Sunset Rising (Sunset Rising, #1) in Apocalypse Whenever

Jan 06, 2014 Gertie rated it really liked it

Shelves: apocalypse, dystopian, dystopian-candy, romance, smashwords

4.5 stars. I didn't really have many expectations going into this, so I was pleased at how enjoyable it was.

This book is what I call "dystopian candy", though it has some dark moments and the subject matter is serious, it is a quick and easy read (only took me a few days). It is YA, yet miraculously this author managed to avoid using the "insta-love" that is so common in YA with romance. I for one dislike insta-love so really appreciated reading a different approach for a change.

These days, wit ...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Cheer Papworth rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, dystopian, ya, post-apocalyptic, bunkers-underground-worlds

Sunset Rising joins the climbing shelf of books featuring a Post-Apocalype Government Bunker that after several generations has morphed into a multi-level colossal Dystopian World. Sunny, the teen heroine of this story, lives a meager existence in "The Pit," which is essentially the poor, repressed society existing in the bowels of the bunker. Treated as grubby slaves, Sunny and her people serve the Bourge, the priviledge controlling class and their vicious President, until they reach the age of Sunset Rising joins the climbing shelf of books featuring a Post-Apocalype Government Bunker that after several generations has morphed into a multi-level colossal Dystopian World. Sunny, the teen heroine of this story, lives a meager existence in "The Pit," which is essentially the poor, repressed society existing in the bowels of the bunker. Treated as grubby slaves, Sunny and her people serve the Bourge, the priviledge controlling class and their vicious President, until they reach the age of thirty-five at which time they are culled or exterminated.

Through a series of twisted events, Sunny "volunteers" to serve at a bachelor's banquet for the President's daughter's fiancé Jack. Serving girls are nothing more than young sex slaves for the party's perverted old men. Prepared to face an unimaginable evening, Sunny finds herself "befriended" by the President's daughter Leisel. Leisel manipulates Sunny into a scheme that alters the course of Sunny's life and ultimately incites a rebellion in The Pit.

Although Sunny cares about her unfortunate friends and the injustices of The Bourge, I wasn't sure she really inspired and became a symbol for her people. The lowers definitely revere Sunny, but I wasn't completely sold on her character nor did I really feel she was deserving of the accolades of her people. She breaks her own fiance's heart, her best friend is led into the sex trade because of Sunny, Sunny's father is imprisioned, she murders her boss and inspires a 14 year old girl to go on a singing rebellion leading to her televised execution. Sounds rather grim, huh? Yes, Sunny has the makings of a heroine, but it's a character's subtly of action and word that make a dynamic personality.

Overall, the story has some originality and appeal including the gorgeous book cover. The cliffhanger at the end was huge; however usually there has been some thread of mystery woven throughout the story to leave the reader guessing instead of one big giant question mark. With that being said, yes I am interested in reading the sequel, but I may need a refresher by that time because I'm not sure if this story will be memorable enough for me to recall by then.
...more

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2013 Kristin rated it did not like it

Shelves: abandoned

I deleted this book from my Kindle after I was a quarter of the way through. At the beginning, it reminded me of Wool a little bit. But soon the flat characters, simplistic writing, and grammatical mistakes made it clear that this is no Wool.

Like · see review