Book Review: The Coupling by Cathrine Goldstein

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Title: The Coupling
Series: The Letting #2
Author: Cathrine Goldstein
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: February 15, 2016
Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, YA/NA

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Purchase Links:

Barnes & Noble // Kobo // Amazon // The Wild Rose Press

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The Coupling
The Letting #2
Cathrine Goldstein
The Wild Rose Press, February 2016
ISBN 978-1-50920-617-9
Trade Paperback

From the publisher—

In Ronnie Billings’ dystopian world, surviving the Letting and breaking free of a corrupt government is less of a surprise than falling in love with Phoenix Day, the leader of the Peaceful Revolution…

When the government sentences Ronnie to a Coupling under the guise of producing a coveted blood type, Ronnie discovers the one she’s slated to Couple with expects even more.

Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves most, Ronnie devastates Phoenix with her impossible decision. Whisked away from her rebel life to another world ravaged by despair, Ronnie meets her greatest nemesis…her biological father.

Steeling her nerves against the dangers of escape, she embarks on the perilous journey back. She is convinced she belongs with Phoenix and his revolution, but will her friends, and especially Phoenix, be ready to accept her when she returns? Because this time, evil is in her blood…

I found the first book in this series, The Letting, to be really intriguing and exciting in a number of ways, most especially the core theme of taking blood from children to keep society going. Ronnie spent her young life shepherding her young charges to their destiny without knowing what that destiny really was but, in that first book, she learned a number of truths that changed her world. I looked forward with anticipation to the next book to see what would happen and, hopefully, gain a little more insight into this dystopian existence.

For some reason, I didn’t connect quite as well with The Coupling and I think the problem is on my end, not the book’s. In the early chapters, I felt an annoyance with the main characters, I mean the good ones that I was supposed to like. I did like Ronnie and Phoenix but I also thought some of their behavior was odd, especially when Phoenix blamed Ronnie for something she really couldn’t avoid if she was going to save the lives of three little girls, three little girls who are inordinately important. I also thought Ronnie was way too incredulous at Phoenix’s reaction as though she had no clue he would be so upset.

Not making the all-important connection with the major players is a red flag for me but I continued reading because, despite that issue, I really wanted to follow the story and I’m glad I did. The plot moves along quickly with lots of twists and turns that kept me interested and now I’m looking forward to the next installment.

Note: I recommend that readers new to the series start with the first book, The Letting; this is one of those times when reading in order is best.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2016.

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About the Author

Given my love for cities and all that is gritty, my new obsession with trees really has me stumped. (Sorry.) Maybe it’s because trees are the inspiration behind my YA/NA novel, The Letting, followed by The Coupling.

Whatever the reason for my new infatuation, some things remain constant — like my love for: coffee (although sadly, it’s now decaf); yoga; Luna bars (I am petitioning for them to bring back Chocolate Raspberry!); running in my neighborhood; Hemingway; Bukowski… and, above all, my husband and my girls.

I am the author of the bestselling novel, Sleeping With Mortals: The Story of a New York Mistress, and I’m also a playwright. I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre.

             

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