lindsey
Written on Jul 7, 2016
I was ecstatic when I received an ARC of this book from the author. I've been looking forward to reading a new book from her since I finished the Piercing the Veil series, and The Liberty Box did not disappoint.
After the United States falls due to an economic collapse, it's rebuilt as the Republic, and citizens soon believe they are prosperous once again. Jackson has lived in Iceland with his aunt and uncle since he was very young, but always pictured America, or the Republic, as the land of milk and honey. The letters from his mother reinforce his opinion that the Republic is thriving, and he plans to move there eventually. Unfortunately, he has to travel there sooner than planned so he can attend his mother's untimely funeral. Upon arrival, he is struck by how malnourished everyone looks. The buildings are dilapidated, and his first impression of the famed Republic is definitely not prosperous. He's soon apprehended by an agent, and discovers that something very strange is happening.
Kate is happy in the Republic. She has a wonderful job as a news anchor, and is engaged to a man she loves. Everything is perfect. That is, until she sees a picture of a childhood friend, Maggie, whom she has forgotten about completely. Maggie has been labeled as a traitor to the Republic, and it's Kate's job to write up a profile about Maggie, telling the public about Maggie's traitorous doings, and praising the government in the process. While doing research for the profile, Kate's life is changed completely, and she realizes nothing is as it seems.
The Liberty Box is original and creative, and it made me think. The thought of the government brainwashing citizens into believing everything is fine isn't such a far-fetched idea, and I enjoyed the way it was implemented into this story. The Liberty Box is thrilling and exciting at times, and thought-provoking at others. It's an intelligent dystopian novel, with excellent character development and imaginative world-building. Intriguing and captivating, it's a definite page turner.
And no spoilers here, but the ending blew me away! I was completely blindsided, and I cannot wait to find out what happens next. I would highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy well-written and smart dypstopians. It's an incredible start to what is sure to be an amazing series, and it's going to be an agonizing wait for the next book!