BOOK REVIEW - THE FARM by EMILY McKAY - THE FARM # 1 - PENGUIN - 5 BRILLIANT STARS!!!

By: Emily McKay 

Published By: Penguin

Released : Available Now

Details: Paperback for review from Publisher, 420 Pages

RATING : 5  BRILLIANT , INTENSE STARS!!

Blurb : Goodreads - Spoiler free

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electrical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other…

And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

This is a most brilliant, intense read. I devoured this book. I am still hungry and want more. 

Throw this on your TBR pile and shoot it up near the top. Emily has a unique take on her blood thirsty ‘Ticks’. It works very, very, well. I am not left with a head full of questions.

The world that is built is alarmingly real and frightening.

6 months approximately, since the Tick virus, yes, there are vampires in this story, but it is not another vampire story...... far from it. 

This book will take you to many places, throw you about and take you to more places. The plot thickens the deeper you read. 

Whahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Mel and Lily are 17yr old twins. They live/survive on The Farm, which was once a college campus. Lily keeps herself and Mel to themselves, getting scanned four times a day for 1st meal, 2nd meal, 3rd meal and 4th meal.

There is no menu.

This campus and the children that occupy it are made up of Collabs, who work for the Dean, human. Greens are the ‘cows’ so to speak, and the Breeders.... they would be the girls who choose to get pregnant. 

You will notice things.

Lily and Mel are Greens.

You don't even want to get to your 18th birthday.

Mel is autistic and WOW! WoW! WOW! What Emily has done with Mel’s character. This book is written from three pov’s. When you are in Mel’s head, it is amazing. Mel talks in nursery rhymes. It helps to know your nursery rhymes if you want Mel to respond quick.

“Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.” This translates to , ' Mel, hurry!!'

Mel and her slinky , Sllluuunk, Sllluuunk, Sllluuunk......Mel needs her familiar items.

Trust is a massive issue for Lily as Mel is her all. She feels responsible and will not let anything hurt Mel.

Survival is key, living in an 8 x 12 storage closet, in a Lab, away from everybody else, every minute living in fear of Mel attracting the Dean’s attention and being drugged and staked to be left out for the Ticks.

Enter Carter, who could ruin everything. He is an awesome guy lead.

Does the boy have secrets!! 

The chemistry between Carter and Lily ‘feels’ real. I loved reading Carter and Lily and I loved reading Lily and Mel.

The more you read , the more the twists, and the intense need to grip your book will overcome you. Paperbacks are necessary for gripping comfort.

Sebastian, I really like him , but sadly I don’t know what basket to put him in. Do I trust him ? I know I have to , I have no choice at this stage.

The sub characters, Stoner Joe to name one, are all important to the story.

I really ‘felt’ like I was along for the ride and trying to survive. This book is a 3D experience and it will shake you up in all kinds of way. You may even start sweating and holding your breath.

This book is just the tip of where Emily is going to take us. I can’t wait for more. There is so much I want to say, but then I would be spoiling this awesome read.

Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tock. Tock. Tock.



FAVE QUOTES:

‘It’s not like I took Blowin’ Shit Up 101 last year as an elective.’



‘Silly Lily. How can she resist someone who brings gum and sounds like math.’



‘I didn’t give her a chance to answer. I was one “Mary had a little lamb “ away from losing it. ‘

Michelle