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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

BBReview: "Estates of the Realm 1: Flurry" By J.G. Hewitt

Genre: Young Adult - Dystopian
Publishing Date: August 9th, 2012
Page Count: 176
Source: Sent to me by the author for review
Format: E-Book

Description from Goodreads.com:
Laurel Fairchild is high born. She is a gifted student and athlete. Parker is an acrobat in a travelling circus. He is street-smart and charming. They were never supposed to meet but fate intervened. Laurel knows the circus boy and his secrets will be her unraveling and lead to her execution but like a moth to a flame, she cannot resist him.

The Crystal Treaty requires Laurel to compete in the Stadia Games at seventeen to be ranked for her Senior year when she will be forcibly married in a mass wedding to a husband that she neither knows nor wants or face death by stoning.

In a post-apocalyptic world, the Earth's surface has been drained of water and civilization destroyed. There are no clouds, no trees, no rain. There is no freedom. There is only the Realm, which is ruled by a Guild of power-hungry Barons who command the Division, a brutal army that maintains social order through violence among the working class serving the Realm’s elite for a meager daily water ration. It has been this way since time immemorial but the catastrophic events at this year’s Games are going to change everything, not the least of which for Laurel and Parker.

Review:
I am really glad I got the chance to read Flurry, because I really liked it! I have a new obsession with books that have an element of the circus in it and that was definitely  one thing I really loved about this book. I just think it is a very interesting and mysterious topic. When you go to the circus it is full of mystery and tricks, but you never know what goes on behind the scenes. I also really enjoyed this story, because it reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games and we all know I am a huge Hunger Games fan. Forced marriage through crazy "games" is also a new obsession of mine and, again, this book lived up to that obsession. I loved that it was a game of athletics in order to pair up with your future mate. It brings a lot of competition and tension to the story.

I loved that there were so many different point of views throughout the story. I feel like it really added to the story and  I love knowing stuff before the other characters. I really liked the main character, Laurel. She was very relatable and all she wanted was her freedom. She didn't want to be forced into a marriage and treated differently for being a girl. She wanted the right to choose her destiny. I absolutely loved that about her. She was a very strong character and I felt like she could get through anything. I don't think we can ever get enough strong, female characters. I also really loved Parker, because he is such a daredevil. He isn't afraid of anything and loves taking risks. I really think he is the perfect person for Laurel, because he breaks her out of her shell and shows her there is a choice.

I really hope the rest of the books in the series come out soon, because I really want to continue with this series. It just has so many aspects that remind me of some of my other favorite novels and I love that.

Overall:
I really loved this story. It just has so many trends that I am currently obsessed with (like forced marriage through "games", circus, strong female mc, dystopian, and multiple points of view). I really loved how easily I could picture the world. The only thing I wish I had more description of, was what the characters looked like. I loved the two "main" characters, Laurel and Parker and I really think they are perfect for each other. I love how sincere they both are and that they both just want what is best for the community. I really want to continue on with this series and hope that more books come out soon!

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 4/5


**The books cover, description, and info was all found on Goodreads. A link back has been provided. All other work and ideas are of my own creation. This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.**