Author: Ellery A. Kane
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Source: Paperback
Pages: 254
Publisher: Balboa Press
Pages: 254
Publisher: Balboa Press
Publication Date: September 5th, 2014
SummaryHow do you want to feel today?
In 2041, the choice is yours.
San Francisco is deserted, the Bay Bridge bombed, and the BART subway trains grounded. The Guardians, members of an elite and mysterious government-appointed military police force, are maintaining order at all costs—thanks to emotion-altering drugs like Emovere that suppress fear and anxiety. Lex Knightley, daughter of a prominent forensic psychiatrist, risks entering the devastated city to partner with the Resistance, a group of rebels intent upon exposing the dangers of Emovere. Lex discovers an ally in Quin McAllister, a magnetic Guardian Force recruit with a haunting past that binds them together. As she uncovers the secrets of the Guardian Force and confronts the truth about her family, Lex begins to realize that even those closest to her are not quite who they seem.
Review
Cover Thoughts-
It's a bit plain for my tastes, but I enjoy the background that everyone recognizes as the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. I love how the color gives off the desolation feel that one would expect from most dystopias.
First Thought-
First off, dystopia is my favorite genre. Furthermore, I am very critical of it. I am also in the processes of getting a degree in forensic science. So, when I see that this YA novel has a forensic psychiatrist in it, I am immediately interested.
Review-
Legacy did not disappoint. Ellery Kane begins the novel with Lex Knightly starting her dangerous trip across the bridge to deliver a flash drive of information to the rebels. She beautifully switches from present to past explaining how Lex got there, and how her mother is the person who began this devastation. I was not at all expecting what happened next. Usually while I'm reading I can come up with my own theories of how the characters resolve their broken societies. Legacy was something different. It is enjoyable because it is original. The characters are easy to follow and empathize with, well except for Quinn. I really wanted to punch Quinn sometimes. Quinn's character was almost unbelievable for me. Some of his actions were ones I couldn't see happening in real life. Most of the parts of the book were page turners. I couldn't set it down until the 3rd part of the novel. There was a lull where Lex, Quinn, and their rag-tag group of rebels stay in Lex's house admiring or hating Lex's mother. The best part about the book is learning about the different emotion-altering drugs. Listen, I'm no druggie but I wouldn't mind trying them. Well... maybe not the one that turns me into a heartless super soldier. Legacy makes me feel like this could happen in real life. It could be more than fantasy. It isn't an end with aliens or zombies. This is a powerful drug being abused by the government. Even the ending is great... in a sad way. It has one of those sacrificial endings you don't see coming. This is what I like in a novel. It took me on an original journey through my imagination of what is bravery and what is not.
Overall Readability-
If you enjoyed dystopians such as The 5th Wave, Ash Fall, or Eve, then I know you would enjoy Legacy. All of these novels have a lead character trying to make it through a situation on their own and then finding support in the end.
My Final Thought-
I have to know more! Is it really over? No more super soldiers? Unfortunately, I have to wait awhile until the second one comes out.
5 out of 5 Haunted Roses
Guest Post
Emotion Altering Medications
By: Ellery A. Kane
Imagine a world where your emotions are entirely within your control. Want to be fearless? Bold? Excited? Joyous? Euphoric? In 2041, the choice is yours.
In creating the world of Legacy, I was inspired by my “real” job as a psychologist, where I am often face to face with individuals who are eager to change their emotional state. Just as Lex observes—“It seemed that almost everyone was eager to feel or not to feel something”—words that are as true today as ever. For many years, pharmaceutical companies have been cashing in on our desire to quickly and easily alter our emotions, so it wasn’t a stretch to imagine Zenigenic, an up and coming pharmaceutical company, creating a line of Emotional Altering Medications (EAMs).
In 2041, EAMs are widely available, dispended in vending machines operated by biometric identification; mental illness is not a prerequisite, only a desire to alter one’s feelings. With a catchy slogan, “How do you want to feel today?” and a promise of no side effects, who could resist?
So, step right up and consider your options, but remember, a quick fix always comes at a price.
Emovere: Developed by Dr. Knightley for Zenigenic, an up and coming pharmaceutical company based in San Francisco; targets the brain’s amygdala; intended to reduce fear and suppress anxiety.
Euphoractamine (“Eupho”): A popular pill that induces feelings of intense pleasure or euphoria.
Agitor: A particularly potent drug for enhancing stimulation and excitement.
Substance X (“Onyx”): Impairs the supramarginal gyrus inhibiting empathy; not for public consumption, use with caution.
Crim-X: A first generation emotion-altering drug, developed by Dr. Victoria Knightley for use with high-risk criminals; intended to reduce crime by suppressing emotions like anger and excitement; research trials were a failure, and the project was abandoned.
How do you want to feel? Remember, the choice is yours…
I hope you’ll check out Legacy! I’d love to hear your thoughts about the book. I can be reached at ellerykane@outlook.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheLegacybooks.
Author Information
Ellery Kane is a forensic psychologist residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her writing is inspired by her day job, where she spends her time evaluating violent criminals and trauma victims. Legacy is her first novel. She can be reached at ellerykane@outlook.com
No comments:
Post a Comment