Title: THE RAINS
Author: GREGG HURWITZ
Type of Book: HARDCOVER
Genre: YOUNG ADULT, SCIENCE FICTION, HORROR
Length: 352 PAGES
Publisher: TOR TEEN BOOKS
Release Date: OCTOBER 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7653-8267-2 Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-4668-8851-7 EBOOK
Price: $17.99 USD – HARDCOVER
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars πππππ
MY REVIEW:
This book actually hooked me with the introduction. It is written as diary entries and the intro warns potential readers, saying:
“If you’re reading this, your life is at risk. Or should I say, your life is at even greater risk than it was already. I’m sorry to burden you with this. I don’t wish you the kind of harm that came to me and the others from Creek’s Cause. This is what I’ve managed to piece together since it all began. I wrote it down knowing that words are more powerful than bullets – and certainly more dangerous. All is probably lost already. But maybe, just maybe, these pages will give you a chance. I hope you’re up to it.”
What a way to begin. Author Gregg Hurwitz certainly knows how to hook an audience. I was immediately intrigued, especially since this is the first Young Adult novel Gregg Hurwitz has ever written. I have read several of his adult fiction titles and have thoroughly enjoyed each one.
This is the tale of two brothers who live in the small town of Creek’s Cause which is located in a valley between mountain ranges. The main industry in Creek’s Cause is farming and the Rain brothers are known to be exceptional students as well as hard workers on their Uncle’s farm. Both brothers believe they have their lives all mapped out and their futures secure.
In a single night all that changes and the sleepy town they live in becomes a war zone where death and destruction are widespread and no one under the age of eighteen is safe.
After watching adults they have known their entire lives turn into unrecognizable monsters, Patrick and Chance Rain realize that kids are being attacked by adults and taken away somewhere.
Upon reaching the high school where other kids are hiding and discovering that the parasite infecting the adults takes over a person’s body the minute they turn eighteen, the brothers decide they must do something about the situation. Especially since Patrick’s eighteenth birthday is quickly approaching.
Determined to save Patrick’s life and the lives of the rest of the kids, including those who have been abducted, the two brothers embark on a mission to find out the truth about the parasites.
What they uncover is truly horrifying, the scope of which is staggering.
Determined not to roll over and give up, Chance and Patrick realize that they just might the last hope for humanity’s survival, and as such they devise a plan that is daring and maybe even suicidal. But if their plan works, they just might save our world.
This book starts out action-packed and the pace never lets up. It is a page-turner that will not only have readers on the edge of their seats, but they will also find themselves unable to put this book down.
I read this book in a single sitting and found myself completely immersed in the lives of Patrick and Chance Rain.
The world building is exquisite and the character development is not only excellent, but should be required reading for other YA authors since it is close to perfection.
I rate this book as 6 out of 5 Stars. ππππππ (I know that rating does not officially exist, but this book deserves it nonetheless.)
Since this is only the first book in a series I will be on the lookout for the next installment of this riveting adventure.
I want to say thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Timesbestselling author of 15 thrillers, most recently, ORPHAN X. His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been translated into 29 languages.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin).
Additionally, heβs written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks.
Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
To learn more about this author and his books please click on the following links:
If you live anywhere near North Hollywood you could be a part of a Special Launch Event for THE RAINS at Blast Off Comics. Ckick HERE for more information.
To learn more about his new book in the adult fiction category go to:
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