't guarantee that the Reverend will deem you compatible so you must give up that basic right to love freely. As bad and oppressive as that seems, it gets even worse. As a way to fund his compound, the Reverend and Thaddeus have placed a ''catalog'' online with all of the members of the flock. People of the outside world can purchase a flock member of their choosing for their sexual pleasure. The flock member is drugged, driven through a series of secret tunnels to a beach front villa on the other side of the jagged hill bordering part of the compound. Here, in their drug induced state, they are raped and then brainwashed into thinking the event was a night of prayer and spiritual awakening. This started out as purchase of adults and children 16 and older; however, young Juanita - about 13 - was invited to prayer circle. She came back haunted and, in fear for her life, refused to utter a word about what she encountered. You see, the drugs aren't as effective as the disgusting participants thought. The flock remembers, but they are too terrified to speak up. Some attempted escape and were met with punishment (think being cut multiple times with a scalpel and then having salt rubbed into the wounds) and even death.
*The Reverend would initiate events called Bright Nights. During these events flood lights would engulf a pavilion and all members of the flock would stay up all night to pray vigorously to absolve all sin. The Reverend would use the Bright Night event as lessons, and they would usually involve public horrific punishment of a flock member who has ''sinned." Punishment witnessed by flock members of all ages including very young children. One particular Bright Night the Reverend had Mia and the kitchen manager make cookies for the flock. This was a rare treat as health is incredibly important for the flock to flourish. It's easy enough to die in the jungle without adding infection and disease to the mix. The cookies were placed buffet style, and Mia's friends were so happy to be eating something she made (she was an excellent cook for her age) they took several cookies. The Reverend's lesson that night was greed. Those who ate 1 cookie were fine, 2 would have a stomach age, 3 would be vomiting all night, and those who ate 4 would be dead by dawn. Eleven flock members died that night. Mia spoke out during Bright Night that they didn't deserve to die, and her punishment for speaking out was helping to dig their graves. So, not only was she forced to unwittingly aid in their deaths, she had to work all night so their graves would be ready by morning. They couldn't leave eleven bodies to rot in the heat after all....
I won't completely spoil the book. You can read to find out if she and Gabriel do escape, and what hardships they encounter in the process. There is a particular scene with a character called Grizz near the end who is charged by Thaddeus (mostly) and the Reverend (following Thaddeus' orders) to do the unspeakable.
This book will grip you immediately and plunge you into the sick world of a criminal enterprise and prison camp under a Utopian facade. The desperation of the broken people who followed this madman, wishing for a small glimmer of hope and happiness only to have their world turn gray, is devastating to read. This is Elisa Nader's first novel, and it is absolutely incredible. You can follow her on Twitter @elisander according to her book jacket.
August 1, 2020
I won this novel for free from the Goodreads Giveaway Program. I am happy to provide my review here and hope you find time to read this novel as well.
I really liked this novel! Even while I tried to figure things out, the solution or what unfolded next, it continued to surprise me.
Nader was creative too. For example: I like how when they stole the car to escape, Gabriel had to explain the technology of the car from the GPS to voice prompts. It just showed how sheltered the girls were in Eden Village.
Then there's text that may give you a pause, like it did for me. For me that moment was when Mia wanted to steal the key from Bridgette. Mia notes stealing as the eighth commandment, but in the Catholic tradition the seventh commitment is thou shall not steal. However I googled to check my resources and when you type in eighth Commandment it comes in as "thou shall not steal" under certain other practices.
5 out of 5 Stars
I really liked this novel! Even while I tried to figure things out, the solution or what unfolded next, it continued to surprise me.
Nader was creative too. For example: I like how when they stole the car to escape, Gabriel had to explain the technology of the car from the GPS to voice prompts. It just showed how sheltered the girls were in Eden Village.
Then there's text that may give you a pause, like it did for me. For me that moment was when Mia wanted to steal the key from Bridgette. Mia notes stealing as the eighth commandment, but in the Catholic tradition the seventh commitment is thou shall not steal. However I googled to check my resources and when you type in eighth Commandment it comes in as "thou shall not steal" under certain other practices.
5 out of 5 Stars
June 10, 2017
Cults are fascinating material and this one was enjoyable for that reason, though the nefarious cult business seemed rather over the top.
That said, it was far too "young adult" for me - the budding teen romance was too "Twilight-ish" for my tastes - however, to a young reader full of raging hormones - this would likely be very appealing.
That said, it was far too "young adult" for me - the budding teen romance was too "Twilight-ish" for my tastes - however, to a young reader full of raging hormones - this would likely be very appealing.
March 11, 2019
I normally don’t read YA books other than the big ones...twilight, giver etc....however I was more than happy when I finished this one. I could care less about the YA love in this but this has a great scary and dramatic story to tell. A compound of people who choose to live life in seclusion for the lord.... are they doing it by choice or force?
October 31, 2013
* See more at: http://petrichorabookblog.tumblr.com
** I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
*** Recensione in Italiano più sotto
Review
Mia spent six years listening to the sermons of the Reverend, six years in which she has been told what is right and what is wrong. During the sermon that day, Aliyah, her friend, claims to have received the call and receive a call means being invited by the Reverend in the “Prayer Circle”. The initiation into Circle opens a new chapter in the life of a citizen of Edenton: you start courting a person chosen by the Reverend, and all this ends with a wedding and the proliferation of the Flock But this is not what Mia wants, she does not want to be there, she would run away from Edenton. How to escape from there? When a new family arrives in town with their son Gabriel, a dangerous guy, who knows the life out of Edenton, Mia will soon discovers that the boy will be the only person who can help her escape.
Usually I do not read books that are dealing with the religion (any religion), indeed, to be honest, just try to avoid them, but this attracted me like a magnet and, paradoxically, I can say that it is treated in a manner so general that I was not at all upset. The merit I think it’s all about Mia, she is the narrator of the whole story and also a young girl with clear ideas: she knows that the Reverend hides much more than she can imagine and especially has figured out how to all other has been done a brainwashing. She seems the only one not to have lost her mind in the community of Edenton, where everything the Reverend says is law and any of his actions is justified. When Gabriel arrives, however, seems to have joined another voice to the chorus of protests against the despotism of this preacher. Gabriel is not only the new boy in town, but also all that Mia has lost being in that open-air prison.
The more they will get to know each other, more secrets will be revealed, in a tirelessly hunt to discover what the Reverend hides. From where come all the money that sustain the city? Why nobody dares to rebel against the despot? How can they escape?
All these questions will be resolved along the novel, until you come to a good end that could turn up the nose at someone.
“Escape From Eden” is a great dystopian novel, which shows the truth crudely, without soften her too much because it is a YA. A very special must-read that ends with this book (yes, it’s also a stand-alone!).
Rating:
Recensione in italiano
Mia ha passato sei anni ad ascoltare i sermoni del Reverendo, sei anni in cui le è stato detto cosa è giusto e cosa è sbagliato. Durante il sermone di quel giorno, Aliyah, una sua amica, afferma di aver ricevuto la chiamata, e ricevere una chiamata significa essere stati invitati dal Reverendo nel “Circolo di preghiera”. L’iniziazione al Circolo apre un nuovo capitolo nella vita di un cittadino di Edenton: si inizia ad uscire con una persona scelta dal Reverendo e tutto questo finisce con un matrimonio e la proliferazione del Gregge. Ma non è questo quello che Mia vuole, lei non vorrebbe essere lì, lei vorrebbe scappare da Edenton. Come fare per scappare da lì? Quando una nuova famiglia arriva in città con il figlio Gabriel, un ragazzo pericoloso che conosce bene la vita fuori da Edenton, Mia scoprirà presto che sarà proprio Gabriel l’unica persona in grado di aiutarla a scappare.
Non leggo solitamente libri che hanno come tema la religione (qualsiasi religione), anzi, a dirla tutta, cerco proprio di evitarli, ma questo mi ha attratta come una calamita e, paradossalmente, posso dire che viene trattata in un modo così generale, che non mi ha minimamente turbata. Il merito penso sia tutto di Mia, è lei la narratrice dell’intera vicenda e anche una ragazza giovane con le idee chiare: sa che il Reverendo nasconde molto più di quanto si possa immaginare e soprattutto ha capito come a tutti gli altri sia stato fatto ormai un lavaggio del cervello. Sembra l’unica a non aver perso il senno all’interno della comunità di Edenton, dove tutto ciò che dice il Reverendo è legge e qualsiasi sua azione è giustificata. Quando arriva anche Gabriel, però, sembra essersi unita un’altra voce al coro di proteste contro il dispotismo di questo predicatore. Gabriel non rappresenta solo la novità, ma anche tutto ciò che Mia ha perso stando dentro quella prigione a cielo aperto.
Più impareranno a conoscersi, più segreti verranno rivelati, in una caccia senza sosta alla scoperta di ciò che nasconde il Reverendo. Da dove vengono tutti i soldi che sostentano la città? Perché nessuno osa ribellarsi a quel despota? Come si può scappare?
Tutte queste domande verranno risolte lungo il romanzo, fino ad arrivare ad un degno finale che potrebbe far storcere il naso a qualcuno.
"Escape From Eden" è un bel romanzo distopico, che mostra la verità con crudezza, senza ingentilirla troppo perché si tratta di un YA. Un must-read molto particolare che si conclude con questo libro (sì, è anche uno stand-alone!).
Voto:
** I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
*** Recensione in Italiano più sotto
Review
Mia spent six years listening to the sermons of the Reverend, six years in which she has been told what is right and what is wrong. During the sermon that day, Aliyah, her friend, claims to have received the call and receive a call means being invited by the Reverend in the “Prayer Circle”. The initiation into Circle opens a new chapter in the life of a citizen of Edenton: you start courting a person chosen by the Reverend, and all this ends with a wedding and the proliferation of the Flock But this is not what Mia wants, she does not want to be there, she would run away from Edenton. How to escape from there? When a new family arrives in town with their son Gabriel, a dangerous guy, who knows the life out of Edenton, Mia will soon discovers that the boy will be the only person who can help her escape.
Usually I do not read books that are dealing with the religion (any religion), indeed, to be honest, just try to avoid them, but this attracted me like a magnet and, paradoxically, I can say that it is treated in a manner so general that I was not at all upset. The merit I think it’s all about Mia, she is the narrator of the whole story and also a young girl with clear ideas: she knows that the Reverend hides much more than she can imagine and especially has figured out how to all other has been done a brainwashing. She seems the only one not to have lost her mind in the community of Edenton, where everything the Reverend says is law and any of his actions is justified. When Gabriel arrives, however, seems to have joined another voice to the chorus of protests against the despotism of this preacher. Gabriel is not only the new boy in town, but also all that Mia has lost being in that open-air prison.
The more they will get to know each other, more secrets will be revealed, in a tirelessly hunt to discover what the Reverend hides. From where come all the money that sustain the city? Why nobody dares to rebel against the despot? How can they escape?
All these questions will be resolved along the novel, until you come to a good end that could turn up the nose at someone.
“Escape From Eden” is a great dystopian novel, which shows the truth crudely, without soften her too much because it is a YA. A very special must-read that ends with this book (yes, it’s also a stand-alone!).
Rating:
Recensione in italiano
Mia ha passato sei anni ad ascoltare i sermoni del Reverendo, sei anni in cui le è stato detto cosa è giusto e cosa è sbagliato. Durante il sermone di quel giorno, Aliyah, una sua amica, afferma di aver ricevuto la chiamata, e ricevere una chiamata significa essere stati invitati dal Reverendo nel “Circolo di preghiera”. L’iniziazione al Circolo apre un nuovo capitolo nella vita di un cittadino di Edenton: si inizia ad uscire con una persona scelta dal Reverendo e tutto questo finisce con un matrimonio e la proliferazione del Gregge. Ma non è questo quello che Mia vuole, lei non vorrebbe essere lì, lei vorrebbe scappare da Edenton. Come fare per scappare da lì? Quando una nuova famiglia arriva in città con il figlio Gabriel, un ragazzo pericoloso che conosce bene la vita fuori da Edenton, Mia scoprirà presto che sarà proprio Gabriel l’unica persona in grado di aiutarla a scappare.
Non leggo solitamente libri che hanno come tema la religione (qualsiasi religione), anzi, a dirla tutta, cerco proprio di evitarli, ma questo mi ha attratta come una calamita e, paradossalmente, posso dire che viene trattata in un modo così generale, che non mi ha minimamente turbata. Il merito penso sia tutto di Mia, è lei la narratrice dell’intera vicenda e anche una ragazza giovane con le idee chiare: sa che il Reverendo nasconde molto più di quanto si possa immaginare e soprattutto ha capito come a tutti gli altri sia stato fatto ormai un lavaggio del cervello. Sembra l’unica a non aver perso il senno all’interno della comunità di Edenton, dove tutto ciò che dice il Reverendo è legge e qualsiasi sua azione è giustificata. Quando arriva anche Gabriel, però, sembra essersi unita un’altra voce al coro di proteste contro il dispotismo di questo predicatore. Gabriel non rappresenta solo la novità, ma anche tutto ciò che Mia ha perso stando dentro quella prigione a cielo aperto.
Più impareranno a conoscersi, più segreti verranno rivelati, in una caccia senza sosta alla scoperta di ciò che nasconde il Reverendo. Da dove vengono tutti i soldi che sostentano la città? Perché nessuno osa ribellarsi a quel despota? Come si può scappare?
Tutte queste domande verranno risolte lungo il romanzo, fino ad arrivare ad un degno finale che potrebbe far storcere il naso a qualcuno.
"Escape From Eden" è un bel romanzo distopico, che mostra la verità con crudezza, senza ingentilirla troppo perché si tratta di un YA. Un must-read molto particolare che si conclude con questo libro (sì, è anche uno stand-alone!).
Voto:
July 31, 2014
I received this book for free from Book Nerd Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Escape from Eden immediately sucked me in and held my attention until the very end. The characters were very well written and believable. The plot moved the story forward well, and although there were a few moments I felt were a little less than believable or explainable, overall it kept me anxiously awaiting the next step.
As good as the story for Escape from Eden was, it was the characters that made it for me. Mia, who has lived in Edenton since she was 10 years old, is so well written. Mia grew up in this cult and is questioning the things she's been told to believe. She's different from the others around her and that's starting to make a tangible difference in what she wants in life. What I loved most though, was that Elisa Nader recognized that someone who'd grown up with that level of brainwashing would have a bit of an internal struggle to overcome. Mia is strong and she knows right from wrong - and she's struggling to make the right decisions for herself with that knowledge. But there's a certain amount of fear that come from growing up in a cult, not to mention love and concern for her mother, brother, and other friends. She's also dealing with new, unfamiliar feelings. All this combines to make a beautiful complex character, who grows throughout Escape from Eden. As things are revealed to her Mia gets stronger and morphs from someone who seemed timid and uncertain to a brave, strong, independent young woman. I couldn't help but love her.
Gabriel, whose family has just joined Edenton, stirs something in Mia that she's never felt before. A part of this is that Gabriel is more like Mia than she knows. Having just come in from the outside world - and not willingly, but forced by his family - he's not "drinking the kool-aid." This makes Gabriel both dangerous and oh-so appealing to Mia. And he recognizes something in her, that she is different, and thus is drawn to her. He's also a complex character, with may layers that reveal themselves slowly throughout the book, as he too grows and changes. Mia and Gabriel develop a relationship that depends so much on their desire to be free and is complicated by confusing romantic encounters. I loved the way Nader wrote their relationship - it was so incredibly believable. There is no insta-love here. Instead you have two teenagers, thrown into a very intense situation and they grow close as a result. But Mia is so confused by what their relationship; she doesn't know how to read the signals he's sending and that makes her doubt and suppress her own potential feelings.
The supporting characters are also really well written. I loved that Nader was able to so convincingly show characters, entirely through Mia's eyes, in so many different stages of belief and disbelief. You've got characters that believe thoroughly and could never be convinced otherwise. You have some who are scared not to believe. You have others who are wrestling with accepting truths that they don't want to believe and others who've always been aware. It's incredibly well done and believable. As a character driven reader, these characters really pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.
Escape from Eden is set within a remote jungle in South America where a cult - Edenton - has been established as its own little Garden of Eden, supposedly protecting its members from the outside world. There's so much more to this cult than religious manipulation though and the secrets are pushing in on you from the very start. I quickly formed opinions and suspicions about many aspects - and was pleasantly surprised that I was often wrong. There were some predictable moments, but there was enough going on that I don't think anyone could solve every mystery or call of twist or turn. Nader certainly keeps you on your toes!
Some of the shocking moments were truly appalling and worked really well to move the story forward, all while twisting your gut, or if you're like me - making you throw things (thankfully not my eReader!). There was one moment in particular that really got to me, but later didn't seem to fit the story and I kept waiting to see the incongruities work themselves out. They didn't - and perhaps I was over-thinking things - but it wasn't enough to make me dislike the story.
Nader did a really fantastic job of shocking the hell out of me at times and making me invested in the characters throughout. I enjoyed the twists and turns and was emotionally invested - a distressed - throughout. I definitely recommend for a good young adult dystopian read.
My Initial Reaction...
Escape from Eden immediately sucked me in and held my attention until the very end. The characters were very well written and believable. The plot moved the story forward well, and although there were a few moments I felt were a little less than believable or explainable, overall it kept me anxiously awaiting the next step.
The Characters...
As good as the story for Escape from Eden was, it was the characters that made it for me. Mia, who has lived in Edenton since she was 10 years old, is so well written. Mia grew up in this cult and is questioning the things she's been told to believe. She's different from the others around her and that's starting to make a tangible difference in what she wants in life. What I loved most though, was that Elisa Nader recognized that someone who'd grown up with that level of brainwashing would have a bit of an internal struggle to overcome. Mia is strong and she knows right from wrong - and she's struggling to make the right decisions for herself with that knowledge. But there's a certain amount of fear that come from growing up in a cult, not to mention love and concern for her mother, brother, and other friends. She's also dealing with new, unfamiliar feelings. All this combines to make a beautiful complex character, who grows throughout Escape from Eden. As things are revealed to her Mia gets stronger and morphs from someone who seemed timid and uncertain to a brave, strong, independent young woman. I couldn't help but love her.
Gabriel, whose family has just joined Edenton, stirs something in Mia that she's never felt before. A part of this is that Gabriel is more like Mia than she knows. Having just come in from the outside world - and not willingly, but forced by his family - he's not "drinking the kool-aid." This makes Gabriel both dangerous and oh-so appealing to Mia. And he recognizes something in her, that she is different, and thus is drawn to her. He's also a complex character, with may layers that reveal themselves slowly throughout the book, as he too grows and changes. Mia and Gabriel develop a relationship that depends so much on their desire to be free and is complicated by confusing romantic encounters. I loved the way Nader wrote their relationship - it was so incredibly believable. There is no insta-love here. Instead you have two teenagers, thrown into a very intense situation and they grow close as a result. But Mia is so confused by what their relationship; she doesn't know how to read the signals he's sending and that makes her doubt and suppress her own potential feelings.
The supporting characters are also really well written. I loved that Nader was able to so convincingly show characters, entirely through Mia's eyes, in so many different stages of belief and disbelief. You've got characters that believe thoroughly and could never be convinced otherwise. You have some who are scared not to believe. You have others who are wrestling with accepting truths that they don't want to believe and others who've always been aware. It's incredibly well done and believable. As a character driven reader, these characters really pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.
The Story...
Escape from Eden is set within a remote jungle in South America where a cult - Edenton - has been established as its own little Garden of Eden, supposedly protecting its members from the outside world. There's so much more to this cult than religious manipulation though and the secrets are pushing in on you from the very start. I quickly formed opinions and suspicions about many aspects - and was pleasantly surprised that I was often wrong. There were some predictable moments, but there was enough going on that I don't think anyone could solve every mystery or call of twist or turn. Nader certainly keeps you on your toes!
Some of the shocking moments were truly appalling and worked really well to move the story forward, all while twisting your gut, or if you're like me - making you throw things (thankfully not my eReader!). There was one moment in particular that really got to me, but later didn't seem to fit the story and I kept waiting to see the incongruities work themselves out. They didn't - and perhaps I was over-thinking things - but it wasn't enough to make me dislike the story.
Concluding Sentiments...
Nader did a really fantastic job of shocking the hell out of me at times and making me invested in the characters throughout. I enjoyed the twists and turns and was emotionally invested - a distressed - throughout. I definitely recommend for a good young adult dystopian read.
July 21, 2022
I liked the story in general. Some of the scenes were unneeded and others felt rushed, like there could have been and should have been more details. I think it could have been a good draft and then a better editor could have done something remarkable.
December 24, 2022
Holy Crap this is such an intense book. I can't hardly put it down to eat! It is so intense and it's constantly moving and constantly changing. There's twists and crazy stuff going on is like the most, probably better than the first. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the third.
August 6, 2017
And she lived. I'd like to see another book about the girl and boy and there life like 10 years later. All in all it was great ending.
December 4, 2021
It was a good book! My only issue is the ending it didnt feel completed im missing somthing from the ending. IT definitely hits my distopian spot another con is its predictability at spots.
September 25, 2013
3.5 stars review to come on blog tour
--- [Updated 25.09.2013]
“Idioms are idioms for a reason”
In a year of post-apocalyptic Dystopians, science-fiction and new-adult debuts, Escape from Eden was a really refreshing and different read – it touched on a subject I don’t think I’ve ever read before and I really enjoyed it.
Set in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, the cult following of Eden is led to believe that their way of life is perfect and their town of Edenton is a utopia. Except for our protagonist Mia who dreams of life outside Edenton and remembers a different time of freedom back in the normal world.
“Edenton was created to shelter us from these temptations and keep our focus on the worship of our true God.”
I quite liked Mia’s character and voice for the most part. She definitely grew on me as the book went on; in the beginning I thought she was a bit dull and I was VERY worried about her reaction to new Edenton boy, Gabriel – it was scarily close to insta-love and Nader put the brakes on just in time. That aside, I saw her determination as the story progressed and her ever growing doubt of the Reverend’s claim that Edenton had a perfect way of living. While bold most of the time, her actions could also be justifiably called stupid. I thought she ran into situations too much without thinking things through properly but I guess those actions can be excused because of the brainwashing nature of the compound. What really annoyed me about Mia though was how she kept getting distracted by Gabriel. He’s a boy, get over it. There were so many times where his close proximity in dire situations nearly cost them their lives because being so close to sexy Gabriel made her freeze up. HELLO THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS AT HAND *face palm* Otherwise I think I did like Mia. She was devoted to her mother and younger brother, she cared about her friends and had morals and strong values, but Nader didn’t make her out to be a saint/godly – and I loved that as Mia was quite relatable for that part.
“Weren’t things supposed to improve as you got older? You grow into yourself, understand who you are?”
Gabriel was the character I absolutely loved. He was switched on, quick to act and really efficient. I absolutely love characters like that. Whilst he still had that act-now-think-later attitude, his actions were justifiably smart. He didn’t dawdle, got to the point and I loved his snark. Ohmygoodness his snark was like the best part of the book. But Gabriel wasn’t without his faults. He’s haunted by a traumatic past and there’s no denying that for all his awesomeness, he’s also a player and a bit of a prick sometimes.
“Gabriel squinted, looked past Doc’s fingers, and said, ‘Hey Doc, did know your dreads are as thick as Snickers…’”
The secondary characters were an interesting mix. The Reverend himself was very rarely encountered first-hand by Mia – he was sort of in the distance but I think that highlighted his role in their compound and how close he really was to his people. I liked how many of the Edenton “family” annoyed me – they were all brainwashed and their actions and ways of thinking reflected this. More than once I got so pissed at Mia’s mum and her bunk mates I wanted to throw my Kindle but I think that shows Nader just did her job very well; she wrote characters that were such ardent followers of this cult it was highly believable!
Now the romance was quite interesting. Romance didn’t play a particularly large part in the book per se, but attraction and Mia’s reactions to Gabriel were very evident. I’m not sure how I feel about that as I mentioned before I got really annoyed with Mia’s priorities going all out of order as soon as Gabriel entered the scene. Nonetheless, Nader writes (first) attraction very well without the need to be graphic!
“My stomach fluttered. It was as if my body began to blossom, awaken, after seasons of cold.”
The plot played out as I expected it to – aka I predicted the main twist BUT I really liked how everything unfolded. It was enjoyable, action packed and you know what? For once, the protagonist doesn’t save the world on their own. And I loved that. Because it’s so unbelievable when a teenager just has the capacity to change a whole society and save everybody – Nader did the wonderful thing of using Mia as a catalyst that drove many events; I’m not saying Mia was passive-aggressive, she did a LOT but she didn’t do it all on her own and it made me relate to her all the more!
“All impulse and nerves, I spun and darted up the road, legs pushing and pushing, blindly leading me away…”
Overall, a very enjoyable YA that touches on a subject not dealt with often, written wonderfully in a manner that flowed and with characters that were fun and believable!
“Doubt everything, find your own light… Knowledge is freedom… Faith is not wanting to know what’s true.”
--- [Updated 25.09.2013]
“Idioms are idioms for a reason”
In a year of post-apocalyptic Dystopians, science-fiction and new-adult debuts, Escape from Eden was a really refreshing and different read – it touched on a subject I don’t think I’ve ever read before and I really enjoyed it.
Set in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, the cult following of Eden is led to believe that their way of life is perfect and their town of Edenton is a utopia. Except for our protagonist Mia who dreams of life outside Edenton and remembers a different time of freedom back in the normal world.
“Edenton was created to shelter us from these temptations and keep our focus on the worship of our true God.”
I quite liked Mia’s character and voice for the most part. She definitely grew on me as the book went on; in the beginning I thought she was a bit dull and I was VERY worried about her reaction to new Edenton boy, Gabriel – it was scarily close to insta-love and Nader put the brakes on just in time. That aside, I saw her determination as the story progressed and her ever growing doubt of the Reverend’s claim that Edenton had a perfect way of living. While bold most of the time, her actions could also be justifiably called stupid. I thought she ran into situations too much without thinking things through properly but I guess those actions can be excused because of the brainwashing nature of the compound. What really annoyed me about Mia though was how she kept getting distracted by Gabriel. He’s a boy, get over it. There were so many times where his close proximity in dire situations nearly cost them their lives because being so close to sexy Gabriel made her freeze up. HELLO THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS AT HAND *face palm* Otherwise I think I did like Mia. She was devoted to her mother and younger brother, she cared about her friends and had morals and strong values, but Nader didn’t make her out to be a saint/godly – and I loved that as Mia was quite relatable for that part.
“Weren’t things supposed to improve as you got older? You grow into yourself, understand who you are?”
Gabriel was the character I absolutely loved. He was switched on, quick to act and really efficient. I absolutely love characters like that. Whilst he still had that act-now-think-later attitude, his actions were justifiably smart. He didn’t dawdle, got to the point and I loved his snark. Ohmygoodness his snark was like the best part of the book. But Gabriel wasn’t without his faults. He’s haunted by a traumatic past and there’s no denying that for all his awesomeness, he’s also a player and a bit of a prick sometimes.
“Gabriel squinted, looked past Doc’s fingers, and said, ‘Hey Doc, did know your dreads are as thick as Snickers…’”
The secondary characters were an interesting mix. The Reverend himself was very rarely encountered first-hand by Mia – he was sort of in the distance but I think that highlighted his role in their compound and how close he really was to his people. I liked how many of the Edenton “family” annoyed me – they were all brainwashed and their actions and ways of thinking reflected this. More than once I got so pissed at Mia’s mum and her bunk mates I wanted to throw my Kindle but I think that shows Nader just did her job very well; she wrote characters that were such ardent followers of this cult it was highly believable!
Now the romance was quite interesting. Romance didn’t play a particularly large part in the book per se, but attraction and Mia’s reactions to Gabriel were very evident. I’m not sure how I feel about that as I mentioned before I got really annoyed with Mia’s priorities going all out of order as soon as Gabriel entered the scene. Nonetheless, Nader writes (first) attraction very well without the need to be graphic!
“My stomach fluttered. It was as if my body began to blossom, awaken, after seasons of cold.”
The plot played out as I expected it to – aka I predicted the main twist BUT I really liked how everything unfolded. It was enjoyable, action packed and you know what? For once, the protagonist doesn’t save the world on their own. And I loved that. Because it’s so unbelievable when a teenager just has the capacity to change a whole society and save everybody – Nader did the wonderful thing of using Mia as a catalyst that drove many events; I’m not saying Mia was passive-aggressive, she did a LOT but she didn’t do it all on her own and it made me relate to her all the more!
“All impulse and nerves, I spun and darted up the road, legs pushing and pushing, blindly leading me away…”
Overall, a very enjoyable YA that touches on a subject not dealt with often, written wonderfully in a manner that flowed and with characters that were fun and believable!
“Doubt everything, find your own light… Knowledge is freedom… Faith is not wanting to know what’s true.”
August 10, 2013
My original review for this title can be found
HERE
on The Book Hookup.
**Special Note:** An e-ARC of this title was provided by the publishers via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review an any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this galley and not from the published version.
The Lowdown: Welcome to Edenton, a “Utopian” community set in the South American jungle, where the faithful are kept in and the outside world is never in close proximity… or so they’re told. This supposed “Garden of Eden” is lead by the strict Reverend who uses the Bible and The Lord’s teachings as a governing tool to make his followers bend to his demands. Most of the Flock willingly accepts these principles, allowing the preacher to dictate their life choices–not allowing them to read books or have computers and even deciding who they marry– because it’s the Lord’s will and the Reverend’s divine right. No one questions anyone or anything inside the gates, and since a majority of these people know little of the world outside the compound, they don’t know they should. All except for Mia.
Mia, now sixteen, came to Edenton with her mother and brother when she was only ten years old, but she can’t escape the memories of what the world was like before she arrived there and all the things her father had told her before he left.
Mia knows she hates Edenton. Hates that she doesn’t know the world. Dislikes how the place is ruled so strictly and that she’s always told where to work, how to act, what to say. She also knows that she wants out by any means necessary, even if that means leaving her mother behind. Then when a new (attractive) guy named Gabriel arrives with his family and immediately confirms everything Mia’s ever suspected was wrong with her “perfect society,” she knows she may have just found a way to escape. Only it’s never really that easy, is it? The deceitful secrets and evil corruption runs deeper than she ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: While I’ve always beendisturbingly curious mildly fascinated with cults, I’ve yet to ever read a book that focuses on one- how it was formed and the society that evolved from it in a purely fictitious way. So, when I saw this one on Net Galley, I thought it’d be the perfect way to introduce the subject to me. Well, let me just tell you, I was wrong about thinking I’d be able to handle some of the content just because it was young adult, and this will probably be my last foray into this particular line of fiction.
On a positive note, I want to say that the author’s storytelling and character development really have nothing to do with my rating. I thought Mia and Gabriel were both solid characters that experienced personal growth throughout the novel, though their relationship never really did anything for me. Even the side characters, those that were devout followers and the antagonists alike, were all believable in their roles and the uniqueness that they brought to the book. Even the plot arc and pacing were perfectly fine, and the novel as a whole was very thought-provoking. I also appreciated that even though the community revolved around religious teachings, it never felt like a “preachy” book.
So why such an average rating if all that was fine and dandy? Well, the answer is in the antagonist’s wrongdoings and how terrible it made me feel.
While I was pulled into the story immediately and sensed the lurking evil that surrounded Edenton, I don’t think I was ever really fully prepared for how deep the corruption went and how uncomfortable it would make me feel reading about it. There were large chunks of the story where the evil work was being confronted, and I just gawked at the book (while in a fetal, rocking position) or skimmed because of how icky, for the lack of a better word, it made me feel. Even though some it was downplayed a good bit to fit the young adult genre, I still felt like it may have been a little too graphic for younger readers. Or apparently semi-young adults like myself.
♥ A very special thanks to Merit Press and Net Galley for allowing me to preview an advanced copy of this title.
**Special Note:** An e-ARC of this title was provided by the publishers via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review an any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this galley and not from the published version.
The Lowdown: Welcome to Edenton, a “Utopian” community set in the South American jungle, where the faithful are kept in and the outside world is never in close proximity… or so they’re told. This supposed “Garden of Eden” is lead by the strict Reverend who uses the Bible and The Lord’s teachings as a governing tool to make his followers bend to his demands. Most of the Flock willingly accepts these principles, allowing the preacher to dictate their life choices–not allowing them to read books or have computers and even deciding who they marry– because it’s the Lord’s will and the Reverend’s divine right. No one questions anyone or anything inside the gates, and since a majority of these people know little of the world outside the compound, they don’t know they should. All except for Mia.
Mia, now sixteen, came to Edenton with her mother and brother when she was only ten years old, but she can’t escape the memories of what the world was like before she arrived there and all the things her father had told her before he left.
“Things Papa used to say: Doubt everything, find your own light… Knowledge is freedom… Faith is not wanting to know what’s true.”
Mia knows she hates Edenton. Hates that she doesn’t know the world. Dislikes how the place is ruled so strictly and that she’s always told where to work, how to act, what to say. She also knows that she wants out by any means necessary, even if that means leaving her mother behind. Then when a new (attractive) guy named Gabriel arrives with his family and immediately confirms everything Mia’s ever suspected was wrong with her “perfect society,” she knows she may have just found a way to escape. Only it’s never really that easy, is it? The deceitful secrets and evil corruption runs deeper than she ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: While I’ve always been
On a positive note, I want to say that the author’s storytelling and character development really have nothing to do with my rating. I thought Mia and Gabriel were both solid characters that experienced personal growth throughout the novel, though their relationship never really did anything for me. Even the side characters, those that were devout followers and the antagonists alike, were all believable in their roles and the uniqueness that they brought to the book. Even the plot arc and pacing were perfectly fine, and the novel as a whole was very thought-provoking. I also appreciated that even though the community revolved around religious teachings, it never felt like a “preachy” book.
So why such an average rating if all that was fine and dandy? Well, the answer is in the antagonist’s wrongdoings and how terrible it made me feel.
While I was pulled into the story immediately and sensed the lurking evil that surrounded Edenton, I don’t think I was ever really fully prepared for how deep the corruption went and how uncomfortable it would make me feel reading about it. There were large chunks of the story where the evil work was being confronted, and I just gawked at the book (while in a fetal, rocking position) or skimmed because of how icky, for the lack of a better word, it made me feel. Even though some it was downplayed a good bit to fit the young adult genre, I still felt like it may have been a little too graphic for younger readers. Or apparently semi-young adults like myself.
♥ A very special thanks to Merit Press and Net Galley for allowing me to preview an advanced copy of this title.
August 1, 2013
(Formatting may be lost; originally posted at www.keepersbookreviews.blogspot.com)
**Actual Rating**: 4.5 stars
**Book Format**: eBook
First, I want to exclaim at how overjoyed I am that my request for the ARC of Escape from Eden was accepted. I've been ignoring my accepted titles for a while now - because of all the well-known books coming out - and for that, I am deeply sorry. If only I had read this sooner, I wouldn't feel so bad now. This is truly one of the best books I've read in a while, and I hope that lots of people give it a chance when it comes out.
There's a place called Edenton, which probably got its name from The Garden of Eden mentioned in the Bible. It's a place in the middle of the jungle, where the Reverend is the boss, the leader, the dictator. Whatever he does and says supposedly comes straight from God. At one point, in his anger, he even exclaims that he is God. Everyone in the community worships him and believes every word that comes from his mouth...except Mia. She moved to Edenton when she was 10, along with her mother and brother, Max. She didn't have a choice in the matter, and so she's stuck here. Right away, you can tell she's different from everyone else. She has the strong defiance and courage that all heroines these days have. She believes the Reverend is less holy than even he believes, and doubts the way everything is run. She craves freedom, not blasphemy. In the beginning of the book, they are at another one of the Reverend's preaches. Mia pretends to pray as everyone else lowers their head in prayer, but she can't. At the end of his preach, the Reverend introduces three new members to the community: a pretty boy, his mother, and father. Immediately, she sees that the boy, Gabriel, doesn't want to be here. She compares herself to him, but then forgets about him.
When Mia and Gabriel meet for the first time in the kitchen that evening, Mia experiences things she has never experienced before. According to "their leader", she's supposed to be courted by Juanita's brother, but she's never felt anything but kindness for him. When Gabriel leans down to whisper in her ear though, and when his eyes gleam with wickedness pointed at her, she feels tingles in her spine. She doesn't know what that feeling is, but she likes it. Through interactions, they get to know each other, and suddenly, when they realize Edenton is nothing but a pack of lies, they realize they can't stay here much longer; they plan an escape. Unexpectedly though, they're called, along with Juanita, to the Prayer Circle. Figuring that going will give them a more information on how to escape, they comply with the summons. Suddenly, they find themselves at a nearby city with drugs in them and strange people around them. Quickly, they escape from Edenton, though not before one of Mia's friends is shot. Forced to make a quick decision, the two leave her behind.
After they escape, they meet up with a resistance, a group of people who want to invade Edenton and save their own relatives from there. After several discussions, Gabriel and Mia learn that the citizens of Edenton are being rented by rich folk to have sex with. Basically, they're whores. Horrified, Mia does the only thing she can, and returns to Edenton, attempting to save the citizens and get rid of the Reverend. Only the Reverend isn't the boss of Edenton; there's someone else. Someone much worse.
But can Mia - with the help of Gabriel - defeat the leaders of Edenton? It seems possible...until the Reverend realizes what Mia and the resistance are trying to do, and forces the citizens to kill each other in a dreadful bloodbath. Can the citizens be saved, or will they destroy each other 'till there's no one left? And can Gabriel stand by Mia even with murder haunting his past?
As with so many other books I was too stubborn to read until the last moment, Escape from Eden was a delight I truly hadn't expected. As disappointed as I am that there isn't a sequel, I'm also happy; too many books these days have sequels that don't live up to the original. This book had me horrified, seduced, terrorized, and desperate to read more all at once. The book's style is quite different from most well-known YA books, and the plot was unique, if not original.
Thank you so much Merit Press for providing me with an ARC of such an amazing book!
Author - Elisa Nader
Title - Escape from Eden
Publisher - Merit Press
Releases August 18, 2013
Genre - Young Adult
Received from Merit Press via Netgalley
**Actual Rating**: 4.5 stars
**Book Format**: eBook
First, I want to exclaim at how overjoyed I am that my request for the ARC of Escape from Eden was accepted. I've been ignoring my accepted titles for a while now - because of all the well-known books coming out - and for that, I am deeply sorry. If only I had read this sooner, I wouldn't feel so bad now. This is truly one of the best books I've read in a while, and I hope that lots of people give it a chance when it comes out.
There's a place called Edenton, which probably got its name from The Garden of Eden mentioned in the Bible. It's a place in the middle of the jungle, where the Reverend is the boss, the leader, the dictator. Whatever he does and says supposedly comes straight from God. At one point, in his anger, he even exclaims that he is God. Everyone in the community worships him and believes every word that comes from his mouth...except Mia. She moved to Edenton when she was 10, along with her mother and brother, Max. She didn't have a choice in the matter, and so she's stuck here. Right away, you can tell she's different from everyone else. She has the strong defiance and courage that all heroines these days have. She believes the Reverend is less holy than even he believes, and doubts the way everything is run. She craves freedom, not blasphemy. In the beginning of the book, they are at another one of the Reverend's preaches. Mia pretends to pray as everyone else lowers their head in prayer, but she can't. At the end of his preach, the Reverend introduces three new members to the community: a pretty boy, his mother, and father. Immediately, she sees that the boy, Gabriel, doesn't want to be here. She compares herself to him, but then forgets about him.
When Mia and Gabriel meet for the first time in the kitchen that evening, Mia experiences things she has never experienced before. According to "their leader", she's supposed to be courted by Juanita's brother, but she's never felt anything but kindness for him. When Gabriel leans down to whisper in her ear though, and when his eyes gleam with wickedness pointed at her, she feels tingles in her spine. She doesn't know what that feeling is, but she likes it. Through interactions, they get to know each other, and suddenly, when they realize Edenton is nothing but a pack of lies, they realize they can't stay here much longer; they plan an escape. Unexpectedly though, they're called, along with Juanita, to the Prayer Circle. Figuring that going will give them a more information on how to escape, they comply with the summons. Suddenly, they find themselves at a nearby city with drugs in them and strange people around them. Quickly, they escape from Edenton, though not before one of Mia's friends is shot. Forced to make a quick decision, the two leave her behind.
After they escape, they meet up with a resistance, a group of people who want to invade Edenton and save their own relatives from there. After several discussions, Gabriel and Mia learn that the citizens of Edenton are being rented by rich folk to have sex with. Basically, they're whores. Horrified, Mia does the only thing she can, and returns to Edenton, attempting to save the citizens and get rid of the Reverend. Only the Reverend isn't the boss of Edenton; there's someone else. Someone much worse.
But can Mia - with the help of Gabriel - defeat the leaders of Edenton? It seems possible...until the Reverend realizes what Mia and the resistance are trying to do, and forces the citizens to kill each other in a dreadful bloodbath. Can the citizens be saved, or will they destroy each other 'till there's no one left? And can Gabriel stand by Mia even with murder haunting his past?
As with so many other books I was too stubborn to read until the last moment, Escape from Eden was a delight I truly hadn't expected. As disappointed as I am that there isn't a sequel, I'm also happy; too many books these days have sequels that don't live up to the original. This book had me horrified, seduced, terrorized, and desperate to read more all at once. The book's style is quite different from most well-known YA books, and the plot was unique, if not original.
Thank you so much Merit Press for providing me with an ARC of such an amazing book!
Author - Elisa Nader
Title - Escape from Eden
Publisher - Merit Press
Releases August 18, 2013
Genre - Young Adult
Received from Merit Press via Netgalley
August 10, 2013
The original review for this title can be found
HERE
on The Book Hookup.
**Special Note:** An e-ARC of this title was provided by the publishers via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review an any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this galley and not from the published version.
The Lowdown: Welcome to Edenton, a “Utopian” community set in the South American jungle, where the faithful are kept in and the outside world is never in close proximity… or so they’re told. This supposed “Garden of Eden” is lead by the strict Reverend who uses the Bible and The Lord’s teachings as a governing tool to make his followers bend to his demands. Most of the Flock willingly accepts these principles, allowing the preacher to dictate their life choices–not allowing them to read books or have computers and even deciding who they marry– because it’s the Lord’s will and the Reverend’s divine right. No one questions anyone or anything inside the gates, and since a majority of these people know little of the world outside the compound, they don’t know they should. All except for Mia.
Mia, now sixteen, came to Edenton with her mother and brother when she was only ten years old, but she can’t escape the memories of what the world was like before she arrived there and all the things her father had told her before he left.
Mia knows she hates Edenton. Hates that she doesn’t know the world. Dislikes how the place is ruled so strictly and that she’s always told where to work, how to act, what to say. She also knows that she wants out by any means necessary, even if that means leaving her mother behind. Then when a new (attractive) guy named Gabriel arrives with his family and immediately confirms everything Mia’s ever suspected was wrong with her “perfect society,” she knows she may have just found a way to escape. Only it’s never really that easy, is it? The deceitful secrets and evil corruption runs deeper than she ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: While I’ve always beendisturbingly curious mildly fascinated with cults, I’ve yet to ever read a book that focuses on one- how it was formed and the society that evolved from it in a purely fictitious way. So, when I saw this one on Net Galley, I thought it’d be the perfect way to introduce the subject to me. Well, let me just tell you, I was wrong about thinking I’d be able to handle some of the content just because it was young adult, and this will probably be my last foray into this particular line of fiction.
On a positive note, I want to say that the author’s storytelling and character development really have nothing to do with my rating. I thought Mia and Gabriel were both solid characters that experienced personal growth throughout the novel, though their relationship never really did anything for me. Even the side characters, those that were devout followers and the antagonists alike, were all believable in their roles and the uniqueness that they brought to the book. Even the plot arc and pacing were perfectly fine, and the novel as a whole was very thought-provoking. I also appreciated that even though the community revolved around religious teachings, it never felt like a “preachy” book.
So why such an average rating if all that was fine and dandy? Well, the answer is in the antagonist’s wrongdoings and how terrible it made me feel.
While I was pulled into the story immediately and sensed the lurking evil that surrounded Edenton, I don’t think I was ever really fully prepared for how deep the corruption went and how uncomfortable it would make me feel reading about it. There were large chunks of the story where the evil work was being confronted, and I just gawked at the book (while in a fetal, rocking position) or skimmed because of how icky, for the lack of a better word, it made me feel. Even though some it was downplayed a good bit to fit the young adult genre, I still felt like it may have been a little too graphic for younger readers. Or apparently semi-young adults like myself.
♥ A very special thanks to Merit Press and Net Galley for allowing me to preview an advanced copy of this title.
Christina's Review:
**Special Note:** An e-ARC of this title was provided by the publishers via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review an any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this galley and not from the published version.
The Lowdown: Welcome to Edenton, a “Utopian” community set in the South American jungle, where the faithful are kept in and the outside world is never in close proximity… or so they’re told. This supposed “Garden of Eden” is lead by the strict Reverend who uses the Bible and The Lord’s teachings as a governing tool to make his followers bend to his demands. Most of the Flock willingly accepts these principles, allowing the preacher to dictate their life choices–not allowing them to read books or have computers and even deciding who they marry– because it’s the Lord’s will and the Reverend’s divine right. No one questions anyone or anything inside the gates, and since a majority of these people know little of the world outside the compound, they don’t know they should. All except for Mia.
Mia, now sixteen, came to Edenton with her mother and brother when she was only ten years old, but she can’t escape the memories of what the world was like before she arrived there and all the things her father had told her before he left.
“Things Papa used to say: Doubt everything, find your own light… Knowledge is freedom… Faith is not wanting to know what’s true.”
Mia knows she hates Edenton. Hates that she doesn’t know the world. Dislikes how the place is ruled so strictly and that she’s always told where to work, how to act, what to say. She also knows that she wants out by any means necessary, even if that means leaving her mother behind. Then when a new (attractive) guy named Gabriel arrives with his family and immediately confirms everything Mia’s ever suspected was wrong with her “perfect society,” she knows she may have just found a way to escape. Only it’s never really that easy, is it? The deceitful secrets and evil corruption runs deeper than she ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: While I’ve always been
On a positive note, I want to say that the author’s storytelling and character development really have nothing to do with my rating. I thought Mia and Gabriel were both solid characters that experienced personal growth throughout the novel, though their relationship never really did anything for me. Even the side characters, those that were devout followers and the antagonists alike, were all believable in their roles and the uniqueness that they brought to the book. Even the plot arc and pacing were perfectly fine, and the novel as a whole was very thought-provoking. I also appreciated that even though the community revolved around religious teachings, it never felt like a “preachy” book.
So why such an average rating if all that was fine and dandy? Well, the answer is in the antagonist’s wrongdoings and how terrible it made me feel.
While I was pulled into the story immediately and sensed the lurking evil that surrounded Edenton, I don’t think I was ever really fully prepared for how deep the corruption went and how uncomfortable it would make me feel reading about it. There were large chunks of the story where the evil work was being confronted, and I just gawked at the book (while in a fetal, rocking position) or skimmed because of how icky, for the lack of a better word, it made me feel. Even though some it was downplayed a good bit to fit the young adult genre, I still felt like it may have been a little too graphic for younger readers. Or apparently semi-young adults like myself.
♥ A very special thanks to Merit Press and Net Galley for allowing me to preview an advanced copy of this title.
January 22, 2014
An absolute masterpiece of a novel. Books like this are the reason for my love of reading! 5 + stars! Full review will be posted on the 22nd January during my stop on the 'Escape from Eden' blog tour. http://www.oldvictorianquill.wordpres...
You know those books that you don’t just read but experience right alongside the main characters? Like the great Harry Potter series, this book is up there with the best. I felt every single emotion that these characters must have felt, felt the hairs on my arms stand up on end, and admired the determined strength that Mia had throughout the novel, the faith that she had in humanity despite all that she had witnessed in her life, and her hope for a future for not just herself but for her friends and family.
The concept of this book intrigued me as soon as I read the blurb, and I knew immediately that this was going to be one of those storylines that if executed properly, would blow me away. And oh did it blow me away. ‘Escape from Eden’ to me had a hint of dystopian witch-trials to it. I held the same shock and fear within me as I read this book as I have when I read ‘Witch Child’ by Celia Rees and ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller. The creation of the fanatical preacher and what the power of words can cause his followers to do in his name was chilling. I had my hand to my mouth in shock and fear when the preaching began to take a deadly turn after a refreshment break during the preacher’s ‘Bright Night’. Nothing I can say will do this chapter justice, so I just had to use this passage to show how chilling this story is!
“Now,” said the Reverend. He stood then, folding his hands behind him. He began to pace. “Tonight, I’ve orchestrated the ultimate lesson on greed.” All movement ceased. Only wide-eyed gazes shifted to follow the Reverend walk back and forth along the edge of the stage. Silence reigned. He smiled out over us. “Those of you who ate one cookie will be fine.” I shot a confused look at Juanita. She shrugged.
“Those who ate two cookies will experience a little stomach trouble, nothing more.” Around the pavilion hands went involuntarily to abdomens. My own stomach, even though I hadn’t eaten any cookies, roiled. My palms began to sweat. I rubbed them against my skirt. “Those who ate three will spend the rest of the night vomiting.” Panic stabbed me. A round of gasps swept across the Flock. “And those who ate four or more?” He paused, scrutinizing us as we sat staring up at him, dumbfounded. “Will be dead before sunrise.”
Absolutely chill inducing, right?
The introduction of Gabriel’s character was a lifeline to myself and to main character Mia. I felt as helpless reading the book as Mia must have felt at knowing her chances at escape were low. The relationship that forged between Mia and Gabriel was beautiful, fun and at times heartbreaking. I loved that despite the years of tyrannical preaching that Mia had been subjected to, she still felt human emotions that at times almost overwhelmed her. I loved that Mia felt jealousy when she saw Gabriel with her best friend, and the kindness with which he treated her.
The mystery behind the creation and goings on in Eden was paced perfectly. At first you feel for Mia when you realise that she feels trapped in this society that she never chose to be a part of, and then gradually as the deeds of the preacher and his followers become more and more dark, you begin to wildly guess at what the ulterior motives of the characters are. I really liked how well-rounded all the characters were, especially the secondary characters like Grizz who I grew to love despite his dedication to the preachers cause. I liked that he felt conflicted at some of his orders, and that he always showed some kind of emotion. The scenes that he had with Gabriel, whilst mostly being in the way to punish Gabriel for his troublemaking behaviour, gave some light relief and also gave me hope that Gabriel would be his saviour if the occasion arose that he needed it at the end of the story.
The action scenes were written to perfection, and I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what the fate of these characters I had grown to love so much would be. The way that a whole community turned against each other due to the power of one man was frightening.
Overall, this was a fantastic, scary, chilling, mind-blowing and all round brilliant story. This is one of those books that reminds me of why I love reading so much!
5 Stars!
You know those books that you don’t just read but experience right alongside the main characters? Like the great Harry Potter series, this book is up there with the best. I felt every single emotion that these characters must have felt, felt the hairs on my arms stand up on end, and admired the determined strength that Mia had throughout the novel, the faith that she had in humanity despite all that she had witnessed in her life, and her hope for a future for not just herself but for her friends and family.
The concept of this book intrigued me as soon as I read the blurb, and I knew immediately that this was going to be one of those storylines that if executed properly, would blow me away. And oh did it blow me away. ‘Escape from Eden’ to me had a hint of dystopian witch-trials to it. I held the same shock and fear within me as I read this book as I have when I read ‘Witch Child’ by Celia Rees and ‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller. The creation of the fanatical preacher and what the power of words can cause his followers to do in his name was chilling. I had my hand to my mouth in shock and fear when the preaching began to take a deadly turn after a refreshment break during the preacher’s ‘Bright Night’. Nothing I can say will do this chapter justice, so I just had to use this passage to show how chilling this story is!
“Now,” said the Reverend. He stood then, folding his hands behind him. He began to pace. “Tonight, I’ve orchestrated the ultimate lesson on greed.” All movement ceased. Only wide-eyed gazes shifted to follow the Reverend walk back and forth along the edge of the stage. Silence reigned. He smiled out over us. “Those of you who ate one cookie will be fine.” I shot a confused look at Juanita. She shrugged.
“Those who ate two cookies will experience a little stomach trouble, nothing more.” Around the pavilion hands went involuntarily to abdomens. My own stomach, even though I hadn’t eaten any cookies, roiled. My palms began to sweat. I rubbed them against my skirt. “Those who ate three will spend the rest of the night vomiting.” Panic stabbed me. A round of gasps swept across the Flock. “And those who ate four or more?” He paused, scrutinizing us as we sat staring up at him, dumbfounded. “Will be dead before sunrise.”
Absolutely chill inducing, right?
The introduction of Gabriel’s character was a lifeline to myself and to main character Mia. I felt as helpless reading the book as Mia must have felt at knowing her chances at escape were low. The relationship that forged between Mia and Gabriel was beautiful, fun and at times heartbreaking. I loved that despite the years of tyrannical preaching that Mia had been subjected to, she still felt human emotions that at times almost overwhelmed her. I loved that Mia felt jealousy when she saw Gabriel with her best friend, and the kindness with which he treated her.
The mystery behind the creation and goings on in Eden was paced perfectly. At first you feel for Mia when you realise that she feels trapped in this society that she never chose to be a part of, and then gradually as the deeds of the preacher and his followers become more and more dark, you begin to wildly guess at what the ulterior motives of the characters are. I really liked how well-rounded all the characters were, especially the secondary characters like Grizz who I grew to love despite his dedication to the preachers cause. I liked that he felt conflicted at some of his orders, and that he always showed some kind of emotion. The scenes that he had with Gabriel, whilst mostly being in the way to punish Gabriel for his troublemaking behaviour, gave some light relief and also gave me hope that Gabriel would be his saviour if the occasion arose that he needed it at the end of the story.
The action scenes were written to perfection, and I was on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what the fate of these characters I had grown to love so much would be. The way that a whole community turned against each other due to the power of one man was frightening.
Overall, this was a fantastic, scary, chilling, mind-blowing and all round brilliant story. This is one of those books that reminds me of why I love reading so much!
5 Stars!
August 25, 2013
*I was provided with an electronic copy of this book from the author and Merit Press in return of an honest review. No monetary compensation was provided in this exchange.*
Review originally posted on Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf.
FINAL RATING: 3/5 stars
When Mia was 10 years old, she lost her father... And her life would never be the same. The loss of her father lead Mia and her family to financial and economic struggles and their eventual introduction to the Reverend. The Reverend is the religious leader of the mysterious Edenton, where 16 year old Mia and over 200 other people - referred to as the Flock - now reside, deep in the jungles of South America. Originally developed as a utopia in which its people could live simply, without concerns of finance and modern technology, Edenton is no longer the safe haven that it was years prior. Members of the Flock are selectively invited to the mysterious Prayer Circle, which harbours secrets that Mia and her companions could never have possibly imagined.
Enter the newest members of Edenton, who bring with them a troublesome 17 year old boy with a past that he is desperate to forget. Gabriel is beautiful and intriguing, and he finds in Mia something that he has lacked for years - a person who truly understands him. As the two bond, they begin to unravel the secrets of Edenton. The pair come to the same conclusion... they both desperately want out of Edenton, and back into the outside world. Escaping Edenton will prove to be dangerous and lifethreatening, and Mia and Gabriel will realize that their decision will affect not only themselves, but the lives of the rest of their Flock in the process.
Escape From Eden was a very interesting read for me. I have always had a strong interest in real-life cults and I think that Nader approached this topic very well. With groups such as cults, it is very important for a leader (or group of leaders) to maintain control over their followers, as well as make it seem as though it is for their own good in the process. Nader's Reverend does this wonderfully. Edenton is a land that grew out of dedication and love among its members, and this dedication and love is what keeps leaders such as the Reverend in control of Edenton and its people. Escape From Eden is a clear example of how easily a good thing can be tainted and ruined - Edenton was developed out of good intentions before its leaders became money and power hungry beings. The Flock see the Reverend in a way that is irrational, they see him as their true leader, the one who has the honour of deciding what is right from wrong. It is a story of a cult. And how differently members can be affected by the same powers. It is a very good story - separate from the romance.
I was not convinced at all of the romance between Mia and Gabriel. I felt it was forced and Mia's story could have easily been told without it. Gabriel's character was not strongly written - I had no general attachment to him, and his on-and-off romancing of Mia just left me a bit annoyed and irritated. I hoped to learn more about the other members of Edenton. Mia and Gabriel were not the only ones affected by their attempts to escape. It would have been nice to have some back stories with Mia's family and friends, as these were the people that she had grown up with.
Nader's style of writing is very distinct, and I think that with further novels and stories that her writing will only improve. I do hope that Escape From Eden stays as a standalone novel, but I do see the possibilities of a sequel considering its ending. I will keep this in mind should Elisa Nader release a follow-up to this story.
In Escape From Eden, Elisa Nader enters a land in which its people have been brainwashed and mistreated. A land in which power is held by only a few and its members are taken advantage of and used. A story of a 16 year old girl who has yearned for her old life, the life she had before Edenton. And the acts that she will attempt in order to get it back. Escape From Eden was definitely a worthy read, and I think that readers who do have an interest in cults will find a story worth learning in it.
Review originally posted on Moonlight Gleam's Bookshelf.
FINAL RATING: 3/5 stars
When Mia was 10 years old, she lost her father... And her life would never be the same. The loss of her father lead Mia and her family to financial and economic struggles and their eventual introduction to the Reverend. The Reverend is the religious leader of the mysterious Edenton, where 16 year old Mia and over 200 other people - referred to as the Flock - now reside, deep in the jungles of South America. Originally developed as a utopia in which its people could live simply, without concerns of finance and modern technology, Edenton is no longer the safe haven that it was years prior. Members of the Flock are selectively invited to the mysterious Prayer Circle, which harbours secrets that Mia and her companions could never have possibly imagined.
Enter the newest members of Edenton, who bring with them a troublesome 17 year old boy with a past that he is desperate to forget. Gabriel is beautiful and intriguing, and he finds in Mia something that he has lacked for years - a person who truly understands him. As the two bond, they begin to unravel the secrets of Edenton. The pair come to the same conclusion... they both desperately want out of Edenton, and back into the outside world. Escaping Edenton will prove to be dangerous and lifethreatening, and Mia and Gabriel will realize that their decision will affect not only themselves, but the lives of the rest of their Flock in the process.
Escape From Eden was a very interesting read for me. I have always had a strong interest in real-life cults and I think that Nader approached this topic very well. With groups such as cults, it is very important for a leader (or group of leaders) to maintain control over their followers, as well as make it seem as though it is for their own good in the process. Nader's Reverend does this wonderfully. Edenton is a land that grew out of dedication and love among its members, and this dedication and love is what keeps leaders such as the Reverend in control of Edenton and its people. Escape From Eden is a clear example of how easily a good thing can be tainted and ruined - Edenton was developed out of good intentions before its leaders became money and power hungry beings. The Flock see the Reverend in a way that is irrational, they see him as their true leader, the one who has the honour of deciding what is right from wrong. It is a story of a cult. And how differently members can be affected by the same powers. It is a very good story - separate from the romance.
I was not convinced at all of the romance between Mia and Gabriel. I felt it was forced and Mia's story could have easily been told without it. Gabriel's character was not strongly written - I had no general attachment to him, and his on-and-off romancing of Mia just left me a bit annoyed and irritated. I hoped to learn more about the other members of Edenton. Mia and Gabriel were not the only ones affected by their attempts to escape. It would have been nice to have some back stories with Mia's family and friends, as these were the people that she had grown up with.
Nader's style of writing is very distinct, and I think that with further novels and stories that her writing will only improve. I do hope that Escape From Eden stays as a standalone novel, but I do see the possibilities of a sequel considering its ending. I will keep this in mind should Elisa Nader release a follow-up to this story.
In Escape From Eden, Elisa Nader enters a land in which its people have been brainwashed and mistreated. A land in which power is held by only a few and its members are taken advantage of and used. A story of a 16 year old girl who has yearned for her old life, the life she had before Edenton. And the acts that she will attempt in order to get it back. Escape From Eden was definitely a worthy read, and I think that readers who do have an interest in cults will find a story worth learning in it.
January 20, 2014
This review (and others) can be seen in all its proper formatting glory on my blog
4.5 Stars
Going into Escape from Eden, I think I was expecting a book about a girl who lives in a cult (I'm not sure what else to call it), but because she doesn't like living there, she decides to escape with a boy she likes. (So basically a complete and total love story.) You could say that I got parts of that (I wouldn't call it a love story, though there's romance), but really, I got so much more. And I mean that in a very good way, for this book was GOOD.
It's told from the POV of Mia, a sixteen year old who's spent six years of her life living in Edenton and under the rules of the Reverend. Mia didn't go to Edenton by choice (she had to go with her mother and younger brother), so her thoughts aren't always what they should be, and she wants out. When a new family comes to join Edenton, Mia sees something in the rebellious Gabriel--who doesn't want to be in Edenton, either. After realizing that they both have the same idea (and dislike of where they are), they plan to work together to escape Edenton. (And I'm telling you now, there's some romance between them. It's definitely not clean or perfect, but I loved it, I loved Gabriel, and I loved those two together. It was great.) But of course, plans don't always work out.
Edenton is an eden set in the middle of the jungle. It's run by the Reverend (I don't like him at all), who claims that he'll fulfill God's wishes and all that. The people--aka the Flock--live by a set of rules, and they follow them, no questions asked. They do their duties, they live where they're supposed to, they court when they're told they can, they marry who they're told to, they don't speak against the Reverend, and so on. They don't talk about the outside world, and the outside world isn't supposed to be come in. (Mia isn't even allowed to have paper and a pencil so she can draw.) But once again, things aren't always as they seem.
I don't want to say too much to avoid spoilers, but Edenton is a lot more than it appears to be. Really, some of the things (okay, maybe more than some) that happened were pretty dang messed up and disturbing. But it was all done and written well, and it completely worked. I understand that some people may avoid this book because they make thing it's religious and all that, but it's not. And if that's why you're not reading, please don't do that! I promise you, it is so much more than that, religion isn't the center of the story, and you should absolutely read this book. (And I'd looove to tell you more about this book, but the way everything unravels in that thriller/mystery sort of way, I'd be telling you the whole story, and I want you to go into this book figuring things out on your own and having few ideas.)
I feel like this is one of my reviews that fails to show how I feel about a book. (Scratch that. I don't feel like this is one of those reviews. I know it is, and I'm sorry it's inadequate!) Escape from Eden is a really, really good book, almost flawless. (I can't think of anything that really bothered me, except maybe for some commas, or lack of.) While I'm not sure that I loved it, it at least comes pretty close. Actually, I think this may be one of those books that I grow to like even more over time. The story was fantastic, full of twists and turns and thrills (and some steamy romance). So many things happened, and they were done quite well. I'm pretty sure I said "Oh, nooo," and had several freakouts and reactions throughout the book. I had some inklings, but I don't think I actually predicted anything (which was great). Escape from Eden did so many things well, and it was constantly unputdownable. As I neared the end, I thought to myself that I didn't really want the book to end. I'm definitely looking forward to more books from Elisa in the future, and I wouldn't say no to a sequel...(hint hint). You won't want to escape this book while reading it! (I had to put a pun somewhere.)
4.5 Stars
Going into Escape from Eden, I think I was expecting a book about a girl who lives in a cult (I'm not sure what else to call it), but because she doesn't like living there, she decides to escape with a boy she likes. (So basically a complete and total love story.) You could say that I got parts of that (I wouldn't call it a love story, though there's romance), but really, I got so much more. And I mean that in a very good way, for this book was GOOD.
It's told from the POV of Mia, a sixteen year old who's spent six years of her life living in Edenton and under the rules of the Reverend. Mia didn't go to Edenton by choice (she had to go with her mother and younger brother), so her thoughts aren't always what they should be, and she wants out. When a new family comes to join Edenton, Mia sees something in the rebellious Gabriel--who doesn't want to be in Edenton, either. After realizing that they both have the same idea (and dislike of where they are), they plan to work together to escape Edenton. (And I'm telling you now, there's some romance between them. It's definitely not clean or perfect, but I loved it, I loved Gabriel, and I loved those two together. It was great.) But of course, plans don't always work out.
Edenton is an eden set in the middle of the jungle. It's run by the Reverend (I don't like him at all), who claims that he'll fulfill God's wishes and all that. The people--aka the Flock--live by a set of rules, and they follow them, no questions asked. They do their duties, they live where they're supposed to, they court when they're told they can, they marry who they're told to, they don't speak against the Reverend, and so on. They don't talk about the outside world, and the outside world isn't supposed to be come in. (Mia isn't even allowed to have paper and a pencil so she can draw.) But once again, things aren't always as they seem.
I don't want to say too much to avoid spoilers, but Edenton is a lot more than it appears to be. Really, some of the things (okay, maybe more than some) that happened were pretty dang messed up and disturbing. But it was all done and written well, and it completely worked. I understand that some people may avoid this book because they make thing it's religious and all that, but it's not. And if that's why you're not reading, please don't do that! I promise you, it is so much more than that, religion isn't the center of the story, and you should absolutely read this book. (And I'd looove to tell you more about this book, but the way everything unravels in that thriller/mystery sort of way, I'd be telling you the whole story, and I want you to go into this book figuring things out on your own and having few ideas.)
I feel like this is one of my reviews that fails to show how I feel about a book. (Scratch that. I don't feel like this is one of those reviews. I know it is, and I'm sorry it's inadequate!) Escape from Eden is a really, really good book, almost flawless. (I can't think of anything that really bothered me, except maybe for some commas, or lack of.) While I'm not sure that I loved it, it at least comes pretty close. Actually, I think this may be one of those books that I grow to like even more over time. The story was fantastic, full of twists and turns and thrills (and some steamy romance). So many things happened, and they were done quite well. I'm pretty sure I said "Oh, nooo," and had several freakouts and reactions throughout the book. I had some inklings, but I don't think I actually predicted anything (which was great). Escape from Eden did so many things well, and it was constantly unputdownable. As I neared the end, I thought to myself that I didn't really want the book to end. I'm definitely looking forward to more books from Elisa in the future, and I wouldn't say no to a sequel...(hint hint). You won't want to escape this book while reading it! (I had to put a pun somewhere.)
August 8, 2013
I've always been fascinated with cults. It's that morbid curiosity thing and I just can't help it. So when I heard about this Jonestown-esque story I just had to read it. This book promises suspense, action and shocking secrets and boy does it deliver.
LIKES:
Real Life Dystopia: The setting in this book is masterfully put together. Nader has created a horrible paradise that feels so real I'm not entirely convinced it isn't. Of course the thing is, it is real. No, Edenton isn't a real place, but there have been and probably still are compounds like it out there. For a good example (and I would imagine probably the inspiration for this book) check out Jonestown. Probably the most terrifying thing about this story is that it can and does happen in real life. This isn't some post-apocalyptic dystopian that takes place in the distant future. It takes place right now and not in some alternate reality.
Somebody paid attention in Psychology class: One of the most impressive things about this book is the author's understanding of her characters' psychology. As with victims of systematic abuse, the people of Edenton are controlled by their fear of The Reverend. This fear develops into guilt and they believe they deserve all that he does to them. Those of us not in this situation may not understand why they would not rebel under such cruelty, but the author handles this very nicely. The reader is able to sympathize with The Flock even while hating what their community stands for.
Subtle but intense romance: I was really happy with the way that the romance was handled in this story. I think it would have been a mistake to make it the most important plot point. It definitely takes a back seat to the action and suspense. However, the romance that is there is very intense and much different than in most YA novels. Gabriel and Mia both have so many varied issues that it would be impossible for them to have a normal romance. But the chemistry is great and fit in perfectly with the story.
DISLIKES:
Emotion could have been better at times: There were some moments in the book where I felt like the emotion could have been higher. In particular, there is a scene near the beginning involving cookies. I'll leave it at that so I don't ruin it for you, but you'll know when you get there. I'm reading this scene going "HOLY CRAP WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" and the main character just sort of acknowledges it and moves onto the next day. It's possible that this was done on purpose to show how numb she has become to cruelty, but good lord. EMOTE!
Gabriel's parents - WTF?: Gabriel's parents (and really many of the parents here) should be ashamed of themselves. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil anything but in one of the last scenes they sit there as terrible things are about to happen to their child. Now, of course at this point they are probably completely controlled by fear so you could give them that, but from what I can gather they've been pretty awful parents since the beginning. So when they are seemingly absolved later on I had a little trouble buying it. I can't imagine being able to forgive people who put me through something like that. Maybe I'm just not Edenton material.
Overall this book was great. It caught my attention from page one and kept me riveted throughout. I really came to care about the characters and by the end of the book I felt like I needed a good cry and possibly a Xanax. The storyline would have been interesting all on it's own but Nader added her own twists and turns and really amped up the suspense. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
LIKES:
Real Life Dystopia: The setting in this book is masterfully put together. Nader has created a horrible paradise that feels so real I'm not entirely convinced it isn't. Of course the thing is, it is real. No, Edenton isn't a real place, but there have been and probably still are compounds like it out there. For a good example (and I would imagine probably the inspiration for this book) check out Jonestown. Probably the most terrifying thing about this story is that it can and does happen in real life. This isn't some post-apocalyptic dystopian that takes place in the distant future. It takes place right now and not in some alternate reality.
Somebody paid attention in Psychology class: One of the most impressive things about this book is the author's understanding of her characters' psychology. As with victims of systematic abuse, the people of Edenton are controlled by their fear of The Reverend. This fear develops into guilt and they believe they deserve all that he does to them. Those of us not in this situation may not understand why they would not rebel under such cruelty, but the author handles this very nicely. The reader is able to sympathize with The Flock even while hating what their community stands for.
Subtle but intense romance: I was really happy with the way that the romance was handled in this story. I think it would have been a mistake to make it the most important plot point. It definitely takes a back seat to the action and suspense. However, the romance that is there is very intense and much different than in most YA novels. Gabriel and Mia both have so many varied issues that it would be impossible for them to have a normal romance. But the chemistry is great and fit in perfectly with the story.
DISLIKES:
Emotion could have been better at times: There were some moments in the book where I felt like the emotion could have been higher. In particular, there is a scene near the beginning involving cookies. I'll leave it at that so I don't ruin it for you, but you'll know when you get there. I'm reading this scene going "HOLY CRAP WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" and the main character just sort of acknowledges it and moves onto the next day. It's possible that this was done on purpose to show how numb she has become to cruelty, but good lord. EMOTE!
Gabriel's parents - WTF?: Gabriel's parents (and really many of the parents here) should be ashamed of themselves. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil anything but in one of the last scenes they sit there as terrible things are about to happen to their child. Now, of course at this point they are probably completely controlled by fear so you could give them that, but from what I can gather they've been pretty awful parents since the beginning. So when they are seemingly absolved later on I had a little trouble buying it. I can't imagine being able to forgive people who put me through something like that. Maybe I'm just not Edenton material.
Overall this book was great. It caught my attention from page one and kept me riveted throughout. I really came to care about the characters and by the end of the book I felt like I needed a good cry and possibly a Xanax. The storyline would have been interesting all on it's own but Nader added her own twists and turns and really amped up the suspense. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
September 30, 2013
I’m dating myself, I know, but I remember Jonestown very well. For those of us on the outside, it was unbearably sad but also a real shock to our sensibilities because we had never really experienced anything remotely like this. There had been other megalomaniacs before Jim Jones—Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot and Kim Il Sung come to mind—but, so many years later, most of us just didn’t contemplate the possibility of a “civilian” having such total control over the people who believed in him. Those other men operated with immense cruelty but they were generally removed from the acts of their followers while Jones was right in the midst of it. Besides the incredible sadness of all the lives lost, we were confronted with the reality that some people are so lost and in search of meaning in their lives that they could be completely swayed by the glibness of a madman to the point that they would murder their own children because he told them to do it.
There have been other cults with their own kinds of disasters and leaders, like Charles Manson in the 1960′s and David Koresh in the 1990′s, who also could twist the minds of vulnerable people but Jim Jones is a name that will always be the epitome of cultish horror. In recent years, though, cults have become less of a news item. They certainly still exist but their activities are no longer in the public eye as much as they were back then. That makes what Elisa Nader has done even more remarkable than a casual reader might realize.
Ms. Nader is far too young to remember Jonestown and her target audience certainly won’t but she has created a story that brings to life how a cult leader like Jim Jones can operate. Certain traits hold true with Reverend Elias Eden including isolating his people from general society, controlling what they eat and where they go , even naming the community after himself as another subliminal means of imprinting on these people who are not allowed to keep their own family names. What’s so amazing, in real life and in this story, is how far those people will go to support their leader and I think Escape from Eden will help today’s young adult readers understand the serious pitfalls of such a life.
Yes, the scenario is frightening and sad and a matter of incredulity for those of us on the outside but here is where Ms. Nader introduces an element that relieves the sense of doom—she creates hope in the persons of Mia and Gabe, two young members of the hidden society who don’t believe, who seek to break free and perhaps bring an end to the tyranny. I appreciated the support they gave each other although I didn’t particularly care for the potential romance or Mia’s propensity to let her attraction to Gabe get in the way but it’s such a relief to have these kids bring hope to an untenable situation. Mia, in particular, is refreshingly not always the brightest bulb in the box and Gabe has his own tragic background to overcome but they have the passion to survive. Along the way, the reader is faced with intense suspense and fast-paced action, frequently feeling the need to chew fingernails.
The combination of appealing and credible characters, and some who are not so appealing, with such a bonechilling plot led me to race through the story because I just had to know what was coming on the next page while I was also dreading the end. I was afraid of what might happen but wanted the story to keep going. Elisa Nader has brought us a real winner with Escape from Eden and I hope we won’t have to wait too long before her next work. Perhaps she could come up with a novella or two to tide us over in the meantime ;-) .
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, September 2013.
There have been other cults with their own kinds of disasters and leaders, like Charles Manson in the 1960′s and David Koresh in the 1990′s, who also could twist the minds of vulnerable people but Jim Jones is a name that will always be the epitome of cultish horror. In recent years, though, cults have become less of a news item. They certainly still exist but their activities are no longer in the public eye as much as they were back then. That makes what Elisa Nader has done even more remarkable than a casual reader might realize.
Ms. Nader is far too young to remember Jonestown and her target audience certainly won’t but she has created a story that brings to life how a cult leader like Jim Jones can operate. Certain traits hold true with Reverend Elias Eden including isolating his people from general society, controlling what they eat and where they go , even naming the community after himself as another subliminal means of imprinting on these people who are not allowed to keep their own family names. What’s so amazing, in real life and in this story, is how far those people will go to support their leader and I think Escape from Eden will help today’s young adult readers understand the serious pitfalls of such a life.
Yes, the scenario is frightening and sad and a matter of incredulity for those of us on the outside but here is where Ms. Nader introduces an element that relieves the sense of doom—she creates hope in the persons of Mia and Gabe, two young members of the hidden society who don’t believe, who seek to break free and perhaps bring an end to the tyranny. I appreciated the support they gave each other although I didn’t particularly care for the potential romance or Mia’s propensity to let her attraction to Gabe get in the way but it’s such a relief to have these kids bring hope to an untenable situation. Mia, in particular, is refreshingly not always the brightest bulb in the box and Gabe has his own tragic background to overcome but they have the passion to survive. Along the way, the reader is faced with intense suspense and fast-paced action, frequently feeling the need to chew fingernails.
The combination of appealing and credible characters, and some who are not so appealing, with such a bonechilling plot led me to race through the story because I just had to know what was coming on the next page while I was also dreading the end. I was afraid of what might happen but wanted the story to keep going. Elisa Nader has brought us a real winner with Escape from Eden and I hope we won’t have to wait too long before her next work. Perhaps she could come up with a novella or two to tide us over in the meantime ;-) .
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, September 2013.
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