Book Review and GIVEAWAY: The Electric Heir, by Victoria Lee {ends 6/22}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

Winter in Texas was snowless, but this close to the coast, the wind that blew in off the Gulf chilled to the bone. Noam drew his military-issue jacket a little closer around his shoulders as the icy air rippled through his hair and sent the evacuation notices fluttering against every window, every wall.

“These are the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” Bethany announced when she emerged from the little corner store, the screen door falling shut behind her. The sound of her voice seemed to echo down the empty street. Her cheeks were a little pink, but that was the only sign she noticed the cold at all.

“You said that about taquitos.”

“That was before I had these.” She kicked his ankle with the edge of her boot and held out the open bag. “Go on - try one.”

Noam peered at the label. “Cheese straws? We have cheese straws in Carolinia.”

“These are jalapeño flavored. It makes them ten times better. Trust me.”

Noam took a handful, popping one into his mouth. It was crunchy, cheesy...and Bethany was right: the spiciness did make it better.

“I’m going out on the lines tomorrow,” he said after he’d chewed, swallowed.

He felt Bethany’s gaze like the point of a blade pressed against his cheek. When he turned to look at her, she tilted her chin up. The bloody light of the late sun deepened her hair from blonde to red. “Are you going to…”

“No,” he said with a heavy exhale, and he wished he wasn’t holding so many cheese straws; he fought the urge to knot his hands in fists. “No. Not yet. We should wait for orders.”

“We give the orders out here, Noam.”

This book was the second in the Feverwake duology. It was great to follow Dara, Noam and the other Level IV witchings through to some happy endings.

Official synopsis:

Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.

Now that Noam remembers the full extent of Lehrer’s crimes, he’s determined to use his influence with Lehrer to bring him down for good. If Lehrer realizes Noam has evaded his control—and that Noam is plotting against him—Noam’s dead. So he must keep playing the role of Lehrer’s protégé until he can steal enough vaccine to stop the virus.

Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life.

A well laid-out dystopian fantasy book can make an alternate reality understandable. The Feverwake duology definitely does that and more. The world of magic (as a virus), witchings, and a 124-year-old tyrannical dictator doesn’t seem crazy at all, when described by the author in these books.

Dara and Noam had strong powers after surviving the magic virus, but they’re still young adults, and the person who is supposed to be taking care of each of them is using his telepathy and persuasion to abuse and take advantage of them. The only way they can save themselves - and their country - is by outsmarting him. Several times they think they’re on the right track, until Chancellor Lehrer seems to be coming out ahead again.

While this book is recommended as a great queer-friendly book for young adults, there is a content warning given by the author. There are depictions of sexual assault and child abuse, as well as references to suicide, eating disorders and substance abuse.

This series was excellent. I’d give this book 4.5/5 stars. I’d recommend both books in the duology to be read in order by anyone who enjoys dystopian fiction.

{click here to purchase - currently free for Kindle Unlimited users!}

Becki Bayley enjoys reading, playing Animal Crossing, and sunbathing. You can find out more about what she’s reading now by following @PoshBecki on Instagram.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of The Electric Heir!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Monday, June 22nd, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

The Electric Heir, by Victoria Lee