Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

[snugglekitty]

Title: Santa Olivia
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Genre: Thriller, contemporary.
Pages: 341
Copyright Date: 2009
Cover: A woman with long black hair stands in shadow. She is wearing a very, very sexy blue coat. There is mist behind her.
First line: "They said that the statue of Our Lady of the Sorrows wept tears of blood the day the sickness came to Santa Olivia."
Best part: A short book by Jacqueline Carey? Stand alone? I love it!
Worst part: It's a lot harder to keep a secret in an isolated small town than is presented here.
Imaginary Theme Song: "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera
Grade: B+
Recommended for: Fans of Carey, fans of girls kicking butt.
Related Reads: Maximum Ride by James Patterson, Fearless by Francine Pascal, though this is better than either.

Things have changed in Santa Olivia. Since the plague came, the town has been occupied by soldiers and the rules get stricter all the time. There's only one way to leave - to win the boxing tournaments that feature matches between townspeople and soldiers. No one has ever done it. Loup Garron is the child of a soldier and a woman from town. Her fearlessness, strength, and fast reflexes could change everything for the people of Santa Olivia. But what will happen when her secret becomes common knowledge?

This riveting book by the author of the popular Kushiel series shows what Carey can do when she writes a short book set in modern times. The main character is still an adolescent at the end, putting it on the edge of being young adult, though some sex and violence are part of the story. Deeply satisfying, worth every minute you will stay up late to finish it, and I hope she writes a sequel.

Comments

[staceyinastoria.livejournal.com]

I really want to read this.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking about you, specifically that I like your comments but we've never met. Let me know if you are ever in Boston, we can get a drink or something.