Release Date: October 11, 2012
Goodreads | Amazon UK | Amazon | The Book Depository
When oxygen levels plunge in a treeless world, a state lottery decides which lucky few will live inside the Pod. Everyone else will slowly suffocate. Years after the Switch, life inside the Pod has moved on. A poor Auxiliary class cannot afford the oxygen tax which supplies extra air for running, dancing and sports. The rich Premiums, by contrast, are healthy and strong. Anyone who opposes the regime is labelled a terrorist and ejected from the Pod to die. Sixteen-year-old Alina is part of the secret resistance, but when a mission goes wrong she is forced to escape from the Pod. With only two days of oxygen in her tank, she too faces the terrifying prospect of death by suffocation. Her only hope is to find the mythical Grove, a small enclave of trees protected by a hardcore band of rebels. Does it even exist, and if so, what or who are they protecting the trees from? A dystopian thriller about courage and freedom, with a love story at its heart.
Breathe is one of the best post-apocalyptic books I've ever read! Action, romance and a very clear vision of the future, Breathe will keep springing surprises on you until the end.
Breathe is set in the future when there is no trees and the only place you could possibly survive is in the Pod. A big glass dome that supplies oxygen at a cost, it also separates the Premiums and the Auxilaries. The Auxilaries are considered lower class, they can not afford the extra oxygen that dancing and playing sports takes. On the other hand, The Premiums are rich enough to live a normal life and can take big gulps of air with no restrictions.
Alina is part of the secret resistance outside the Pod, but when a mission goes horribly wrong, she is forced to flee. She has two oxygen tanks and the unknown waiting for her on the other side. With help from Quinn, a Premium, and his friend Bea, an Auxilary, they manage to smuggle Alina through security and out into the wide world. Away from the Pod they unearth a big secret, but will they stay alive long enough to tell anyone?
As soon as I read the blurb for this book I just knew that I would love it. Come on! A future with no trees? That's wicked! I had the best time reading this book. I enjoyed the plot, the characters and the unpredictable twists that Crossan has wonderfully brought together.
The book is told from three POVs; Alina, the rebel, Quinn, the Premium, and Bea, the Auxilary who is a friend of Quinn's. The three characters all have different things going on it their lives and it was really interesting to dive into each of their stories. I would have liked some more description and detail of some of the minor characters that appear half-way through the book.
I think Breathe is extremely well-written, and I am looking forward to reading the sequel, Resist. Fans of the post-apocalyptic genre should definitely check this one out as soon as possible!
Rating
- A review copy was provided by the publisher. Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing!
- A review copy was provided by the publisher. Thank you Bloomsbury Publishing!
Lovely review I reviewed this a while ago too. :) I agree it was amazing...did you get the finished copy? i got an ARC so I am now jealous of everyone who got that drool-worthy cover! LOL
ReplyDeleteI really want to read this book! It is popping up on just about every blog that I follow. Lol.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Sam.
I am sooo glad that you liked it Sam!!!! Nice review. I have seen it poping up everywhere but I think I will be waiting until I can get the paper back before buying it!
ReplyDeleteHaley
I NEED this book! It sounds so good and the whole idea of limited oxygen supplies is really unique. I can't wait to give this one a go.
ReplyDeleteNot too long till release now.
Thanks for the review. :)
Yay! I am so glad that you enjoyed Breathe! When I first heard of it, I was interested, but tried not to get too excited. Books are becoming a little less than unique sometimes nowadays. But now, after hearing reading several very positive reviews, I am allowing myself to get more excited. Reading that you really liked it, I think I can go into it with no worries!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading this one and I'm really enjoying it. Like you, I was intrigued with the synopsis. I'm so happy you enjoyed it as well. Great review, Sam.
ReplyDeleteKind of reminds me of the Lorax. I've heard many amazing things about this book and I am so excited to read it!
ReplyDeletethe future without tree, sounds a very promising story, I think I must put it to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteHi i also have been reading a lot of reviews on this one. At first i thought WoW!! this sure sounds different and then i as i am waiting it died down some now its picking back up and i can't wait to get. I really believe this is going to be a good book. Only because the zombies are not in it. I am getting alittle tired of zombies myself. Thanks joannie
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review. I've been wanting to read this one for a while now
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this. I was really interested in the concept, but was kind of on the fence about reading it. Part of me wanted to buy it also because the cover is amazing. I think it's an interesting new take on the "you can't leave this area because of *insert reason here*" idea that you find in a lot of dystopian novels. Can't wait to read it now.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read Breathe, it sounds so good! Thanks for the great review :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a high rating you have there! I'm really looking forward in reading this book. So far it's available in my country as a hardbound. And hardbounds are pricey. Love the premise of this book. What if the thing we take for granted, which keeps us alive, becomes limited? Excited for this!!
ReplyDeleteI love dystopians and this book sounds amazing! I think it's such an original and realistic story idea! I'm glad to read how much you liked it. If it's full of action and surprises, then count me in! I can't wait to read this book!
ReplyDelete