Aberrant by Ruth Silver

Aberrant by Ruth Silver 4.5 STARS

Synopsis- In the future Dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system. 
With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

Cover Pretty 
Rating: PG 13
Overall: Exciting New adventure romance 
Characters:  Joshua and Olivia
Page Turner: Yes
Series Cont.?  Yes 
Recommend if You Like...(Similarities to: Talented; Article 5, The Twenty )
Book Boyfriend: JOSHUA
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian 
Sex Scenes: Nope
Setting: Western US



Overall-
I really loved this book!! It was a quick read, but it had such great plot development that I couldnt put the book down. At first, this book reminded me of The Twenty, mixed with Matched mixed with Article 5 with a little Divergent in there... The plot isnt overly complicated or drawn out, but what makes the book interesting is the adventure that Joshua and Olivia end up going on. Its not that the adventure is crazy or unpredictable, but that it is interesting and brings them to into a place that is unusual. I think the set up for the next two books is very interesting and Im really looking forward to how things play out next. This book really has two pieces to it, the fertility issue and the government problem (a rebellion) combining these issues really worked in this case and I am intrigued! I loved the characters, their love for one another was really beautiful and sweet and I hope there arent too many complications for them!

Plot-
I was very surprised by the end of this book. There were a couple of loops in there that struck me. Im not really sure what to think just yet...depends on where things are taken, could be really good or not so good. I think what I liked the most about this book was that even though it had similarities to other books, the author worked hard at making itself different, to stand out. And so far it has. I was intrigued with the premise, and once I got to the post escape part, I worried I wouldnt like the book, but the author went in a different direction, brining in more action rather than drama and in those moments when you think you know whats coming, she was able to throw a slight curve ball out there. Im not saying there is anything crazy or wild, its still predictable as most are these days, but it has its moments. Especially towards the end, setting up the next two books, I am so eager to figure out how this new piece of information plays out.

The pacing of the book was good, nothing seemed to move too slowly, though there were times when the history got a little boring. But generally a great start! Cant wait for the others!

Olivia - Aimee Teegarden

Characters
Olivia- I love her. She reminds me of Zoe in Perception personality wise. She was willing to accept her surroundings until the unthinkable happened to her, and even then its so hard for her to let go of what she had known all her life. But her character developed over the course of the book to becoming someone stronger. While her determination and strife for life never faltered I enjoyed seeing her character grow by recognizing what she needs to do to survive and the lengths she was willing to go to for the survival. I especially liked that once she started questioning things, she didnt stop, specifically the first town that she arrives at. She didnt just accept what they offered she questioned it and I really appreciated that, and her continued efforts. I love her relationship with Joshua and the development of this relationship.

Joshua- Daren Kagasoff 

Joshua- What a great guy. Joshua seems like he would be the popular kid at school, that was nice to everyone. Good at everything and handsome no doubt. His affection for Olivia is extremly beautiful. I love their relationship, whether thats friendship or something more. He is dedicated and loyal to her and its so obvious that he is completely in love with her. I like that their relationship isnt very complicated, and that while their surrounding and circumstances provide complications at times, they always end up with each other and depending on one another. While Olivia grows more throughout this novel, Joshua's strength and loyalty certainly show through over the course of the book. He is certainly a keeper.

Im DYING for the next one!!!