Helpful Score: 3
This is an enjoyable quick read. The "Unified States" are surrounded by a National Border Defense System. All Rachel knows of Away and the Others on the other side of the border is what she learns from controlled streams and her home school lessons. She learns family secrets and is forced to make hard decisions in the end. It does end abruptly leaving it open for the sequel, but it is a well written story with endearing characters and it wraps up enough to be okay with the ending.
Helpful Score: 2
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Rachel has lived on The Property since before she can remember. Her mother works for Ms. Moore, the owner, as a housekeeper of the large house. Rachel enjoys living far from town and away from the strong governmental control most other people must suffer. People living in towns deal with unfair and random taxes and, when they can't pay, are taken to jail.
Most people would hate living on The Property because it backs up to The Line, a small section of the National Border Defense System that separates the people of the Unified States from Away and the Others. The Line is an invisible barrier that can only be crossed if the government grants permission and deactivates The Line.
Rachel doesn't feel fear when she thinks of Away. She even tried to cross it once, but simply bounced back from The Line and landed flat on her back.
Rachel's quiet life is turned upside down when two things happen.
First, she finds a battered digital voice recorder with a partial message requesting help. Then, during a trip to town with her mother for the weekly supplies, they witness the arrest of a woman her mother recognizes.
Rachel discovers she doesn't know her mother as well as she thought she did, that Ms. Moore has some unbelievable secrets, and the Away and the Others are closer than she thinks. She must use her wits and bravery to get through a dangerous and exciting time in order to save an important historical document and people she doesn't even know.
THE LINE by Teri Hall is a fascinating dystopian novel full of strong female characters and a dark, creepy plot. The end, while a bit abrupt, is satisfying. Readers will definitely want to read more about the adventures Rachel is sure to find. The author leaves the story completely open for a sequel, and I for one can't wait to read it.
The synopsis isn't the only thing I found intriguing about THE LINE. Just take a look at the cover and tell me you don't want to read it! Fantastic art choice!
Rachel has lived on The Property since before she can remember. Her mother works for Ms. Moore, the owner, as a housekeeper of the large house. Rachel enjoys living far from town and away from the strong governmental control most other people must suffer. People living in towns deal with unfair and random taxes and, when they can't pay, are taken to jail.
Most people would hate living on The Property because it backs up to The Line, a small section of the National Border Defense System that separates the people of the Unified States from Away and the Others. The Line is an invisible barrier that can only be crossed if the government grants permission and deactivates The Line.
Rachel doesn't feel fear when she thinks of Away. She even tried to cross it once, but simply bounced back from The Line and landed flat on her back.
Rachel's quiet life is turned upside down when two things happen.
First, she finds a battered digital voice recorder with a partial message requesting help. Then, during a trip to town with her mother for the weekly supplies, they witness the arrest of a woman her mother recognizes.
Rachel discovers she doesn't know her mother as well as she thought she did, that Ms. Moore has some unbelievable secrets, and the Away and the Others are closer than she thinks. She must use her wits and bravery to get through a dangerous and exciting time in order to save an important historical document and people she doesn't even know.
THE LINE by Teri Hall is a fascinating dystopian novel full of strong female characters and a dark, creepy plot. The end, while a bit abrupt, is satisfying. Readers will definitely want to read more about the adventures Rachel is sure to find. The author leaves the story completely open for a sequel, and I for one can't wait to read it.
The synopsis isn't the only thing I found intriguing about THE LINE. Just take a look at the cover and tell me you don't want to read it! Fantastic art choice!
THE LINE is an intriguing but unfortunately VERY slow start to what could be a great and unique series. It's extremely hard for me to pass judgment on this book on account of its "first in a series" symptoms. If you have a patient love for dystopian literature, you might really enjoy this book...unless you put it down first due to its slow pace and youngish writing style.
Teri Hall has created a scarily believable dystopian world where the government has taken on a whole new type of authority and people must abide by these strict laws or else risk their lives. THE LINE might appeal most to late elementary/middle school readers, who will be enthralled by this dystopian world and not put off by the way the story is told.
Indeed, the story is unfortunately quite slow and often not flavorful enough to make it truly stand out among others in its genre. The first two-thirds of the book is spent slowly explaining the state of their world via long-winded and stationary dialogues. And the "turning point"--Rachel's discovery of the message for help--really doesn't kick the story into action either. I'll concede that what we glimpse of the Others is fascinating and will surely make this book's sequel, AWAY, an interesting read. However, too much time is spent on world-building, and not nearly enough on the development of the actual story.
Ultimately, readers may find THE LINE lacking in aspects of plot, and elementary in its telling-instead-of-showing writing style. However, this book will surely find its audience in young fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix, for it is truly an intriguing concept.
Teri Hall has created a scarily believable dystopian world where the government has taken on a whole new type of authority and people must abide by these strict laws or else risk their lives. THE LINE might appeal most to late elementary/middle school readers, who will be enthralled by this dystopian world and not put off by the way the story is told.
Indeed, the story is unfortunately quite slow and often not flavorful enough to make it truly stand out among others in its genre. The first two-thirds of the book is spent slowly explaining the state of their world via long-winded and stationary dialogues. And the "turning point"--Rachel's discovery of the message for help--really doesn't kick the story into action either. I'll concede that what we glimpse of the Others is fascinating and will surely make this book's sequel, AWAY, an interesting read. However, too much time is spent on world-building, and not nearly enough on the development of the actual story.
Ultimately, readers may find THE LINE lacking in aspects of plot, and elementary in its telling-instead-of-showing writing style. However, this book will surely find its audience in young fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix, for it is truly an intriguing concept.
Five stars...I enjoyed this fascinating quick read! Well written. It does end abruptly, so hold off reading The Line until the second book is available.
