Location: United States
Member Since:
Nov. 01, 2012
Valerie Ormond
Smashwords book reviews by Valerie Ormond
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Inquest
on Dec. 12, 2012
Sixteen-year-old Libby’s life turns upside down on when her forced Inquest determines her fate: to destroy the world. Family, friends, and boyfriend abandon her, and life looks hopeless until she meets outcast Milo, with secrets of his own. Libby tries to prove she does not want to fulfill her role as the Destroyer, but those plotting against her make that impossible. If Libby wants to live, and protect her new friend, she must fight for that right against all odds. DelSheree Gladden creates characters you want to know, and I enjoyed her ability to mix regular teen emotions into a plot as serious as destroying the world. She combines modern day situations with other-worldly features making it conceivable that this story could be taking place today. Gladden deftly creates character-to-character relationships readers can identify with, including boyfriend/girlfriend, brother/sister, teacher/student and friend/friend. I particularly liked her treatment of betrayal in relationships, without belaboring the point or introducing self-pity. I loved her character development. The story piles conflict upon conflict, but varies the intensity of the conflict so as not to exhaust the reader. Also, although the concept of a young girl facing her fate of death and destroying the world may sound dark, the book itself includes enough light and hope so it is not a dark novel. Additionally, I appreciated Gladden’s portrayal of violent situations and teen love without overwhelmingly graphic details. The story, characters, and writing keeps the pages turning. Inquest provides a very enjoyable read, even for those who may not regularly read urban/dystopian/fantasy works. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and following Libby’s adventures to the end, whatever that ending might be. Valerie Ormond http://believinginhorses.com/blog/