@helen291283 - Helen, @XpressoTours, #Contemporary,#New_Adult, #Romance, 5 out of 5 (exceptional)

This is a book I read despite its cover. I don't like it, the weird bronze-looking instagram filter that is thrown over the cover. And do these two look like they have been trying to survive for an entire year in the woods? I do not think so!

However, I am unable to resist any kind of YA Dystopian novels, and this is what brought me to Waterfall. The world's water supplies are poisoned and everyone is trying to survive. While surviving they also have to fend off other groups of survives while remaining hidden for the military who is trying to make them conscript.

It's quite the standard YA Dystopian. There are times where I start wondering: Have I read too many and is it impossible to still find a way to give the story a new twist? (The answer to that question is no; because every once in a while I read a new one that is really good and different from the rest). Unfortunately, this is not the case for Waterfall. It has all the aspects, but at the same time, I couldn't care for the characters. I didn't like them, and I didn't particularly liked the world either (not that we get to know a lot of it).

It was a fast read, and it wasn't a punishment to read it, but never did I feel some kind of investment into the story. Did I want to know how it was going to end? Well, not desperately, but I didn't mind finding out. (Which is basically how I feel about the whole book).

Will I continue to read the series? Maybe, I'm not sure yet.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

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Cover:  Emma Michaels

MY REVIEW

The premise for Waterfall and Waterproof reads like nonfiction and perhaps contains a warning. People have fought over water rights since they began claiming land as their own and the fights continue into present day. This series is a thought provoking look at a future that we could be living.

Zach and Vivienne live in a government run complex. When the facility is attacked, the big question is, will they stay or will they go.

“Why anyone thought the idiots in Washington could manage this disaster is beyond me.”

Zach’s comment has a ring of truth to it, don’t you think?

Pollution and terrorism make Vivienne’s decision for her.

Vivenne and Zach’s sexual banter had me chuckling, even though they are only “just friends”.

Does Vivienne’s desire to be a sword wielding, ass kicking ninja type come true?

As their world falls down around them and the country becomes a military state, it is the same old story, the rich survive and the poor are…well, it is not good. Who can you trust in such desperate times?

I loved Waterfall from the beginning to the end. It grabbed me early and I held on for the ride of sadness. loss, fear, terror, confusion and the struggle to survive in a world gone crazy.

The cliffhanger had me reaching for Book II, Waterproof. I think it will do the same to you.

I received Waterfall by Amber Garr in return for an honest review.

  4 stars

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Cover:  Emma Michaels and Amber Garr

MY REVIEW

Waterproof kicks off with action that had me racing through the pages.

Anyone who bucked the system was considered a deserter and dealt with “appropriately.”

Pollution, population overcrowding, terrorists destroying the desalinization plants, greed, nuclear holocaust, disease, martial law, the draft – once in, never out – who will survive?

The groups dynamic changes as the characters come and go, whether by choice or death. I do wonder who will be left standing.

The horror is unbelievably grotesque. The mad scientists are on the loose.

This is one of those stories that will give you food for thought. In an apocalypse, who will survive? Is it the haves or have nots? Is it the strongest or the smartest? Is the sacrifice of the many for the survival of the few the rule of thumb? How do people twist their minds into thinking heinous acts are acceptable? Will there be any humanity left on the planet?

How far would you go to save the one you love?

Science fiction meets horror and it ain’t pretty.

The writing was so detailed I could see it, feel it, and it gave me shivers. The characters are well developed and become more complex as they grow and learn to survive and love in a new world.

I am very curious to see where this ends, to find out how many of their makeshift family will survive.

I do love a happy ever after, but we will have to wait and see. Waterproof has no cliffhanger, but it does make me eager to read the next book in the series, Watermarked.

  4 stars

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