Today, I’m reviewing a Young Adult (YA) dystopian novel, The Rule of One, written by Ashley and Leslie Saunders. I’m the first to admit that I don’t read many books by indie authors, or at least not as many as I should. It’s not that I don’t like indie books; they just don’t receive as much exposure. Going for a book published by a large publisher is easy because of all the press revolving around it.
That said, I’m glad I picked up this book, and I think it’s fantastic that Amazon is giving more and more power to indie authors. The caveat has always been the quality of the books. Often indie authors’ books are published too fast, leaving a bitter taste in the reader’s mouth, but once in a while, we stumble upon little gems like this one.
BOOK REVIEW: THE RULE OF ONE BY ASHLEY AND LESLIE SAUNDERS
SYNOPSIS:
In their world, telling the truth has become the most dangerous crime of all.
In the near-future United States, a one-child policy is ruthlessly enforced. Everyone follows the Rule of One. But Ava Goodwin, daughter of the head of the Texas Family Planning Division, has a secret—one her mother died to keep and her father has helped to hide for her entire life.
She has an identical twin sister, Mira.
For eighteen years Ava and Mira have lived as one, trading places day after day, maintaining an interchangeable existence down to the most telling detail. But when their charade is exposed, their worst nightmare begins. Now they must leave behind the father they love and fight for their lives.
Branded as traitors, hunted as fugitives, and pushed to discover just how far they’ll go in order to stay alive, Ava and Mira rush headlong into a terrifying unknown.
REVIEW:
Disclaimer: This review doesn’t contain any spoilers, and the opinions expressed are my own. I bought this book.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
If you read the synopsis, you’ll see that the book’s concept—“One Child, One Nation”—is fascinating. It’s not necessarily new, but it’s still interesting. The story is told from a dual point of view, with the voice alternating between the twins who are the main characters. This is interesting because the authors are twin sisters because it gives readers the feeling that they will explore something authentic, and I love it!
The alternating point of view offers valuable insights into the characters’ states of mind, living situation, and feelings about having been born first or second. Their world has been carefully thought out in some instances such as how they are monitored, how the food is distributed, or the many ways they could be discovered. The world created raises the stakes and keeps readers on their toes. I didn’t expect the book to be so fast-paced, so the pace was a pleasant surprise.
Now, why am I not giving this book a five-star review?
There are things in it that confused me, especially toward the end. The authors planted seeds for book two, which is fine, but some elements were unnecessary or hard to believe. These are minor issues, though, because the sisters are trule relatable characters you will want to help through their journey. The plot twists are well-executed, and as a result, the ending is grand.
Overall, this book tells a great YA dystopian story, and I recommend it!
I believe that book two is set to be released in May 2019. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment.
If you enjoyed this review, check out my latest YA book reviews Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas, Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young, and The Wrong Bachelor by Alexandra Moody