The Line by Teri Hall

Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: 04 Mar 10
ISBN: 0803734662
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Pages: 224
Websites:
Teri Hall - Official Site
Teri Hall - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: The Property, Bensen, Unified States

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: An invisible, uncrossable physical barrier encloses the Unified States. The Line is the part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It’s said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the other side, in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would ever live next to the Line. Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel’s dad died in the last war. It’s a safe, quiet life. Until Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help. Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go in order to do what she thinks is right?

I have always been a lover of dystopian fiction, I can't quite explain when these books draw me so but they do. You should see me in a dystopian/disaster flick movie - nothing makes me giggle more. So I am so excited to see the rising trend in dystopian books...move over sparkly vampires because 2010 & 2011 may just be the years you get knocked off your pedestal. I was also really excited to get my hands on an advanced copy of Teri Hall's The Line...the premise just sounded so full of win!

Overall I enjoyed this book but I think that it could have been better if the world was fleshed out a bit more. I never really got a feel for the the landscape of the world. Yes, we got a history of events but I couldn't close my eyes and picture what people looked like or the how the town of Bensen appeared during Rachel's visits there. I also felt that that it was a bit slow to start and then just as I was really getting immersed in the story it ended. Now I have to admit part of that slowness in getting into the story could have been the result of the ick that was attacking me as I read the book. Sadly when I am attacked by the ick my reading is affected. I tend to find it difficult to focus on the words and often don't read anything at all until I am well. So the fact that I still managed to read The Line while suffering form the ick should be a point in its favor.

The main character of Rachel seemed to be a bit underdeveloped but I hope that she is fleshed out a little more in the next book. I do admire her bravery but would just like to see a little more about her. I also want to know more about the key cards that work only one way. I mean what is the point? It just didn't make sense to me. The Line is a short book and should be easy for most people to read through it quickly. Its not the best dystopian that I've ever read but its certainly not the worst either. I am definitely intrigued to see where things are going. So Teri Hall if you are reading write faster!!! I want to learn more about book two, Away, and I want to learn it now!