Title: Aveline
Author: S.J. Carson
Genre: Teen Dystopian, Young Adult Dystopian, YA Dystopian
Book Blurb:
For thirteen-year-old Aveline Fleur, a child of Alterra’s ruling house, life is pretty much perfect. She attends private school, owns a horse, and lives on an enormous estate where she and her best friend Bruno run wild. But when she discovers that her family is involved in a sinister plot to brainwash people who speak out against the regime—and that Bruno and his mother are in danger—Aveline must summon the courage to save herself and her friends before it's too late.
My Review:
An adventurous and perilous young adult fantasy/dystopian tale filled with intrigue and twists and turns along the way.
Aveline Fleur is a thirteen-year-old girl struggling with being bullied and living up to the standards of her mother, Lightminister and heir to be the Supreme Leader of Alterra, Allyn Monnag Fleur. When Aveline discovers the dark secrets hiding behind her ruling family’s façade, and the horrible atrocities they inflict upon their enemies, she becomes the target of her family’s scorn, and it may cost her everything she holds dear.
Aveline is a wonderfully realistic main character and a fun hero with a complicated family dynamic that people will identify with. Her character arc is interesting, and I loved how she evolved, learning to stand up for herself and others. The secondary cast of characters are also distinctive and important to the story.
The world building is well-executed with important facts and descriptions interspersed throughout the book. They paint a picture of Alterra and their enemies with detailed landscapes and a clear hierarchy of government without bogging the story down. Within this elaborate world, the plotting enfolds building suspense with unpredictable events, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Overall, Aveline is a top-notch book. I highly recommend it for fans of middle grade/YA along the lines of I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle or The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Full list of buy links: https://wildrosepress.com/product/aveline/
Author Biography:
S.J. Carson is a fantasy author and poet based in Las Vegas, Nevada. She holds degrees from Stanford and Boston Universities. A two-time Pushcart Prize nominee, her poems have appeared in both online and print journals. Aveline is her first novel.
Social Media Links:
Author Website: https://sjcarson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorsjcarsonofficial/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sjcarsonauthor
Twitter/X: www.x.com/SJCarsonAuthor
Reviewed by: Michelle