The Continent (The Continent #1) by @keira_writes #BookReview #Giveaway @HarlequinTEEN

    For her sixteenth birthday, Vaela Sun receives the most coveted gift in all the Spire—a trip to the Continent. It seems an unlikely destination for a holiday: a cold, desolate land where two “uncivilized” nations remain perpetually at war. Most citizens tour the Continent to see the spectacle and violence of battle—a thing long vanished in the Spire. For Vaela—a smart and talented apprentice cartographer—it is an opportunity to improve upon the maps she’s drawn of this vast, frozen land.

But an idyllic aerial exploration is not to be had: the realities of war are made clear in a bloody battle seen from the heli-plane during the tour, leaving Vaela forever changed. And when a tragic accident leaves her stranded on the Continent, she has no illusions about the true nature of the danger she faces. Starving, alone, and lost in the middle of a war zone, Vaela must try to find a way home—but first, she must survive.

I’m Keira Drake—I write YA fiction, usually with sci-fi/fantasy elements. My debut novel, THE CONTINENT, will be published by Harlequin TEEN in January 2017, and I am represented by the incredible, illustrious Jim McCarthy at Dystel and Goderich Literary Management. I’m so looking forward to sharing my books with the world!

NOTE there will be spoilers!!! I don't see any way around it for this review. 

This book has had a lot of controversy over it the last few days. And I still don't understand it. So many books, movies, and tv shows have used the word savage. So what defines a savage. Well for me a savage is defined by their actions. And from what I've seen in this book. The Topi fit the bill they found Vaela and instead of trying to understand an unarmed girl. They stabbed her in the leg, knocked her out, and tried to rape her and even before this they cut off the head of one of the other people and threw it at the heli-plane. So if those two acts alone don't make them fit for the word savage. I don't know what does.  

This book is so many things but racist is not one of them and I'm still not sure where others are seeing racist activity.  It's about a girl who wanted to be a map maker and found herself loosing her family, and being subjected to some really savage people, only be to rescued by a guy that had shown her nothing but kindness.  The story follows her while she tries to find her way home. Where she learns she's made of more than she thought. She finds that although people might act bad that everyone deserves a clean slate. And that past prejudice shouldn't reflect on those in the present. 

I would love to know more about the world she comes from. The Spire where everyone has a job and is part of the community. And those who do not want to be apart of it are kindly asked to leave.  The world building in this story is so emense and I wish we would have gotten more about the world that Vaela came from.  Technology is pretty much banned, as we find out she isn't even allowed to have a camera.  There is no more war in their side of the world. And still that asking to leave if you don't want to be part of their society I think that that is kinda fishy.  I would have loved to know more.

I also wish we would have gotten more story about the Topi but from what we did get I still see them as a hateful people.  The story felt very one sided.  We got to see the Topi though the eyes of stories we were told etc. But didn't get a reall look at them.  . I hope that they are explored more in during the series.

The story as a whole was very good.  I have already preordered a few copies and my daughter Endy is excited to be reading it as well. And she will share her thoughts on it next week or so.  Its one book that will have you thinking about war, injustice, and standing up for what you believe in by the end of it.  And im sure it will stick with you far longer.

I do think that instead of everyone just going by what people are saying. That they should read the book and then make a choice on their own. Because I just don't see what others are seeing. I see a wonderful coming of age book full of loss, learning, love, and adventure. Vaela comes so far in this book. And Noro learns that he doesn't have to be alone. It was an amazing read that I hope others dive in and love the world that Drake has created because I know I do! 

And as for the usage of savage. I think throughout history all cultures could have been described by that word sooner or later.  Our history is full of death and destruction. So no matter what color your skin is. You have savage in your past. I don't think a book should be so hated because of one word. 

I would also like to say that me as a reader I didn't see anything wrong with this book.  I think everyone is allowed to voice their option but people going onto a site and giving the book low stars when they haven't even read the book was wrong!  I also want to state that I am not white I am a mix of races and again I didn't see anything wrong with the word uses the author used.  

"All opinions are 100% honest and my own." 

Want to let everyone know this is open to all. 

Hoever, it seems that the publisher has moved the release date after all the drama surrounding it. 

So this giveaway IS for a FINISHED copy but I do NOT know when it will be shipped out.  So please understand that you will win a finished copy but the new release date has not been updated.  

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted in: 5 Stars, Giveaway, Harlequin, Jessica P., Review