Under Ground (Under Ground #1) by Alice Rachel

Oct 09, 2016 Carrie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: publisher-arc

Thia Clay lives in a society where women have no rights and her parents have already arranged her marriage a few years ago when she was only thirteen. Now at seventeen Thia has a meeting with her soon to be husband William and learns what a cruel and selfish man he is.

Chi Richards is even lower in society that Thia as the second born to a family his whole existence is illegal. When This meets Chi she is drawn to him and finds herself lying and sneaking off for this strange boy for the first tim ...more

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Nov 23, 2015 Cassandra (Thebookishcrypt) rated it liked it

Shelves: review-copies, on-my-shelves

*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
This was the first book I've read by Alice and it was okay for the most part. In this world, the women have no rights and are basically only good for marriage and breeding. Men have all the power and it was really awful to witness.
I had quite a few issues with this book. I didn't connect to any of the characters and I wasn't a fan of the main character. I sympathized with her due to some of the things that happened to her but other than t *Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
This was the first book I've read by Alice and it was okay for the most part. In this world, the women have no rights and are basically only good for marriage and breeding. Men have all the power and it was really awful to witness.
I had quite a few issues with this book. I didn't connect to any of the characters and I wasn't a fan of the main character. I sympathized with her due to some of the things that happened to her but other than that, I didn't like her. I felt her to be too impulsive and she did/said things that didn't match to who she was supposed to be. They were so out of character that I just waited for her to be done before continuing to read seriously. Also, for a person that grew up in this society, she still had A LOT to learn about it and I just would've liked her to be a little less naive.
The writing didn't flow most of the time and the dialogue we actually managed to get out of the characters was so over the top that it wasn't believable. I felt like a bunch of the characters acted the same as others and there wasn't anything distinguishing them from each other. The plot line was predictable to me and a lot of the scenes were just awkward to witness, not in a funny way. Also, the emotions every character felt were so easily read that it wasn't okay with me. The main character seemed to know exactly what everybody was feeling and why they were feeling it and honestly, it could've been better if it were told in the 3rd person. Many of the characters acted so immature that I found myself disliking characters that I liked in the beginning. That also goes to the ones that were supposed to be 'adults'. They didn't act their age and it bothered me to no end.
Now for the positive comments: I absolutely loved the pace of the relationship between the main character and the guy who isn't her fiance. Sure, they think they're in love a little too soon but if I forgot about that detail, I was happy with it all. They didn't get physical the first second they were able to and I loved that. It was respectful and it was sweet to witness. Another thing I liked was that the story wasn't rough to get through. I couldn't stop reading even after all my complaints, and that's a plus. I also loved the development between the main character and her mom. It made me proud for them and I was grateful their relationship went the way it did. ...more

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May 17, 2016 Sabrina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2016

Checkout my full review and giveaway on my blog!! http://omgbooksandmorebooks.blogspot....

Thia lives in a world where women are treated as objects. After a terrible war, the women out number the men causing women to be replaceable. Thia is married to a cold boy named William. She continues with this engagement in order to better help her family. Yet her family does not care for her own well being. She hasn’t really meet anyone who cared about her till she meets Chi (pronounced like Shy). Chi see ...more

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Nov 30, 2016 Karina rated it really liked it

4/5 stars!

Dang I need more. Definitely gonna pick the next books in this series. I need to finish this series.

RTC.

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Nov 07, 2015 Morrisa rated it really liked it

The author of this book, Alice Rachel, was VERY VERY kind enough to send me a physical copy of her book and to write a review for her! I haven't read all parts of the book yet, since my edition came with a few extra stories, and also sent me an extra novella about another character! I'm excited to get to those and see the story from other characters points of view.

But, I really did love this book. I was hoping it was going to be good, since it's got a great rating on goodreads; I wasn't disappoi The author of this book, Alice Rachel, was VERY VERY kind enough to send me a physical copy of her book and to write a review for her! I haven't read all parts of the book yet, since my edition came with a few extra stories, and also sent me an extra novella about another character! I'm excited to get to those and see the story from other characters points of view.

But, I really did love this book. I was hoping it was going to be good, since it's got a great rating on goodreads; I wasn't disappointed. This story is about a young girl named Thia, who lives in a society where women are treated as objects. They get married off to better a family's status in the society, and Thia herself is engaged to a cold boy named William. Women pretty much mean nothing, and aren't respected at all. This frustrated me a lot, how caged poor Thia was. She hates the society, but knows that she cannot do anything about it or change anything. That is until she meets the mysterious Chi, who opens her up to how truly corrupt her society is. Chi is a boy who was born illegally, and is trying to fight the system along with a group called the "Underground" who want to fight the corrupt society. Chi and Thia end up getting pulled into a rebellion, and their love is challenged along the way.

What I liked about this book was the plot line. It was constantly moving and there was always something going on. There weren't any dry spots in the plot. The setting moves very often as well. I hate books where you stay in the same place the entire time, it canget a little boring. With Underground, you went from place to place and it felt like you were with Chi and Thia.

The author did a very well job of creating an intricate society, and I was blown away by this in the setting and in the plot. It was exciting and different than most dystopians I have read and it was truly interesting. Especially how hard the characters worked to break free from the oppression they were so ruthlessly put under. I also really liked how the rebels weren't portrayed as perfect heroes. In some stories, the rebels are perfect and never make mistakes. But, with these rebels, Thia questioned their morals often and I really liked that. The rebels weren't perfect, they had to make sacrifices for the greater good.

The last thing I wanted to mention about the book was the romance storyline. I definitely enjoyed the interactions between Thia and Chi, and the fact their relationship was tested often by secrets and lies and devastating events. However, what I wanted was better build up for their romance. They got together quite early in the story, and I was hoping it would be taken slowly and develop less quickly than it did. Their relationship did need to be at a certain point for part of the plot to move on, for Thia to finally rebel, but I still wish time wasn't skipped. I do like where they are at in the relationship, and I am curious to see how that continues in the next book since Thia and Chi have two different goals by the end of the book.

Overall, this book was definitely interesting. If you like dystopian books where the characters are trying to fight the oppression you are forced under, this book is for you. There is plenty of action from start to finish, a steamy romance, as well as heart-aching family moments. I cannot wait to see how this story continues and how the rebels continue to try and open societies eyes to the truth. It's a four out of five stars from me! (via morrisareads.wordpress.com) ...more

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Sep 16, 2016 Niña Magsael rated it really liked it

"My heart is an ocean of sorrows slowly drowning me, and I let it."

I heard so many good reviews about this one and it did not disappoint. Raised in a society where women have no rights, we follow the story of seventeen-year-old Thia Clay that is sold to marry a selfish young elite man etc etc.

INITIAL THOUGHTS:
Yes, I judged this book by its cover. The cover screamed romance and I did not expect it to have a futuristic dystopian theme. I also noticed that the first parts of the book focused m ...more

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Sep 13, 2016 Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon rated it liked it

*** 3 Cranky Stars ***

Under Ground by Alice Rachel is set in a dystopian future and in the aftermath of wars and famine. Society is highly stratified where women are second-class citizens, reduced to wives and breeding machines. A good marriage secures the social class for families, a woman’s reputation and her role inside society as well as maintaining the status quo of how that world operates.

We meet the main character, Thia, on the eve of her engagement to William, a boy from a prominent fam ...more

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Dec 03, 2016 Irma rated it really liked it

I started reading this book last nigh and finished it today. I could say that I devoured it.

This is the first book by this author that I've read and let me tell you, it won't be the last.
It is not just the writing style (which is a huge deal for me) but also the pacing and the way that this author represented the characters to us.
And while this is a romance I was struck with the story behind it.
...more

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Mar 08, 2017 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Under Ground by Alice Rachel is a great start to a new series. I was hooked just from the description, and it did not disappoint. It is a story of a dystopian society, and the crazy laws regarding relationships. I loved the main character Thia, but at times got frustrated with her emotional weaknesses. However, she won me back by the end of the book. The book has a lot of suspense and is a real page turner. I loved it, and give the book a 5 star review. I cant wait to read the next book in the s Under Ground by Alice Rachel is a great start to a new series. I was hooked just from the description, and it did not disappoint. It is a story of a dystopian society, and the crazy laws regarding relationships. I loved the main character Thia, but at times got frustrated with her emotional weaknesses. However, she won me back by the end of the book. The book has a lot of suspense and is a real page turner. I loved it, and give the book a 5 star review. I cant wait to read the next book in the series.
Thia Clay is a 17 year old girl, living in a society where women have no rights. They are set up and sold to their husband, who can take a test drive, so to speak, and discard her if she doesnt fit his needs. The women have no say in the matter, and are at the mercy of the men. She has been promised to William Fox, an arrangement set up by their parents years ago. Now that they are coming of age, they must start progressing their relationship toward their arranged marriage. William is awful, and his only good quality is his looks. He treats Thia like garbage, ignoring her, but expecting her to obey him and treats her like a piece of property. She hates every minute of it, and dreads the time she must spend with him, and cant imagine spending the rest of her life with someone so awful.
Chi Richards is a teenage boy, who was born illegally and has spent his whole life in hiding and hiding his identity. He is part of a rebellion group called the Underground. They are people who dont buy into the society and their rules, and are working toward overthrowing the government. His parents were taken years ago, and placed in prison camps, and Chi has spent every day since then, planning their rescue. He never cared if he lived or died, and was only working toward the final goal, with nothing to loose. Until he saw Thia. Before he knew her, he was drawn to her.
They meet at a dance at William's school, and arrange to meet. Thia goes just for curiosity sake, and they quickly fall into a secret relationship. Both of them could be punished, maybe even killed, for dating when Thia is promised to William. Despite this fear, they continue to meet on a regular basis, and Chi slowly reveals his past and plans for the future. Thia must make a decision once and for all, does she want the life she has expected, with William, or choose Chi and the dangerous unknown? ...more

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Sep 04, 2017 Margaret rated it really liked it · review of another edition

In a world where women outnumber men wouldn't women have more power? Not in this book. Women are treated as second class citizens and have no say in how their lives are run. Men have all the power and treat them as possessions. I was not a fan of the main female character she was a little too impulsive and yet she was very submissive. The main male was a much better character, he was shaped by his experiences and yet he still had hope for a better life. This is the first book in a series and I g ...more

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Feb 25, 2018 Fran Zoch, LSoR rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Women have no rights in this world and that means you have no say so in who you marry or what you do.

Thia is being forced to marry William and she does not want to he is not a nice person.

Chi is what you would call from the wrong side of the tracks he was born illegally and has to hide from everything, now he is set on rescuing his parents from a work camp but he runs into Thia and now all bets are off, they weren't planning on falling in love and now Thia has some major decisions on her hands. ...more

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Feb 28, 2018 Maria Vickers rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book...I don't even know where to begin. It is a powerful book that is brilliantly written. I loved it from start to finish and highly recommend you one click on this today. I think it's something everyone should read. The characters, the plot, everything. Pick up your copy today. 5 stars!! ...more

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Mar 06, 2017 Morgan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Under Ground by Alice Rachel is the first book in the Under Ground Series! This just happens to be my first Dystopian style book, and I have to say I wasn't sure what to expect, I had this whole thing built up in my mind as to what I thought it would be, and Alice Rachel completely blew it out of the water. Like I said, never having read this genre I wasn't really quite sure what to expect, but this was a great introduction to the genre. I would definitely give this story a 5 star read!

In the ...more

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Mar 06, 2017 Nancy J. Sandidge rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Title: Under Ground ( Under Ground #1)
Author: Alice Rachel
Stars: 4

I'm fairly new to the dystopian genre. Besides the main popular ones that came out the past few years that became movies. Alice Racheal kept me engaged in this book. It's the first in the Under Ground series.

In a world where women outnumber men, and women have no rights, Thia Clay doesn't hold any ideas of having a bright a beautiful future. Women mostly don't have the freedom of choosing who they marry, and Thia’s engagement was ...more

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Mar 07, 2017 Charity Beecham rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Under Ground, by Alice Rachel is a great read. Thai just wants to live a normal life but her heritage makes her life far from normal. She is being forced into marriage by someone she doesn’t even know very well. She should be happy because her fiancé, William, is actually young and decent looking while other girls are forced to marry men much older than her. But still, she can’t shake the fact that she is being forced to marry someone she has no emotional connection with. She hates her life and ...more

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Mar 10, 2017 DarkRaven Reviews rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Underground by Alice Rachel is a book about opression towards the female gender and societies.

This is the first book in the series and the first from this author I have read. It definitely made me want to read more from this author. I love how it's a contstant struggle for the couple to be together. The author portrays this beautifully. I read this in one sitting and even though I wasn't necessarily going to pick this one up but I am so glad that I did.

An absolutely captivating read that I plan ...more

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Mar 01, 2017 Misty Ziegler rated it really liked it · review of another edition

****4 stars****
Under Ground (Book #1) by Alice Rachel

“Under Ground” is a YA Dystopian Romance by Alice Rachel. I give it 4 stars. The story follows Thia, a young female growing up in a society where your standing is determined based on whether you are male or female and whether you are lower, middle, or upper class. The number of women far outweighs the number of men and marriage isn't for love, it's arranged almost as a financial contract, to help the women’s families with their social standin ****4 stars****
Under Ground (Book #1) by Alice Rachel

“Under Ground” is a YA Dystopian Romance by Alice Rachel. I give it 4 stars. The story follows Thia, a young female growing up in a society where your standing is determined based on whether you are male or female and whether you are lower, middle, or upper class. The number of women far outweighs the number of men and marriage isn't for love, it's arranged almost as a financial contract, to help the women’s families with their social standing. The society places limits on the number of children each financial class can have and those that break those rules are punished by the authorities. Thia knows she is promised to William, the son of a very high class family, for marriage and due to societal pressures and the pressure from her parents, she knows she will have to endure whatever cruelty William and his family put upon her. Thia then meets Chi, an intriguing young man who as a result of nothing more than being born into the wrong family, has been on the run from the authorities his entire life. He values Thia as a person and not as a piece of property. He also is a member of the Underground, an anti-authority group that is hoping to expose the government and society for what it really is, prison camps and all.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I've always been intrigued by dystopian novels and movies and this is no exception. I found the content to be enjoyable and relatable in today's world. I found Thia and Chi to be likeable and the author did a good job of showing their friendship, trust, and affection for one another slowly evolving in a society where it's the complete opposite of what's expected and accepted. I would've rated the story 5 stars if not for a few things that seemed a little “off” such as reactions and behaviors completely out of character for the characters in the story. The book started a tad slow and definitely picked up as it went along. I read this book in one sitting and look forward to book #2 of the series and seeing where the author goes in the story. ...more

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Mar 07, 2017 Rhonda Pulk rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I give this book a four star rating.I really like the storyline and the details in this book. I did struggle a little getting grabbed by the story in the beginning as I felt it was a little slow going. Underground is the story of a civilization trying to cope with reforming and trying to exist after a catastrophic flood that left the country under water and cut off from other countries. Families were forced to live on rations which were distributed according to race and status. Whole groups of p ...more

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Mar 09, 2017 Melinda G rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Can you imagine imagined being born into a society where women have no rights? Have you ever tried to in vision yourself being told what you can say or not say, where you can go or not go; or being told who to look at or not look at? I have tried to place myself in these women shoes and even in my imagination it is a scary thought. I feel so blessed that was not the life that I was born into. I mean absolutely No disrespect to anyone I just do not for the life of me believe that I could handle t ...more

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Jan 20, 2016 April rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed-books

Note: Book received from author in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many things I could say to start this review, but I will begin simply by saying I just loved this book. The premise itself sounded so interesting, but it became so much more than that the further into the book I got.

The beginning starts slower, mostly as it is focused on world-building the dystopian society our main character, Thia, lives in. Pieces of the world's background and culture are scattered throughout, so t Note: Book received from author in exchange for an honest review.

There are so many things I could say to start this review, but I will begin simply by saying I just loved this book. The premise itself sounded so interesting, but it became so much more than that the further into the book I got.

The beginning starts slower, mostly as it is focused on world-building the dystopian society our main character, Thia, lives in. Pieces of the world's background and culture are scattered throughout, so the reader learns as they go on, rather than having all of the information dumped on them at once. I really liked this aspect because I was constantly curious about what more I could know about this world and I enjoyed piecing together the information. This incredibly patriarchial society that Thia is trapped in is so frustrating to read about, and I can feel the pressure that Thia experiences as I read. Although it is set in the future, the customs and expectations of this society seem to have been stylized after medieval times. The many details included about this setting really show how much thought, planning, and care that Alice Rachel put into this novel, and that made me appreciate it even more. One of my favorite parts of this book was the world itself and how interesting and different it was from other dystopian books I have read previously.

The characters of this book are all unique and have their own back stories and problems. Thia as a main character is excellent mainly because she is imperfect and has her flaws. She displays her anxiety to the reader and experiences anxiety attacks, which I really appreciated because it's a mental illness that isn't usually present in non-contemporary novels, and the way it's included in the book doesn't stigmatize it by mentioning it a bit more casually (in a way that mental illnesses are not usually treated in novels).

The characters of Chi, William, Taylor, Kayla, and Thia's mother were all so three-dimensional, diverse, and intruiging to read about. I personally really love the relationship between Taylor and Kayla (and definitely ship those two very much), especially in the way they interact with each other and how they're just very authentic. The bad behavior that various characters show is presented as such, and it isn't romanticized at all (which is quite important in pointing out their problematic ideas). Literally every person in this society is a victim of the culture and the way they were all raised, and it's sad but also a warning to people in itself to be conscious of where their thoughts and beliefs are truly coming from.

The plot of the book was definitely unpredictable, and there were many times I gasped out loud while reading. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I enjoyed every second. There were cute romantic parts, stressful parts, and intense action-packed parts. The book is narrated from a first-person persepective by Thia, which gives the reader a great glimpse into her thoughts during the events of the novel. There is comedic relief, and this was a refreshing read that was different from many other dystopians. So much happened in the past fifty pages, but it wasn't rushed and it kept me hooked until I finished the book.

Overall, I really loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in young adult, dystopian, and/or action-packed, intense books. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

Read my other reviews at swimmingthroughliterature.wordpress.com ...more

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Feb 03, 2016 Lachapelle rated it really liked it

I like to start off by saying that I didn't buy this book; I found it on a bookshelf in a hotel (which they let you take for free). That being said, I didn't go into reading this book with any expectations, but I really like it. I would liken this book to titles such as Wither, Matched, and Birthmarked. Perhaps even to non-dystopian novels like 'Sold' and 'I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorce'.

This book in undeniably a futuristic dystopian novel, but, unlike most dystopian novels that seem a bit mor I like to start off by saying that I didn't buy this book; I found it on a bookshelf in a hotel (which they let you take for free). That being said, I didn't go into reading this book with any expectations, but I really like it. I would liken this book to titles such as Wither, Matched, and Birthmarked. Perhaps even to non-dystopian novels like 'Sold' and 'I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorce'.

This book in undeniably a futuristic dystopian novel, but, unlike most dystopian novels that seem a bit more fantastical, this one is disturbingly realistic when you think about it. Most readers compare the society of Under Ground to the medieval era, but the problems and social construct in this book are very modern. Human trafficking and Forced/Arranged marriages are very common today in places such as the Middle East, India, China, and much of Asia. Women's rights are also small or virtually non-existent in these areas as well. Labor camps exist in North Korea. Even some aspects of Western society can be linked to this book. Human trafficking occurs everyday in places like America. It was less than a hundred years ago that forced/arranged marriages were also the norm and women had little place outside of the home. Today, female sexuality is still disfavored and taboo. I like the fact that the author paralleled these problems in her novel. Its a bit perturbing, but I like it.

The world building and character building in this book is very good. The protagonist, Thia, is relatable and realistic, something you don't find in many YA books. She has flaws, insecurities, and panic attacks, but she's also becomes this awesome, kick ass maverick. The author does a good job of not making the heroine overly masculine or a straw-feminist. This seems to happen a lot in novels, authors equate a strong heroine with being like a man, but there are feminine strengths/advantages and they should be portrayed as such. I really like Chi. I didn't like him at first because he was a bit of a Gary Sue. However, his character grew on me significantly when he was scared or cried about the lost of his family because, contrary to popular belief, men cry and they get scared. Authors should portray this in fiction more often.

The only character building I didn't like was William Fox and his family. They are the antagonist, but they had little presence or substance in this book. I would have given this book 5 stars if William was a round character and there was more interaction between him and Thia. The only thing significant that happens between them is they get engaged and two months later she's fleeing from him because he attempts to rape her for 'cheating on him'. All we know about William between that time is that he's a cruel, entitled, and misogynistic douchebag. Also, I found the idea of William helping the rebellion and Thia hard to believe. Same goes for Thia's mother when she decides to help Thia's become independent and rebel. Both of these characters have no dynamic character, but their decisions to help Thia goes against their established personalities and beliefs. I would even say their sudden change in character is very 'deus ex machina'.

TL;DR: This book is good with a decent plot and great main characters. It's worth buying on an e-reader... even though I didn't :) ...more

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Nov 17, 2015 J. Kahele rated it it was amazing

I am beginning to bypass blurbs before reading books. This one in particular I saw on Goodreads and snapped it up without even reading what it was about.

At first, I thought this was a historical romance. But as I read on I realized this was not the case.

After a cold war hits, the world is controlled by the authorities. The laws are quite simple, women have no rights and are forced to marry to survive and for our heroine Thia this is the case. She is to be married to a man William, who is selfis I am beginning to bypass blurbs before reading books. This one in particular I saw on Goodreads and snapped it up without even reading what it was about.

At first, I thought this was a historical romance. But as I read on I realized this was not the case.

After a cold war hits, the world is controlled by the authorities. The laws are quite simple, women have no rights and are forced to marry to survive and for our heroine Thia this is the case. She is to be married to a man William, who is selfish, degrading and just a plain an asshole.

While attending a football game, that William is playing in she catches a man watching her. She is intrigued but it is against the rules to be eyeing up a man, when you are promised to another. Even after going home, this mysterious man is still on her mind.

William invites Thia to attend a ball at his school and when they are inside, he chooses to leave her alone and when the irritation sets in about him ignoring her, she wants so badly to leave, but decides to calm herself by getting a glass of punch. As she is placing the ladle back down she feels it being grabbed from her hand and glances up to see the mysterious man from the football game.

The mystery man tilts his head at her to follow him out, to talk. She begins to follow when stopped by William. He's rude as usual and Thia can't take it no more and decides to walk out to the hall and take a breath of fresh air. Its when the mystery man called Chi, shows up. He slips a paper in her hand, that tells her to meet him the next day at a place called the Arch.

She makes an excuse to meet him...again and again. She has become smitten with Chi, but she has no clue who he is. He is not like her but a man with a sorted past and a man involved with the Underground, a rebellion against the authorities. She is torn between her want for her and her loyalty to her parents, her promise to William. And she finds herself caught up into a world that will change her forever.

Whew! I could have written a thesis on this book, it is how good it was. I love books that keep you on the edge, with twists. This book did not twist, it was on a constant curve. I never knew what to expect and the author managed to take me into a world, I didn't even see coming. This book is so well written, that it engages you from the start and keeps you until the end. It is not like any book you will ever read. It's not even just about the romance that is in this book, it is so much more. Yeah, I know coming from me that's weird, as I tend to only delve into the romance of a book. But this book was about a young girl tossed into a man's world, trying to find her way and her strength. The Underground? The people who are trying to take a corrupted world and make it right. And Chi, how I loved him. A man that has been through so much, but still finds a way to give his heart out.

...more

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Apr 02, 2016 TLBC rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

http://triciaciak.blogspot.com/2016/0...
My Review: (copy provided)
Five stars!
Book one of a trilogy.

Wow what a debut for this author! I was kindly given a review copy of this book from her and I'm so happy I read it. It was actually a fabulous read and it was something I may not have picked up on my own. That's why it's so important to keep open about the books you read because there can be that one that you were waiting for, that diamond in the rough that knocks your socks off and you didn't ev http://triciaciak.blogspot.com/2016/0...
My Review: (copy provided)
Five stars!
Book one of a trilogy.

Wow what a debut for this author! I was kindly given a review copy of this book from her and I'm so happy I read it. It was actually a fabulous read and it was something I may not have picked up on my own. That's why it's so important to keep open about the books you read because there can be that one that you were waiting for, that diamond in the rough that knocks your socks off and you didn't even know it was right there in front of you. I have to say that the dystopian aspect of the book is what had me give it a second thought and if that is the case for you readers don't let it. It works so well with this book and the romance is a big part of this novel. Actually the connection and chemistry between the hero and heroine is wonderfully written. I was routing for them from the beginning and wanted to see them make it work for themselves even though they had a ton of obstacles to overcome. In fact this whole book was really well written and edited. The attention to detail without it being "too much" was perfect and overall development of the characters was also really strong too.

Thia is living in a world she doesn't agree with and thrown into a life and soon to be marriage. Her mother is cold and distant only wanting perfection from her daughter. Thia wants more. She wants love and affection from her mother and to love the one she's going to marry.

"I'm waiting for a compliment from her, for a miracle I know will never happen. I can't read her thoughts or tell how satisfied she is with me today. She just sits up straight, with her chin held high, ignoring me as always."

Thia feels her parents are greedy and just trying to get to a higher standard of living by marrying her to her potential husband William.

William was a really hard one to read and then bam he does something that makes me hate him and then he changes my mind again. He was a strangely disturbed character that I'd like to get in the mind of a little more.

The rules and regulations were getting to Thia even more as her commitment to William becomes more of a reality. When Thia meets Chi she decides to rebel and take a different path as was planned.

I loved Chi, he stood up for what he believed in and loved. The love he had for Thia was obvious without it being thrown right in your face all the time.

"I've never seen a boy so strong and yet so fragile before."

"Chi stole my heart from William the moment I saw him. I fell for him before I understood what it meant."

There really is so much more to this book. I can't put everything into the review but I highly recommend giving this one a read. I can't wait to read the next in the series! ...more

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Jan 30, 2017 John Winston rated it it was amazing

This is one of those instances where I knew absolutely nothing about the book when I started reading, not even the genre. It usually ends up being a game to see how fast I can pick out the particulars like whether it’s horror, mystery, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, etc and then comes the story. And this one came with a vengeance: a robust dystopian YA with a kick. Let's start with the point of view. I’m no fan of first-person narrative unless it’s done well, with either a likable protagonist, a frenetic This is one of those instances where I knew absolutely nothing about the book when I started reading, not even the genre. It usually ends up being a game to see how fast I can pick out the particulars like whether it’s horror, mystery, YA, fantasy, sci-fi, etc and then comes the story. And this one came with a vengeance: a robust dystopian YA with a kick. Let's start with the point of view. I’m no fan of first-person narrative unless it’s done well, with either a likable protagonist, a frenetic story or a life-altering premise. This one had all three.

Alice Rachel crafts a standout dystopian novel set in a not-so-distant future New York. I hated putting this one down. Great imagery kept me focused on Thia’s story throughout. She’s caught between many rocks and hard places and as a reader, I felt my anxiety level constantly elevated. I could actually see the pictures that Rachel drew with her words. Check out Thia’s words with respect to the not-so-likable William. “The cold wind of his attitude just blows my way, and I can never warm up to him,” and then with respect to her male interest Chi. “Elation takes flight inside my heart like butterflies breaking out of their ensnaring chrysalises.”

Rachel also does a great job of showing over telling, especially in the show of the character. I love this line. “The sorrow in him is vivid, leaking through the darkness of his irises in torment and the tight grip of his fingers on his button-down shirt.” And the characters are well developed within the narrative, action, and dialog. “You can leave if you want, but I’m not used to begging and I won’t ask you twice.” We get to know Chi by his actions and his words, not the author’s exposition.

Rachel weaves in important backstory strategically, never bogging down the clear and present, and she uses devices like metaphor and simile masterfully to show the gravity of the setting and situation. I have to include these to tasty bits of lit. “Every day, I need more and more of him, like little pieces of heaven that fate grants me as if trying to make up for the destiny it has forced upon me,” and, “I try to stay awake and drink him in for as long as I can, but eventually, slumber takes over and darkness wraps its coat around me.”

And finally, the novel speaks so eloquently as to where we are today and where it may lead us. We already see this. “We all know the media is full of lies; it's a mendacious device that has been used for years to deceive and control the minds of the weak.”

An easy five stars and my highest recommendation, I can’t wait to dig into part two.

I’ll finish with this killer line. I absolutely loved the writing in Under Ground. Can’t you tell? “I live and die and am reborn under his kiss.”
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Jan 18, 2018 T S rated it it was amazing

When the darkness meets the light, in fear it shall flee.
Not all is what is seems, open your eyes and you will see.
When the chains break apart, the enslaved shall be free.
When the world has changed, a new dawn it will be.

Thia Clay lives in a total patriarchal society, I am not sure if live is the right word, she's just existing. Men have the right to accept and reject women, as women outnumber them. Women have no right to object, they have to go with the flow. And if they're rejected by men, the When the darkness meets the light, in fear it shall flee.
Not all is what is seems, open your eyes and you will see.
When the chains break apart, the enslaved shall be free.
When the world has changed, a new dawn it will be.

Thia Clay lives in a total patriarchal society, I am not sure if live is the right word, she's just existing. Men have the right to accept and reject women, as women outnumber them. Women have no right to object, they have to go with the flow. And if they're rejected by men, their parents will kick them out for being a disgrace. They wouldn't give a damn if their daughters are living like vagrants, searching for crumbs to feed their bellies, or sell their bodies for money. Status is all that matters. Thia is sick of their absurd rules and regulations. She meets Chi, who sparks up embers of hope inside her, and brings out her rebellious side.

Under ground is a rebel group. Members of UG have their own personal reasons to bring this organization to life. They're looking forward to ignite a revolution.

When this book came in the mail, my mum picked it up first. She says this the best dystopian novel she's ever read. She literally forced me to read it so we could discuss and fangirl. If I didn't have exams, picking this would've been my first priority as I highly trust my mum's reading tastes and follow her reccomendations. I read and loved UG so much. Thia is a very relatable protagonist. Her dreary voice sucked me in. I could feel her pain in thick vibes. I loved how she came out of her shell, like : Hey, b**** I am done with your bull crap. The process of her becoming the better version of herself was slow and felt real. It wasn't like with a lightning bolt she was all sword and fire. In some books the character development gives me the creeps, in the blink of an eye the person changes and it feels very unreal.

I am obsessed with Chi. He's gift to fangirl kind. This book was so good that I wanted to read it quickly, I wanted to know what'll happen next, but then this book was also so sooooo good that I read it very slowly because the world building, the pacing was impeccably done and I didnt want UG to end. The bonus material made me drool and that ending left me wanting more. That book 2 cliff hanger though.

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I highly recommend this book to people who love dystopian novels. ...more

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Mar 09, 2017 Angela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4 Stars

“Love is a taboo, a mere fantasy- foreign, unreachable, and dangerous.”

Under Ground is the first book in the Under Ground series by Alice Rachel. It is a YA Dystopian Romance/ YA Forbidden Romance, with action, adventure, drama and suspense woven through the storyline.
Thia Clay lives a dreary existence, born into a society where the women outnumber the men, but where the men hold all the power- women have no rights, no voice, they are completely expendable and replaceable. So much so tha 4 Stars

“Love is a taboo, a mere fantasy- foreign, unreachable, and dangerous.”

Under Ground is the first book in the Under Ground series by Alice Rachel. It is a YA Dystopian Romance/ YA Forbidden Romance, with action, adventure, drama and suspense woven through the storyline.
Thia Clay lives a dreary existence, born into a society where the women outnumber the men, but where the men hold all the power- women have no rights, no voice, they are completely expendable and replaceable. So much so that by the time she was thirteen, her parents had already arranged for Thia to be ‘sold’ into a loveless marriage to William Fox. Thia despairs for her future being married to a cruel, self-serving and heartless young man.
Chi Richard shouldn’t exist, being born illegally nineteen years ago, he has been forced to hide from the government authorities for his entire life. He has one sole purpose in life and that is to free his parents from the work camps that they have been forced into. To make that happen, he works as an active member of the Underground, a rebel group who aim to topple the government and bring about a new world order.
So when the two meet and then fall in love it places them very much in danger, because if they are caught they could face a death sentence. Will they risk it all for love? Will they get to be together, or will someone make the ultimate sacrifice? What happens when devastating secrets emerge, will the right choice be made?
The story is very well written, interesting and enjoyable.
Thia was so likeable and relatable. I really felt for her and the dreary, controlled and predetermined life she’s had to lead. But I really enjoyed watching her begin to question the way things were and how she slowly blossomed, and embraced a newfound “take-no-prisoners” attitude. Chi was easy to like and again I really connected to him and the story.
The story has a great pace, flows well and finishes with a cliff-hanger- it continues in the next book. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I recommend this book to all lovers of YA Romance and Dystopian Novels. I’m sure you will enjoy reading it just as much as I have.

A great read, thank you Alice Rachel!
...more

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Oct 31, 2015 Kylie Kaemke rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: signed, yallfest-2015, self-published

I had the pleasure of reading very early copies of this book by my good friend Alice Rachel, and while I enjoyed it then, I adore it now. I’m so proud and impressed with this book, and I hope I can say the right things to convince you to give it a try. As always, these thoughts are my own, and while it may seem a tiny bit biased because this is the work of a friend, I can promise you that I mean every word of it.

Under Ground is the perfect haunting dystopian story. This is not a society we would I had the pleasure of reading very early copies of this book by my good friend Alice Rachel, and while I enjoyed it then, I adore it now. I’m so proud and impressed with this book, and I hope I can say the right things to convince you to give it a try. As always, these thoughts are my own, and while it may seem a tiny bit biased because this is the work of a friend, I can promise you that I mean every word of it.

Under Ground is the perfect haunting dystopian story. This is not a society we would want to be a part of, and there is a group of people called the under ground who know that there is more to life then arranged marriages and the seriously insane rules put in place by the cities government. So there is no lack of suspense, danger, and of course (being a YA romance) swoony boys.

The characters are well thought out and very diverse. You’ll fall in love with Chi and feel for Thia with every word written. There are moments that drag a little, mostly Thia’s inner monologue, and I only say that because in the beginning she’s so unhappy with her life so it’s a bit of a downer. BUT, it’s understandable why Thia is the way she is, so it’s easy to swallow the stiff parts to get to the good stuff. I wouldn’t have it any other way, I just want to mention it because if you do decide to pick it up I want you to know that it all works.

The end will have you in shock, and if you’re like me, in tears! I finished reading this book while in a very public place -standing in a signing line at Yallfest- and even though I knew the end I still had to fight back the tears. I’ve even read an early copy of book 2, but I can’t wait for the published version!

I gave Under Ground 5 stars, and I stand by each star. I recommend this book to fans of dystopian novels like The Giver and Uglies – books that take away free will. It’s a wild ride, and I hope you’ll join me on this one! If you happen to pick this one up, be sure to give it some love on goodreads, social media, and amazon! Indie books can use all the help they can get. ...more

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Oct 05, 2016 Shannen Pondoc rated it it was amazing

"Love is a fairy tale, a luxury not even the rich an afford."
Just by merely reading the tagline of this book, it had catch my attention and made me interested on whatever it is inside the book. I knew it would give me a good read and I'm going to earn something meaningful from it.

At first, I thought it was just a simple, lovey-dovey story that is very predictable and cliche, with the fixed marriage concept and stuff. But, that was just at first. Thrill and excitement have filled me as I contin "Love is a fairy tale, a luxury not even the rich an afford."
Just by merely reading the tagline of this book, it had catch my attention and made me interested on whatever it is inside the book. I knew it would give me a good read and I'm going to earn something meaningful from it.

At first, I thought it was just a simple, lovey-dovey story that is very predictable and cliche, with the fixed marriage concept and stuff. But, that was just at first. Thrill and excitement have filled me as I continue reading it, especially when Chi entered the story. He and his belief made everything interesting. Now that the concept of fighting oppression began, I've become hooked with the book. It was page-turning and astounding for me, especially when the action started. This book does not only imply feminism, oppression and romance. It also implies the love our parents have for us. It is shown in the relationship of Thia and her mother, who really cares about her daughter very much.

Thia Clay, the main character of the story, is someone who most girls can easily relate with. She is too submissive because of the knowledge that she cannot do anything and that she can never decide for herself. Everything in her life that she has done is always against her will, and she knew that it will always be like that because that is the way it is ever since. The fear of standing for herself is eating her up that is why she releases everything through something that she loves, which is poetry. But, that is only until she met Chi, who unchained the anger and bravery within her. I really admire Thia for being brave, yet having a soft and pure heart.

I rate this book 5/5 because just by merely reading the book, I felt almost every emotion a person could feel. I laughed, I wept, I was thrilled, I felt excitement, and many more. It is a book that can really leave you hanging because of the eagerness to read the sequel, yet satisfied because of everything you've earned from it, that will really be marked in your mind and your heart. ...more

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Jun 28, 2016 Kaylin Beach rated it it was amazing

"Being a woman in this world is anything but enjoyable. The fairness of our situation makes me mad, but I can never fully acknowledge it, even to myself. In my heart, there is this hidden place where anger is always boiling. I constantly try to quiet down the wrath raging inside me because showing anger would be dangerous, maybe even fatal."

Under Ground by Alice Rachel is AMAZING! I always say that I love books and stories that are different, and this book is definitely one of them!

This book go ...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Daisy Gonzalez rated it really liked it

*Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review*

I love when authors send me their books and then I can message them the second I finish it! It feels good when you can give your feedback to the author themselves, so thanks Alice for sending me your book and for allowing me to fangirl to you! ;)

I thought I was done with dystopian books after The Hunger Games but nope! This book sucked me back in! There's just something about books that are about cruel world rules that I love! The reason ...more

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