Nirvana by J.R. StewartPublisher's Website Amazon (UK) Amazon.com I originally reviewed this book after receiving the ARC via NetGalley. The book has been revised based on feedback from myself and other reviewers and I agreed to review the revised ARC. Blue Moon Publishers (ebook), expected publication date 10 November 2015Nirvana is the first instalment in the three-part "Nirvana" series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.
186 Pages
What It's About
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?
Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible - even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real - and what is virtual.
Opening Paragraph
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD LARISSA Kenders pulled a doll tighter toward her and opens one eye. Crickets call through the screen window and the maple tree casts shadows on the bedroom wall. She watches them for a while, and then, with a few deep sighs, closes her eyes again. After a few minutes, the door creaks open, and she pulls her body tighter around her pillow. The door handle clicks shut and then the mattress of her pink princess bed shifts under the weight of her father's body, his hairy arms reaching for her as he whispers, 'Wake up, pretty Larissa'.
What I Thought
The author has done a great job of revising Nirvana. I'm stunned at how much the novel has improved. Nirvana, the revised version is fantastic. I loved it. Nirvana is now the book I expected it to be.
One of my criticisms of the earlier version was how confusing the timeframe of the novel was. Events move back and forth in time. In the earlier version, this was poorly executed and I found it very confusing. This has been completely overhauled in the revised version. The time shifts work well. I didn't lose the thread of what was going on.
The biggest change in the revised version is how Larissa's character has developed. In the earlier version, I found her irritating because she mopes over Andrew and feels sorry for herself a lot. She's a different person in the new version, much tougher, a real heroine people can believe in. I really liked her. I was actually surprised when I found out she's only 17 as she seems much older.
I love the way the story unfolds in Nirvana. There's plenty of suspense and drama. Larissa is surrounded by betrayal and conspiracy and isn't sure who she can trust. I believed in her and the world the author created completely. There are a lot of nice touches scattered throughout. I really liked the explanation given for the dystopian world Larissa lives in and who doesn't love conspiracies?
The ending is real sucker-punch and I can't wait to continue the series.
Nirvana is a promising start to a new YA dystopian series. I'm so glad I got read a revised version of the book.
