Review: Once by Anna Carey

Author: Anna Carey

Publisher: Harper Collins

Page Count: 320 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: July 3rd 2012

Find it on Goodreads: Once

Source: Purchased

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

My Thoughts:

There are only two other books that I can think of that I felt the same way about as I did with Once. That's because I hardly ever dislike a book. I mean, I like almost every single book I read. I didn't love Eve but it was okay. Yeah, the sequel? Not so much. I mean no disrespect to the author, because it was actually a really great plot line with tons of twists and turns. But the thing that made me want to throw this book into the Pacific ocean was the main character, Eve. Whilst reading this book, I was pretty much sobbing on the inside the entire time, because I could not take any more of Eve's... idiocy. I think I'm getting so used to strong, independent female leads that having someone who makes so many terrible decisions was just too much for me.

The first book in this trilogy was like a roller coaster for me. It went up and down, me liking it and disliking it. This one felt like a huge mountain. I started it off, it was okay, reminiscent of Eve and then BOOM! It all went downhill. Then the last 20 pages it started getting better. I was finally able to relax my head, stop yelling at Eve and enjoy the book as much as I could and then it was over. Finished. Kaput. WHAT!?!?

It's kind of difficult to review this without revealing major spoilers, but at least I can say that Eve does get dragged to the City of Sand and there something big and surprising is revealed.That surprise becomes the center of the story, as well as Eve attempting to flee the City with Caleb. I'm not sure if it's because I think in practically the complete opposite way as Eve or because the book was becoming a bit slow, but every time Eve did something, I felt like screaming "NO! Don't do that! You're making the wrong decision, girl!" But then she did it and I was just like "Ughhh I told you!" It frustrated the bu-jeebers out of me. There were many times while reading Once where I almost gave up, but I'm actually glad I didn't because as I mentioned before, it does get better. But not for a while.

I don't think this was much of a review really, more like a rant. But that's kind of how I feel about this book. If you loved Eve then I'm sure Once will be fantastic for you. But because it was only so-so for me, the sequel was just not that great. It did leave on a little cliffhanger though, so I will be reading the last installment, Rise, when it comes out, but I'm not absolutely dying for it. I can't not finish a series... That's the problem.

Have a great day/night everyone!
~Kristy