Review: Impressive book, fantastic strong female protagonist, compelling world and story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 22, 2012
I won this book from member librarything giveaways in exchange for an honest review.The First by Sara Zaske is about Cassie, a teenager who used to be part of a mean girls crowd until she meets Violet, a strange girl who has powers that Cassie cannot even fathom. But as she meets Violet's grandfather, who is charismatic but sinister, Cassie realizes that she is going to play a large role in determining what is going to happen to humanity.I'll say it out right. Most of the books I receive through librarything are not quality. But this book is different. I was impressed, and I'm hard to impress. The story starts with an observation of Cassie's and from then on, I was hooked. I loved how Zaske gradually revealed the plot and magical powers. This world and people that she has imagined has her own unique, creative twist in a deluged young adult genre. I thought all the female characters were very compelling: Cassie mostly, but also, Violet and her mother. Also, in a world full of trilogies, I admired and applauded the fact that this was a stand alone novel, and an excellent one at that.Overall, this was a compelling, imaginative, fast-paced joy to read. I will definitely be looking out for Sara Zaske's future work.