Pure by Julianna Baggot

Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggot

YA Science Fiction

Rating: 3 Stars

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .

Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .

There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

First Thoughts: I found this novel on NetGalley of course. The synopsis is very intriguing and the cover is beautiful. They fit together nicely, the bright blue butterfly surrounded by dirt.

Writing Style: I didn't care much for this writing. It wasn't wonderful and it wasn't terrible. I felt like it took me forever to get into the story. Some things were explained while others took longer to be explained or wasn't explained at all.

Characters. My favorite character is Pressia. She is reserved and quiet but at the same time she is strong. When things start hitting the fan she steps up and becomes the person she is supposed to be. I don't know about Partridge though. Even though he is the most normal in the book he just doesn't fit in, strange for him I guess. He doesn't fit in anywhere, not even with the 'wretches'. Makes for a very intersting character though.

Final Thoughts: I was really brought in by that synopsis. But it wasn't what I expecting. Good or bad thing? That's really up to the other readers. Me? Definitely not my style of book. It's disturbing but in a reality kind of way. It makes you think, cherish what you have because it could be worse. You could have a doll head as a hand or birds attached to your back, or worse a brother attached to your back who is secrety planning your demise (had to add that because it's funny, well if you read this book that is). I loved it but I also hated it. I like taking a step away from my normal books and this was like an entire block away but I enjoyed it. The beginning took awhile to get through, also with me reading this during the holidays which is impossible to do. I almost gave up but I'm glad I didn't because near the end it finally picked up to become a great story. I might even consider reading the next one just out of plain curiosity.