Book Review and Spotlight: United

Title/Author: United (The United Trilogy Book 1) / Jaci Wheeler
Genre: Young Adult / Sci Fi / Dystopian
Publisher: Limitless Publishing LLC
Date of publish: January 2016
Pages: 201

When the United States of America crumbles under civilian protests and riots, a new United America rises from the ashes…
After a reformation, United America runs like a well-oiled machine. Solar power trumps fossil fuels, strict laws keep crime at an all-time low, and at sixteen, residents are assigned their role in society—and fulfill it without complaints. But unbeknownst to the citizens, they are also under constant monitoring, and reigning President Vaughn has eyes in every sector of the gleaming country.
When Rosaline Thatcher turns sixteen, it is time to receive her position in society…
When President Vaughn calls Rosaline to the stage, she dutifully follows orders. Though she dare not disobey, it’s unclear why she is being singled out. As she passes her best friend, Wesley, she’s reminded of what’s at stake. With her new role, she could be torn from her friends and family forever.
Rosaline goes from ordinary citizen to leader of the free world…
Shocked and overwhelmed, Rosaline can’t understand why she was chosen for the most vital position of all. But with great power comes great responsibility, and with the help of those closest to her, the fate of their thriving country rests in her hands.
When she discovers a secret location only known as the O.C., the United America Rosaline thought she knew may turn out to be history’s greatest fraud…
In a society where citizens obey without question, what will happen when one girl dares to defy, and what will that mean for United America?

Roz Thatcher is a typical 16 year girl for her time and world. She, along with best friends Wes and Molly, are about to be matched with their jobs, and then sent on their way into adulthood. Roz has always known that her job would be chosen for her based on her strengths, for the good of the country, however when she is chosen to be the next president, she enters a world she never dreamed existed.

Upon taking on her new responsibilities she discovers that every citizen is watched and monitored, all under the auspices of the greater good. She was chosen for this job because of her strong convictions and high moral compass, but those same qualities will also make it hard for her to do her job now that she knows the truth.

This story is a fabulous take on the dystopian concept and quite timely given the political climate at the moment. This is the beginning of a series so it mostly background and prep. Roz starts off strong making necessary, but honestly what should be rudimentary changes. She soon realizes that there is more going on than she knows.

There are some fabulously well developed characters in this stories. Roz and her friends form a small, but strong core that provides the gravity Roz needs to pull in others along the way. You can get a real sense that change is in the wind by the way that the council behaves. The strong personalities on the council are mirrored by characters Roz comes in contact throughout the book. Wes was particularly resonant for me. Having a child with high functioning autism, I find that he is well written and Roz’s commitment to him is wonderful.

It wouldn’t be dystopian without a nod to Orwellian society, but the twist of this society is an interesting one. Big Brother has created a Utopia with no real flaws visible to the average citizen, but is still hiding a seething mass of contradictions. There is always a price and as always it is those who least able to advocate for themselves that pay the biggest portion of it and it is those issues that will eventually make or break Roseline’s tenure as president. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series.

Greed, corruption, and selfishness were the downfall of the United States of America. The government had long ago turned its back on its people, and the people had enough. It was time to take their country back. Citizens organized and took up arms, fighting side by side with their fellow countrymen for a new way of life. Once the government realized the uprising was gaining momentum they began targeting the metropolitan areas in an attempt to rapidly quell the masses, to no avail. In the end, hundreds of millions of lives were lost due to the genocide brought on by the rebellion. Millions more were a part of a mass exodus, fleeing for their lives to neighboring nations. The White House was destroyed, along with the corruption residing within.

When the dust settled, the people rose from the ashes victorious. The nation was demolished and only a million people were left to rebuild and start anew.

Wheeler, Jaci (2016-01-19). United (The United Trilogy Book 1) (Kindle Locations 51-58). Limitless Publishing LLC. Kindle Edition.

I have been married to my very supportive husband for 6 years and we have two amazing Autistic kids!I always dreamed of being a writer, but life got in the way. Going through my kids different therapies and special schools and one meeting after the next I needed a way to get away from it all and find my perfect Utopia! This is how the United Series was born. Writing has always been cathartic to me. Who wouldn’t want to leave their world for a while and step into a new one? I have so many stories and characters just waiting to find a place on your shelf! I’m hoping to come out with two more books this year not counting the Trilogy.