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Drowning in Deception
Clover lives in the beautiful, crime free City of Eadin. The Wall runs along the city’s eastern boundary, ensuring that the monsters that live on the other side remain safely tucked away. All of the citizens’ worldly needs are provided for them and they are free to spend their days doing whatever pleases them. All this makes for a content and happy society.
But Clover is about to discover that her world is not the perfect place it seems, that she has been drowning in deception her entire life. The people of Eadin have been lied to, their history has been kept from them, and they have been unknowingly forced into submission.
As Clover’s new knowledge sets in, she learns that even she is not the person she thought she was. In a world where it’s no longer clear which side of the Wall the real monsters live on, Clover, with her new-found sense of self, is determined to set things right.
But Clover is about to discover that her world is not the perfect place it seems, that she has been drowning in deception her entire life. The people of Eadin have been lied to, their history has been kept from them, and they have been unknowingly forced into submission.
As Clover’s new knowledge sets in, she learns that even she is not the person she thought she was. In a world where it’s no longer clear which side of the Wall the real monsters live on, Clover, with her new-found sense of self, is determined to set things right.
- GenresYoung AdultDystopia
ebook
First published November 1, 2013
35 people want to read
About the author
Willa Jemhart
5 books53 followersWilla lives in British Columbia, Canada. She enjoys a variety of activities, but her favorites are those that involve relaxing. Sitting in the backyard with a cold cooler in the summer, and cozying up with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn while watching a movie in the winter are at the top of her list. Of course she loves to read, and while she is not picky on the genre, she prefers books that contain romance in one form or other.
To date, Willa has written the ebook YA novella series, The Garnet Trilogy, and a paranormal romance, Ridley House. Her latest ebook, the YA dystopian, Drowning in Deception, is now available at most major online retailers.
To date, Willa has written the ebook YA novella series, The Garnet Trilogy, and a paranormal romance, Ridley House. Her latest ebook, the YA dystopian, Drowning in Deception, is now available at most major online retailers.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 3, 2016
These days, finding a fictional book with an original storyline is a rarity. So many books are written with an all-too-obvious "inspiration" from other books.
Not Drowning in Deception though.
From the first to the last chapter I was enthralled with the story, waiting to see what will happen next. Throughout my read I continually attempted to predict what was going to happen, only to be taken in a totally different direction each time. That factor makes a good story, and Willa definitely delivered here.
Highly recommended read to anyone out there. Young or old, male or female - it does not matter. You will enjoy this book.
Not Drowning in Deception though.
From the first to the last chapter I was enthralled with the story, waiting to see what will happen next. Throughout my read I continually attempted to predict what was going to happen, only to be taken in a totally different direction each time. That factor makes a good story, and Willa definitely delivered here.
Highly recommended read to anyone out there. Young or old, male or female - it does not matter. You will enjoy this book.
January 23, 2014
Teenage girl Clover lives in the seemingly idyllic town of Eadin where all she has to worry about is what story she'll write next and what house she and her boyfriend, Zander, will move into together. Of course, nothing stays simple for long. An encounter with the mysterious and moody Rye beyond the boundary line opens up an alternative world of romanticism, but also a darker one where her cosy life is revealed to be founded on a sinister lie.
'Drowning in Deception' by Willa Jemhart is an enjoyably exciting read. The burgeoning romance between Clover and Rye is convincing and steamy, and the tension and changing relations between Clover, Zander and third-wheel Sera is also engaging and cleverly handled.
What starts out as a seemingly straighforward fantasy soon evolves into a 'Stepford Wives' scenario (a book the narrator, Clover, even references), and makes a few other surprising shifts I didn't see coming.
The chief strength for me with this book was the overall scenario. Jemhart has come up with a winning premise for a book, the kind of idea that could conceivably become a broad hit.
While on the whole I very much enjoyed this book, I had a few slight reservations.
The first chapter confused me a little. I got the impression that we were in an 'olde-world' setting, but then cars and 'helichoppers' were mentioned. I was confused, too, about the boundary line/wall distinction. A boundary line of evenly spaced stones is first mentioned, which I found intriguing - a psychological wall keeps the people of Eadin in as opposed to a physical wall - but then it is revealed that a physical wall exists too. Why the two and how they were related had me scratching my head until it was revealed much later that the boundary line of stones was something of a first checkpoint, but set back from that was an actual wall. This isn't a major stumbling block and the story certainly picks up and becomes more assured after the first chapter, but perhaps the spatial distinction between boundary line and wall could be fixed with a line dropped in at the start.
I have a somewhat stronger criticism of the story to do with some aspects of its execution. I wanted it to jump forward in places, to occasionally start mid-scene, rather than beginning with the protagonists arriving and end with them leaving. For instance, early on there is a section where we travel with Clover past the boundary line, up to and through the wall, and onward to the village of Quell, then all the way back again, through the wall, past the boundary line and into Eadin where she runs into Zander. It might have been more effective to have chopped out the connecting bits, the 'travel time'. Clover could have, say, peered through the door in the wall, wondered what she was getting into, and then we could have jumped to her time in Quell. This would have made a pacy book even pacier, which I feel would have been a good thing.
Also, I believe scenes could have been ended sooner, to leave us hanging. For instance, Rye mentions the scar on his face is the result of a knife wound; Clover then remembers her father is fond of wielding a knife. That would have been a great place to leave that moment, to allow the reader to put two and two together, but Clover then explains the connection which most readers will have drawn anyway. It underestimates the audience.
Another instance of over-explanation is when it is revealed that the people of Eadin refer to the people of Quell as 'impetuomanics'. In the context of the scene and what we've learned so far, it's easy to work out the meaning of this made-up word for ourselves. But then Clover gives us the dictionary definition of impetuous, again leaving the reader with little to do.
It's a shame because the names of the towns in this tale of two cities, Eaden and Quell, are not explained away. We are left to tease out their deliberate meanings for ourselves.
I felt, also, that there was quite a bit of repetition. For instance, Clover refers to her old life as being like a zombie more times than I could count. And she mentions that she and Zander were growing apart frequently too. Generally, once is enough; twice at most. Jemhart does do Clover's voice very convincingly, though, and I suppose some repetition makes sense as Clover churns things over in her head.
For my tastes, I would have preferred if a number of scenes had been 'topped and tailed', that we had been dropped into them after they started and jumped out of them before they waned.
But overall, I very much enjoyed this appealing and potentially populist tale. I strongly believe that when Jemhart relaxes as a writer and realises her readers don't want everything spelt out, that they want to be accorded the intelligence to join the dots themselves, then she could become quite a force in the YA market.
I hope this review doesn't come off as overly critical because I thought 'Drowning in Deception' was a great, original story, exceptionally well told in the main, and I wouldn't spend the time pointing out where I felt it could be improved if I didn't think Jemhart had considerable talent.
'Drowning in Deception' by Willa Jemhart is an enjoyably exciting read. The burgeoning romance between Clover and Rye is convincing and steamy, and the tension and changing relations between Clover, Zander and third-wheel Sera is also engaging and cleverly handled.
What starts out as a seemingly straighforward fantasy soon evolves into a 'Stepford Wives' scenario (a book the narrator, Clover, even references), and makes a few other surprising shifts I didn't see coming.
The chief strength for me with this book was the overall scenario. Jemhart has come up with a winning premise for a book, the kind of idea that could conceivably become a broad hit.
While on the whole I very much enjoyed this book, I had a few slight reservations.
The first chapter confused me a little. I got the impression that we were in an 'olde-world' setting, but then cars and 'helichoppers' were mentioned. I was confused, too, about the boundary line/wall distinction. A boundary line of evenly spaced stones is first mentioned, which I found intriguing - a psychological wall keeps the people of Eadin in as opposed to a physical wall - but then it is revealed that a physical wall exists too. Why the two and how they were related had me scratching my head until it was revealed much later that the boundary line of stones was something of a first checkpoint, but set back from that was an actual wall. This isn't a major stumbling block and the story certainly picks up and becomes more assured after the first chapter, but perhaps the spatial distinction between boundary line and wall could be fixed with a line dropped in at the start.
I have a somewhat stronger criticism of the story to do with some aspects of its execution. I wanted it to jump forward in places, to occasionally start mid-scene, rather than beginning with the protagonists arriving and end with them leaving. For instance, early on there is a section where we travel with Clover past the boundary line, up to and through the wall, and onward to the village of Quell, then all the way back again, through the wall, past the boundary line and into Eadin where she runs into Zander. It might have been more effective to have chopped out the connecting bits, the 'travel time'. Clover could have, say, peered through the door in the wall, wondered what she was getting into, and then we could have jumped to her time in Quell. This would have made a pacy book even pacier, which I feel would have been a good thing.
Also, I believe scenes could have been ended sooner, to leave us hanging. For instance, Rye mentions the scar on his face is the result of a knife wound; Clover then remembers her father is fond of wielding a knife. That would have been a great place to leave that moment, to allow the reader to put two and two together, but Clover then explains the connection which most readers will have drawn anyway. It underestimates the audience.
Another instance of over-explanation is when it is revealed that the people of Eadin refer to the people of Quell as 'impetuomanics'. In the context of the scene and what we've learned so far, it's easy to work out the meaning of this made-up word for ourselves. But then Clover gives us the dictionary definition of impetuous, again leaving the reader with little to do.
It's a shame because the names of the towns in this tale of two cities, Eaden and Quell, are not explained away. We are left to tease out their deliberate meanings for ourselves.
I felt, also, that there was quite a bit of repetition. For instance, Clover refers to her old life as being like a zombie more times than I could count. And she mentions that she and Zander were growing apart frequently too. Generally, once is enough; twice at most. Jemhart does do Clover's voice very convincingly, though, and I suppose some repetition makes sense as Clover churns things over in her head.
For my tastes, I would have preferred if a number of scenes had been 'topped and tailed', that we had been dropped into them after they started and jumped out of them before they waned.
But overall, I very much enjoyed this appealing and potentially populist tale. I strongly believe that when Jemhart relaxes as a writer and realises her readers don't want everything spelt out, that they want to be accorded the intelligence to join the dots themselves, then she could become quite a force in the YA market.
I hope this review doesn't come off as overly critical because I thought 'Drowning in Deception' was a great, original story, exceptionally well told in the main, and I wouldn't spend the time pointing out where I felt it could be improved if I didn't think Jemhart had considerable talent.
January 25, 2014
I just finished Wilma Jemhart’s science fiction, Drowning in Deception. Although I generally do not choose to read science fiction nor generally like it, I loved this book. Her writing is as good as Veronica Roth’s Divergent series or Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games. The difference being, this is not a trilogy.
Clover sits and stares at the wall that separates her country into two parts. She is trying to write a scary story to share with the children of her country. Instead, she is wondering what fear is and what it feels like. As she looks at the boundary stones she wonders what it would be like to cross it. She finds herself doing just that and to her surprise nothing happens, except she is in the world of monsters. She does know she hasn’t felt fear yet. Is this all there is to the other world. If so why don’t they know about each other? However, she doesn’t dwell long on this as she is content with her life. However, her life is going to be turned upside down due to her wanting to help a sick child. What will happen with the people of Eadin do learn about the people of Quell? What about the monsters? Clover has to defy her parents and friends to find out the answers she seeks.
The book does start out as a typical fiction of young girl moving into adulthood but quickly changes as you realize she is in another world without a guide. How she struggles with her feelings towards Sera and Zander, her feelings towards her parents, and her feelings for Rye makes the book outstanding. Its flow is fast and it is an easy read. Once I got hooked, I was hooked for the duration.
Clover sits and stares at the wall that separates her country into two parts. She is trying to write a scary story to share with the children of her country. Instead, she is wondering what fear is and what it feels like. As she looks at the boundary stones she wonders what it would be like to cross it. She finds herself doing just that and to her surprise nothing happens, except she is in the world of monsters. She does know she hasn’t felt fear yet. Is this all there is to the other world. If so why don’t they know about each other? However, she doesn’t dwell long on this as she is content with her life. However, her life is going to be turned upside down due to her wanting to help a sick child. What will happen with the people of Eadin do learn about the people of Quell? What about the monsters? Clover has to defy her parents and friends to find out the answers she seeks.
The book does start out as a typical fiction of young girl moving into adulthood but quickly changes as you realize she is in another world without a guide. How she struggles with her feelings towards Sera and Zander, her feelings towards her parents, and her feelings for Rye makes the book outstanding. Its flow is fast and it is an easy read. Once I got hooked, I was hooked for the duration.
June 16, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. It is thought provoking and the characters are well written. I have recommended it to my friends, Smashwords and on Amazon. This is one of the books that makes a young person ask question of themselves about who they want to be and what are they capable of? Sometimes being rebellious is ex
actly what is called for.
actly what is called for.
October 15, 2014
We are proud to announce that DROWNING IN DECEPTION by Willa Jemhart is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
April 6, 2014
I love a good dystopian story, so I quickly got pulled into this world that Willa Jemhart created. This is not the first book by her that I have read, so I was not surprised that it was extremely well-written with characters that I became attached to. At first, we meet Clover, and she lives in a world that seems much too perfect--aside from the monsters that we are told live on the other side of the Wall. But the people of Eadin are kept protected from these monsters, their society is peaceful, and they have everything they want and need to live. There is no currency; they simply go to the Watch Tower market to get the supplies they need. They can do whatever they enjoy doing in order to contribute to their society. How wonderful does that sound?
And Clover is just as content as everyone else around her. But I knew something was off, and I kept wondering why she was never curious about anything, or why she always thought everything would work out. But then we find out why she is so complacent, and it all begins to make sense.
When Clover meets people who live on the other side of the Wall, and when she finds out her boyfriend is holding secret meetings, she slowly begins to see that her world is not what she thought it was. As the story progresses, she changes so much that she is barely recognizable from who she was in the beginning. She wants the people in her town to learn the truth, and she wants things to change.
I loved that this world is completely fictional, although it seemed somewhat analogous to our own society. The people of Eadin were basically like those who are fortunate to live in first world countries, while those on the other side of the Wall were living in a third world country. But then there are so many unexpected twists in this story, which adds to the many layers of deception that Clover has been living in her whole life. And what makes this book even better is that there is a romance story woven throughout as well.
I am definitely a fan of Willa Jemhart, and I plan to read more of her work. I loved this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good story with quality writing and great characters.
And Clover is just as content as everyone else around her. But I knew something was off, and I kept wondering why she was never curious about anything, or why she always thought everything would work out. But then we find out why she is so complacent, and it all begins to make sense.
When Clover meets people who live on the other side of the Wall, and when she finds out her boyfriend is holding secret meetings, she slowly begins to see that her world is not what she thought it was. As the story progresses, she changes so much that she is barely recognizable from who she was in the beginning. She wants the people in her town to learn the truth, and she wants things to change.
I loved that this world is completely fictional, although it seemed somewhat analogous to our own society. The people of Eadin were basically like those who are fortunate to live in first world countries, while those on the other side of the Wall were living in a third world country. But then there are so many unexpected twists in this story, which adds to the many layers of deception that Clover has been living in her whole life. And what makes this book even better is that there is a romance story woven throughout as well.
I am definitely a fan of Willa Jemhart, and I plan to read more of her work. I loved this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good story with quality writing and great characters.
April 25, 2014
Clover lived in a beautiful city where its crime rate was so low. there was a Wall that ran along the city's boundary, ensuring its citizens that the monsters were kept out of their safe, perfect city. the citizens were kept content and happy, having the freedom to do whatever pleased them, also their daily needs readily provided for them. one day, Clover crossed the Wall and found herself meeting the so-called monsters for the very first time. even though they transitioned into a beast when their emotions went out of control, they were nothing like what she was made to believe. to make things complicated, Clover's father was in charged of getting supplies from the people outside the Wall. he treated them very badly and Clover decided that it was time for her to set things right.
i received a free e-book from the author in exchanged for a review. the book took me completely by surprise. it was simple yet mysterious enough to keep my curiosity wandering; it was somewhat political yet plain enough to not weight the plot down. it was absolutely enjoyable, with a little adventure and romance going on, and a whole lot of twists that made it perfect and mind blowing! i was impressed with Clover's character development as we joined her through her phases of finding out about the truth of everything that she was taught to believe. every truth discovered had me felt a sense of satisfaction. when the last truth was out, i was almost disappointed that the book had come to an end. i love the lightheartedness of the writings especially, making the book an easy read. it has been a while that i felt being pulled into a story so much that i didn't realize that i had reach the end, making it a very rewarding read.
my review: here
i received a free e-book from the author in exchanged for a review. the book took me completely by surprise. it was simple yet mysterious enough to keep my curiosity wandering; it was somewhat political yet plain enough to not weight the plot down. it was absolutely enjoyable, with a little adventure and romance going on, and a whole lot of twists that made it perfect and mind blowing! i was impressed with Clover's character development as we joined her through her phases of finding out about the truth of everything that she was taught to believe. every truth discovered had me felt a sense of satisfaction. when the last truth was out, i was almost disappointed that the book had come to an end. i love the lightheartedness of the writings especially, making the book an easy read. it has been a while that i felt being pulled into a story so much that i didn't realize that i had reach the end, making it a very rewarding read.
my review: here
January 3, 2014
Deceptively good read. I started this book and hated Clover, who appeared to be a head in the clouds simpleton. However, as the book progresses we learn why and it all starts to make sense. We see two populations that have been lied to for many years all under the guise of protection. It was very enjoyable to watch the seeds of revolution take root and sprout and in the midst heartbreak and romance blossom. The writing is clean and the world building very intriguing, and once the story progressed the characters were likeable and I found myself cheering them on. Drowning in deception is a good read for YA on up to those young at heart who enjoy a good clean read. I requested this book from the author and received it with a request for my honest review without any compensation whatsoever, other than the joy of reading a new book.
December 31, 2014
**i received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review**
Title: Drowning In Deception
Author: Willa Jemhart
Format: PDF file, 135 pages.
Time to Read: 8 days.
My Review: this was a very good book. i really didn't see a lot of the twist towards the end and they really added to it. i like the plot, the milk issue was crazy! Clover is a great main character, she did have some times where she lost her way but she found it in the end. i loved Rye, he sounds handsome as heck, and so caring! Zander was a bit of a baby and really needed his balls handed back to him but he did have a chance to redeem himself and he did! i really liked this book and really didn't want it to end.
Recommend it?: yes :] it's a good quick read.
Title: Drowning In Deception
Author: Willa Jemhart
Format: PDF file, 135 pages.
Time to Read: 8 days.
My Review: this was a very good book. i really didn't see a lot of the twist towards the end and they really added to it. i like the plot, the milk issue was crazy! Clover is a great main character, she did have some times where she lost her way but she found it in the end. i loved Rye, he sounds handsome as heck, and so caring! Zander was a bit of a baby and really needed his balls handed back to him but he did have a chance to redeem himself and he did! i really liked this book and really didn't want it to end.
Recommend it?: yes :] it's a good quick read.
May 18, 2016
I appreciated the originality of this book’s concept. It was a page turner. I enjoy dystopian stories so this was a world I was looking forward to experiencing. The characters have depth and are fleshed out. As the plot unfolds, the details start making sense. There are scary moments, daring moments, some romance and more. I appreciated the time the author put into building this world and making it come to life. I thought Clover is a great main character. I look forward to the next book by this author.
February 27, 2014
Review coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews