Captives: A Book Review and Giveaway!

Today, I have the great pleasure of reviewing Captives by Jill Williamson.  I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.                                                                            


 From the back cover: One choice could destroy them all.
When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem–taken captive. Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Land has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.
Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only his people, but also find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone inside the Safe Lands.
Can Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Land’s façade before it’s too late?

  Jill is a wonderful speculative fiction author for young people, and I have yet to be disappointed by one of her books. I was very excited to receive this book in the mail, and I read it in a couple of days. I'd say Captives is a little more mature then her two previous books, Replication and The New Recruit. There is a lot of science stuff talked about, including how to impregnate women. Also, there are drugs, drinking, and other heavy subjects, but Mrs. Williamson writes it all in a tasteful way, and it is done to show the true depravity of The Safe Lands.

And oh, it was interesting.

 The characters... The story was told from the point of view of three brothers, and the oldest brother's fiance's younger sister, Shaylinn. I wasn't the biggest fan of Levi (though he had his bright moments), and of course Omar got on my nerves at times, but my favorite character out of them would be Mason. He reminds me of the main character in my novel. He's smart, and gentle, and just an all around great character. I also liked Shaylinn. She was the most interesting girl character in the story, excluding the younger girls who I'd love to see more of in future books.

The plot... It reminds me of the stories you hear about, ya know, the places that seem so wonderful, so beautiful, they're actually dangerous. Like Vanity Fair in Pilgrim's Progress, The Safe Lands is full of pleasure... but it is in the pleasure that the danger lies.The idea of a future world where the masses live in a compound where they are all dying, and the few outsiders holding onto the truth are forced inside provides for lots of conflict, and interesting things to happen.

 I enjoyed learning about the many things presented in this future, and rooting for the good guys to win. There's so much I could say, and so little. It was very good. I enjoyed it, truly. Now, I must wait for the second to come out. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long... :)

Check out the book trailer! And you can read the first chapter here.

Buy it here. Or here!

Jill and her publicist have kindly offered a giveaway! Enter in the rafflecopter below. (U.S. entrants only. :/)

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Check out more reviews on this blog tour, and enter the giveaways!
ADD Librarian • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading • Chris Kolmorgen • Christian Book Review Blog • Christian Bookshelf Reviews • CTF Devourer • Emily Rachelle Writes • Heavenward Reviews • Jessica Laurie • Labor Not in Vain • The Life of a Teenage Writer • The Maniacal Bookworm • Mrs. Southern Bride • Oh, Restless Bird • Pages from My Journal • The Pen and Parchment • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • Realm of Hearts • Shadow Writer World • A Simple Life, Really?! • Surrendering All of Me • Terri Harr • Verbosity Book Reviews • Who YA Reading? • Worthy2Read • The Writings of Rosie • Heavenward Reviews

 I hope you enjoyed this reviews! God bless, and see you tomorrow!

~ a rambling author