All that’s required to ignite a revolution is a single spark rising.
Two hundred years after the cataclysm that annihilated fossil fuels, Sparks keep electricity flowing through their control of energy-giving Dust. The Council of Nine rebuilt civilization on the backs of Sparks, offering citizens a comfortable life in a relo-city in exchange for power, particularly over the children able to fuel the future. The strongest of the boys are taken as Wards and raised to become elite agents, the Council’s enforcers and spies. Strong girls—those who could advance the rapidly-evolving matrilineal power—don’t exist. Not according to the Council.
Lena Gracey died as a child, mourned publicly by parents desperate to keep her from the Council. She was raised in hiding until she fled the relo-city for solitary freedom in the desert. Lena lives off the grid, selling her power on the black market.
Agent Alex Reyes was honed into a calculating weapon at the Ward School to do the Council’s dirty work. But Alex lives a double life. He’s leading the next generation of agents in a secret revolution to destroy those in power from within.
The life Lena built to escape her past ends the day Alex arrives looking for a renegade Spark.
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My thoughts:
This was my favourite read of 2014. A post apocalyptic romance with a difference, it has action, intrigue, sexual tension, some hot sex scenes (although that's not a top priority on my personal reading checklist), and superb world building. If you're looking for something that isn't zombie apocalypse dystopia and/or a Hunger Games style world (without the game) that's more orientated toward adults, this is the book for you. I couldn't find one thing to complain about, and the fact that this is self published goes to show that you don't have to go to a Big Five book to get Big Five quality story telling. I couldn't find anything to pick on, and believe me I am super picky about my reading these days. This full length novel will keep you on the edge of your seat, and leave you wondering about it long after. And although it isn't relevant to my enjoyment of this book, look at that gorgeous cover!
Thank you for the wonderful recommendation!
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