DNF not what I was expecting. Writing and everything seemed great! It was just a preference thing. I would recommend this book to people.

This book has me feeling a lot of mixed emotions because this was easy and fun to read because I haven’t read books like this in a while. But there were a few things that I didn’t like about it. One of the problems I had was the characters, most of them were not likable and the only character that I loved was the love interest, Wren. But his characterization was a bit to perfect, and the main character, Eve, I don’t think had a lot of moments where she was likable. I found that with her relationship progression she was very hot and cold about everything. And the side characters I don’t think they were developed enough and I wished we saw more of them. I was also a bit confused with the fighting rings as well, if the fighting is important than I feel that it should have been shown more. Also, the plot was not very strong because not a lot happens until the very end. What this book showed was the progression of the relationship, corrupt government, and explains why Eve has a hard time being open with people. The major reason I still enjoyed this is because Wren and it reminded me a lot of the books that really made me a reader and that was dystopian books like this. I am also very curious about what is to happen in the next book, and I hope that the author makes the following books veer away from similarities to Divergent. It is very different from that trilogy but I’m hoping that this series will end a lot differently because I didn’t like the ending of the Divergent trilogy.

Escaping Eleven was an interesting take on a dystopian novel. All Eve wants is to be free of Eleven and the unfairness that comes with where she was born in her underground facility. She should be focusing on choosing a job, but she’s more focused on her escape. Only it’s not so easy to do so. She’s been unhappy for years. Then she meets a Preme from the upper level. Will he change her mind? Can he help her find happiness?

I definitely enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit slow at times with a little bit too much of the day to day activities, but I did like seeing Eve’s motivations behind why she was unhappy and wanted out. I definitely intrigued by what could be in store for Eve in the next book!

This book gave me serious Divergent vibes and I am here for it! Divergent mixed with something I can't put my finger on at the moment. Eve is such a flawed character and those are my favorite. I need book 2 asap!!!

Eve lives in Compound 11. One of the underground compounds built by rich people when the sun decided to burn up the world. It consists of 5 floors, with the rich people being on the top and poor people on the bottom. They aren't allowed to intermingle unless they're in the fighting ring. That's where Eve meets Wren and how this story begins. He's a Preme and she's a lower mean (second floor) and she hopes to whoop his pretty boy self. Instead he beats her to a pulp and a friendship begins.

Compound 11 is an awful place. People are starved, beaten, shot, etc. Their prime punishment is sending people outside to let the sun burn them up. And Eve dreams of one day seeing what it looks like aboveground. She becomes obsessed with the idea and plans to escape, one way or another. Will burning up under the suns brutal rays be worth seeing freedom for the first time in her life?

Initial Thoughts

I was excited to read this book. I haven’t read a dystopian novel in a while and was eager to correct that.

Some Things I Liked

Fight club set up. I thought the fighting arena was an interesting way to start the story and it reminded me of that scene in one of the X-Men movies where Mystique finds Nightcrawler. More recently, it also reminds me of the fighting arena scene in the season 2 opener of The Mandalorian. I liked the idea of it. However, I will say that I think it was under utilized.
Romance. I liked the romance here. I thought it was interesting and realistic. Eve and Wren live in a difficult world and their relationship was not easy. They faced problems that couples in the real would would face, from their age difference to jealous friends as well as problems specific to their world like the class issue.

One Thing I Wasn’t Crazy About

No over arching plot. I kept waiting and waiting for a larger plot or conspiracy to reveal itself. When I read this book, I didn’t realize it was the first in a trilogy so I was expecting the pacing to be more reflective of a standalone. I can forgive some of this lack of structure, but I did miss that element. Who is the villain? What are we fighting against?

Content Warning

There are multiple scenes that depict abuse, sexual assault, and violence. While this is a YA novel, it might not be suitable for all audiences.

Series Value

I was very pleased to discover that this is a trilogy. I like these characters and I’d like to know more. However, the set up didn’t leave me desperate for more like I would have preferred. Honestly, it could have ended here and I’d be none the wiser.

I will keep reading, but I have no idea where the series is going.

Final Thoughts

I liked this book. It was a quick read with and interesting premise. However, I missed the larger plot. Most of the book was about a sad girl who hated her surroundings, found a glimmer of hope, and tried to cling to that. I want my dystopian novels to have a nefarious villain or complex political plot that the hero unravels. I will keep reading in the hopes that those elements will reveal themselves in the next book or books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendations for Further Reading

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – if you liked the dystopian elements as well as a girl who is tough on the outside but so much more on the inside, try this series.
Divergent by Veronica Roth – again, if you liked the social structure as well as the dystopian vibes, try this series.

This was incredibly slow, with a lot of day to day details that I felt bogged the plot down and made my attention wane. The book takes place over roughly 6 weeks and we get to experience every single, occasionally boring, day over that six week period. I think all the details were to show how awful life in Zone Eleven really is- but let me tell you, I got it after the first few chapters, so all the rest was overkill in my view. The story was almost 400 pages and not a lot happened, everything the book strove for occurred at the very end when I wanted more action overall.

I really did not like the main character Eve, she was all hard edges and tough attitude, prickly in every situation when she didn't need to be, closed off so nobody could get to know her- even me as the reader which made it hard to root for her. And there was a love interest, a very Romeo and Juliet forbidden love (that started after he beat the stuffing out of her). And he was great, maybe a little too great- very understanding, very caring, very forgiving, good with kids, loved everything Eve loves, didn't care about status issues, full of self doubt even though he seemed perfect... I felt like he was more an idea than an actual person.

I had no idea that this was a series until I got to the very end, when surprise, this is the first book and there was no real resolution (the ending was super abrupt!). I am not certain I will pick up the next book in this world, but I am not opposed to the idea since I do have questions that were not answered.

Set in a dystopia future where the ruined climate has forced humanity underground, Escaping Eleven focuses on Eve, a young woman desperate to escape the oppressive compound she was born into.

Although I quite liked the idea of this book, it was far heavier on the romance than I was expecting. The pace was quite slow, and outside of the romance very little happened.

Eve clearly has a traumatic history, but none of that was given any sort of time and so I found myself not really connecting with her as a character.

The book was a good, easy read but I unfortunately didn't love it!

Escaping Eleven is a wonderful story that paints a gritty dark scene of a ruined earth and a society forced underground to survive. It is a story reminiscent of "Wool" and "Mocking Jay" (al a District 13) in the very best ways.

The heroine of the story, Eve, is hardened by the circumstances of being born on the 2nd floor as a lower mean. Her opportunities are few and her future bleak as she is on the cusp of choosing her job now that she is 16.

Her father has encouraged her to fight for sport, and extra rations, since she was a child. She's good, real good and may even be offered a position on the Blue Circuit. But she longs for more. She longs to see above ground where, as they are taught, the sun's intensity has desecrated the earth.

She has a dream of escaping Eleven but no real plan until one day an opponent, an elite Preme from the 5th floor, the floor the rules and controls their whole underground compound, steps into the ring and changes her world forever.

The book has great character development and a good plot. I was excited to see that it is the 1st in a trilogy. Looking forward to reading the other two.

***trigger warning***
There is an attack scene with the intent of a sexual assault. It is not graphic and more implied but is incredibly violent. As a grown woman this was a very difficult chapter for me to get through. Since this is a YA book it is something parents should be aware of.

2.5 stars.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

I was quite excited for this novel when I read the synopsis as I do quite like dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels. Although this novel has some good and interesting elements to it and it was clearly enjoyable enough for me to read through entirely, it had quite a few negative bits.

First, I do love how strong Eve is as a female. I love that she is a boxer and damn good at it, however, with her physical strengths she seems to have quite a few weaknesses that come with it. To include, she is not likable AT ALL. She is a character who I never really cared about and she is unrelentingly selfish and genuinely ONLY seems to care about herself! Until, literally, the last few chapters and NOW she's having some realization...and yet continues to move forward in her selfish ways.

Second, the love story was sweet and unfolded well, however, in between the love story the chapters seem to drone on and give so many unnecessary details. I feel this novel could have been better and felt like it had more substance if it had not been so damn wordy.

I had greatly hoped with the beginning and length of the novel that this would be a standalone, alas, it is not. If the novel had not been so wordy I feel like I would be excited to continue to read, however, the length and lack of substance makes me feel less excited to try to pick up a sequel (and likely a third...).

Eve is a fighter, in every sense of the word. Living in Company Eleven has never been easy for her. Being a Lower Mean determines everything in her life. It means she can't do most jobs, that she doesn't have access to most places in the compound, and it means her family can only have one child. So, when the Premes found out about Jack, it becomes the worst and most defining day of Eve's life. Now, the only thing that matters to Eve is getting out, and hopefully figuring out what happened to Jack. When Eve meets Wren and becomes exposed to what it's really like to live as a Preme, she realizes more than ever how important freedom is for her. Things only get harder from there.

Escaping Eleven is an amazing dystopian YA set in an underground bunker which may be one of the dozens, hundreds, thousands, across the world. After climate change ruined the earth the rich and elite decided to take it into their own hands to preserve human life. Building underground bunkers originally to keep only the wealthy, they soon realized they would need others to do all of the dirty work, what no one knew is that these classifications would be eternal for their families. There is no way to rise up in this class system, and only ways to fall down. Separated between Premes, Means (and lower/upper means), and Noms the class system decides who everyone will be for the rest of their life, and Eve is no okay with that. The characters in this book feel very real and diverse. I loved seeing the friendships between Eve and her friends, but I do wish the story with Hunter was rounded out a bit more. There was so much more I wanted to know about the higherarchy of Compound Eleven and the jobs of the most elite Premes, but maybe that will come in a future book. Holy Moly I need more of this story right now. I neeeeeed to know what happens next because [spoilers that I won't actually mention]!!!!!!!

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had DNF this book as this is not one for me. The characters started out so flat and the world does not make sense, The synopsis made this book sound way more intriguing than it is. Also that cover is stunning i must add cause wow great cover choice.

I had the pleasure of getting an Arc of Escaping Eleven and finished it late last night.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher!
I am here to tell you that if you EVER enjoyed the YA dystopian era, then you need to pick this book up! •Publishing December 8th!•
In Escaping Eleven you are following Eve -who lives in compound 11- (no way lol) an underground building of sorts where the floor you live on determines how you are treated. It is believed that the climate changed and if you are to go outside the sun will burn you to death. So 4 generations ago they created compounds all over the world.

Eve was born on a lower floor and is known as a ‘lower mean’, she fights for sport and for her life. The ‘premes’ live and rule from the top floor. We follow Eve as she is approaching the day she will choose what job she will do for the rest of her life. She has a strong need for freedom, but while in the ring she meets a preme boy....

The writing was different, but the story was really (in my opinion) top notch for the concept of what this book is. The characters were well written and engaging! It was very realistic on the violence, anger, and dictatorship that I believe would happen if we came to this.
I honestly just loved the book. Please give it a read and let me know what you think!
Plus, I need people to read it so I can get the second book!! 😫🤣

The life in the undergrond Compound has been written very well in the first chapters. Because, Eve’s life isn’t that easy and the writers introducing the story with a fight. So there’s action in it from the very beginning. Her meeting the Prime also happens at the very beginning. After that the author introduces us to the way of living and we get introduced to Eve’s group of friends. The concept of a generation that must live underground because it’s no longer possible to live above due to natural phenomena and climate change, is pretty interesting. It gives just the little fantasy element to the story that readers’ll love. It makes almost everything possible in this story. Like the way they get their food and about the proceedings that need to be done to keep everything going underground. This makes the story feel a little like Divergent and The Hunger Games. Yet it’s quite different enough not to be reminded of these YA classics we all know so well.

The story is kind of simple, but written with a lot of dedication. The author chose not to give tons and tons of information about how they’re able to live underground and it worked out pretty good, because with everything you get to read about it, it just seems to fit. The interesting, yet simple writing style ensures that the book is pleasant to read and the shorter chapters always challenge you to read on. Occasionally, Eve’s thoughts are a lot to read, but the author has found a good balance between her thoughts and other dialogues or action-packed moments.

Because of the unevenly divided hierachy, there is a lot of disagreement and inequality. This is mainly expressed in verbal and non-verbal violence. Danger is lurking at every corner so Eve as to be cautious almost all of the time, especially bause she’s a fighter. Some of these violent scenes are quite poignant and the aftermath is well portrayed in different characters that get to deal with different kind of violence. This, inequality and oppression are also the main themes in the story. Some happenings are a little predictable because of that, but now and then the author manages to give a different or surprising twist in it.

Eve and Wren meet quite a few times throughout the story, and sometimes their encounters are a predictable too, when or how they meet for instance. But this doesn’t make the story less exciting or interesting to read. Eve has a plan and as the story progresses it becomes clear how she wants to put this plan into action. But there are plenty of counteractions that prevent her from following her plan. Apart from Wren, her friends are also very important characters. Eve is so caught up with her plan, she doesn’t always think about the consequences for instance for her friends. But the closer she gets to what she wants, the more she becomes to realise this. But the question remains if she’ll be stopped because of that.

Escaping Eleven is a typical dystopian YA book with well known elements and quite a few new ones. A wonderful, exciting, yet confronting debut that YA readers’ll love.

Compound Eleven is a five story underground mini city, created when the earth was rendered uninhabitable. Your status in life is based on what floor you live on, from the unwanted down on the first level, to the rulers up on the top floor. Eve is a resident of the second floor, and has been raised from childhood to be a fighter. A golden boy from the fifth floor named Wren is her unexpected opponent one day, and takes her down. Then he pursues her. Eve has to decide how much she’s willing to risk for Wren, and if she’s strong enough to fight for something other than opponents in the boxing ring, like her freedom.

I’ve always been a sucker for a dystopian book, and this one did not disappoint. The story was really well told & quite interesting. One thing that I really enjoyed was how descriptive the author was of the overall atmosphere down in Compound Eleven; you can almost see & smell the grime. One example is that Eve is afraid of the dark (and when you live underground and the lightbulb supply is a little shaky this can be an issue). You really get a sense of her fear and her anxiety when the lights go out (and I share this fear with Eve). The side characters are quite distinctive and well thought out. And I was really happy to see at the end of the book that this will be a series, and I’m looking forward to continuing it. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Escaping Eleven by Jerri Chisholm offers an interesting dystopian premise. While it had quite a few tropes similar to other dystopian books I have read, there were aspects that made it unique as well.

Overall, I enjoyed Chisholm's writing style. The world-building was pretty decent for Compound Eleven, and I got a good feel for it.
However, the character building was somewhat lackluster. Eve was a frustrating character for me personally. Her inner monologue, her attitude, her secrets from her friends all grated on me throughout most of the book. Due to the aforementioned secrets, I felt the relationships with her friends as well as her relationship with Wren were underdeveloped.

Furthermore, I would have liked Wren's perspective, but I'm always hoping for books with multiple POVs. I feel they add more depth and understanding to books, and I'm finding it to be rare that an author can fully satisfy me with a single perspective.

I was curious at the end to see what will happen next, (Yes, it is the first of a series. I should have known. Sigh.) so I may pick up the second when it comes out.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Escaping Eleven was a brilliant, beautiful story that made me want more from this world. I was pulled into the story every time I sat down to read it. This was a m a z i n g and I’m so thankful that I got to read this.

If you like books like maze runner series, you'll love this book. Super interesting concept and it honestly has relatable content to current dumpster fire that is the current state of the world. Can't wait to read more books by this author.

5/5 stars!!!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First things first, I binge-read this book until 4am. I couldn't put it down and just read it for hours until it was over. And then I hated myself because it was over and now I have to wait a while for book 2.

This book is like Divergent meets The Maze Runner with a heroine who could break your face in roughly ten seconds. Yeah, it's THAT good.

When the sun scorched the Earth, humanity had no choice but to flee underground. Compound Eleven is one of these underground facilities. But hierarchy is everything, and Eve is from the second floor. She's better off than those on floor one but not by much. She's a fighter--a good one. However, Eve has a secret, one that could get her killed if someone found out. She has no intention of staying in Compound Eleven.

Suddenly, Eve has a match against a Preme--one of the residents of the fifth floor who live glamorous lives. Eve has spent her whole life hating these people, but he seems different. And then he destroys her in the ring...

This book was amazing! I was hooked from the first page. Sometimes I get a little burned out with the YA dystopia genre, but this book was definitely worth the read! From the plot to the characters, I loved the whole thing!

Eve is so cool! She's been trained to be tough, unfeeling, uncaring. But she's just as human as everyone else. She loves her friends and has a huge obsession with the world aboveground. I loved how she stood up for herself and how she looked after her friends. She also has a unique perspective on life, or rather, death. Anyway, she's absolutely amazing!

Wren is also such a great character! Instead of being the entitled jerk he was raised to be, he actually is a kind and good person. Like Eve, he is strong and powerful. I love how he's got Eve's back when she needs it, but he's also totally aware that she often doesn't need his help!

The side characters were also really intriguing! Eve really loves her friends, and they each have their own issues going on. I thought the author did a really good job giving them unique personalities and making them realistic.

The plot was also fascinating! I loved watching Eve attempt to find a way out of the compound. I was so invested in whether she would actually make it out or not! I can't say anything else about this without spoiling anything so you'll just have to read it for yourself!

As I mentioned above, I really am regretting reading this so fast since I'm desperate to get my hands on book 2! My curiosity is piqued and I will definitely be looking forward to the next book! I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves dystopian books and strong female characters!

The premise isn't that original, especially in the dystopian genre. I loved Eve's character and how brash and strong-willed she was. Wren is a cinnamon bun and I loved the dynamic the two had.

Escaping Eleven is an immersive, action-packed story about one girl’s fight for freedom. In this dystopian world, the earth was too hot to survive, and people were forced to live in underground compounds. Eve, a sixteen-year-old fighter on the cusp of choosing her career, is stifled by the hierarchal rules and restrictions. Eve desires freedom above all else. Haunted by the loss of her younger brother and the unfair and extreme rules of the compound which forced his banishment, Eve is determined to escape Compound Eleven. However, can Eve leave her family, friends, a new relationship with a boy named Wren, and all she’s ever known behind?

Eve is a well-layered and fascinating protagonist. Strong and vulnerable, certain and unsure, Eve has such depth. Taught from a very young age to be self-reliant, Eve has complicated relationships with her parents. Luckily, she has supportive friends and a new love interest to fill the void of an absentee family. Above all, Eve craves freedom and hopes that is the answer to her unhappiness and discontent. I love that she faces obstacles head-on, and her strength of character is prevalent throughout the story.

Excellent use of imagery and symbolism further stresses the smothered suffocation Eve feels living in the confines of Compound Eleven. It is a brutal and unforgiving caste system, especially for the people of the lower castes where violence, depravity, and suffering are a way of life. The author does a great job of detailing the ugliness of Eve’s life in the lower levels, which stands in stark contrast to Wren’s upper-level world.

Wren, Eve’s love interest, is an interesting character as well, and I’m hopeful we’ll learn more about him and his life before meeting Eve. He understands Eve well, and their relationship makes Eve reevaluate her prejudices, beliefs, and feelings about the upper castes. Other characters, Especially Eve’s close friends and enemies are dynamic additions to the story as well.

I enjoyed this engrossing YA dystopia. Issues like abuse, emotional abandonment, and unrequited love are explored throughout the story, as are themes of facing one’s fears, fighting against oppression and for equality, and rejecting corruptive power. Plus, there’s a forbidden romance, a ton of action, a shocking betrayal, compelling characters, and a surprising cliffhanger ending.

I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for Eve in future books in the series! Thanks so much to Netgalley, Entangled Teen, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.