Eden's Root

Eden's Root
by Rachel Fisher

Published December 17, 2011

This book was provided to us by the author in exchange for an honest review.

It is 2033, and the world hovers on the edge of explosion as unexplained crop deaths lead to severe global food shortages. In the United States, the Sickness is taking lives slowly, creeping its way into every family. Fi Kelly has already faced the Sickness in her own family, toughening her beyond her years. But a shocking confession from her dying father will push her toughness to its absolute limits. Saddled with an impossible secret and the mission of saving her little sister, Fi sets out to transform herself into the warrior that she must become to survive the coming collapse. Along the way, she will discover that evil can be accidental and that love can be intentional.

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This book is what I consider "soft" sci-fi. (My definition of that is: a story that relies on science---or the "science" created for the book---but isn't about said science. It's about the people or situations.) It is also apocalyptic. To be honest, for a while I stopped reading apocalyptic books, because I spent every night in my dreams living through disasters. Not very restful. But I digress.

One of my favorite parts of this book was getting to see how Fi prepared. She was given exclusive knowledge that the disaster would hit, and she did everything she could to be ready. She learned to shoot guns and bows, became an excellent fighter, and worked to become proficient as a hunter/gatherer.

When the book starts, Fi is only thirteen, yet she's given the responsibility of caring for her family, and doing everything possible to protect and provide for them. That's a lot of responsibility for such a young girl. Over the next two years, she's faced with many impossible choices.

I had a hard time putting this book down, and I kind of wish it was longer. . . .

4/5 stars