Title: The Woodlands
Author: Lauren Nicolle Taylor
First published August 15, 2013
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.74
Overview
In a world where conformity is law and being different is a death sentence, survival is a constant battle. Rosa, a sixteen-year-old living in one of the eight enclosed cities of The Woodlands, is an outcast because of her inability to follow the strict rules.
But when she meets Joseph, a boy unlike anyone she’s ever known, she realizes that being unique isn’t always a bad thing. Unfortunately, the Superiors, who control the cities with an iron fist, disagree.
They’re obsessed with creating a ‘raceless’ population and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. When they begin abducting young girls for their secret breeding program, Rosa and her newfound friends must come together to fight back against the Superiors and their ruthless reign.
One man is determined to save them, but can he succeed against an unstoppable enemy? Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s The Woodlands is a gripping tale of survival, friendship, and rebellion in a dystopian world where being different can mean the end of everything.
About the Author
Meet Lauren Nicolle Taylor, an accomplished author who has written bestselling books like THE WOODLANDS SERIES and the award-winning YA novel NORA & KETTLE. The latter won the Gold medal in Multicultural fiction at the Independent Publishers Book Awards 2017 and is the first book in the acclaimed PAPER STARS SERIES.
Lauren has completed a degree in Health Science and an honors degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology. However, her passion for writing and art led her to become a full-time writer and artist.
Recently, Lauren and her husband, along with their three children, moved to Canada for a new adventure.
Lauren has signed a three-book deal for her exciting new YA fantasy series and is eager to share it with you. As a proud hapa, Lauren incorporates her multicultural background into all of her novels.
Editoral Review
Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s debut novel, The Woodlands, is an engaging and thought-provoking tale set in the aftermath of a devastating world war. Taylor expertly crafts a dystopian society that is both vivid and haunting, highlighting the complexities of human emotion and behavior.
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where society is rigidly structured and teens are required to undergo rigorous testing in order to determine their future occupations. The narrative centers around Rosa, a fiercely independent young woman who discovers that everything she thought she knew about her world is a lie.
As she delves deeper into the secrets of her society, she becomes entangled in a web of danger and betrayal. One of the strengths of The Woodlands lies in its character development.
Taylor skillfully portrays the complexities of human emotion and behavior, creating characters who are flawed and relatable. Rosa is a particularly well-developed character, with her fierce determination and sense of justice.
The novel also features a cast of other intriguing characters, such as the villainous Leo and the charismatic Jeremy. Taylor’s writing style is evocative and beautifully descriptive, immersing the reader in the world of The Woodlands.
The pacing is well-structured, with the tension gradually building as Rosa uncovers the truth about her society. The themes that Taylor explores, such as individuality, freedom, and the nature of power, are all pertinent and thought-provoking.
However, while The Woodlands is an engaging and enjoyable read, it is not without its flaws. Some of the plot twists can be predictable, and there are moments where the pacing lags.
Additionally, some of the world-building details can feel underdeveloped, leaving the reader with unanswered questions. Overall, The Woodlands is a fantastic debut that showcases Taylor’s considerable talent as a writer.
It is an engaging and thought-provoking tale that will appeal to fans of the dystopian fiction genre. While it may not be perfect, it is an excellent debut that promises great things to come from Lauren Nicolle Taylor.
Rating: 4/5
