Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Book Shelf: Inside Out (Insider #1) by Maria V. Snyder


Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

(Blurb from Goodreads....)

Review:

Inside Out is an amazingly captivating read by Maria V. Snyder! A fantastic story by one of the queens of fantasy, this book marks the start of a fantastic sci-fi series that will have you glued to the pages and unable to let go!

I love Maria V. Snyder. She’s one of my favourite authors and I never fail to adore her books, but for some strange reason I’ve put off reading this series. Honestly, I don’t quite know why, but after reading this all I can think is, “What the hell was I thinking?” Inside Out is quite possibly my favourite sci-fi books I’ve read in recent times, if not of all time. From the very first page I was addicted to the story and swept off my feet by the brilliance of the characters and world. Not that I should have ever expected differently!

The incredibly intricate world Snyder has so masterfully created within Inside Out is fantastic. The complicated world and life within the Inside is one that I found to be both engaging and entertaining. While I’ve read books with similarities, most of which I must point out have been published after Inside Out, I still thoroughly believe that Snyder tells the story of a society living in such a way so much BETTER than any of these. Her writing is much more engaging and flows so much more. Even when she went off in her descriptions and explanations of the workings of her world, I was never once bored, nor was my attention diverted. Inside Out held me. Totally. Completely. So much so, I devoured the book in one day; in one sitting.

This book shone thanks to its characters. In typical Snyder fashion, each character was so wonderfully developed and so full of life, regardless of their place within the story. As we followed our main character and heroine Trella, each person she met along the way and helped her in secrecy added to the story so much. I admired their bravery and desire to protect one of their own and their reasons helped build the foundation of such a strong society. Everything they were went together beautifully and I couldn’t help but love that. From Trella’s Care Members and fellow scrubs, to the uppers that risked themselves to bring about change; Riley, Logan, Anne-Jade, Cogon, Domotor, Jacy—you’ll love them all!

Trella was such a likeable character and it was impossible not to become so invested in her mission. Essentially she is a scrub; one of the lowest ranking individuals within Inside, but Trella is so incredibly brave and self sufficient. She can take care of herself and it’s the strength that develops throughout the novel, as the stakes become higher, that have you cheering for her so. Personally, I think she’s brilliant from the very first page, but the growth she undertakes throughout the book is still exceptional. As a reader it was so nice to see her reasons deepen and see her begin to care for the people that she had long ago fought to escape; spending her times in the vents and shafts.

Another of the things that caught me with this book so much is the atmosphere and the adrenaline that pumps with each page. There’s so much at stake and so much danger that you feel the trepidation the characters must be feeling, the secrecy that taints their every action and the danger that coats their mission. It seems like at any moment they’re going to be caught and discovered; that they're about to see everything unravel and you keep reading, unable to let go, simply to see what will happen next. It’s addictive and heart racing.

Inside Out will catch you....and won’t let you go, even after the final page. Maria V. Snyder’s incredible storytelling will leave you so immersed in this world you’ll want to dive into the next book straight away---I know I do! With amazingly vivid characters, a fantastic world and a storyline that gets more exciting and daring with each page, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Harlequin Australia (Thank-you so much Gabby--you're a goddess!)
Format: Paperback
AU Release Date: Available now!
Recommend:YES!
Recommend borrow or buy: Buy it!
Cover: It looks awesome up close in real life--it's simple, but so nice.
Read sequel/continue with series: Definitely!

10 comments:

  1. I agree with pretty much everything you said. Maria V. Snyder is a fantastic writer and continues to surprise me with her new books. Fantastic review!

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  2. YAYYYY! So glad you loved it :DDDD This is actually the first ( and only, unfortunately!) book by Maria I've read :S BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT MY LAST! Definitely have to check out her other books!!! Fabulous review Rachel<3

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    1. *gasp* SHIRL!!! I DEMAND you read her other books. Like now. Don't eat, don't sleep until you've read them!! LOL. Seriously, though girl they're good--you'd love them! <3

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    2. *gasp* SHIRLEY!!! I DEMAND you read these books. Like now! Don't eat, don't sleep, don't do anything until you've read them!!! LOL ^_^ Seriously though, check them out--you'll love them. I promise!! <3

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  3. Aaa! I haven't read any Snyder's books at all. Looks like Touch of Power might be my first since I got it for review but your review makes me really intrigued to read the sequel, Rachel!!! Awesome review, Rachel! ♥

    Celine @ Forget-me-not

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    1. Oh. Celine! You HAVE to read some of Maria's books. Any/all of them. I don't care which, lol. Pick one up. I cross my heart swear you'll adore them! <3

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  4. YAY!!! I am SO glad you have read this! And loved it :D Everything you wrote is spot on. Maria is just so brilliant at her worldbuilding and characters and maintaining the suspense and that edge-of-your-seat vibe. I can't wait until you dive into the second book! <3 Amazing review!

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    1. Thanks lovely ^_^ I can't get enough of Maria and all her incredible worlds...she's so incredible talented at what she does!! <3 <3

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  5. Agreed! Agreed! Agreed! With everything! So glad you loved this, too! I love everything Maria's written--I just have various shades of love (I love some more than others, but LOVE them all).

    "This book shone thanks to its characters. In typical Snyder fashion, each character was so wonderfully developed and so full of life, regardless of their place within the story."
    RIGHT?? Oh my goodness, she has this extraordinary knack for creating AMAZING characters. They're never flat or 'secondary'. They're AMAZING.

    Ooooh! Inside Out time now!

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Hi everyone!

Thanks so much for leaving a comment at The Rest Is Still Unwritten! I read each and every comment, even if I don't reply to them all and appreciate your interest in my blog.

Hope you have a great day and Happy Reading!
~Rachel
xoxo