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Review: Escape from Eden by Elisa Nader
Escape from Eden
written by Elisa Nader
published by Merit Press
find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads
Why did I pick this book: I was asked by the publicist to review this book. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
Did I enjoy this book: Well, I started reading on Tuesday afternoon and finished the book early Wednesday morning. It’s not often a book wins out over sleep these days (especially since the kiddo is working on cutting his last molar), so I guess you could say I thought it was pretty okay. <yawn, grin>
The idea isn’t new – member of a “utopian society” discovers that life isn’t as dreamy as she’s been led to believe – but the story is still unique. It’s darker than I was anticipating, but it worked. I wasn’t expecting to be surprised, and I was. Often. I wasn’t expecting to be quite so invested, but, well. I couldn’t get enough. I’ll admit that the whole “rebel teen girl heads into danger to protect her family” line is a bit tired, and there were a few “don’t drink the Kool-Aid” moments, but the characters are vivid enough, and the story is twisty enough that they’re easy to forgive.
Nader’s style is compelling; I want more!
Would I recommend it: Absafreakinglutely! It’s awesome! And if you’ll excuse the pun, I think Escape from Eden would make a killer movie.
Will I read it again: You know, I just might.
About the book – from Goodreads: Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.
But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?
Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!
