Poison by Lan Chan
(Wind Dancer #1)
Publication date: September 1st 2015
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult

Book Summary

Since the night her mother was murdered, sixteen-year-old Rory Gray has known one truth: There are no good Seeders.

In post-apocalyptic Australia, the scientists known as Seeders have built a Citadel surrounded by food-producing regions and populated with refugees from the wars and famine. To maintain their control, the Seeders poisoned the land and outlawed the saving of seeds.

It’s been six years since Rory graced the Seeders’ circus stage as the Wind Dancer and still the scars on her body haven’t healed. Even worse are the scars on her heart, left by a Seeder boy who promised to protect her.

Now the Seeders are withholding supplies from Rory’s region for perceived disobedience. Utilising the Wanderer knowledge she received from her mother, Rory must journey to the Citadel through uninhabitable terrain to plead for mercy.

However, the Citadel isn’t as Rory remembered. The chief plant geneticist is dying and rumours fly that the store of viable seed is dwindling. The Seeders are desperate to find a seed bank they believe Rory can locate, and they will stop at nothing to get it.

To defy the Seeders means death. But Rory has been close to death before–this time she’s learned the value of poison.

Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, strong protagonists, minority characters, circuses and nature!

Purchase Links

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My Review

The world Aurora grows up in is a violent dystopia of greed and savagery. Embracing her own encompassing feelings of revenge, she pushes herself into a warrior bent of the destruction of the Seeders but also the continuation of her mothers legacy. Still a feeling that lays heavy in her gut and heart continues to drive her to other actions that determine her future.

Poison is made of groups called Seeders, Wanderers, Reapers, and Blood Furies (which by the way is an amazingly scary name) all at war with one another. Famine causes ‘survival to the fittest’ in a dying land, where Aurora struggles not only to survive but save the future of their world.

Every bit of this book is like reading poetry. The way Chan describes even something like walking through a forest ends up being a dance in words, must like her plot. Usually when reading about a world so different it can be hard to follow at times. However, I had no trouble at all following the intricacies of this future dystopian world that captured me so quickly. I truly feel that this book is very fresh and unique. I usually feel a bit of tension with a character when I first start to read, yet I immediately enjoyed reading Aurora, or for short Rory’s, point of view and the struggles she faces. Rory is such a brave, aspiring character, and it was very easy to like her. She faces her fears, pushing past the moments when she only wants to freeze, and is very loyal to the people she cares about.

It was very refreshing to read a story based in Australia. Having already a bit of knowledge about the creatures and atmosphere that are already deadly, it was very interesting to read Chan’s particular flare about the conditions there. Just by writing this I realize how many different elements are involved in this story, yet I never felt boggled by an overload of information. If you crave fast paced action stories then you will certainly enjoy this.

Also, I must confess, I’m a sucker for bad boys in books. Rory’s counterpart (or adversary) Aiden can certainly fit the description. Aiden is ruthless and complicated, which makes him all the more fun to read.

I would definitely recommend the book, though I’d suggest reading it further in the future because I’m already frustrated that I can’t read the sequel. Kidding! Sort of…

About the Author

Lan Chan is a writer, gardener and professional procrastinator based in Melbourne, Australia. She is still waiting for her super powers to manifest but until then she writes young adult novels featuring strong female protagonists, minority characters and has a particular interest in dystopias and urban fantasy. Lan’s debut novel POISON, the first in her WIND DANCER series is due for release in September 2015.

Author links:

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