4 1/2 STARS
Title: A Time To Die (first book in the Out Of Time trilogy)
Author: Nadine Brandes
I've been told for such a long time that I absolutely had to read this book - and when I saw that Nadine Brandes was asking for people to review it as part of her launch party for A Time To Rise (the last book in the trilogy that comes out this October), I jumped on the chance.
And I'm so glad that I did.
This book was all that I expected it to be and more (it would have got a solid five stars except for a few dry bits in the first half of the book). Nadine managed to give me feels by the fourth chapter, and I was rooting for Parvin the whole time.
The plot was stunning, the characters were fleshed out, and I never saw the plot twists coming. It was well-paced, and very intense; I loved every second of it. The Christian message was perfectly weaved in, Nadine did an amazing job with that. And it ended so well, even if my heart wasn't sure what to do with all the feels forced upon it! I'll definitely be reading the second book soon.
Anyways. It was a wonderful book that I would recommend for ages thirteen and up, due to the intensity and some things that were a little more mature. A Time To Die definitely earned four and a half stars - and if you ever have a chance to read this book, do it.
Seriously, just do it.
Summary (take from Amazon)
How would you live if you knew the day you'd die?
Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system.
But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.
Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system.
But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.
Author Bio
Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. She never received her Hogwarts letter, but rest assured she’s no Muggle (and would have been in Ravenclaw House, thank you very much.) This Harry Potter super-nerd has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family size) by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. She writes about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. Her dystopian trilogy (The Out of Time Series) challenged her to pursue shalom, which is now her favorite word (followed closely by bumbershoot.) When Nadine’s not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, she and her knight-in-shining armor (nickname: “hubby”) are out pursuing adventures.
Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. She never received her Hogwarts letter, but rest assured she’s no Muggle (and would have been in Ravenclaw House, thank you very much.) This Harry Potter super-nerd has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family size) by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. She writes about brave living, finding purpose, and other worlds soaked in imagination. Her dystopian trilogy (The Out of Time Series) challenged her to pursue shalom, which is now her favorite word (followed closely by bumbershoot.) When Nadine’s not taste-testing a new chai or editing fantasy novels, she and her knight-in-shining armor (nickname: “hubby”) are out pursuing adventures.
Links
Check out Nadine's pre-order page for A Time To Rise, visit Nadine's website, and buy A Time To Die at Amazon.
Have you read this book before (you should!)? What did you think?
THIS IS LIKE THE BEST BOOK EVERRRR, OH MY GOODNESS. << pardon my fangirl attack. xD Nice review.
ReplyDeleteYES IT IS, IT IS! ALL THE FEELS. Seriously, ALL the feels *nods*. Thanks!
DeleteI followed Nadine months before I was able to read her first book. She's really awesome. :) Just finished book number two a little while ago and I LOVED it! (I may or may not have stayed up to like 2ish to finish reading it) Nadine is such a talented authoress, and I love how she has spiritual truth and lessons interwoven in her books.
ReplyDeleteIsn't she? I can't wait to get my hands on book two! It's going to be SO SO good, I know it XD. Something tells me that Nadine is shaping up to be one of my favorite authors ...
DeleteOH MAN. I've been meaning to read this book for the loooongest. I MUST GET MY HANDS ON THIS TRILOGY. Everybody seems to love it so much, I'm just sure I will.
ReplyDeleteLoved your review!
YESSSS CHRISTINE, YOU MUST. Seriously, you just have to read it *nods*.
DeleteThanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I have never read any of Miss Brandes' books, but they sound interesting!
ReplyDeleteBTW, did you ever finish reading Radialloy?
I can't decide if you'd like them or not ... but if you happen to be able to to get your hands on A Time To Die, I would give it a shot just to see what you think :D.
DeleteYup, I did! It wasn't one of my favorite books ever, but I thought it was cool. Did you read the whole series?
Yes, I did. I think the second one is my favorite, though I didn't really love the last one. I would recommend them though. They're not my favorite books either, but I still really enjoyed them!
DeleteNadine is seriously the nicest writer I have ever (over the internet) met, not that I have 'met' many, but she is just the sweetest, and her books reflect her heart and only get better. (I have read all three)
ReplyDeleteShe definitely is, and her writing is AH-MAZING.
Deleteajkd;slknhf ae;';vgfn EEK THIS SERIES IS THE BEST AND I CAN'T STOP FLAILING ABOUT A TIME TO RISE. IT IS SO COOL AND BEAUTIFUL AND AGHHH!!! The cover of A Time to Rise makes me flail every time I see it. <3
ReplyDeleteEVERYBODY IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE AND GALAXIES FAR, FAR AWAY NEED TO READ THESE BOOKS. Everything about them deserves a kajillion stars and several supernovas as well.
*realises I sound completely crazy* *shrugs because that may be true*
Anyway, it's really cool that you liked it! Can't wait to see what you say about the others!!! Eep!
(So, when are you gonna get Goodreads so you can post your reviews there too?)
I NEEED TO FINISH THIS SERIES, I JUST HAVE TO. Book one ended on such a huge cliffhanger XD.
DeleteHey, we can be crazy. We're good at it XD. *highfive*
(dunno ... I'll ask my parents about it at some point XD)
AHAHA IF YOU THINK A TIME TO DIE'S ENDING WAS BAD JUST WAIT FOR A TIME TO SPEAK. *dies*
Delete*highfives back* Totally. xD
(You really should, if you're allowed. :) It's a great place and quite good for authors like Nadine when you review the books)
UH-OH. That sounds really bad (I've heard people ranting about it - something about you-know-who dying? I'm excited to find out XD).
DeleteYES SAVANNAH. BIGGEST CLIFF-HANGER EVER AT THE END OF BOOK 2. JUST YOU WAIT.
Delete*is very scared but troops off to buy book two (at some point soon) anyways*
DeleteHah yes. Be scared. Be very scared. But read it anyway. :D IT'S JUST SOO GOOD.
DeleteThis looks so good! Heard of it before, BUT NOW I DEFINITELY MUST READ THIS.
ReplyDeleteYES YOU SHOULD. I think you'd like it *nods*.
DeleteScary.....
ReplyDelete:D :D
DeleteI've been seeing this book pop up everywhere on blogs, so I went to Barnes and Noble to get it, but they didn't have it! *cries*
ReplyDeleteI'm probably gonna order it though.;) I'm curious, what kind of things were "mature"? Was there any swearing or anything, uh, suggestive, you might say?;)
-Emma-
Let me think ... there wasn't any swearing, it was mostly violence stuff (there was a birth, and a good deal of romance, but it wasn't bad).
DeleteI defintely need to get my hands on this book, ASAP, because THE PREMISE IS SO INTRIGUING! xD I'll try to see if I can read it once my library actually orders it (which no, it's not pre-ordered yet, which is saddening).
ReplyDeletexoxo Morning
YOU DO, YOU DO! Isn't the premise great? That's what go me hooked on it :D.
DeleteIsn't it SAD when your library doesn't have the book you want? :( Hopefully they'll get A Time To Die soon!
Oooh, me needs to get my hands on this book...XD
ReplyDelete-Ariel
You do! And I happen to own it, so ... *waves book in your face* :D
DeleteAwesome review, Savannah! :D I'm quite disappointed in myself for not liking this book as much as I thought I would. *sighs*
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, Nadine Brandes is SUCH a nice author. Like I can't even tell you how sweet she is. It's been great participating in the blog tour, if not just to get to know the author a little bit better. ^_^
LOVED THIS POST. Your book reviews are always frabjous. *twirls*
Thanks, Mary! Well, dystopian isn't for everyone *nods*.
DeleteIsn't she? And the blog tour has been tons of fun :D.
THANK YOU! I had such fun with this one that I might need to post another one at some time or another ...
Wow, I really want to read this! Unfortunately my library doesn't have it, but I will have to be on the lookout. :)
ReplyDeleteOOH, you should, you should! I think you would like it *nods*.
Delete