Series: The Country Saga
Author: David Estes
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Dystopia
Recommend To: fans of Birthmarked
I was given a copy of this book from Mr. Estes in exchange for an honest review.
OK WOW. I liked this even better than the Dwellers series. Quite honestly, it was really, really amazing. Fire Country takes place in a harsh world, ravaged by the sun. The same world the Dwellers live underground in, far from the troubles of the Heaters.
It follows the tale of Siena, a fifteen year old "pre-bearer." When she turns 16, she will be handed off to a random man, chosen for her, and forced to bear children every three years. It is the Law. What a horrifying prospect! Yet, Estes manages to convey the awful situation of the women, without being repulsive. In fact, it nearly made me want to jump in and start a revolution. Siena is a wonderful main character, full of uncertainty and doubt, yet filled with all the wonderful qualities that make her so interesting. Courageous, intelligent, fiery (hehe see what I did there?), loyal, and determined; her life shackled to the rules fills her with a desire to break free of her chains, and to help the others around her.
The other characters were also fascinating. Siena I already talked about, but then there were Circ, Skye, her mother and father, Wilde, Brione, Crya, Feve, Hawk, etc. They were all so engaging, and intense. Siena and Circ were especially adorable, and I hope we get to see more of them! They had such a real relationship, their connection was almost tangible. Her mother was so strong and brave, and her relationship with her fierce sister was amazing. Roan, her father, was pretty terrifying. I hope we learn more about their pasts.
It is definitely a very mature book, much more so than the Dwellers series, but I liked the increased intensity a lot more. It was very engrossing, and forced the reader to contemplate different gender roles in a society. It really was scorchin' wonderful! The one thing I felt confusing was the different groups that were suspected or involvement. The Glassies, the Killers, the Wild Ones, the Icers, the Marked? It was a little perplexing, but Siena eventually clears it up by drawing a mental map out. I am still confused by some of the motives (of both some of the groups and of certain people), and I hope we get to learn more about the different peoples living out on the surface.
The writing was wonderful, and descriptive; I liked the above world even more than the underground. The description of the heat was nearly making me sweat. The burning hot sun, the bloody crimson sky, the constant sand storms and the beat down tent village were so easy to visualize. The slang was so funny, but understandable. It was easy to read, and works perfectly as a unique aspect of their language. Overall, Fire Country is a grim, unforgiving place but it has new hope rising with Siena.
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