Fall Reading 2013 Relic (The Books of Eva #1)

Worried about global warming? Wonder what the world would be like if the polar ice caps do melt and everything is flooded? Heather Terrell's book offers a glimpse into that possible future. It's a world where everything has been washed away in the "Healing" and a few founding families have made it to refuge in a place called New North. Alongside the descendants of the Founders, live the Boundary people - Inuits who have survived in that region from before the floods. Eva's twin Eamon has been training to undergo the Testing, a time when 18-year-olds leave the safety of the Aerie (their city in New North) and look for relics of the world from the days before the Healing. When Eamon dies in a climbing accident, she takes his place, even though a Maiden hasn't been a Testor in over 150 years. The relics she finds cause her to question everything that she has been taught, just as the Testing makes her look with suspicion at everything around her. What is the truth? Where does everyone fit in? Is there a massive conspiracy by those in power? And what can an 18 year old girl do about it?

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy action, danger, and stories where the characters shake up the everyday existence in their worlds and try to find out what is really going on. You should read this if you like books with strong female characters and where the protagonist defies rules and expectations to do what is right. The publisher also compares it to The Hunger Games, since Eva is like Katniss in her ability to change her world. The author's website has more information about Heather Terrell and her other books.  Soho Press has an interview with the author about the book.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.