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Undesirable #1
The Undesirable
This book is Mature YA/ New Adult. It is recommended for readers 14 and over.
What if everything you knew turned out to be a lie?
Charlotte Walker knows how to live under the rule of The Party. She has managed for 18 years. She helps out her drunken mother and keeps life going at a familiar, steady pace. She doesn't ask questions, even though she has many of them in her heart.
Fostino Sanchez knows how to live under the rule of The Party, too. For 19 years, he's worked to be the perfect Party member. He knows what must be done to keep Maxwell Cooper in power, and how to find the The Undesirables that threaten to take away everything that matters.
As the months go by, what matters most to Fostino is Charlotte Walker.
While their love blooms, danger comes to Charlotte and Fostino's small hometown of Harrison Corners, OH. Threats they never knew existed could take away all that they care about. And just when these two teens think they know what will come next, Charlotte learns the truth about a secret she has long suspected.
What Charlotte finds out changes everything.
EVERYTHING.
THE UNDESIRABLE is Charlotte Walker's story, from her point of view. It is a thrilling, suspenseful tale of love, curiosity, adversity, and maturity against the backdrop of a futuristic war.
Should Charlotte trust Fostino with what she knows? Can she trust anyone? Will she find it in herself to rise up against terrible odds? What if the ultimate Undesirable is her?
What if everything you knew turned out to be a lie?
Charlotte Walker knows how to live under the rule of The Party. She has managed for 18 years. She helps out her drunken mother and keeps life going at a familiar, steady pace. She doesn't ask questions, even though she has many of them in her heart.
Fostino Sanchez knows how to live under the rule of The Party, too. For 19 years, he's worked to be the perfect Party member. He knows what must be done to keep Maxwell Cooper in power, and how to find the The Undesirables that threaten to take away everything that matters.
As the months go by, what matters most to Fostino is Charlotte Walker.
While their love blooms, danger comes to Charlotte and Fostino's small hometown of Harrison Corners, OH. Threats they never knew existed could take away all that they care about. And just when these two teens think they know what will come next, Charlotte learns the truth about a secret she has long suspected.
What Charlotte finds out changes everything.
EVERYTHING.
THE UNDESIRABLE is Charlotte Walker's story, from her point of view. It is a thrilling, suspenseful tale of love, curiosity, adversity, and maturity against the backdrop of a futuristic war.
Should Charlotte trust Fostino with what she knows? Can she trust anyone? Will she find it in herself to rise up against terrible odds? What if the ultimate Undesirable is her?
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2013
22 people are currently reading
1202 people want to read
About the author
Sara Celi
33 books223 followersNew Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home.
She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive.
Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.
In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.
She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive.
Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.
In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 12, 2015
I'm not a fan of YA books in general, but this was a pretty good first effort from Ms. Celi!
There are some obvious similarities between The Undesirable and Hunger Games, most of which I would chalk up to a recent influence in reading. Another similarity to me, and I don't know if the author realizes it or intended it, seems to be from The Sound of Music, especially with Leisl von Trapp and the young Nazi soldier she falls in love with.
As I said, a good first novel, and I'm looking forward to many more!
There are some obvious similarities between The Undesirable and Hunger Games, most of which I would chalk up to a recent influence in reading. Another similarity to me, and I don't know if the author realizes it or intended it, seems to be from The Sound of Music, especially with Leisl von Trapp and the young Nazi soldier she falls in love with.
As I said, a good first novel, and I'm looking forward to many more!
April 11, 2013
Writing is rather poor. I kept thinking, this is how I write which is in no way a compliment. The story is good, but I just couldn't get past the absolute binary nature of the character's emotions. One minute the Charllotte is distraught and angry and then, 20 seconds later she is all lovey dovey! Her wanna be boyfriend is all for the government plan and then the 10 seconds later, he's not. I understand what the writer is attempting to do, but they just couldn't pull it off in any believable manner.
February 2, 2013
Of course, I've read this book a thousand times. I know these characters like they are my own children.
I've worked on THE UNDESIRABLE for a full year now, but I had the idea for the book long before I ever started typing on my laptop. It's a combination of some strange dreams I had, characters I sketeched out, and questions my imagination always wondered about.
What is it like to live in an autocratic state? What is it like to be an outcast? What does it mean to be a strong woman? How do love and hope fit in?
After I wrote it in about two months (the words just flowed out of me), I worked almost every day for ten more months on getting the characters just right, examining the messages of this story, and working on the flow of this book.
I hope you enjoy this read!
I've worked on THE UNDESIRABLE for a full year now, but I had the idea for the book long before I ever started typing on my laptop. It's a combination of some strange dreams I had, characters I sketeched out, and questions my imagination always wondered about.
What is it like to live in an autocratic state? What is it like to be an outcast? What does it mean to be a strong woman? How do love and hope fit in?
After I wrote it in about two months (the words just flowed out of me), I worked almost every day for ten more months on getting the characters just right, examining the messages of this story, and working on the flow of this book.
I hope you enjoy this read!
May 22, 2020
This book takes place in the future, which is not my favorite theme or plot, but I actually liked this one more than I thought I would.
Charlotte is a young, strong female character of 18 years old. Sadly, she's been like too many young people today and has been forced into growing up too fast by taking care of herself and needing to become independent. She meets Fostino who is 19 and in the Homeland Guard. They live in a dictatorship society and Fostino is a supporter of the government but Charlotte is not so sure about it all and that leads to distrust of Fostino. That being said, of course they fall in love.
Anyone who has ever been in a relationship with someone who believes in something completely different than they do knows how complicated and sticky things can get. These two definitely have things to work out, if they want to continue what they've developed thus far.
Charlotte is a young, strong female character of 18 years old. Sadly, she's been like too many young people today and has been forced into growing up too fast by taking care of herself and needing to become independent. She meets Fostino who is 19 and in the Homeland Guard. They live in a dictatorship society and Fostino is a supporter of the government but Charlotte is not so sure about it all and that leads to distrust of Fostino. That being said, of course they fall in love.
Anyone who has ever been in a relationship with someone who believes in something completely different than they do knows how complicated and sticky things can get. These two definitely have things to work out, if they want to continue what they've developed thus far.
March 13, 2013
[ A copy of this book was given to me in exchange for a fair and honest review ]
A while back I saw a 'keep calm' image, but instead of '...and carry on' it said '...and save Fostino' and I was like "What the Hell is a Fostino?"...
I honestly thought it was some kind of wildlife project like Save The Whales or whatever... I didn't get it at all lol... so imagine my surprise when I realized that Fostino is actually some hunk of a guy from the book The Undesirable, yip - when you have a 'keep calm' campaign dedicated to you, you must have something to deserve that much attention :D
Well, anyway, long story short... figured it out and whatnot... and yes, We should all be wearing caps and shirts with this phrase printed on the front lol... Fostino (in my mind) is still somewhat mysterious really and I'm ever so sorry this wasn't an adult romance because I could have had some really graphic day-dreams... but alas, hard-core adult romance readers wont get their belly's thoroughly scratched because The Undesirables is a very clean young adult dystopian read.
Not in the least less effective, but I can't help but wish for more in that department... in fact it actually ended up taunting and teasing me, almost getting there, but then, not quite.
The Undesirable is the debut novel of 'new, look-out-for' author S. Celi. In this book we follow Charlotte & Fostino (sigh) - and their journey to love, horror and ultimately freedom.
The Reason for my 4.5 Star Rating? Probably the fact that it did seem a little long for the first half. But that could also be because it's not my usual genre, another would be because author S. Celi doesn't skip out on building up a graphic futuristic world. It's pretty much told to you in detail what you could expect to see in the world she's created for The Undesirable. I honestly could, and still can, clearly imagine it all as if I was staring right at it.
Another reason would be that I wasn't a huge fan of Charlotte's mannerisms... not quite disliking it, just not loving it. What it ended up doing was making me lose interest in the first half of the book. By the second, those annoying little nervous fidgeting and unsure-of-herself traits faded, allowing me to focus on the story and not what Charlotte was doing and it's pretty much a 5 star all the way to the end from that point onwards.
The writing style is neat, clean and easy to follow. Author S. Celi doesn't make us readers grab a dictionary every other sentence. I have to praise that aspect.
What I enjoyed most about the book? The story is great. The twists unpredictable and the characters well planned, annoying little habits and all lol. When I was forced to put the book down, my mind continuously drifted back to wondering what was awaiting me when I could get back to reading it. It kept me entertained, on edge and intrigued.
I love Fostino and wanted more of him and about him and just more of him in general. There are moments in the book that will shock you with it's brazen situations... there a a few parts that I didn't expect, but totally loved.
For a clean YA dystopian with only a hint of romance and some here and there dark and violent moments... I thoroughly enjoyed The Undesirable!
Actual Rating For This Book : 4.5 Stars
A while back I saw a 'keep calm' image, but instead of '...and carry on' it said '...and save Fostino' and I was like "What the Hell is a Fostino?"...
I honestly thought it was some kind of wildlife project like Save The Whales or whatever... I didn't get it at all lol... so imagine my surprise when I realized that Fostino is actually some hunk of a guy from the book The Undesirable, yip - when you have a 'keep calm' campaign dedicated to you, you must have something to deserve that much attention :D
Well, anyway, long story short... figured it out and whatnot... and yes, We should all be wearing caps and shirts with this phrase printed on the front lol... Fostino (in my mind) is still somewhat mysterious really and I'm ever so sorry this wasn't an adult romance because I could have had some really graphic day-dreams... but alas, hard-core adult romance readers wont get their belly's thoroughly scratched because The Undesirables is a very clean young adult dystopian read.
Not in the least less effective, but I can't help but wish for more in that department... in fact it actually ended up taunting and teasing me, almost getting there, but then, not quite.
The Undesirable is the debut novel of 'new, look-out-for' author S. Celi. In this book we follow Charlotte & Fostino (sigh) - and their journey to love, horror and ultimately freedom.
The Reason for my 4.5 Star Rating? Probably the fact that it did seem a little long for the first half. But that could also be because it's not my usual genre, another would be because author S. Celi doesn't skip out on building up a graphic futuristic world. It's pretty much told to you in detail what you could expect to see in the world she's created for The Undesirable. I honestly could, and still can, clearly imagine it all as if I was staring right at it.
Another reason would be that I wasn't a huge fan of Charlotte's mannerisms... not quite disliking it, just not loving it. What it ended up doing was making me lose interest in the first half of the book. By the second, those annoying little nervous fidgeting and unsure-of-herself traits faded, allowing me to focus on the story and not what Charlotte was doing and it's pretty much a 5 star all the way to the end from that point onwards.
The writing style is neat, clean and easy to follow. Author S. Celi doesn't make us readers grab a dictionary every other sentence. I have to praise that aspect.
What I enjoyed most about the book? The story is great. The twists unpredictable and the characters well planned, annoying little habits and all lol. When I was forced to put the book down, my mind continuously drifted back to wondering what was awaiting me when I could get back to reading it. It kept me entertained, on edge and intrigued.
I love Fostino and wanted more of him and about him and just more of him in general. There are moments in the book that will shock you with it's brazen situations... there a a few parts that I didn't expect, but totally loved.
For a clean YA dystopian with only a hint of romance and some here and there dark and violent moments... I thoroughly enjoyed The Undesirable!
November 30, 2013
This was a very intense read. From the very start you are captivated by the story and the characters are very lovable. I really understood Charlotte and even though it wasn't told in Fostino's pov, the author did a great job making you understand where he was coming from too. This is one of my top reads and I loved every second of reading this. If I could give it more than 5*s I would. I will sum this up with one word: AMAZING!
March 13, 2013
Well, I seem to be reading some awesome books this past week. The Undesirable is no exception, man this was a fantastic dystopian and I really want book 2, The Resistance now. The writing style and the world created for this book were fantastic. There was such an easy flow and the characters were very lovable. I really felt for Charlotte, she really did have the raw end of the stick and what’s a book without a hot love interest….
There is a war between the US and Canada over oil and petrol. Stock has been depleted and the government apparently wasn’t doing a very good job. A rebel, Maxwell Cooper took over the country and became the new leader after the President was assassinated (everybody knows Maxwell had this done, but no evidence proves this). Maxwell has turned the country into slave labour and if you are classed as an Undesirable, you are killed on the spot. You cannot go against Maxwell or his beliefs and you can definitely not be pro Canada.
“To his left on the screen, a huge revolving graphic shared the national average for a gallon on unleaded gas; $16.99.” loc 153 4%
When this began, Charlotte lived with her Mother and she had no idea who her Father was. The whole town knew her Mother was a local lady of the night and she got teased about it at school. School was all about Maxwell Cooper and getting his beliefs drummed into you. If you were a good soldier, you became a Homeland Guard, if not you worked the factory.
Escaping the hum drum of her life, Charlotte went for a walk after curfew and was lying down in a field staring up at the stars. Hearing footsteps, she startled when Fostino came behind her and sat with her. This was the first of many visits with each other and they soon became friends, then more. Fostino was a Homeland Guard and pro Maxwell Cooper.
The very next day, the whole town was forced to be counted and become a drone, either working in the factory 6 days a week or an Undesirable. As Charlotte’s Mother was a drunk and everyone knew her profession, she was deemed an undesirable. Taken around the corner to a park, she was shot dead. Everybody heard and Charlotte was devastated, but she didn’t want to show her feelings or she herself would be killed for weakness.
Learning she must keep her mouth shut and work as hard as she could, Charlotte would not become an Undesirable. Meeting up with Fostino was the only light in her darkened world, feeling all alone, she has nothing but him. One night walking home from the factory, she is approached by a man. He was part of the SSR (Specialised Secret Resistance), a rebel cause set out to destroy Maxwell Cooper.
“Should I try to leave tonight? Should I tell Fostino? How long before they came for me? Should I trust Thompson? What had I done to deserve this?” loc 1545 42%
Trying to work out if she can trust them, Charlotte doesn’t know if she should leave or stay with Fostino. Deciding she has nothing to lose and how much Fostino is pro Maxwell Cooper, she decides to go with the SSR. BUT things are not what Charlotte thought and now Fostino is being threatened and could become an Undesirable. Charlotte is determined to rescue him and tell him of her love.
“His lips crash into mine seconds after he speaks. His breath is hot in my mouth, his tongue fills the space, and his arms haul me to his body. This kiss goes deeper than any he’s ever given me before. I return it because I need it. Deep underground, hidden from the hell that aways us, the moment is ours and ours along.” Loc 3003 81%
Can Charlotte get to Fostino in time? Will she be captured by The Party? Is Charlotte an Undesirable even though she has done nothing but work her fingers to the bone for them? Is there a life in Canada for her, safe and free?
I loved this concept and it really hits home that it could be a possibility in reality one day. True love and dystopian, this was a fabulous mix and there is so much potential with so many directions that it can go in. The characters evolved with such strength that I couldn’t help but urge them forward and hope that they will trust each other enough to continue on. I can’t wait for The Resistance and I have added another new favourite author to my collection. Highly recommend to all young adult readers.
There is a war between the US and Canada over oil and petrol. Stock has been depleted and the government apparently wasn’t doing a very good job. A rebel, Maxwell Cooper took over the country and became the new leader after the President was assassinated (everybody knows Maxwell had this done, but no evidence proves this). Maxwell has turned the country into slave labour and if you are classed as an Undesirable, you are killed on the spot. You cannot go against Maxwell or his beliefs and you can definitely not be pro Canada.
“To his left on the screen, a huge revolving graphic shared the national average for a gallon on unleaded gas; $16.99.” loc 153 4%
When this began, Charlotte lived with her Mother and she had no idea who her Father was. The whole town knew her Mother was a local lady of the night and she got teased about it at school. School was all about Maxwell Cooper and getting his beliefs drummed into you. If you were a good soldier, you became a Homeland Guard, if not you worked the factory.
Escaping the hum drum of her life, Charlotte went for a walk after curfew and was lying down in a field staring up at the stars. Hearing footsteps, she startled when Fostino came behind her and sat with her. This was the first of many visits with each other and they soon became friends, then more. Fostino was a Homeland Guard and pro Maxwell Cooper.
The very next day, the whole town was forced to be counted and become a drone, either working in the factory 6 days a week or an Undesirable. As Charlotte’s Mother was a drunk and everyone knew her profession, she was deemed an undesirable. Taken around the corner to a park, she was shot dead. Everybody heard and Charlotte was devastated, but she didn’t want to show her feelings or she herself would be killed for weakness.
Learning she must keep her mouth shut and work as hard as she could, Charlotte would not become an Undesirable. Meeting up with Fostino was the only light in her darkened world, feeling all alone, she has nothing but him. One night walking home from the factory, she is approached by a man. He was part of the SSR (Specialised Secret Resistance), a rebel cause set out to destroy Maxwell Cooper.
“Should I try to leave tonight? Should I tell Fostino? How long before they came for me? Should I trust Thompson? What had I done to deserve this?” loc 1545 42%
Trying to work out if she can trust them, Charlotte doesn’t know if she should leave or stay with Fostino. Deciding she has nothing to lose and how much Fostino is pro Maxwell Cooper, she decides to go with the SSR. BUT things are not what Charlotte thought and now Fostino is being threatened and could become an Undesirable. Charlotte is determined to rescue him and tell him of her love.
“His lips crash into mine seconds after he speaks. His breath is hot in my mouth, his tongue fills the space, and his arms haul me to his body. This kiss goes deeper than any he’s ever given me before. I return it because I need it. Deep underground, hidden from the hell that aways us, the moment is ours and ours along.” Loc 3003 81%
Can Charlotte get to Fostino in time? Will she be captured by The Party? Is Charlotte an Undesirable even though she has done nothing but work her fingers to the bone for them? Is there a life in Canada for her, safe and free?
I loved this concept and it really hits home that it could be a possibility in reality one day. True love and dystopian, this was a fabulous mix and there is so much potential with so many directions that it can go in. The characters evolved with such strength that I couldn’t help but urge them forward and hope that they will trust each other enough to continue on. I can’t wait for The Resistance and I have added another new favourite author to my collection. Highly recommend to all young adult readers.
March 15, 2013
The Undesirable is a futuristic (no space ships or anything) novel that takes place in the United States. Honestly, it's kind of like a light version of "post-apocalyptic" novels. No apocalypse has happened, but there's a dictator and everything is monitored. Movies, TV stations, everything. The reason behind this is that the government doesn't want people knowing too much.
Charlotte is an independent, 18-year-old girl whose mother doesn't care about her. She's been taking care of herself for a long time now—after all, her mother doesn't—and is all alone.
Then there's Fostino, a 19-year-old boy in the Homeland Guard. Charlotte describes him as having exotic looks, and has a crush on him. He always comes across as being a "true believer," or someone who believes in what the Party (the dictator's government) does.
The first chapter is more of a prologue, giving us a view in what's happening at the moment. And then the second chapter and onwards describes how it all started. From then on, we start understanding what's happening more and more. Through each chapter, we see what led Charlotte to make the choices we see in the first chapter. This goes on until the end of Part One, where we catch up to right before the events of the first chapter.
Right around the middle of the book there's Part Two, that starts where the first chapter left off. From then on we know the whole background and everything, and that's where the real action begins. Not that there isn't action during Part One—there is—but since there doesn't have to be much explaining about history and how things got as bad as they did, there's more room for action.
I really liked the set up. The author gave us a tease in the first chapter that keeps us wanting to read more. Charlotte was a strong character who questioned why they were doing what they were doing. The beginning of Part One was a little slow at times, mostly because the author was explaining the history and the goings-on of the time period. And that's understandable. It is, after all, the year 2072.
The book is mostly action, but the author manages to have some romance in there. Fostino and Charlotte fall in love with each other, but Charlotte doesn't know if she can fully trust him. At times I felt as if Fostino and Charlotte's romance happened really quickly, since it kind of escalated rather quickly.
There were also some inconsistencies in the book. They were minor, but they still distracted me a little. There's a few occurrences where I was left wondering if I had read something right and, going back and re-reading, wondering why it said something different later on. One specific example is that in the beginning, Charlotte describes that she often caught Fostino looking at her, sometimes even catching his eye when she was laughing with her friends. However, a little while later, Charlotte says she doesn't have any friends and that she grew up alone.
Even with the minor inconsistencies, this book kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages and wanting to know what Charlotte was going to do and how the book was going to end.
The book, being part of a series, ends with some problems resolved and some bigger ones ready for resolving in the next book of the series.
I recommend this book for people who like light versions of post-apocalypse novels (Post-Apocalypse Lite? :D) with action and some romance sprinkled in.
Charlotte is an independent, 18-year-old girl whose mother doesn't care about her. She's been taking care of herself for a long time now—after all, her mother doesn't—and is all alone.
Then there's Fostino, a 19-year-old boy in the Homeland Guard. Charlotte describes him as having exotic looks, and has a crush on him. He always comes across as being a "true believer," or someone who believes in what the Party (the dictator's government) does.
The first chapter is more of a prologue, giving us a view in what's happening at the moment. And then the second chapter and onwards describes how it all started. From then on, we start understanding what's happening more and more. Through each chapter, we see what led Charlotte to make the choices we see in the first chapter. This goes on until the end of Part One, where we catch up to right before the events of the first chapter.
Right around the middle of the book there's Part Two, that starts where the first chapter left off. From then on we know the whole background and everything, and that's where the real action begins. Not that there isn't action during Part One—there is—but since there doesn't have to be much explaining about history and how things got as bad as they did, there's more room for action.
I really liked the set up. The author gave us a tease in the first chapter that keeps us wanting to read more. Charlotte was a strong character who questioned why they were doing what they were doing. The beginning of Part One was a little slow at times, mostly because the author was explaining the history and the goings-on of the time period. And that's understandable. It is, after all, the year 2072.
The book is mostly action, but the author manages to have some romance in there. Fostino and Charlotte fall in love with each other, but Charlotte doesn't know if she can fully trust him. At times I felt as if Fostino and Charlotte's romance happened really quickly, since it kind of escalated rather quickly.
There were also some inconsistencies in the book. They were minor, but they still distracted me a little. There's a few occurrences where I was left wondering if I had read something right and, going back and re-reading, wondering why it said something different later on. One specific example is that in the beginning, Charlotte describes that she often caught Fostino looking at her, sometimes even catching his eye when she was laughing with her friends. However, a little while later, Charlotte says she doesn't have any friends and that she grew up alone.
Even with the minor inconsistencies, this book kept me interested enough to keep turning the pages and wanting to know what Charlotte was going to do and how the book was going to end.
The book, being part of a series, ends with some problems resolved and some bigger ones ready for resolving in the next book of the series.
I recommend this book for people who like light versions of post-apocalypse novels (Post-Apocalypse Lite? :D) with action and some romance sprinkled in.
March 6, 2013
Contrary to popular belief, self-published e-books do not all suck. There are some diamonds in the rough. As a part of Young Adult Novel Reader's THE UNDESIRABLE blog tour, I committed to reading and reviewing this ebook. It took me three days to read it - only because I have to sleep, eat, and work. Is that enough to demonstrate how hooked it had me?
The year is 2072. The U.S. is in the middle of a brutal war against Canada, spurred by the vast depletion of oil. Anne Phillips was elected as the first female president and was assassinated by a radical group led by the Speaker of the House, Maxwell Cooper. Not only was she killed, two-thirds of her cabinet were annihilated, yet Cooper was never tried for his crimes. Instead, he led a political uproar and became the Supreme Leader of the U.S., an evil tyrant and Commander In-Chief of The Party. The Party's primary goal is to spread perfection over the United States by eliminating undesirables: the old, the weak, the ill. Innocent citizens are killed left and right if they do not fit the criteria set forth by The Party. Those who live, live hungry and afraid every second of each day.
Charlotte Walker is 18 years old. She lives in a small town in Ohio with her alcoholic mom. Things are only getting worse. The invisible miracle of love finds it way to Charlotte as it magnetizes her to Faustino Sanchez, a soldier of The Party. Charlotte does not approve of The Party, yet her bond with Faustino grows as they days pass, despite their opposing political views. He is the only thing keeping her sane. But, all good things must come to an end. Charlotte finds out about a dreadful secret, which proves that she is the ultimate undesirable and becomes the most hunted person in the U.S. If she thought her life was bad before, it is really bad now. She must choose between her happiness and the hope of an entire country.
I had a good time reading this. It had a ton of action that had me glued to my ereader. An issue I had, which separated this from a 5 heart to a 4 heart review, was that an important facet of this story was centered around Charlotte's relationships - with her mother, with Faustino, with her environment. These relationships are very superficial, like they were brushed over. I would've liked for Celi to dredge up Charlotte's soul; while I did understand how Charlotte felt, I felt that I was reading about her instead of reading through her. So, I felt she was very detached, even though the emphasis of these relationships and emotions built the plot. One other thing was that there were two instances in which the suspense was given away. In some of the dialogue, upcoming situations were given away and caused the suspense to wither. I would've enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen until it did.
Like I said, I was hooked. Celi is a great story teller and this book proves it. It was like watching an action film through words. It is the first of the Undesirable series. I am soooo ready for book #2!
Buy it and read it!
-Mariela
http://writermarielao.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/themarielao
The year is 2072. The U.S. is in the middle of a brutal war against Canada, spurred by the vast depletion of oil. Anne Phillips was elected as the first female president and was assassinated by a radical group led by the Speaker of the House, Maxwell Cooper. Not only was she killed, two-thirds of her cabinet were annihilated, yet Cooper was never tried for his crimes. Instead, he led a political uproar and became the Supreme Leader of the U.S., an evil tyrant and Commander In-Chief of The Party. The Party's primary goal is to spread perfection over the United States by eliminating undesirables: the old, the weak, the ill. Innocent citizens are killed left and right if they do not fit the criteria set forth by The Party. Those who live, live hungry and afraid every second of each day.
Charlotte Walker is 18 years old. She lives in a small town in Ohio with her alcoholic mom. Things are only getting worse. The invisible miracle of love finds it way to Charlotte as it magnetizes her to Faustino Sanchez, a soldier of The Party. Charlotte does not approve of The Party, yet her bond with Faustino grows as they days pass, despite their opposing political views. He is the only thing keeping her sane. But, all good things must come to an end. Charlotte finds out about a dreadful secret, which proves that she is the ultimate undesirable and becomes the most hunted person in the U.S. If she thought her life was bad before, it is really bad now. She must choose between her happiness and the hope of an entire country.
I had a good time reading this. It had a ton of action that had me glued to my ereader. An issue I had, which separated this from a 5 heart to a 4 heart review, was that an important facet of this story was centered around Charlotte's relationships - with her mother, with Faustino, with her environment. These relationships are very superficial, like they were brushed over. I would've liked for Celi to dredge up Charlotte's soul; while I did understand how Charlotte felt, I felt that I was reading about her instead of reading through her. So, I felt she was very detached, even though the emphasis of these relationships and emotions built the plot. One other thing was that there were two instances in which the suspense was given away. In some of the dialogue, upcoming situations were given away and caused the suspense to wither. I would've enjoyed not knowing what was going to happen until it did.
Like I said, I was hooked. Celi is a great story teller and this book proves it. It was like watching an action film through words. It is the first of the Undesirable series. I am soooo ready for book #2!
Buy it and read it!
-Mariela
http://writermarielao.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/themarielao
March 15, 2013
"Can't you see what's happening? They're killing everyone. They're killing anyone."
3.5 stars
This book kept me on edge since the first chapter. It was a page-turner and didn’t felt dragging even in those in between chapters.
I am not well-versed in history, especially in American history, but I sometimes find myself questioning if all of these were real. Celi had an awesome world-building, and I was eventually lost in Charlotte’s world. The setting and the vibe the author created was engaging.
Charlotte is a very likable character. She’s definitely a true dystopian lead where girls are brave, strong and doesn’t let their soft spot make them weak. The only thing that bothered me about her is her constant use of the expression, “Oh my god!” It sounds so girly and doesn’t fit in her personality. It may be okay to use it once or twice but as I read, I found myself high lighting every part where she uses that expression.
Fostino…well, for one he has a very unique name. I didn’t like him that much but I find him okay. I find him really plain in the first part of the book and I wished he was revealed as a traitor in Part Two just for the heck of it and for the author to give him something more about him.
The thing I liked the most about these two, other than this story is not about their undying love for each other, is that they believe in opposite things. That was one reason why I wanted Fostino to betray Charlotte. The fact that they have conflicting beliefs made it more exciting. Unfortunately, having his father killed wasn’t enough for me to be wow-ed that he finally went to the other side.
I’m looking forward to the next book. I wish the action is not just in this book. I’m also hoping for more development in Fostino’s character.
--
This copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my review in any way.
*This and other reviews can also be found on my blog*
April 11, 2013
My Thoughts:
If it isn't obvious already per my reviews I am a huge dystopian fan. I was first really intrigued by the cover of this one and also the title. I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast and engaging read and time flew by while I was enjoying this book.
Charlotte lives in Harrison Corners, OH with her alcoholic mom in the U.S. that is very different from the one we know now. The U.S. is at war with Canada over oil and the government is controlled by The Party. Everything changes when the Party comes to Charlotte's town. Her town is now going to be a part of the war effort, and every person who qualifies is going to be working in a factory every day making shirts. They are forced to give up all of their electronic possessions although none of them work anymore. Charlotte has had a crush on Fostino Sanchez for years, although she has never talked to him and only gazed at him from a far while passing him in the hallways at school.
Charlotte was a great main character, she was strong on the outside but, on the inside she was freaking out just like every other person. The book moved fast and there was plenty of action but, one of the things that disappointed me was that at the end of the book it never felt like enough happened in the plot for me. But, I still really enjoyed the dystopian world, learning about how the government worked and I am definitely wanting the next book to find out even more about the world that Celi created it was definitely a memorable one for a huge dystopian fan like me. I enjoyed reading about Fostino and Charlottes budding relationship that was a little bit rushed but, still believable.
Overall, this book was a quick and fast paced dystopian, it was a great beginning that had me dying to read the next book and find out what is going to happen next to Charlotte and Fostino, definitely check it out if you are a dystopian fan.
If it isn't obvious already per my reviews I am a huge dystopian fan. I was first really intrigued by the cover of this one and also the title. I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast and engaging read and time flew by while I was enjoying this book.
Charlotte lives in Harrison Corners, OH with her alcoholic mom in the U.S. that is very different from the one we know now. The U.S. is at war with Canada over oil and the government is controlled by The Party. Everything changes when the Party comes to Charlotte's town. Her town is now going to be a part of the war effort, and every person who qualifies is going to be working in a factory every day making shirts. They are forced to give up all of their electronic possessions although none of them work anymore. Charlotte has had a crush on Fostino Sanchez for years, although she has never talked to him and only gazed at him from a far while passing him in the hallways at school.
Charlotte was a great main character, she was strong on the outside but, on the inside she was freaking out just like every other person. The book moved fast and there was plenty of action but, one of the things that disappointed me was that at the end of the book it never felt like enough happened in the plot for me. But, I still really enjoyed the dystopian world, learning about how the government worked and I am definitely wanting the next book to find out even more about the world that Celi created it was definitely a memorable one for a huge dystopian fan like me. I enjoyed reading about Fostino and Charlottes budding relationship that was a little bit rushed but, still believable.
Overall, this book was a quick and fast paced dystopian, it was a great beginning that had me dying to read the next book and find out what is going to happen next to Charlotte and Fostino, definitely check it out if you are a dystopian fan.
March 28, 2013
''The Undesirable'' is definitely an unique read. I loved everything about this book and I want to read the second book as soon as possible. Sara's debut novel is a terrific ride with strong characters, action, romance and a lot of suspense.
In a city where everybody must do what the oppressor Maxwell Cooper wants, love and freedom are forbidden. Charlotte Walker and Fostino Sanchez know this more than everybody. They live under the rule of The Party and if they try to escape, they will be considered The Undesirables. Only that Char is Maxwell's bastard daughter and he wants to kill her. She must run away from her hometown, Harrison Corners and from Fostino, too. With the help of SSR (The Specialized Secret Resistance)she manages to stay alive. Although she can't live without the love of her life, Fostino. Charlotte is willing to do everything she can to save him. But that means she must return to Harrison Corners, exactly when all the people are dying. Only true love is the way...
Like I already said, I loved this everything about this book. The main characters (Charlotte and Fostino) will always have a special place in my heart ♥ Their relationship was so true, I even cried when they broke up. They had many sexy and romantic moments, just like they had sad and difficult ones. The author did a great job with the evil characters, although Maxwell Cooper doesn't appear in person, he is just mentioned by the characters. Hope he will make an appearance in the second volume.
Overall, I highly recommend you this book. I don't know why, but ''The Undesirables'' reminds me a little bit of ''Hunger Games'' and ''Divergent''. Anyway, I am so lucky that I had the opportunity to read it because it is that kind of book that pleases you. Oh, I forgot to tell you my opinion about the cover, which is only one word: STUNNING. That girl is pretty hot, it is in deed Charlotte Walker. Well, I think I said enough, just go and read this awesomeness!
In a city where everybody must do what the oppressor Maxwell Cooper wants, love and freedom are forbidden. Charlotte Walker and Fostino Sanchez know this more than everybody. They live under the rule of The Party and if they try to escape, they will be considered The Undesirables. Only that Char is Maxwell's bastard daughter and he wants to kill her. She must run away from her hometown, Harrison Corners and from Fostino, too. With the help of SSR (The Specialized Secret Resistance)she manages to stay alive. Although she can't live without the love of her life, Fostino. Charlotte is willing to do everything she can to save him. But that means she must return to Harrison Corners, exactly when all the people are dying. Only true love is the way...
Like I already said, I loved this everything about this book. The main characters (Charlotte and Fostino) will always have a special place in my heart ♥ Their relationship was so true, I even cried when they broke up. They had many sexy and romantic moments, just like they had sad and difficult ones. The author did a great job with the evil characters, although Maxwell Cooper doesn't appear in person, he is just mentioned by the characters. Hope he will make an appearance in the second volume.
Overall, I highly recommend you this book. I don't know why, but ''The Undesirables'' reminds me a little bit of ''Hunger Games'' and ''Divergent''. Anyway, I am so lucky that I had the opportunity to read it because it is that kind of book that pleases you. Oh, I forgot to tell you my opinion about the cover, which is only one word: STUNNING. That girl is pretty hot, it is in deed Charlotte Walker. Well, I think I said enough, just go and read this awesomeness!
February 28, 2016
Let me start out by saying that Young Adult Dystopian books rank up there as one of my favorites! And Sara Celi did not disappoint!
Charlotte's life is pretty bleak. Her mom is an alcoholic who spends all of her day drowning her sorrows. It doesn't help that everyone knows that her mother used to be a stripper and a good one at that.
She's noticed Fostino always seems to be looking her way. Yet he hasn't said anything but "hello" or "hi" to her in passing, but change is coming. One night while she sneaks out to the field by her house Fostino finds her. He's part of the The Party as a guard. He was on patrol and came across Charlotte laying there looking up at the stairs. He warns her of the changes coming up. From there life isn't the same anymore.
Fostino and Charlotte see each other when they can, but each days seems to bring them closer and closer to death. The way The Party has taken over their town, killed innocent people because they claim they are "undesirables", and made them work in the shirt factory all day.
Charlotte realizes she doesn't want to be there anymore. She needs to escape, but Fostino won't listen to her. Then she finds out some information that turns her world upside down. She has to get out before trouble finds her. With the help of her new friends she sets out on an adventure she never knew she was strong enough or capable of doing. And she plans on rescuing Fostino as well.
This book was suspenseful! I loved the adrenaline rush I got just reading this. There is nothing like chanting "GO GO GO GO" in your head as you hope that the main character gets away from the bad guys. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the second one in this series when it comes out!
Charlotte's life is pretty bleak. Her mom is an alcoholic who spends all of her day drowning her sorrows. It doesn't help that everyone knows that her mother used to be a stripper and a good one at that.
She's noticed Fostino always seems to be looking her way. Yet he hasn't said anything but "hello" or "hi" to her in passing, but change is coming. One night while she sneaks out to the field by her house Fostino finds her. He's part of the The Party as a guard. He was on patrol and came across Charlotte laying there looking up at the stairs. He warns her of the changes coming up. From there life isn't the same anymore.
Fostino and Charlotte see each other when they can, but each days seems to bring them closer and closer to death. The way The Party has taken over their town, killed innocent people because they claim they are "undesirables", and made them work in the shirt factory all day.
Charlotte realizes she doesn't want to be there anymore. She needs to escape, but Fostino won't listen to her. Then she finds out some information that turns her world upside down. She has to get out before trouble finds her. With the help of her new friends she sets out on an adventure she never knew she was strong enough or capable of doing. And she plans on rescuing Fostino as well.
This book was suspenseful! I loved the adrenaline rush I got just reading this. There is nothing like chanting "GO GO GO GO" in your head as you hope that the main character gets away from the bad guys. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the second one in this series when it comes out!
March 15, 2013
This review and others can be found at http://www.bookshtreasures.blogspot.com
3.5 stars
The Undesirable is a very interesting book. I loved the world it was set in; a war-torn, dictator-run America. This is the first book in an intended series and you can tell as a lot of time is spent on world building and getting to know the characters and their situation. The pace of the book is fairly slow but there is an underlying tension that keeps you on tenterhooks throughout.
The romance is lovely with both characters willing to risk everything and turn their backs on all they know just to be with the other forever. I love how much they go through just to try and help one another.
This book is quite dark; the feel of Harrison Corners is like that of a war camp. The regime is strict and anyone who disobeys in anyway is killed as are those who are too old or unskilled to be useful. The story isn’t overly gory but nor is it for the faint hearted.
The book starts at the mid-point before going back to the beginning. I really enjoyed how that was done as it changed the entire tone of the book; rather than finding out what happens it was all about discovering WHY things happened. In my opinion this is what made the book stand out.
This Undesirable is not perfect as a few things were slightly confusing at times but it is worth reading and I think the series holds great potential. I am certainly looking forwards to reading the next book.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not affected my opinion in any way*
3.5 stars
The Undesirable is a very interesting book. I loved the world it was set in; a war-torn, dictator-run America. This is the first book in an intended series and you can tell as a lot of time is spent on world building and getting to know the characters and their situation. The pace of the book is fairly slow but there is an underlying tension that keeps you on tenterhooks throughout.
The romance is lovely with both characters willing to risk everything and turn their backs on all they know just to be with the other forever. I love how much they go through just to try and help one another.
This book is quite dark; the feel of Harrison Corners is like that of a war camp. The regime is strict and anyone who disobeys in anyway is killed as are those who are too old or unskilled to be useful. The story isn’t overly gory but nor is it for the faint hearted.
The book starts at the mid-point before going back to the beginning. I really enjoyed how that was done as it changed the entire tone of the book; rather than finding out what happens it was all about discovering WHY things happened. In my opinion this is what made the book stand out.
This Undesirable is not perfect as a few things were slightly confusing at times but it is worth reading and I think the series holds great potential. I am certainly looking forwards to reading the next book.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not affected my opinion in any way*
April 28, 2013
Rating:3.5/5.
This book was about a world where people had to follow the rules or they were named undesirable,an deadly status for anyone,but there was one girl who had the chance to run and help her country.
Charlotte-the main character never trusted The Party and when she lost her mother her hatred grew.
I liked her because she was strong and put her life in danger for the boy she loved,Fostino.The way their relationship started was a little strange,but i admit that i was glad.
The Party rules were cruel and many people died.I guess i'm not surprised that it was so hard. In every were there is a cruel leader there are hard rules and a bad life.
The RSS saved Charlotte's life,but she refused to stay put and let the people she loved die-mainly Fostino.
Fostion at first i thought that he was acting weird and i started to believe that he might try to do something against Charlotte,but he didn't.The way he helped her was the proof that he cared about her.
I admit that i would have loved the story if everything wasn't so easy.Or maybe i'm the only one who thinks that.
Everything could have been a little complicated and that's what everyone expects.Anyway.
The characters were great.The one i wanted to read about and know more-besides the fact that he was the leader - was Maxwell Cooper.His name was everywhere but the author didn't include him in any scenes.Well,i wanted that even if he was a bad character.
It was a good story and i enjoyed reading it.Now i'm curious to know what will happen next with Charlotte and Fostino in the next book.
This book was about a world where people had to follow the rules or they were named undesirable,an deadly status for anyone,but there was one girl who had the chance to run and help her country.
Charlotte-the main character never trusted The Party and when she lost her mother her hatred grew.
I liked her because she was strong and put her life in danger for the boy she loved,Fostino.The way their relationship started was a little strange,but i admit that i was glad.
The Party rules were cruel and many people died.I guess i'm not surprised that it was so hard. In every were there is a cruel leader there are hard rules and a bad life.
The RSS saved Charlotte's life,but she refused to stay put and let the people she loved die-mainly Fostino.
Fostion at first i thought that he was acting weird and i started to believe that he might try to do something against Charlotte,but he didn't.The way he helped her was the proof that he cared about her.
I admit that i would have loved the story if everything wasn't so easy.Or maybe i'm the only one who thinks that.
Everything could have been a little complicated and that's what everyone expects.Anyway.
The characters were great.The one i wanted to read about and know more-besides the fact that he was the leader - was Maxwell Cooper.His name was everywhere but the author didn't include him in any scenes.Well,i wanted that even if he was a bad character.
It was a good story and i enjoyed reading it.Now i'm curious to know what will happen next with Charlotte and Fostino in the next book.
February 6, 2013
I'm a huge fan of dystopian books, and this one did not disappoint. Charlotte is a strong female protagonist, a much-needed and wonderful trend I've seen in the dystopian genre. In the beginning of the story, Charlotte is in a seemingly hopeless situation, with all aspects of her life being controlled by The Party. Her life so far hasn't been picture perfect - she's had to deal with her alcoholic mother, an absentee father, and endure the teasing and torment of classmates. All this adversity only makes her stronger and when she becomes determined to find freedom, you want her to succeed.
I'm not big on overly romantic books and the author doesn't make the relationship between Charlotte and Fostino the primary focus of the story - it's important to the plot, but several other things are also happening. Charlotte and Fostino have contrasting views of the world around them and you see them and their relationship mature as the story progresses.
The novel moves along at a good pace, with a lot of exciting action sequences, especially towards the end. My husband and I were late for a pre-Super Bowl party Saturday night because I couldn't stop reading until I finished the book (he's not a big reader, so he just didn't get it). A few problems with the formatting and editing, but not enough to detract from the story at all. Highly recommend!
I'm not big on overly romantic books and the author doesn't make the relationship between Charlotte and Fostino the primary focus of the story - it's important to the plot, but several other things are also happening. Charlotte and Fostino have contrasting views of the world around them and you see them and their relationship mature as the story progresses.
The novel moves along at a good pace, with a lot of exciting action sequences, especially towards the end. My husband and I were late for a pre-Super Bowl party Saturday night because I couldn't stop reading until I finished the book (he's not a big reader, so he just didn't get it). A few problems with the formatting and editing, but not enough to detract from the story at all. Highly recommend!
March 18, 2013
It is the year 2072 and this book starts with a very 1984 feel. There are propaganda signs saying the Party watches over you and to look out for Undesirables. Very reminiscent of Big Brother from the book 1984, not the reality show, just so we're clear. 18-year-old Charlotte has joined The Specialized Secret Resistance. The United States is at war with Canada over oil. People who can't work 12 hour days in sweatshops are killed. I immediately liked Charlotte because she is literary. I love a person who still finds a way to read books in a dystopian, dictatorship, military occupied world. The description of the 4D TV bothered me. The 4th dimension is time. So the TV is a time machine? Always bothers me when they talk about 4D movies with smellavision. I like a good dystopian story. I like the reminder that no matter how bad life is right now, things can be worse. I also like stories about people who have the strength and bravery to rebel and survive against horrible situations and injustice. This is a well written, fast paced story. It is not as gritty as I like my dystopias to be. It started out really exciting but then went down a bit for me. I still liked it, though. This is the beginning of a series so it ends abruptly.
January 28, 2013
This book was thoroughly entertaining. Although it took me a minute to separate our reality from the reality the author created, I was soon immersed in the world of "The Undesirable." There is a darkness to the world of Charlotte and Fostino; but it's a fun, fast read where you are constantly hoping the star-crossed lovers will somehow work out. I can't wait for the second novel to come out.
My favorite aspect of the book is that the author doesn't cast the young female lead a dependent or needy on a man's love! Quite the contrary, it is the young female lead who has gumption & bravery. You see her change from a burdened and confused young woman to a woman with drive and passion. Because of this, you really want her to succeed. Both the main characters in the book develop as people; but unlike some YA novels, the author hasn't written the "Twilight Bella" archetype as a character (for which I am extremely glad). Seeing YA novels that portray young women as codependent souls that are only defined by their unhealthy relationship with a man-boy is getting quite tiring. This book doesn't do that. Kudos to the author for writing a character that young women can aspire to emulate.
My favorite aspect of the book is that the author doesn't cast the young female lead a dependent or needy on a man's love! Quite the contrary, it is the young female lead who has gumption & bravery. You see her change from a burdened and confused young woman to a woman with drive and passion. Because of this, you really want her to succeed. Both the main characters in the book develop as people; but unlike some YA novels, the author hasn't written the "Twilight Bella" archetype as a character (for which I am extremely glad). Seeing YA novels that portray young women as codependent souls that are only defined by their unhealthy relationship with a man-boy is getting quite tiring. This book doesn't do that. Kudos to the author for writing a character that young women can aspire to emulate.
January 27, 2013
This was one of those books that it was hard to wrench myself away from once I had started (and especially towards the end). Celi writes with clean, polished prose and a fast pace. There were some twists and challenges in the story that caught me just as off-guard as they did the protagonist, Charlotte Walker, and I loved to watch how she dealt with each new situation.
Charlotte’s relationship with Fostino plays a pretty big part in this story. I’m not a huge reader of romance so at times I would have preferred to get back to the action, but I am interested to see how their relationship matures in the future.
The Undesirable left some questions unanswered and some characters didn’t play quite as significant of a role as I expected. The world that Celi has created is pretty real, though, so I expect that these questions and characters will reappear in the next book and be developed further.
Overall, this was a really fun book to read. I was so nervous for Charlotte that I just had to keep reading. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens next!
Charlotte’s relationship with Fostino plays a pretty big part in this story. I’m not a huge reader of romance so at times I would have preferred to get back to the action, but I am interested to see how their relationship matures in the future.
The Undesirable left some questions unanswered and some characters didn’t play quite as significant of a role as I expected. The world that Celi has created is pretty real, though, so I expect that these questions and characters will reappear in the next book and be developed further.
Overall, this was a really fun book to read. I was so nervous for Charlotte that I just had to keep reading. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens next!
February 13, 2013
This is a great start to a new dystopian series. It is set in the future in Ohio. There is a war going on with Canada. Our heroine Charlotte Walker’s world is thrown into chaos by one not so small revelation. I loved Charlotte’s character because even with everything that she learns and all the horrible things she goes through she is still strong. Charlotte did not have the easy life growing up. You feel for her and everything she went through in the book. Her whole world is turned upside down and all she keeps thinking about is Fostino and his family. Fostino is a great hero. He starts off a little naïve to me but in the end he ends up where he should be. Their love is something that helps them get through the tough time even if they don’t realize it. This is a great fast read and I cannot wait for the next one to come out to see what is going to happen.
April 27, 2013
I had to make myself read past the first few chapters. The switching between verb tenses and paragraph structuring threw me for a while. Sticking with the story, I was pleasantly surprised by the story and how it could very well happen in today's world.
Set in the distant future, a young woman finds herself in the midst of political chaos and takeover of her hometown. The ruling political party systematically begins to close down the city and weed out those they deem "undesirable" by an ever-changing set of standards. As the noose around the city grows tighter, she learns a valuable secret about her parentage. How she chooses to use the knowledge and whether or not to risk everything for love are the main questions of the book.
Good premise and story though it had a rough start.
Set in the distant future, a young woman finds herself in the midst of political chaos and takeover of her hometown. The ruling political party systematically begins to close down the city and weed out those they deem "undesirable" by an ever-changing set of standards. As the noose around the city grows tighter, she learns a valuable secret about her parentage. How she chooses to use the knowledge and whether or not to risk everything for love are the main questions of the book.
Good premise and story though it had a rough start.
February 5, 2013
Read the first chapter, and you will be hooked! That's what happened to me months ago when I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek of an early draft. And then the characters became so real to me! I love the way the reader learns tidbits about the characters along the way, and we are never sure about motivations, especially with Fostino. I also love the pay off we get in Part 2 after the careful set up in Part 1. The writing is very clean, giving the reader just enough to convey the grittiness of the world and the emotions of the characters, especially Charlotte, and propelling the reader forward.
February 6, 2013
I started reading this book and I was immediately hooked. I read the first eighteen chapters spread over a few days, but the rest of the book I read all at once in 2 hours! I could NOT read this book fast enough. I was so excited to see how it ends but I was also trying to read slow so I could make sure to not miss anything. The writing in this book is fantastic. The descriptions really help you visualize everything and really get the full experience. There is also a realness to this story because it brings current issues and shows what they very well could be in the future. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
February 15, 2013
I'm generally a slow reader, but I read this book in one day. The story sucked me in and kept me wanting to know what was going to be on the next page, paragraph, sentence. The emotions and actions of the characters were genuine and not forced, which helped me become emerged in their world and invested in their story. The dystopian future the author created flips so many positive aspects of our current society, aspects we take for granted, which left me appreciating our current world and hoping this forever stays a work of fiction. Can't wait to read "The Resistance."
February 9, 2013
This book is wonderful. It is a mature YA so not a lot of teenage relationship woes that you see in many YA novels. The story is fast paced and has some good twists and turns. The plot is complex and I look forward to seeing how it evolves in the next book. Dystopian novels are not my personal favorite sub-genre and I usually stay away from them but I am very happy I found this book. Thank you Sara Celi.
April 29, 2013
I loved this book!
It really surprised me how much I liked it because I am normally not a huge fan of dystopian books (The Hunger Games aside). I actually marked this one and a few other dystopians as "to-read" because I am trying to give that genre a second chance
And this one hooked me hard! I loved every twist and turn and I am so interested to know more about what happens in the next part of this series.
Best part: Charlotte. She's an awesome heroine!
It really surprised me how much I liked it because I am normally not a huge fan of dystopian books (The Hunger Games aside). I actually marked this one and a few other dystopians as "to-read" because I am trying to give that genre a second chance
And this one hooked me hard! I loved every twist and turn and I am so interested to know more about what happens in the next part of this series.
Best part: Charlotte. She's an awesome heroine!
May 22, 2013
Celi does an excellent job of introducing us into this strange new world. Charlotte is a strong, independent protagonist that you root for from page 1. The Undesirable is an easy read, and the pacing and action make it just fly by, but there is depth in the themes of the novel that really resonated with me.
The plot, suspense, and twists as well as Celi's skilled style make it something more than your typical post-apocalyptic novel. I'm looking forward to the next book!
The plot, suspense, and twists as well as Celi's skilled style make it something more than your typical post-apocalyptic novel. I'm looking forward to the next book!
February 13, 2013
I liked it. I just found the book way too short, and that means it gets abit too compressed in terms of really falling in love with the characters. That is why I have only giving it 3 stars. But definatly an interesting read. I kept thinking about V for vendetta and Hunger games while I was reading it, it has the same kind of government going on, and I definatly find it interesting to read about.
April 29, 2013
I loved this book because it was realistic and action packed. this book reminded me a lot of Nazi Germany and as a world war 2 fanatic it was nicely done. also the love was real I could feel it between the main characters as I read on it had me going the whole book every danger to them had me have a mini heart attack
April 11, 2013
I could not put The Undesirable down! It is a true page turner, sitting on the edge of your seat, captivating read. Loved it...a must read. I highly recommend to anyone who loves to read "The Undesirable" is a must read!
Sara is such a talented author. Fantastic job! I am so ready for the next book to see what happens with Charlotte & Fostino!
Sara is such a talented author. Fantastic job! I am so ready for the next book to see what happens with Charlotte & Fostino!
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