Review - The Farm (The Farm #1) by Emily McKay

The Farm was a fairly enjoyable story with an interesting premise that has a unique take on the Dystopian lore with a different sort of villain and a lead character who is gritty, determined, and very protective of her twin sister to the point of being fairly aggressive towards anyone who tries to get in her way.

Thanks to a pathogen escaping, people turned into viscous and mindless Ticks and quickly decimated the Southwest, Midwest and later the entire country with a little help from a mysterious benefactor who I shalt not name.

Teens were quickly rounded up and sent to Farms where they are separated into Greens, Breeders, and Collaborators for their "protection". They are required to stay there until they are 18 years of age, but nobody knows for sure what happens to them once they do in fact, become of age to leave the Farms, or even if they will survive to see 18. The so called Greens are required to donate blood once a week where it is checked for impurities.

Twin sisters Lily and Melanie Price have been stuck on the Farm for 6 long, arduous months where Lily has tried everything possible to protect her ASD (autistic) sister including holing themselves up in a closet and trading for goods and services necessary to escape the Farm. Naturally, things don't go as Lily had planned when her former crush Carter Olson shows up at the Farm and takes matters into his own hands while claiming that he's looking for someone who can help the Rebellion defeat the Ticks and those holding their lease.

I should point out to future readers of The Farm that you should absolutely avoid reading the synopsis for The Lair at all costs because you will totally know what happens at the end of this story to one of the characters. Obviously, I am not going to spoil it for anyone so please don't ask me to.

So, yes, there is a cliffhanger and yes, those who liked The Farm will be patiently waiting for The Lair to come out in November to see what happens next to the sisters, Carter, Sebastian, and a very pregnant McKenna Wells former mean girl now fighting for her babies very survival alongside Lily.

I'm actually very glad that I borrowed this from the library, although I could see myself re-reading this book again in the near future to ensure that I didn't miss anything vital to the overall story and before The Lair is released so that I don't forget anything. I guess that's what taking notes is for!

I really didn't care for the fact that this story is told by three different people; Lily, Carter, and Mel. I've heard some people were actually confused with Mel's POV because she's autistic. It really didn't bother me especially the Epilogue when she realizes things have changed. I guess I like my stories told either in the Third Party or by One Person.

I actually liked Sebastian, the vampire because he was exactly who he was supposed to be. He's dangerous, he's willy, he's unpredictable, and he really doesn't like the fact that he was mislead by Carter in his search for the mythical savior of the Rebellion or the fact that his own territory has ceased to be thanks to the Tick invasion.

I will say that I liked the world building for The Farm. The uniqueness of Ticks was what made me request this book in the first place. Vampires have been done, and over done, and yes, they're are still a few vampires that show up over the course of this story but it's a nice change to see a different short of horror.

Lily may rub people the wrong way in her actions, especially when she's trying to protect, or save Mel. I think Lily is a very determined young lady who knows that it's now her responsibility to keep Mel happy and above all alive in a world that has gone absolutely crazy. Lily and Carters interlude is a bit overdone in my opinion, especially on Carter's side.

Carter, believe it or not, is not a bad guy overall. Even though he makes a HUGE blunder while looking for the abductura, he meant well. He knows that the only way to defeat the enemy is to level the playing field and bring his own general to lead the battle even if it means working with a 200 year old vampire who may or may not be trustworthy and has his own agenda.

Overall, I would probably recommend this to those who are not burned out on YA Dystopian novels and heroines who are weak kneed and can't seem to get out of their own way to save their own lives. I still have some questions in regards to where they get their food, and whether or not any of the adults are still alive, but I shall keep my patience in check, and wait for the next book!

Title - The Farm (The Farm # 1)
Author - Emily McKay
Publisher - Berkley Trade
Released - December 4, 2012
Genre - YA Dystopian
Source - Borrowed via Library