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The Extraction List #1
The Extraction List
9780996002905 - Alternate Cover Edition
When fifteen-year-old Riley Crane figures out her best friend Olivia is being abused at home, she knows just who to turn to: her mother Claire, writer and spokesperson of President Gray's Parental Morality Law. Under this law, Taskforce Officers remove children from their homes if their parents do not meet certain guidelines, taking them to government-run boarding schools where supervisors rehabilitate them, turning them into productive members of society. Or at least that is how it was supposed to work...
Now, after a government official threatens to make Riley the law's latest victim, Riley and Claire must rely on Cain Foley, a gifted killer with a tongue as sharp as the knives he carries, to get them out of America alive. Though he slices through men's necks as if they are warm butter, Riley can't seem to keep her cheeks from flushing every time he speaks. But when they stumble upon a deserted boarding school, Riley sees that escaping the country is only part of their problem. Together, Riley and Cain figure out that a killer can save a life, and a mother can damn a nation.
When fifteen-year-old Riley Crane figures out her best friend Olivia is being abused at home, she knows just who to turn to: her mother Claire, writer and spokesperson of President Gray's Parental Morality Law. Under this law, Taskforce Officers remove children from their homes if their parents do not meet certain guidelines, taking them to government-run boarding schools where supervisors rehabilitate them, turning them into productive members of society. Or at least that is how it was supposed to work...
Now, after a government official threatens to make Riley the law's latest victim, Riley and Claire must rely on Cain Foley, a gifted killer with a tongue as sharp as the knives he carries, to get them out of America alive. Though he slices through men's necks as if they are warm butter, Riley can't seem to keep her cheeks from flushing every time he speaks. But when they stumble upon a deserted boarding school, Riley sees that escaping the country is only part of their problem. Together, Riley and Cain figure out that a killer can save a life, and a mother can damn a nation.
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First published May 9, 2014
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About the author
Renee N. Meland
8 books43 followersRenee N. Meland resides in the Pacific Northwest with her family. Her favorite obsessions are Rome, learning new recipes, and exploring the world around her. She believes that telling stories is the best job in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 24, 2016
*I was sent a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
In this book, there is a law called the Parental Morality Law that was created by Riley's mother, Claire, after the death of her son. Under this law, the government has the right to take a child away from it's parents if they believe that the child is being neglected by it's parents. The child is then sent away to a government-run boarding school... or that is what everyone is told. Riley, our main character, is put on The Extraction List to be sent away and she ends up going on a journey to escape the Taskforce officers with her mother and Bo, who is her mother's best friend/"boyfriend." (If you read the book, you'll understand why I put boyfriend in quotations). They meet Cain, a killer who kills without hesitation, and also helps them along the way.
I really enjoyed this book. It is easy to follow and it is engaging. The premise of this book caught my attention and I'm glad that I decided to pick this book out. I love how action-packed this book is. Since this is a fast-paced book, there were times where I wanted a certain scene or moment to last longer than it actually did but overall, the pacing was nicely done.
I did like the characters but I couldn't connect to or relate to any of them. This is more of a plot driven book rather than character driven. Riley is a smart and strong character and even mature for her age. I like the relationship that Riley has with her mother. They're just not mother and daughter but they're like best friends too. Cain is one of those characters that you just want to learn more about. Besides the fact that he's a murderer, there's not that much we know about him. There is some background information about Cain but I would like to know more.
One thing that I found really interesting was the fact that romance played such a minor role in this book. It was more like Riley having a crush and finding Cain attractive but it didn't go further than that. Don't get me wrong, as much as I love romance in books, I love how there is barely any romance in this book. It's different from a typical YA book and I found it quite unique.
If you're interested in a fast-paced, action-packed, dystopian book, definitely give this book a go!
In this book, there is a law called the Parental Morality Law that was created by Riley's mother, Claire, after the death of her son. Under this law, the government has the right to take a child away from it's parents if they believe that the child is being neglected by it's parents. The child is then sent away to a government-run boarding school... or that is what everyone is told. Riley, our main character, is put on The Extraction List to be sent away and she ends up going on a journey to escape the Taskforce officers with her mother and Bo, who is her mother's best friend/"boyfriend." (If you read the book, you'll understand why I put boyfriend in quotations). They meet Cain, a killer who kills without hesitation, and also helps them along the way.
I really enjoyed this book. It is easy to follow and it is engaging. The premise of this book caught my attention and I'm glad that I decided to pick this book out. I love how action-packed this book is. Since this is a fast-paced book, there were times where I wanted a certain scene or moment to last longer than it actually did but overall, the pacing was nicely done.
I did like the characters but I couldn't connect to or relate to any of them. This is more of a plot driven book rather than character driven. Riley is a smart and strong character and even mature for her age. I like the relationship that Riley has with her mother. They're just not mother and daughter but they're like best friends too. Cain is one of those characters that you just want to learn more about. Besides the fact that he's a murderer, there's not that much we know about him. There is some background information about Cain but I would like to know more.
One thing that I found really interesting was the fact that romance played such a minor role in this book. It was more like Riley having a crush and finding Cain attractive but it didn't go further than that. Don't get me wrong, as much as I love romance in books, I love how there is barely any romance in this book. It's different from a typical YA book and I found it quite unique.
If you're interested in a fast-paced, action-packed, dystopian book, definitely give this book a go!
November 8, 2015
First of all, let me say that young adult dystopian books are not my usual genre. Full confession: I only read this book because the author and I have done some mutually beneficial marketing and I wanted to read and help her with an honest review.
But holy crap. Honestly - What an awesomely written book.
Seriously, I do not use that phrase lightly. For not being my genre, this book was an absolute pleasure to read (well not a pleasure, per say, cause you know, death and destruction and missing kids, but you get my meaning).
From the get-go, there's a dead body in the foyer, and we're running away with the protagonists from a mess the mother caused. Think about all of the crazy nanny-state paranoia conspiracy theories out there and jam it up to a thousand. The government is now your parent, and if your biological ones don't do right by you, then the gub-ment is going to take your baby away.
This is the brainchild of Riley's mom, who in her grief at losing a son decided to go on a one-woman mission to tell other parents how to raise their kids. There's a beautiful irony in all of this - the woman who kick-started this mass removal of children suddenly has her own child in the cross-hairs.
One of the things I absolutely loved about the way this book was written was how we were thrust into the current state, and then had some flash backs to the past as it made sense. The one quibble - the ONE thing keeping me from giving this five stars (which is a rare rating for me) - was that there were one or two parts where the back story was almost...lazily written? That's a harsh phrasing, but with so much expertly written, it seemed a bit out of place for me. The book itself seemed a little short, but perhaps that is a reflection of me wanting more from this author.
That being said, this book is definitely highly recommended for any fans of action, suspense, and young adult writing. I know the author is working on a prequel, but I would absolutely wish for her to take this book into a series.
But holy crap. Honestly - What an awesomely written book.
Seriously, I do not use that phrase lightly. For not being my genre, this book was an absolute pleasure to read (well not a pleasure, per say, cause you know, death and destruction and missing kids, but you get my meaning).
From the get-go, there's a dead body in the foyer, and we're running away with the protagonists from a mess the mother caused. Think about all of the crazy nanny-state paranoia conspiracy theories out there and jam it up to a thousand. The government is now your parent, and if your biological ones don't do right by you, then the gub-ment is going to take your baby away.
This is the brainchild of Riley's mom, who in her grief at losing a son decided to go on a one-woman mission to tell other parents how to raise their kids. There's a beautiful irony in all of this - the woman who kick-started this mass removal of children suddenly has her own child in the cross-hairs.
One of the things I absolutely loved about the way this book was written was how we were thrust into the current state, and then had some flash backs to the past as it made sense. The one quibble - the ONE thing keeping me from giving this five stars (which is a rare rating for me) - was that there were one or two parts where the back story was almost...lazily written? That's a harsh phrasing, but with so much expertly written, it seemed a bit out of place for me. The book itself seemed a little short, but perhaps that is a reflection of me wanting more from this author.
That being said, this book is definitely highly recommended for any fans of action, suspense, and young adult writing. I know the author is working on a prequel, but I would absolutely wish for her to take this book into a series.
July 28, 2015
As soon as I read the summary for this book, I knew I wanted to read the book. I love dystopians, and I love the idea of someone's good intentions going wrong and creating something that they never intended to create. That is the case with Riley's mother. Acting out of a desire to protect kids, she wrote a law that was meant to save kids in bad parental situations, but as is the case with a lot of well-intentioned ideas, the government took things too far...extracting kids from good families because of small, silly things like unpaid parking tickets or other nonsense. And then Riley herself, the daughter of the law's creator, suddenly finds herself on the list.
I loved the concept behind this story, and really enjoyed the suspense of their chase to leave town and get Riley to safety by hiring Cain Foley, a young man gifted in getting the extracted and their families out of town and to a safe zone. The book takes Riley, her mom and quasi boyfriend on the run from beginning to end. I love quest or journey type books, especially ones like this where there are people chasing and they have to run fast to stay ahead. Naturally, there were some near misses, some fights, and lots of danger. This was definitely a fast paced story that kept you reading and very interested.
I liked the characters in this book. I had a special feeling for Riley's mother because you could clearly see the struggle she's going through to know that, no manner how good her intentions were, she is the cause of all this. I felt a deep sympathy for her. I liked Riley as well, but there were times that I had to stop and remind myself that she was 15. She acted much, much younger through most of the book, to the point where I actually had to flip back to the beginning to find out how old she was because her actions, reactions, and just the way she presented herself was much younger than a fifteen year old girl.
My favorite part of the story was Cain, though. This was a truly interesting and dynamic character who leaped off the page from the moment you meet him. He's strong, a fighter (woah, is he a fighter), but sensitive at the same time. In one moment, he could fight off half a dozen dangerous men, and in the next, he could turn around and show such a depth of sweetness in nature that he was truly compelling.
My favorite part of the story is when Cain begins to teach Riley how to take care of herself. These parts of the story, the friendship that develops, was very interesting to read. At this point, Riley begins to show a little more of a grown up version of herself, and I began to like her a lot more.
This book, especially toward the end, was filled with some twists and turns... one I kind of saw coming, the others, however, were shocking. The author did a very good job with this and it definitely left me wanting to read more. Although there was no romance in this book, I am really eager to check out book two to find out if something might develop. The book definitely held my interest, though, and I'll be looking for book two. A good read with suspense and intrigue.
I loved the concept behind this story, and really enjoyed the suspense of their chase to leave town and get Riley to safety by hiring Cain Foley, a young man gifted in getting the extracted and their families out of town and to a safe zone. The book takes Riley, her mom and quasi boyfriend on the run from beginning to end. I love quest or journey type books, especially ones like this where there are people chasing and they have to run fast to stay ahead. Naturally, there were some near misses, some fights, and lots of danger. This was definitely a fast paced story that kept you reading and very interested.
I liked the characters in this book. I had a special feeling for Riley's mother because you could clearly see the struggle she's going through to know that, no manner how good her intentions were, she is the cause of all this. I felt a deep sympathy for her. I liked Riley as well, but there were times that I had to stop and remind myself that she was 15. She acted much, much younger through most of the book, to the point where I actually had to flip back to the beginning to find out how old she was because her actions, reactions, and just the way she presented herself was much younger than a fifteen year old girl.
My favorite part of the story was Cain, though. This was a truly interesting and dynamic character who leaped off the page from the moment you meet him. He's strong, a fighter (woah, is he a fighter), but sensitive at the same time. In one moment, he could fight off half a dozen dangerous men, and in the next, he could turn around and show such a depth of sweetness in nature that he was truly compelling.
My favorite part of the story is when Cain begins to teach Riley how to take care of herself. These parts of the story, the friendship that develops, was very interesting to read. At this point, Riley begins to show a little more of a grown up version of herself, and I began to like her a lot more.
This book, especially toward the end, was filled with some twists and turns... one I kind of saw coming, the others, however, were shocking. The author did a very good job with this and it definitely left me wanting to read more. Although there was no romance in this book, I am really eager to check out book two to find out if something might develop. The book definitely held my interest, though, and I'll be looking for book two. A good read with suspense and intrigue.
June 6, 2017
As soon as I read the synopsis I was excited to read this book. I love the Dystopian genres. I immediately fell in love with Cain. He is hands down my favorite character of the book. I really enjoyed all the characters though and thought they were really well developed. The story is pretty fast paced and gets right down to the order of business from the first chapter. The ending of the first chapter got me. After finishing the book I am still thinking back on that moment and smiling. I really enjoyed Renee's writing style as well. I recommend this book to fans of Divergent,The Hunger Games,The Maze Runner and even though it isn't as Supernatural as Angelfall it reminded me of that book. Also if you've seen the new movie The Thinning or the movie The Road, I think you would also like this book. Even if you don't fancy any of those things, I recommend that you still give this book a try. It's a super fast read packed with so much and I promise you won't regret it.
Full Review on my blog at:
https://criticuncriticalbookwormblog....
Full Review on my blog at:
https://criticuncriticalbookwormblog....
October 20, 2018
This is book 1 of a trilogy that seems to follow in the footsteps of many others. Like most dystopian societies it starts with good intentions and quickly goes wrong. It starts with a desire to help. How many times have you seen kids and parents and thought that some people shouldn't have kids? People that abuse the system, do drugs, get drunk every night. It seems like the obvious answer is to take those children and give them a better home. Adoption, fostering, we have these things now but its never enough. So the government steps in with boarding schools.
The plan is to give them education, a place to grow and heal from their emotional scars. But like most things the government gets involved with in dystopian novels it goes awry. Soo any parent accused of shoplifting when they were still kids themselves are not fit to have kids. People that get a speeding or parking ticket. People that lost their jobs when the economy crashed. Single parents, having only one parent is not stable enough.
With a crashed economy because every company left moved overseas the boarding schools cannot keep up. So they make a plan to raise money. And the good intentions of one mother who lost a son to a gang initiation creates something the government uses and abuses.
It makes for an emotional read that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you realize there is no right or wrong. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. So many good intentions but like many things that gain traction, it ends up used for nefarious purposes. I couldn't tell who was good or bad in the end. Everyone was a little of both I suppose. The government trying to keep the country alive through terrible means, betrayal for love, killing for survival. You cannot honestly say what is good and what is evil. It is all subjective. Which makes this an interesting read.
Now the flow of the book was a little off. In the beginning, it was a bit choppy while going from present to past and back again. It does smooth out though and trusts me it's worth sticking with it. The author is obviously one that will get better with every sentence she writes sucking you in more and more. I cannot wait to read the 2nd book in this series!
The plan is to give them education, a place to grow and heal from their emotional scars. But like most things the government gets involved with in dystopian novels it goes awry. Soo any parent accused of shoplifting when they were still kids themselves are not fit to have kids. People that get a speeding or parking ticket. People that lost their jobs when the economy crashed. Single parents, having only one parent is not stable enough.
With a crashed economy because every company left moved overseas the boarding schools cannot keep up. So they make a plan to raise money. And the good intentions of one mother who lost a son to a gang initiation creates something the government uses and abuses.
It makes for an emotional read that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you realize there is no right or wrong. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. So many good intentions but like many things that gain traction, it ends up used for nefarious purposes. I couldn't tell who was good or bad in the end. Everyone was a little of both I suppose. The government trying to keep the country alive through terrible means, betrayal for love, killing for survival. You cannot honestly say what is good and what is evil. It is all subjective. Which makes this an interesting read.
Now the flow of the book was a little off. In the beginning, it was a bit choppy while going from present to past and back again. It does smooth out though and trusts me it's worth sticking with it. The author is obviously one that will get better with every sentence she writes sucking you in more and more. I cannot wait to read the 2nd book in this series!
August 19, 2020
A great novel The extraction lisy
I was unable to put this thriller down. The government has gone awry, a young mother worried about the children that were not being cared for ,abused or neglected. She wrote a declaration intent on taking those children and placing them in a nice facility where there would be no abuse. The president put her on every talk show to explain the new bill. Unbeknownst to her the government in need of money made changes in her policy. To save her daughter she had to go on the run and fine a safe place for them both. Lots of twists and turns. Great novel.
I was unable to put this thriller down. The government has gone awry, a young mother worried about the children that were not being cared for ,abused or neglected. She wrote a declaration intent on taking those children and placing them in a nice facility where there would be no abuse. The president put her on every talk show to explain the new bill. Unbeknownst to her the government in need of money made changes in her policy. To save her daughter she had to go on the run and fine a safe place for them both. Lots of twists and turns. Great novel.
August 22, 2018
This book is like a black hole and it’s gravitational pull constantly drags you back. Really enjoyed the diversity in the characters and found that the storyline was packed to the rim with suspenseful drama with more than a few unexpected hits in the emotional department.
November 2, 2018
I will be back for more from this series!
This is the first I've read from this author so I didn't know what to expect. This blew my mind! I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next book in the series
This is the first I've read from this author so I didn't know what to expect. This blew my mind! I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next book in the series
December 3, 2018
Not a type book I would normally read but I really enjoyed it. In our current political environment it made you think about how good intentions could go so wrong and how not speaking up could have such serious consequences.
January 13, 2019
Not my cup of tea...probably because it's mostly YA.
August 10, 2014
Riley lives in a world where fear follows everyone like a shadow. And her mother, Claire, is the root of the cause. She created the Parental Morality Law, which allows the government to abduct the children who aren’t in government-approved homes. Supposedly, this was the answer to destroying the fear, but that wasn’t what happened. When Claire’s own daughter prepares to get extracted, the two take action. Cain, a most-wanted veteran and quick killer, helps them reach safety. Along the way, Riley finds out not everything is as it seems, and she’s determined to help find the children taken from their parents.
It’s definitely an intense plot line. I always complain about the amount of dystopian fiction, but I get hooked every time I open one. The Extraction List is no exception.
The action starts from the very beginning, and the reader gradually finds out the situation and condition of the world amid their journey away from the government officials bent on taking Riley. The book instantly hooked me. I was curious to find out the conflict and the dark twists put on an otherwise modern world.
Though I would say some of the parts were almost too fast-paced. For instance, I may have wanted to know a little bit more about a certain fight or adventure or whatever, but the book kept moving on without a break in action. To me, this is both good and bad. I was always interested, but I also didn’t have a chance to connect with anything. I felt instead of being in the action or jumping into Riley’s shoes, I was watching the events occur from a distance. The constant stream of excitement made it seem choppy at time with weak transitions. But I feel like this is a novel you shouldn’t get too hung up in. The book is about the journey and the confusion of the times, so it shouldn’t be a simple and easy to breeze through chain of events. The characters aren’t very relatable, but again, if you focus more on the story, your interest will never waver.
Oh, the characters. I have such mixed feelings about the characters. I thought the characters were very interesting. For one, there was many different sides to each one. Also, they had distinct voices, stories, and personalities, so there wasn’t any confusion. But, I didn’t think they were realistic. Specifically, Riley. I hated her, honestly. She’s 15, yet she didn’t understand lightly veiled hints of corruption. And she was way too dependent on her mother. Grow up, please. But other times, she seemed perfectly capable and strong and smart. The mixed characterization of her and some others confused me.
I did like that the adventure consisted of Riley, her mother, and a friend. I liked there was no star-struck lover or a neglectful parent or something equally dramatic. Claire’s love of her daughter is basically what started the whole mess, which is very realistic to me. And sure, there is a little romance, but nothing that halts the pace of the novel and gets in the way of their mission.
Overall, I recommend this book for dystopian lovers and people who want a quick and exciting read. It’s not very long, and I honestly wished it was longer. I think there could have been more descriptions about the fight scenes and places they went. Plus, if it was longer, there could be more development of characters, which would make them less confusing. But it is a series!
Stealingpages.com
It’s definitely an intense plot line. I always complain about the amount of dystopian fiction, but I get hooked every time I open one. The Extraction List is no exception.
The action starts from the very beginning, and the reader gradually finds out the situation and condition of the world amid their journey away from the government officials bent on taking Riley. The book instantly hooked me. I was curious to find out the conflict and the dark twists put on an otherwise modern world.
Though I would say some of the parts were almost too fast-paced. For instance, I may have wanted to know a little bit more about a certain fight or adventure or whatever, but the book kept moving on without a break in action. To me, this is both good and bad. I was always interested, but I also didn’t have a chance to connect with anything. I felt instead of being in the action or jumping into Riley’s shoes, I was watching the events occur from a distance. The constant stream of excitement made it seem choppy at time with weak transitions. But I feel like this is a novel you shouldn’t get too hung up in. The book is about the journey and the confusion of the times, so it shouldn’t be a simple and easy to breeze through chain of events. The characters aren’t very relatable, but again, if you focus more on the story, your interest will never waver.
Oh, the characters. I have such mixed feelings about the characters. I thought the characters were very interesting. For one, there was many different sides to each one. Also, they had distinct voices, stories, and personalities, so there wasn’t any confusion. But, I didn’t think they were realistic. Specifically, Riley. I hated her, honestly. She’s 15, yet she didn’t understand lightly veiled hints of corruption. And she was way too dependent on her mother. Grow up, please. But other times, she seemed perfectly capable and strong and smart. The mixed characterization of her and some others confused me.
I did like that the adventure consisted of Riley, her mother, and a friend. I liked there was no star-struck lover or a neglectful parent or something equally dramatic. Claire’s love of her daughter is basically what started the whole mess, which is very realistic to me. And sure, there is a little romance, but nothing that halts the pace of the novel and gets in the way of their mission.
Overall, I recommend this book for dystopian lovers and people who want a quick and exciting read. It’s not very long, and I honestly wished it was longer. I think there could have been more descriptions about the fight scenes and places they went. Plus, if it was longer, there could be more development of characters, which would make them less confusing. But it is a series!
Stealingpages.com
July 21, 2014
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. I had my doubts about it after reading the synopsis/summary of what it was about, especially with the whole children being removed from their homes and parents and taking them to government-run boarding schools where they get rehabilitated and the main character becoming a "victim" of it sort of seemed like a crappy and lame attempt at a futuristic America/dystopia. So I started with the sample on my Kindle and I was instantly hooked! I just had to buy it and see what would happen next to Riley.
Let me just start off by saying that it was an awesomely written book. After finishing it, it seemed sort of short but now come to think about, I'm not sure if it's because it really was a short book or because it was action filled and had me turning the pages and non stop reading just 'cause it was such an interesting story.
It started off with action and everything going crazy and confusing but we get the gist of what's going after a few pages, if not chapters, and it was interesting to see how the author wrote Riley as a main character and how Riley was just someone who was innocent but at the same someone who would stand up given the chance. Plus her commentary on half the stuff made the whole novel enjoyable and had me laughing out loud at certain parts.
I confess that I got into this book thinking that there was going to be romance involved between Cain and Riley but I was left confused when I learned that RIley was 15 years old and then Cain showed up an expert killer and so much older than her. Add to that the confusion of the two them never doing anything beside mildly showing their interest in each other, well it was more Riley blushing and asking stuff, but after reading the whole book, I was okay with the lack of romance seeing as how it would have taken from the storyline and added much more drama than necessary so i applaud the author for that. Also, upon investigation, I figured out that this is a Science Fiction/Dystopian novel.
Hopefully in the next book some things are explained, like how the government and the dystopia came to be, and what exactly happened to the children, and whether or not Riley gets the chance to save Olivia. Not to mention the fact of whether or not there will be a romantic relationship develop between Cain and Riley (yeah yeah I know that she's 15 and jail bait since he's 22 and 7 years older than her but even he admitted that Riley was different and mature, or stealthy or whatever. I think it was his form of flirting with her)
Let me just start off by saying that it was an awesomely written book. After finishing it, it seemed sort of short but now come to think about, I'm not sure if it's because it really was a short book or because it was action filled and had me turning the pages and non stop reading just 'cause it was such an interesting story.
It started off with action and everything going crazy and confusing but we get the gist of what's going after a few pages, if not chapters, and it was interesting to see how the author wrote Riley as a main character and how Riley was just someone who was innocent but at the same someone who would stand up given the chance. Plus her commentary on half the stuff made the whole novel enjoyable and had me laughing out loud at certain parts.
I confess that I got into this book thinking that there was going to be romance involved between Cain and Riley but I was left confused when I learned that RIley was 15 years old and then Cain showed up an expert killer and so much older than her. Add to that the confusion of the two them never doing anything beside mildly showing their interest in each other, well it was more Riley blushing and asking stuff, but after reading the whole book, I was okay with the lack of romance seeing as how it would have taken from the storyline and added much more drama than necessary so i applaud the author for that. Also, upon investigation, I figured out that this is a Science Fiction/Dystopian novel.
Hopefully in the next book some things are explained, like how the government and the dystopia came to be, and what exactly happened to the children, and whether or not Riley gets the chance to save Olivia. Not to mention the fact of whether or not there will be a romantic relationship develop between Cain and Riley (yeah yeah I know that she's 15 and jail bait since he's 22 and 7 years older than her but even he admitted that Riley was different and mature, or stealthy or whatever. I think it was his form of flirting with her)
August 5, 2014
The country is broken, both financially and moraly. Kids are being taken away from their seemingly unfit parents in droves. The population believes they are being sent to boarding schools. They don't know how wrong they are. Claire works for the president and the child extraction project is her brainchild. Everything in her life is put into question when her daughter,Riley, shows up on one of the extraction lists. She reacts immediately and they leave home to go on the run.
They need to get out of the country with the help of guides. As they move from place to place, the truth about the extracted children begins to come out. Many of them are being sent to post-plague countries to work or be adopted.
While on the run, Riley and Claire face betrayal, death, love, and loss as they journey to safety. I'm not going to go into more detail because I hate spoilers but I really enjoyed this book. It starts out strong. It is quick to action and things escalate from there. The story is compelling. I would have loved to learn more about this new world,it's fascinating! I was not as interested
in the carachters.That is the only problem I had but, by the end, it had been solved. I found Claire too naieve to be believeable and I found Riley obnoixious to begin with. As Riley evolved, however, she became much more likeable.My favorite line in the book sums up Riley's change as her story persisted. "I no longer wanted to be saved. I wanted to save myself." I love that! I also loved the evolution of Cain. He is a killer until he meets Riley. I finally felt like I understood him when he said, "I'll kill him someday, but not today. Today, I save you."
I felt like Cain and Riley were dancing around the inevitable romance that every story has. I've got to say, I was really happythat the author left most of that for the next book. I was afraid
it would feel rushed. I know how hard it is for authors to hold off on the happily ever after but rushing it is the worst thing you could do. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would definitely reccomend it.
They need to get out of the country with the help of guides. As they move from place to place, the truth about the extracted children begins to come out. Many of them are being sent to post-plague countries to work or be adopted.
While on the run, Riley and Claire face betrayal, death, love, and loss as they journey to safety. I'm not going to go into more detail because I hate spoilers but I really enjoyed this book. It starts out strong. It is quick to action and things escalate from there. The story is compelling. I would have loved to learn more about this new world,it's fascinating! I was not as interested
in the carachters.That is the only problem I had but, by the end, it had been solved. I found Claire too naieve to be believeable and I found Riley obnoixious to begin with. As Riley evolved, however, she became much more likeable.My favorite line in the book sums up Riley's change as her story persisted. "I no longer wanted to be saved. I wanted to save myself." I love that! I also loved the evolution of Cain. He is a killer until he meets Riley. I finally felt like I understood him when he said, "I'll kill him someday, but not today. Today, I save you."
I felt like Cain and Riley were dancing around the inevitable romance that every story has. I've got to say, I was really happythat the author left most of that for the next book. I was afraid
it would feel rushed. I know how hard it is for authors to hold off on the happily ever after but rushing it is the worst thing you could do. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would definitely reccomend it.
May 22, 2014
What happens when the government turns a well-intended proposal by a grieving mother into a law that strikes fear into the hearts of every parent? We find out in, The Extraction List, by Renee N. Meland. Ms. Meland's young adult novel depicts a world where parents find their children being extracted from their homes and taken into custody by government officials. The author of this horrible law is Riley Crane's mother, Claire. She crafted a proposal after her young son tragically died, hoping to prevent other parents and their children from experiencing the same pain that she did. But those in charge warp her idea and threaten the lives of Riley, and her mother, forcing them to run away with Bo, her mother's friend, as they try to escape the government task force pursuing them.
Once the story gets going, it moves quickly. It's action packed and has a few scenes that made me cringe but nothing so awful a teenager couldn't handle it. I caution parents, however, because there are a few f-bombs. Cussing doesn't bother me, but some parents of younger teens may prefer the heads up. Other than that, the evolving romantic interaction between Riley and her crush, Cain, is innocently sweet. The action scenes aren't overly graphic but still evoke emotion from the reader. I was sad when certain characters met untimely, cruel deaths. And of course, I grinned evilly as Cain took revenge against Riley's attacker.
Overall, I really like The Extraction List and am curious as to what its conclusion will be. How will these characters end up? Prisoners of the government? Will Riley and Cain become romantically involved? How will Riley and her mother live in this new world Claire unwittingly helped create? I think adults would enjoy it as much as mid to late teenagers would. This is the first book in the series, I believe. A second book is to come and it's sure to entertain and engage the reader. Great start to a young adult dystopian series.
Once the story gets going, it moves quickly. It's action packed and has a few scenes that made me cringe but nothing so awful a teenager couldn't handle it. I caution parents, however, because there are a few f-bombs. Cussing doesn't bother me, but some parents of younger teens may prefer the heads up. Other than that, the evolving romantic interaction between Riley and her crush, Cain, is innocently sweet. The action scenes aren't overly graphic but still evoke emotion from the reader. I was sad when certain characters met untimely, cruel deaths. And of course, I grinned evilly as Cain took revenge against Riley's attacker.
Overall, I really like The Extraction List and am curious as to what its conclusion will be. How will these characters end up? Prisoners of the government? Will Riley and Cain become romantically involved? How will Riley and her mother live in this new world Claire unwittingly helped create? I think adults would enjoy it as much as mid to late teenagers would. This is the first book in the series, I believe. A second book is to come and it's sure to entertain and engage the reader. Great start to a young adult dystopian series.
October 25, 2014
Know a young adult you’d like to get hooked on reading? Christmas is coming and the first two books of this series are great stocking stuffers!
In the first book, the dystopian world of Riley is presented with an immediate rush of adrenaline filled action. A well intended law, initiated by her mother, has backfired. The Taskforce has shown up on her doorstep, prepared to take Riley into custody for the mandatory Extraction. Your heart will thump within the first scenes as gunfire and blood pepper the pages. From this point forward, the story doesn’t slow down.
It’s apparent that a thrilling opening will become a signature of Renee N. Meland, because Between the Cracks and Burning Doors opens with an equally thundering scene. Cain, a character from the first novel, is a child severely abused by his father. In a desperate act, Cain kills his abuser, and almost instantly is thrust into an equally abusive situation. While hiding in an alley, he is witness to the brutal beating of a priest and steps in to the rescue.
Thrilling? You bet! Well worth the investment of time, even for someone uninterested in YA or dystopian literature. But, most importantly, this author has opened the door for many young adult readers. I’ve always thought that if a YA author can get one kid love a book they have given that child the gift of a lifetime. How great is that?
Very much enjoyed these stories, recommended.
In the first book, the dystopian world of Riley is presented with an immediate rush of adrenaline filled action. A well intended law, initiated by her mother, has backfired. The Taskforce has shown up on her doorstep, prepared to take Riley into custody for the mandatory Extraction. Your heart will thump within the first scenes as gunfire and blood pepper the pages. From this point forward, the story doesn’t slow down.
It’s apparent that a thrilling opening will become a signature of Renee N. Meland, because Between the Cracks and Burning Doors opens with an equally thundering scene. Cain, a character from the first novel, is a child severely abused by his father. In a desperate act, Cain kills his abuser, and almost instantly is thrust into an equally abusive situation. While hiding in an alley, he is witness to the brutal beating of a priest and steps in to the rescue.
Thrilling? You bet! Well worth the investment of time, even for someone uninterested in YA or dystopian literature. But, most importantly, this author has opened the door for many young adult readers. I’ve always thought that if a YA author can get one kid love a book they have given that child the gift of a lifetime. How great is that?
Very much enjoyed these stories, recommended.
July 4, 2015
4.25 over-all rating
Writing 4.0
story 4.5
editing 4.5
cover 4.0
characters 4.0
The Extraction List, by Renee Meland, is a unique, YA, dystopian tale. I would have to say that my favorite aspect is the story. It's well thought out and I think pertinent to what is happening in our current, Big Brother culture. I appreciate a story (especially YA) that gives you something to think about, and the Extraction List does just that!
Meland's writing is clear and easy to read. That's another big thing for me. I'm easily distracted and nothing is more distracting than a book that's hard to get through. Although there were times that things were a bit stilted, as far as story progression, over-all it didn't take away from the novel.
I appreciated the relationship between Riley and her mom and that the story didn't pivot on a romance (one of my pet peeves), but I have to give character development a 4 rather than a five just because there were times that things weren't consistent. However, a four star rating to me means that it was good, so this by no means is a negative critique.
I don't give spoilers in my review, so I'm not going to address any direct content, but I want to close by encouraging fans of YA, Dystopian, or thriller genres to give this book a try! Renee meland has done a fantastic job of crafting a believable story with a whole lot of potential!!
Writing 4.0
story 4.5
editing 4.5
cover 4.0
characters 4.0
The Extraction List, by Renee Meland, is a unique, YA, dystopian tale. I would have to say that my favorite aspect is the story. It's well thought out and I think pertinent to what is happening in our current, Big Brother culture. I appreciate a story (especially YA) that gives you something to think about, and the Extraction List does just that!
Meland's writing is clear and easy to read. That's another big thing for me. I'm easily distracted and nothing is more distracting than a book that's hard to get through. Although there were times that things were a bit stilted, as far as story progression, over-all it didn't take away from the novel.
I appreciated the relationship between Riley and her mom and that the story didn't pivot on a romance (one of my pet peeves), but I have to give character development a 4 rather than a five just because there were times that things weren't consistent. However, a four star rating to me means that it was good, so this by no means is a negative critique.
I don't give spoilers in my review, so I'm not going to address any direct content, but I want to close by encouraging fans of YA, Dystopian, or thriller genres to give this book a try! Renee meland has done a fantastic job of crafting a believable story with a whole lot of potential!!
June 14, 2015
In the future American's are living in fear, fear of having the government come in and take their children. It's called the Parental Morality Law, if you're unemployed for over a year, you're homeless or maybe you're neglectful or abusive you lose your children. This is Riley's story told from her POV. Riley's mom Claire wrote the law after her son was killed, but when Riley is put on the Extraction list Claire starts to realize things have gone horribly wrong, that the law is being twisted to suit the government's ideas. Cain, a wanted killer along with Jordyn are guides, they smuggle people out of the U.S. to the "Compound", a safe haven away from the hands of the government and the Task Force. Along the way there's lots of action and Riley learns things she never thought she'd never need to learn. They also find out there's a traitor in their midst so will they make it or will Riley be extracted from her mother? Appropriate for the younger crowd especially if they like action, which there's plenty of right from the beginning through to the last page.
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock
May 29, 2014
**I received this free in exchange for an honest review.**
From the outset it was obvious that this story was not going to be like the normal young adult books I’ve read before. The action began pretty much from the first page! The author threw me into the story straight away and I felt I was on as much of a rollercoaster ride as the characters.
Riley was a great leading character, she was young and strong, but not annoying. The relationships throughout the book felt really realistic and I found myself drawn into them and feeling everything they did for each other, willing them on!
At about quarter of the way through the book I just found myself thinking, ‘I’m really enjoying this book’. Which was a nice feeling! I started to forget to note down points for review because I was so drawn into it.
I don’t read much young adult, so this was refreshing to read. It had a great story, deep characters and a plot that kept me guessing!
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, the ending definitely left me wanting to find out more!
From the outset it was obvious that this story was not going to be like the normal young adult books I’ve read before. The action began pretty much from the first page! The author threw me into the story straight away and I felt I was on as much of a rollercoaster ride as the characters.
Riley was a great leading character, she was young and strong, but not annoying. The relationships throughout the book felt really realistic and I found myself drawn into them and feeling everything they did for each other, willing them on!
At about quarter of the way through the book I just found myself thinking, ‘I’m really enjoying this book’. Which was a nice feeling! I started to forget to note down points for review because I was so drawn into it.
I don’t read much young adult, so this was refreshing to read. It had a great story, deep characters and a plot that kept me guessing!
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, the ending definitely left me wanting to find out more!
June 6, 2014
I've been reading a lot of dystopian fiction lately. Some of it is starting to bleed together in the post-war wasteland that is often our possible future. Here we have a setting that is a very near future, and uncomfortably plausible. The streets look very similar, the infrastructure and government are familiar, but things have gotten a bit grittier.
When Riley's mother sponsors a bill intended to help children, the effects are insidious and devastating. It goes from "looks can be deceiving" working-as-intended to "no good deed goes unpunished". The pace clips along and Riley progresses from a somewhat naive student to a girl with growing street-smarts. I'm looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes her!
When Riley's mother sponsors a bill intended to help children, the effects are insidious and devastating. It goes from "looks can be deceiving" working-as-intended to "no good deed goes unpunished". The pace clips along and Riley progresses from a somewhat naive student to a girl with growing street-smarts. I'm looking forward to seeing where this adventure takes her!
April 21, 2015
The Extraction List – Renee Meland
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock, I rate The Extraction List by Renee Meland with 5 fangs.
This is a story about a world gone wrong. It has gone so wrong that Clair helps enact the Parental Morality Law that deems children be immediately taken away from a family that has proved they are unfit. All seems like it is working until one day there is a government official standing on Clair’s door trying to take her daughter Riley. From there, the story took off on a run for their lives through an underground type system. There are many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and the characters are believable and likeable. I can’t wait to read the rest in the series!!
As an independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors That Rock, I rate The Extraction List by Renee Meland with 5 fangs.
This is a story about a world gone wrong. It has gone so wrong that Clair helps enact the Parental Morality Law that deems children be immediately taken away from a family that has proved they are unfit. All seems like it is working until one day there is a government official standing on Clair’s door trying to take her daughter Riley. From there, the story took off on a run for their lives through an underground type system. There are many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and the characters are believable and likeable. I can’t wait to read the rest in the series!!
August 31, 2016
Renee Meland has done the YA genre a great service here. The Extraction list is action packed from the get go and pulls you in so you are hooked to the very end. I loved the characters she has created. Riley is a spunky teen not afraid to buck the system and Cain is a true badass. The plot was very believable, so much so that it was almost chilling to think something like that could actually happen in the very near future. All in all I truly enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to book 2. Job well done Ms. Meland!
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January 26, 2016
The Extraction List Review
I love this series! It’s well written and super fast-paced, giving the reader an exciting ride. The characters are great and I am dying to know how it all turns out. I love the creepy premise of the series with the Parental Morality Law and Riley’s mother as the creator of what turns out to be a tool for complete government oppression. Good stuff! Readers who appreciate YA dystopian and thrillers will love this series! Such a great balance of romance, action, and suspense.
Highly recommended!
I love this series! It’s well written and super fast-paced, giving the reader an exciting ride. The characters are great and I am dying to know how it all turns out. I love the creepy premise of the series with the Parental Morality Law and Riley’s mother as the creator of what turns out to be a tool for complete government oppression. Good stuff! Readers who appreciate YA dystopian and thrillers will love this series! Such a great balance of romance, action, and suspense.
Highly recommended!
February 24, 2018
The justice a mother is trying to get for her son, backfires. What if the government took even more control in what is right and wrong parenting? The thought of parents having their removed from them if they cannot be good parents, sounds like a pretty good idea to most of us. Riley and her mother Claire now fear what they thought was going to be for the good of other children. How would it feel to be on the run from the government, and from the program you initiated, and the only person to trust and take guidance from is a killer himself?
September 27, 2014
Won this book through a Goodreads giveaway! At first, the main character bugged me because she acted like such a little kid. Then I realized that she probably acts more like a normal 15 year old than most characters in the genre. The story definitely gets more exciting towards the end. I didn't think I would read the next book until I got about 3/4 of the way through. After finishing it, I think I might.
February 26, 2016
Fast paced
SPOILER ALERT I often love dystopian fiction, but the back story to this one was a little too unlikely to swallow. I really liked the characters and the pacing of the story, but the government selling away most American children in a human trafficking scheme to jump start the economy strained and broke my suspension of disbelief.
SPOILER ALERT I often love dystopian fiction, but the back story to this one was a little too unlikely to swallow. I really liked the characters and the pacing of the story, but the government selling away most American children in a human trafficking scheme to jump start the economy strained and broke my suspension of disbelief.
Read
July 16, 2016Good, good, good
Loved the book. The characters were great and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Can't wait for the next one
Loved the book. The characters were great and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. Can't wait for the next one
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