Title: Anomaly
Author: Krista McGee
Release Date: 07/09/13
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Post-apocalyptic
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Anomaly
Anomaly Series, #1
Krista McGee
Thomas Nelson, July 2013
ISBN 978-1-4016-8872-1
Trade Paperback
From the publisher—
Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.
Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.
But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.
She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.
As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.
Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out…
Well, here’s a strange turn of events. I read so much that I rarely have time (or the inclination) to re-read anything, although I have a home library full of those books that I want to have available for re-reading, just in case. You know how it goes. What’s really odd this time, though, is that I want to re-read Anomaly right now while I still remember it. Here’s the thing—I became so captivated by this book that I raced through it, unable to put it down until the end, and now I need to go back and do it again so I can savor it like a fine meal.
Krista McGee is a new author to me so I looked her up before signing on with this tour. Because I did that, I knew when I started that there was likely to be a Christian “flavor” to the story. I know some reviewers have expressed surprise and, in some cases, dismay over this but I don’t have much sympathy for the latter as a little bit of research would have told them what might be coming. Also, Ms. McGee handles this with a fairly light touch and I didn’t find it overbearing at all. I have enjoyed what can be called Christian fiction in the past and will do so again, just as I enjoy fiction that has a complete absence of any religious element.
I won’t say too much about the individual characters because getting to know them better is one reason I’m going to read it again. I will say that, while I like Thalli a lot, Berk really captured my interest. There are other characters who appealed to me or at least made me pay attention even if I didn’t like them but Berk is certainly the one who stands out, just a little more than Thalli.
As for worldbuilding, many first-time dystopian writers have a tough time showing the readers enough but not too much; we need to understand the world but we don’t want all our questions answered. I’d have to say that Ms. McGee has done a very creditable job here and has left me with a deep desire to find out what will happen next. We have to wait till next January for the second book, Luminary, and I’m not all that patient when I’m waiting for a highly anticipated sequel, so I guess I’ll just curl up now for my re-read 😉
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, July 2013.
About the Author
Krista McGee’s passion to see teens excited about serving God is a driving force behind her novels. Ever since college when she spent a summer working at a youth camp, McGee knew she wanted to invest in teenagers. Since then she’s been involved in a variety of youth ministries and currently teaches at a Christian school in Tampa, FL.
McGee broke into the writing world during her time in Spain. A friend encouraged her to submit an article to a Christian girls’ magazine, and it got published. Once her family moved back to Tampa, she got the idea for her first novel, First Date, a modern take of the story of Esther. Her subsequent books, Starring Me and Right Where I Belong, are based on Rebekah and Ruth.
When Krista McGee isn’t living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher and coffee snob.
Learn more about Krista McGee and her books at kristamcgeebooks.com. Readers can also become a fan on Facebook (krista.a.mcgee) or follow her on Twitter (@KristaMcGeeYA).
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