I’ve been given an ARC by Bastei Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This is embarrassing as it’s the first ARC I’ve got from NetGalley that did not really float my boat.
Hell I can guess there is always a first time to everything!

So honestly here: I liked the concept, I liked that it made me think about who’s right and who’s wrong in general BUT I did not like the main characters.
I did not dislike them either but I had difficulties to really walk in their shoes and I’ll get there later.

Just know that characters are of the utmost importance to me.
I can read a book with nearly no plot if the characters are so well built and relatable that I can eat, drink and breathe with them.

This story is a dystopian story happening in a future where cars and planes are things from the past. The metal is a rarity and mutants are feared by humans.

What happened? What are the mutants exactly? We don’t know. And here I found it a missed opportunity as I would have loved some explanations about this new era and new people.

Sorrel is human and lives in a village with her mom her little brother and sister. Her dad left to hunt one day and never came back. Her mom stopped living somehow from that moment on or at least stopped being carefree. Now her face is marred by deep lines of concern and sorrow.
Sorrel has been secretly in love with her childhood friend David but never dared acting up on her feelings.

One day her village is attacked by mutants, her mom and sister are slaughtered and Eli her little brother disappears with David.
Sorrel escapes and will have one goal: find Eli and David.

The journey will be filled with dangers, betrayals, shocking truths…

I liked the concept of the “new era” and mutants.
I really loved how the author made me ponder on my perception. Mutants are seen as monsters but humans are the one acting as monsters in the first place. It made me think about our modern world and about my beliefs. Of course I think my religion, my culture, my way of life are the right choices. But what then? Are the others in the wrong? They believe that they are in the right…
So yes everything good or bad is a question of perception.

I also loved the joke the author played in choosing one mutant's first name. It says it all and goes back to my previous comment about perceptions.

BUT

I found Sorrel immature and childish. Impulsive, being angered easily and behaving like a brat with her mother. I know she is young and a teen. I know teens can be spoiled and hormonal. Childish one moment mature the other. Trust me being the mom of a sweet sixteen I know the ropes. Knowing this does not equal to loving to read about it. Not when it comes down to the main character.

Even David was childish somehow and even behaved like a coward at some point in the book. Inadvertently a coward as he did not know all the facts but it resulted in the death of a good character.

So now I’m in a predicament as I wanted to love this book so bad but can’t give it more than 3 stars based on the elements here above.

Again what did not work for me could very well work for you. We are all differents so maybe give this book a chance and make your own opinion.

Anyway I’m grateful to Bastei Entertainment for their trust.

The New Dark is a new book that will be a series for young adult readers. It follows a young woman, Sorrel, who has had to adapt to living in the "now" after the world has become almost uninhabitable. She is comfortable in her village until it is attacked and her makeshift family is stolen by these dangerous creatures. Sorrel is then left with the decision to stay with nothing or purse these creatures and free her family. Sorrel has never faced any of the dangers that she take upon herself. The book is great for teens or adults who like Jonathon Maberry, Darren Shan, or even the book Sunshine. The feel is dystopian, but with an end of the world theme.

I had some issues with this one but I think it really had potential. Didn't really get the title with the story. Never connected to any of the characters and I am still unsure about the mutants that attacked - are they good or bad or both? Sorrell was likable but I didn't feel her connection to David, Eli, or Einstein. Maybe if there were more between David and Sorrell before the attack it would have helped. Did like that she was not helpless and used her head. Overall the story was a good one if you are one not to get invested with your characters. I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book was addicting, and I couldn't put it down! Great writing and characters!!

I loved the cover and the blurb but the story really didn't live up to expectations.  The heroine kept going from one thing to another like a pinball without really ever getting me engaged in her survival, and the constant just missed each other moments, well instead of being suspenseful they were annoying.  Another thing I didn't like there was a cliff hanger at the end but even without any conclusion I didn't really care just felt like I wasted time reading it.

This was a great book of adventure! We couldn't put it down and wished it was on amazon and Goodreads so we could share it with our readers. We hope that this changes soon. This was a great young adult adventure that will make you ask the hard questions.

What would you do if everything you knew was destroyed? Would you have the strength to fight back for what's important? These are the questions our heroine in this book must answer. Full of adventure, and intrigue, I would recommend this book to all who love a YA adventure.