Review: The Here and Now

Title: ‘The Here and Now’

Author: Ann Brashares

Pages: 242

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Available: NOW at your local library/book store

Source: Netgalley

Summary (from Goodreads):

An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

My Thoughts:

This book, I loved it. I found the plot interesting and engaging. Brashares had me from page one. This novel is not character-driven nor plot-driven. These two are a perfect marriage. They work together to deliver a solid dystopian tale. One that will have readers re-think sitting on the back porch during the hot summer months, where mosquitoes wait for their next meal.

Prenna is a character a lot of teen readers will be able to connect with—from her core, she wants to do the right thing. She wants to follow the rules.

Enter Ethan. He is not of her world; therefore, even speaking to him is a violation of the rules. But he is fascinated by Prenna, and he makes time to spend with her. Soon the two become close friends, and Prenna finds herself in constant trouble.

Rules are rules. They are in place to protect the people of the present as well to protect the future. A future that will not be there because of the destruction of mankind by mosquito.

Prenna and Ethan's friendship represents a complication—a major one that could result in the destruction of man even sooner than expected.

Prenna wants to discover the truth about the world she came from and what the future may hold. She is curious, and this is not something that is valued among her “people.”

They must protect themselves at all costs. All. Costs. Even if that means sacrificing Prenna.

There are secrets that must be kept. There is a future to protect.

But, are they doing all they can to protect that future? After all, what's the point of traveling back in time if it is not to work to make sure there is a future worth saving?

Do I recommend this book?

Absolutely. I especially recommend this book to readers of dystopia.

I love dystopia, and it is rare that I read one that I do not enjoy. I enjoy seeing how authors imagine the destruction of the world, and how their character creations work to save it. I find them almost cautionary tales of what could happen if we do not protect ourselves now.

And for this one, this destruction comes in the form of something so common, so simple, something we all experience: the mosquito.

Share your favorite dystopian read. I am always looking for new, interesting ones to read.

Happy Reading!

-      The Hodgenator