The Rule of One: Book Review #3 – Dave Bailey

The Rule of One: Book Review #3

Title: The Rule of One
Series: (2 Book Series)
Author: Leslie & Ashley Saunders @SaundersSisters
Genre: Science Fiction – Teens & Young Adult
Rating: 4/5

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Synopsis:
In a not-so distant future, families are only allowed to have one child. But the Director of Family Planning has twins, and he is forced to raise them in secret. Each day, one of the daughters comes out of the basement to live life. But they get busted, and the girls have to flee for their lives. That starts their journey of trying to find their way across the country through safehouses while trying to survive. They get help along the way, but in the end, have very opposing views about what they need to do to save their father (Ava wants to escape and help the rebels while Mira wants to return home to rescue her father there). General Roth has everyone looking for them and the girls are in danger of getting caught right up until the very end. So, their goal is to try to escape his clutches.

The story does have a decent conclusion and the girls do achieve their objective. Although, there are several loose ends left for the continuation of the story in Book 2.

Thoughts:
I liked this book. It was captivating and interesting.

  • POV: Written in the first person and in the present tense from the perspective of two different people
  • Written about teens who are finishing high school but seems like it’s geared more toward adults
  • Interesting read and keeps you engaged from beginning to end. There are some emotional and touching parts woven into the book
  • There isn’t a whole lot. It seemed pretty plausible for the world it is set in, however, the way the scene played out with Halton in the end didn’t make much sense. [SPOILER ALERT] How did he catch them? We didn’t even know he was in the army. Why was he all alone with Ava in the woods? And why in the world did Hayden kill him? It just didn’t make much sense to me. Maybe I need to go back and reread it.

The Rule of One: Some of My Favorite Quotes:

“We eventually learned to stop asking. In grief all the little flaws of those we loved are colored over.”

“But it’s my father’s eyes that tell me of his torture. The way they stare blankly before him, focusing on nothing. Empty, like no one is behind them.”

“An eruption of barking and shouting cuts through Rayla’s words—cuts through everything—and suddenly the car rocks with furious paws scratching to get inside. After two heart-crushing blows, the trunk flies open—and the facial recognition cameras instantly recognize Ava Goodwin’s wanted face. Twofold.”

“In Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces. One soul in two bodies. These beings had great strength in this form, and the gods, fearing their power, sent Zeus to divide them into two separate parts, splitting apart the soul. Weakened and consumed with yearning, humans were condemned to spend their lives in search of their other halves in order to feel complete. I was born with my soulmate. One soul in two bodies. I didn’t have to search the whole world over. But now mine is gone. Mine turned and walked away from me.”

“Revive the rebellion,” Ava tells our country, echoing Father’s appeal. “And the Common will rise.”

Dave Bailey
 

Dave Bailey started writing short stories when he lived in Brazil to help his students learn English. Now, he lives in Florida again where he continues to write fun and inspiring sci-fi and fantasy fiction stories. You can read his weekly short stories here on his blog. Make sure to join his advanced reading crew so you know when new stories become available >>> https://davebailey.me/go/crew

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