When tragedies strike both their families, the two brilliant teens are thrown into direct opposition. He's also the Republic's most wanted criminal, prone to stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. Day, on the other hand, is an anonymous street rat, a slum child who failed his own Trial. She looks forward to the day when she can join up and fight the Republic’s treacherous enemies east of the Dakotas. June is rich and brilliant, the only candidate ever to get a perfect score in the Trials, and is destined for a glowing career in the military. Recommended for reality TV fans and genealogy buffsĪ gripping thriller in dystopic future Los Angeles.įifteen-year-olds June and Day live completely different lives in the glorious Republic. The high-concept plot is the more successful-watching the avaricious, sneaky, squabbling VanDemere clan compete and cheat is a hoot-but juxtaposed against Avery’s efforts to reconstruct the somber past and reconnect with her mother, it seems trivial and Avery’s willing participation, questionable.
Though the novel is entertaining, with two incompatible storylines, it never quite coheres. Abandoned by her father, bullied by cousins and uncles, Avery now discovers her grandmother’s cruelty to her mother. To secure Avery’s participation, the family lawyer, whose gorgeous son Avery selects as her helper, reveals that contrary to what she’s been told, her Croatian mother’s alive with each stage Avery completes, he’ll release one of her mother’s letters. Unless expressly prohibited in the rules, unethical behavior is allowed. Travel and genealogical research (ancestors include a Scottish lord, two Pilgrims, and veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil wars) are required.
VanDemere admires: intellect, fortitude, resourcefulness, unity, commitment, courage and integrity (but not mercy, compassion or forgiveness, Avery notices). After she’s caught escaping her harsh boarding school, Avery reluctantly enters the competition devised by her imperious grandmother to determine who among the mostly despicable VanDemere clan will inherit the family business and fortune.Įach timed challenge (the competition’s more reality TV than The Westing Game) is crafted around character traits Mrs.
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