Title: Dark Parties
Author: Sara Grant
Publisher: Little, Brown
Pages: 320
Goodreads

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield “protects” them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there’s nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says…

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a “dark party” to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she’s ever known, including the people she loves the most.

Dark Parties follows the life of Neva Adams. Newly graduated and now sixteen years old, she’s considered an adult in the eyes of the government. They want her to procreate – generate more life for the good of the Protectosphere.

That’s right — they essentially live in a bubble, and according to the government, there’s nothing beyond the walls they see each day.

But Neva and her friends are wholly against their plans, and don’t believe the lies they’re being told. They’ve decided it’s time to rebel against everything and find out the truth! Their decision sets off a series of events that brings Neva to work with her father: George Adams, the Minister of Ancient History.

Neva sees this as an opportunity to gain more information for her and her rebellious friends, but it doesn’t exactly go as she hopes. And suddenly, she’s on the run… from everyone. The Government, her father, her best friend, her clingy boyfriend who wants to get married and have babies, and biggest of all: her best friend’s boyfriend who she shares a strong and undeniable connection with.

Written entirely in first person, present, some parts of the book were a bit stiff. The sentences seemed short and stacked and very robotic in a way. It takes a great writer to pull off present tense and make it flow. Too much I am and We are instead of I’m and We’re can irk some people. Or maybe I’m just too picky, who knows.

Though I found it hard to connect with Neva until the very end, overall, I really did enjoy the story. It kept me guessing and trying to figure everything out up until the very end. Which lately has been where books completely lose me because of cliffhangers, I’m glad to say that Grant didn’t choose that route like some other novelists have. I think fans of Lauren Oliver’s Delirium (who weren’t big fans of all the lovey-dovey, and who hated the end) will definitely be fans of Sara Grant’s debut Dark Parties!

And guess what, Fictionees? We’re giving away a copy!

That’s right! All you have to do is comment on this post to win a brand spankin’ new hard cover copy of Dark Parties! Contest ends at midnight EST on Saturday, August 6! Open to US and Canadian residents only!