Book Review: Killer of Enemies

I picked this book up a few months ago...never did get around to starting it--wasn't sure I'd like it.  But when I cracked open the spine the other day, the book wasn't put down until 4am and I had finished!  This one is a MUST READ!

For Fans of:

The Living by Matt de la Pena

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Killer of Enemies

by Joseph Bruchac

Years ago, a mysterious cloud settled over planet Earth, wiping out any and all technology, leaving civilization in the dark, to crumble as the ice caps melted and eternal desert swarmed North America.

There were ones, augmented with artificial intelligence that made a way for themselves to rule small enclaves across the country.  But the augmented pets they have were also set loose when the cloud hit. Now, enormous bison bred with armadillos and birds the size of houses roam free and terrorize the small communities of people.

Lozen, a teenage girl, was found to have a knack...and a power, for killing such creatures.  When the Ones found her, they took her and her family and held her family hostage while ordering her out into the wilderness to perform whatever duties asked by the Ones.

But each time Lozen kills a monster, her powers grow. And as she connects with the ancient world and her native heritage, Lozen realizes she may have an ally in the desert--which is good news, as the time has come for Lozen to escape the community with her family before they are all killed.

I cannot stop singing praises for this book.  This book is not part of a series, so there is no worry about waiting around forgetting the storyline until the second book is released.  Bruchac is able to complete an ENTIRE storyline with a plot, strong characters, a crazy dystopian world, and a family element in one 360 page book--genius.  Bruchac also does not center his story--and who Lozen is as a person--on a boy.  Yes, there is a love interest, but it does nothing to cloud the overall sensational plot.

Bruchac adds amazing creatures that Lozen must fight, and describes them with such clarity, you truly feel like you are in every situation Lozen finds herself in.  I highly recommend this book, without a doubt, to anyone--boys and girls, teens, tween, adults, lovers of dystopia, lovers of mystery, everyone!