': The Glass Arrow blog tour | Spotlight, Review & Giveaway {Jean Book Nerd}

Publisher: Tor Books

Format: Hardback | 336 pages

Dimensions: 140mm x 210mm x 29mm | 454g

Publication date: 1 March 2015

ISBN 10: 0765336618

ISBN 13: 9780765336613

The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.

In a world where females are scarce and are hunted, then bought and sold at market for their breeding rights, 15-year old Aya has learned how to hide. With a ragtag bunch of other women and girls, she has successfully avoided capture and eked out a nomadic but free existence in the mountains. But when Aya’s luck runs out and she’s caught by a group of businessmen on a hunting expedition, fighting to survive takes on a whole new meaning.

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In this dystopian world, women are hunted by men who would sell them off to the highest bidder for breeding. Aya is a head strong and determined young woman on the run with a small group of women like her hiding form the hunters, living in fear of being caught and sold like cattle. When Aiya herself is captured the Garden becomes her home, and though her Driver Kiran is mute, they develop a friendship of sorts. So when Aiya is sold off, Kiran goes after her and helps her escape.

But freedom is far from in their grasp, they have to get out of the city if they stand a chance at freedom or finding Aiya's family. Slowly but surely, Aiya and Kiran build a bond of trust while on the run, and their relationship eventually becomes something more. I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. That these two teenagers have to figure out how to escape and survive under the radar before they decide to act on their mutual attraction. There is no love triangle or instantaneous connection between them, their love is built on a foundation of trust, communication and friendship.

The world Simmons built here was complex and creative, and the characters while flawed had a certain depth to them, I easily related to them. If you are a fan of Simmons work, you know that she has a keen eye for details without being overly descriptive. And she can write a couple that is equal parts strong male and female that know when they do and don't need help, and are determined to survive no matter how hard fought that future might be.

I do love a good dystopian novel, a book that can pull me out of my reality and transport me to the world I'm reading. I could totally see a future where women were considered second class citizens, their worth determined by their ability to conceive. This story very much reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale, so if you are a fan of that book or movie, then you are going to love this Dystopian tale. Simmon's took that classic tale and put her own unique twist on the story and toned it down to be more appropriate for audiences of any age. Definitely a must read!

Book Nerd Spotlight

Kristen Simmons is the author of the ARTICLE 5 series and THE GLASS ARROW (Tor Teen). She loves her family, Jazzercise, and chocolate cupcakes. She currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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