Naturals Review

352 pages
Release date: April 2, 2013

Tess is finally safe from the reach of the Council, now that she is living in the Middlelands with the rebel Isolationists. With James having returned to Templeton, she easily falls back into her friendship with Henry, though her newfound knowledge of Robert’s chosen one status still stings. Even surrounded by people, Tess has never felt more alone. So she’s thrilled when James returns to the settlement, demanding to see Tess — until she finds out that it’s because her sister, Louisa, has been recruited into Tess’s old position at Templeton, and that the dangerously sadistic chosen one George has taken an interest in her.

Review (ARC):

Experiencing the world of the Council and the chosen ones was harsh yet interesting in the first novel of The Lost Soul series. In this novel, we get to see the way the naturals live amongst the Isolationists. Although they are two completely different societies, there are more similarities between the naturals and the chosen ones than either side may know. Tess was used to being looked at as strong while living amongst the naturals in the Council society, but she discovers while living with the Isolationists that she isn't as strong, physically, as she thought. Tess does gain emotional strength and her development as a character really shows as the story progresses. The triangle between Tess, Henry and James is complicated yet intriguing. I don't like the fact that Tess feels like because she's never going to see James again then she should settle for Henry. Then again, Tess doesn't know much about love so it is hard for her to figure out her own feelings. Quite a few new characters are introduced to us and their difference in views is quite noticeable based upon the way they live. The Isolationists share prejudice against the chosen ones and that makes things a bit harder for Tess and her friends while living with them. Although this isn't an action-packed novel, the adventure of trying to survive with the rebels keeps things exciting. The ending is a cliffhanger that will leave you wondering what Tess will do next and anticipating the next book. I definitely recommend this novel if you love dystopian fiction but make sure to pick up Chosen Ones first.