Title: Terra
Author: Gretchen Powell
Release Date: December 12, 2012
paperback, pg 286
About the Book
A broken and desolate Earth. A young girl struggling to survive. A lost boy with a powerful secret.
A discovery that will change everything.
In the distant wake of a plague that has decimated the Earth's population, humanity is split in two: The rich and powerful live in skycities that float overhead, while those who remain on the ground have gathered in settlements strewn across a dying planet. Eighteen-year-old Terra Rhodon is a terrestrial--a denizen of the barren groundworld--who makes her living as a scav. Long abandoned by her father, her caregivers gone, Terra supports herself and her younger brother, Mica, by scouring the earth for discarded scraps and metals to recycle for profit. One day, while on a routine scavenging run, she discovers something that shocks her home settlement of Genesis X-16. When the value of her discovery is revealed, Terra's world is turned upside down.
Terra suddenly finds herself asking questions no one will answer. Her search for the truth leads her to Adam--a beguiling skydweller unlike any she has ever met. But Adam has secrets and a quest of his own, and with him by her side, the world Terra thought she knew begins to unravel. Soon her discoveries unearth a terrifying conspiracy that has the potential to shatter everything--a revelation that will test the bonds of loyalty, family, and love.
Review:
I loved the world that Gretchen created in Terra. It’s actually not that big as it centers around the terrestrial settlement Genesis X-16 or sixteen as they usually call it. Then there are the sky cities, which we don’t really hang out on but Terra explains them as best she can. She has only seen them herself by way of the television. I’ve always had a fascination with things like airships, so a whole floating city completely intrigues me. We also have all the interesting gadgets that come into play as well. Especially the tech that Adam finds and brings along with him. This book had a real dystopia/sci-fi feel but not to the extent that a non-sci-fi person wouldn’t want to read it.
We are in a dystopia world, where the classes are divided by skydwellers and Terrestrials. The settlements are what would be considered the poorer class. They have to take on odd jobs, one of which includes scavenging. This is kind of like gathering soda cans and turning them into a collection, or when people steal copper wire from construction sites to sell. That’s what I thought of anyway. The Terrestrials have barely enough to get by and it’s what the Skydwellers provide them. You earn Steel which is how you buy things. There is also rationing day where you get can of glup to eat. Not very appetizing but it sustains them. Real food is a thing of the past for most terrestials unless you come into some kind of windfall. Which is exactly what happens to Terra, unfortunately for her she is the curious sort and ends up finding herself caught up in more than she bargains for, the skydwellers are hiding more than she realizes.
Terra is pretty kick-butt character. She is the tom boy variety, one of the few female scavengers since the raiders can be pretty unpleasant when they are out in the fields. She takes care of her younger brother Mica who is actually a teenager himself.
I loved Mica too, he doesn’t really need protecting. He is thirteen almost fourteen and very intelligent. I enjoyed the bantering that often happens between the siblings. They more take care of each other rather than one over the other. Plus we really see Mica grow as the book progresses and it’s nice to see that since he isn’t the main character but still has an important role.
Adam made me laugh. He is the perfect love interest for Terra. Very elusive and has mastered that I’m not lying; I’m just not elaborating kind of thing. I like that he is able to push Terra’s buttons without pushing her too far. Their relationship grows very naturally and they have some really cute dialogue between them.
“Who are you?” I ask.
“I’m Adam. I thought we’d met.”
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I.”
They start off more as friends and then it starts to develop into something more as it becomes obvious they attracted to one another. Terra is more standoffish at first being that she doesn’t want to involve herself in more hurtful situations then she already has.
I loved this plot! There is a main plot point that comes out later in the book that I did not expect and then I felt myself flying through the pages. Not that I was going at a slow pace in the beginning. I just thought the plot was very well drawn out. Things didn’t happen to fast or come out of nowhere and even though I had surprises it wasn’t like oh this makes no sense. Everything blended together well and had a good flow. There was also a cliffhanger but it’s not the kind that makes you think how dare you do that to me. We wrap up things in book one well and it’s a great hanger on for book two. Definitely makes me want to read it.
Chapters 1 & 2 are available to read online: Sample Chapters
About the AuthorHalf-Chinese and the daughter of a US diplomat, Gretchen Powell spent her childhood growing up in far-off places. She made it all the way to her mid-twenties whilst maintaining her deep-seated love for young adult novels, so she decided to write one of her own.
Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include anything with polka dots, Harry Potter, and playing the ukulele.
When she isn't crafting devastated futuristic worlds and fiery heroines, Gretchen also writes a healthy living blog, entitled "Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen!"
She lives in Northern Virginia with her two adorable miniature schnauzers. They wear many sweaters.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS |
The Giveaway
Signed copy of the book and three signed bookmarks to ONE WINNER.
The giveaway is US ONLY.
The Tour Schedule
Week One
May 6th – Parajunkee – Guest Post
May 7th – Gobs and Gobs of Books – Interview
May 7th – Caught Between the Pages – Guest Post
May 8th – Poisoned Rationality – Interview
May 9th – Lost in Books – Guest Post
May 9th – My Book Addiction – Review
May 10th – Moonlight Gleam’s Bookshelf – Interview
May 10th – Library of a Book Witch – Review
Week Two
May 13th – Jenna Does Books - Guest Post
May 13th – Buried Under Books – Review
May 14th – The Best Books Ever – Interview
May 14th – Pieces of Whimsy - Review
May 15th – Seeing Night Reviews – Review
May 16th – Paulette’s Papers – Interview
May 17th – Burning Impossibly Bright – Review
May 17th – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Guest Post
