Wow, this book was pretty incredible. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put down; it was pretty intense at times. The story focuses primarily on three brothers, but also of other people from their town of Glenrock that were taken and brought to The Safe Lands against their will. Each brother has their own individuality. You have Levi, the oldest, who is a fighter and a leader; Mason, the middle brother, who is a healer and an intellect; and Omar, the youngest, who is artistic and really only wants acceptance and to be believed in. Glenrock is a town that lives by simple means. It is filled with tradition, such as marriage, respecting elders, etc, whereas The Safe Lands is a futuristic city that seems to lack traditional values. Safe Land made me think of the bible story of Sodom and Gomorrah, based on the behavior of many of the nationals. Many people of The Safe Lands live without questioning, where as other nationals know that the government is corrupt.When Omar betrays everyone, including his family, he wanted to prove to himself and his father that he is worth something. He believes that people would want to go and stay in the Safe Lands once they experience it, so he helps in getting his people taken to Safe Lands against their will. It’s the old saying though, “The grass is always greener on the other side”. Omar makes some discoveries along the way about The Safe Lands. The Safe Lands officials want the people of Glenrock, primarily the young females and females of child bearing age and also the young males, so they can repopulate their city since their people carry the Thin Plague. There is a lot more to The Safe Land than meets the eye. Levi is determined to rescue his family and the rest of Glenrock who were taken and get them out of The Safe Lands safely. Mason is busy trying to find a cure for the Thin Plague and help save his family and townsfolk too, and Omar is just trying to fit in and gain respect.How far does a family’s love go when there is betrayal time and again? Will Omar ever be forgiven for what he did?I really love the character of Shaylinn. I just wanted to whisk her away from the story. She has a lot of self-esteem problems and wants to be loved. Mason is another of my favorites. Actually I really liked most of the characters, well except for Mia (and the Safe Land government people of course lol).I am very excited to read the rest of the trilogy to find out what happens. I am also looking forward to more interaction between Mason and Ciddah and how Omar is going to react to some information that will surely shock him!Thank you Jill Williamson for this book!In compliance with FTC guidelines, I am hereby disclosing that I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. I have never cared much for Dystopian, but when I picked up this book, I could not set it down.Mrs. Williamson brings you into 2088 after the world's water source has been poisoned. The only clean water left is in Colorado, where the Safelands and a few small villages are, including Glenrock, the home of brothers Levi, Mason, and Omar, our MCs.But the Safelands water has contracted a decease, thin skin, where the skin thins and starts to flake, that is passed down through the blood. So the Safelands captures our MCs because they are clean from the decease and can produce more children for the Safelanders. What I liked:The characters where very easy to see, and care for. The scenes where clear. And the story didn't seem rushed.What I didn't like:I couldn't help thinking every once in a while that in the story I was old enough to be the MCs, who are at the moment older than me, great grandmother. Especially when they are described as handsome, that just really felt weird. But that was my own fault for thinking that way, and I did not find anything else that I didn't like. :)
What do You think about Captives (2013)?
I did not finish this. I did not like the book and could not get through it.
—eharris1111
