My Review for Book 1: Sunset Rising
Betrayal is just the beginning.
A fantastic debut! This book captured me from the start, and I couldn't stop. I loved everything.
The Characters: the brave, savvy, pragmatic heroine; the smart, noble, caring hero; the natural development of their relationship as they complemented each other's abilities and personalities; whether friend or foe, all the characters are interesting (I recommend reading the accompanying Satellite Stories on the author's blog).
The World: the fascinating dystopian society of the Dome; an eerily all-too-possible nightmare of a future scenario; the importance of history and hope to our society.
The Writing: thrilling action, suspense, intrigue, and romance; smooth, first-person story-telling that really draws you in; nothing contrived, illogical, or out-of-place takes you out of the story (which happens often in most YA fiction, I find).
Book 1 is rich, exciting, and beautiful enough to be made into a movie, which I would love to see! To be honest, when I read the first book of a series, I don't usually feel compelled to buy the sequels. But with "Sunset Rising," I cannot wait for Book 2! I will gladly pay to continue reading this series and following the rise of this talented new writer!
My Review for Book 2: Worlds Collide
Revolution is just the beginning.
"Worlds Collide" is a worthy and satisfying sequel to the fantastic "Sunset Rising," which I highly recommend if you like "The Hunger Games" and/or "The Selection" series (personally, I enjoy the SR series more). In WC, the brave, resourceful heroine Sunny and her equally courageous and clever hero Jack continue their thrilling adventure for survival and freedom. The story is filled with non-stop action, suspense, twists, and romance, and I love that it's set in a world rich with different personalities, societies, and ideals (and kudos for including Asian and LGBT characters). Book 2 answers many of Book 1's questions while also introducing lots of exciting developments to tease Book 3. It's a very well-written series, in both character and plot, that goes beyond the usual YA first-person dystopian narrative, and I can't wait for what comes next! Til Book 3, I'll be reading the Satellite Stories on McEachern's site to tide me over.
My Review for Book 3: New World Order
Freedom is just the beginning.
What makes the Sunset Rising series so captivating (and my favorite) is that it really is more than "just another YA Dystopia." The author McEachern writes: "even though the tale begins as a dystopian, the series as a whole is about society's journey toward finding utopia in a post apocalyptic world. It's more about the restructuring of civilization to right the wrongs of the past and find a new way of life in moving forward."
Like Harry Potter, SR matures and expands with each book, and "New World Order" is a fantastic, fitting end to the trilogy, as Sunny and Jack fight not just to reunite with each other, but reunite their worlds and peoples in harmony. SR grows beyond the genre tropes of overthrowing the corrupt government and teasing a teen romance, and delves into the creation of a new (but not magically perfect) government and a loving, stable (but by no means boring) marriage.
It has two fully-formed, stellar leads who are smart, brave, and madly in love; gripping suspense and thrilling action; a vivid post-apocalyptic world that is detailed and well-researched (McEachern interviewed one of the Wild Kratts and a National Institute for Nanotechnology researcher!); realistic societies full of diverse (yay!) and three-dimensional characters; and thought-provoking ideas about the meaning of community, utopia, liberty, equality, and justice. What more could you ask for in a sci-fi/action/adventure series?
I absolutely loved the whole SR series, and the ending of NWO brings it all full circle in a most satisfying way. It's a must-read. I can't wait for more stories set in this fascinating, immersive world.
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