3 out of 4 stars
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The Blackjack virus killed everyone over the age of 21, forcing the world to start over. Consequently, Yliria closed their borders as no one ever figured out where the virus originated. They, then, adopted a new form of government - the Joker system. Yuri and Ryoma are about to become part of the system - they've been forcefully enscripted. The government isn't quite what they've been taught all these years, however. They are about to learn more than they ever bargained for.
Death's Kiss by Regie Khemvisay is a dystopian fiction of around 400 pages. Themes of working together, rebellion, living life to the fullest and self-sacrificing love come together with an interesting and entertaining plot. With mostly non-graphic violence and no sexual scenes, it would be appropriate for young adults.
With the Hunger Games series, Maze Runner series and Divergent series, it's difficult to find a unique take on the future. However, Ms. Khemvisay succeeds here. A virus taking out most of the older population isn't new, but the author adds twists and turns you won't see coming. The ending isn't necessarily complete; there is a possibility for a sequel. Nevertheless, the plot arc for this book is nicely concluded.
In addition, the characters are well-drawn. Some you'll love; some you'll love to hate. But, what I really enjoyed is that not everyone is who they seem to be. Without knowing the good guys from the bad guys, you won't know who to trust. This added a level of suspense to the story, keeping the reader entertained.
There is a small element of romance as Yuri and Ryoma are a couple at the start of the book. With their lives being turned upside down, will their relationship survive? It was fascinating to see all that tried to come between the two and their subsequent development. Their love is never centerstage but always there. I enjoyed that the book was clean, as well.
Sadly, as seems to happen so often, the author appears to have skipped the proofreading stage. The tenses didn't always quite agree. There were misspellings and incorrect punctuation. It was never completely overwhelming, but the errors were consistent throughout. I was, though, still able to become engrossed in the story.
I rate Death's Kiss 3 out of 4 stars. The story was gripping, the characters added mystery and the twists and turns kept you guessing. Still, the errors were too numerous for a perfect score. I recommend it for any who enjoy a dystopian story but can overlook some grammatical errors. I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next.
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Death's Kiss
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