Children of Eden: A Novel

Dystopian future, corrupt government. Main character is bi sexual and bestials (it's like transgender but turning themselves into animals). The story is flat and dreamlike as in everything makes sense just cause with no explanation. Call me conservative or a bigiot I just would have like to know this info before picking this book up.

I was very surprised, after seeing the glowing reviews, by how bad this book is. The entire book is a bunch of poorly fleshed out ideas and uninteresting, easily forgettable Mary Sue-like characters. The suspense is non-existent. There are so many good YA Dystopian novels, that this one should be skipped entirely. Check out The Uglies by Scott Westerfield, Feed by M T Anderson, The Giver by Lois Lowry, or really, any book that's not this one.

If you’re looking for a retelling of the Giver but with a sexually confused and fairly worthless heroine, this is what you’re looking for.

Children of Eden was an very interesting & good book to read. It has a wonderful story that really piqued my interest throughout every chapter.

The book primary revolves around a young girl named Rowan. Rowan has grown up in a society where second children (e.g. her) are not allowed in society. The world has collapsed in a catastrophic event called the Ecofail 300 years ago. The remainder of humanity now lives in a protective city called Eden. As a means to control resources, and ensure the continued survival of the human race—measures are taken to ensure a continued balance. As such, part of that balance limits one child per family. Rowan has been raised, and has grown up in a secret with the help of her family. However, events unfold that illicit her departure to a new family—for her safety and that of everyone she loves. Rowan must depart and become a part of Eden's society (albeit in secret). However, things do not always go according to plan.

The book takes us on a journey of friendship, love, tragedy, adventure and mystery. Each chapter is delicately woven into a larger fabric that unfolds with each page, and submerges the reader into the deep dark mystery & conspiracy that Eden has hidden for discovery.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt that while some of character development & interactions were good, they weren't altogether great. Especially with some of the situations that unfold & develop. I felt that some character involvement was just too unrealistic to some degrees. For that reason it made my immersion into the story somewhat disconnected, but the author definitely has amazing insight into emotional connections that made me care about the characters. The ending was very disappointing to me, as it just leads into the second book unfortunately.

I'd like to add that I also listened to this as an Audio Book, and Sarah Grayson as the narrator was spectacular. Her voice inflections and acting gave the audio book excellence with her performance.

This book was okay, but its rating is incredibly biased. The sequel is the same way. I wish Joey would let his books earn a name for themselves. And I wish the fans who didn't even read this book would stop singing its praises just because they're fans.

I bought this book really excited because I was expecting an amazing book. It's not as good as it looks.

Anyways, he did a good job with his characterizations. I really liked Lachlan and Ash.

However, even though I liked this book enough to be interested in the sequel, I don't want to support this author.

I haven’t finished he book but i was really upset when (spoiler) Rowan and Lark kissed. I have nothing against being gay or anything of the sorts but it really annoyed me because the book is an adventure story where a girl must hide from the government but still has her want to go outside and in the mitts of a meaningful scene where Rowan sees the stars for the first time her and Lark kiss. I just think it ruins the mood (again I really don’t have anything against gay people but this topic just didn’t seem to fit in the story). I also think that Rowan kind of betrayed her brother by doing this (and yes I read the caption for the second book so I’m aware that the book has betrayal as a theme).

I tried really hard to enjoy this book. And then I though why am I trying. I'm not going to like every book I read and not every book is made for me. While I did enjoying the idea of the world that was being created Rowan was just to filled with self pity and reckless. I cannot image Rowan growing into a stronger character it feels like all the opportunities she was given the chance to grow in the story were lost on her or she seemed to grow a bit and backslide. Honestly she's probably more like a real teenager but in order to be the fighter she needs to be in the world of this book she can't be a real teenager.

Great for Christmas love it... Eddie

Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa:
Back at it again with another dystopian book! Children of eden takes place in Eden where having more than 1 kid is illegal… Aaron Al-Baz, the enemy, saved a portion of the earth before it crumbled and created the Ecopanopticon! The ecopan is simply a healing technology system which can take a thousand years just to heal the outside earth! Rowan, the second born child to her twin Ash, has no friends doesn’t get to go to school and no eye implants! Yes that’s right eye implants that determine if you are a true member of eden or not! Rowan has hidden away for the last 16 years until one night she escapes! I ABSOLUTELY loved the concept of this book! It was such a fresh and new idea to the world of dystopian! #graceffa did a great job and I saw his vision! My only negative was it fell a little flat here and there but overall it was great! I highly recommend this book it was a quick easy read! The ending was good and it defiantly left you wanting more!

the most interesting book i’ve read in a while it was super cool and definitely gave me a new perspective and i got the second book so you know it’s good