Review: The Twenty by Claudia Carozza

Name of book: The Twenty
Author: Claudia Carozza
Publication: June 6th 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Paperback Won
Goodreads     My Review

Imagine living in a time when infertility runs rampant and babies are no longer being born. The world is crumbling around you as people start talking about the end. This is the world Hazel DeSales grew up in. After her mother dies from a mysterious cancer, Hazel finds herself taking care of her younger sister Netty and alcoholic father. 

It's not until twenty women, known as the Elect, become pregnant all across the Barronlands when things start looking up. Hazel and Netty apply for jobs working as domestics in the Antioch Center where the Elect will be taken care of and protected. Hazel feels change in the air and her outlook for the future starts to improve. 

But she soon learns that change is not without consequence. Rumors are brewing about a government cover up and Hazel finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. So begins the unraveling of secrets that uncover things from her past and, threatening her future. Hazel is determined to seek the truth and promises herself to do whatever it takes to succeed....

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

     I had this book for a while, but when I saw the cover of the 2nd book on the author's website, I had to start reading it. And let me say, I regret not reading it sooner.

      Hazel lives in Ward Seven of the Barronlands (her country) that had been dominated by cancer. That cancer started an infertility disease. So now, no female can get pregnant. Hazel takes care of her younger sister, Netty and her drunk father. She has lived on her mother's jewels and money for years but they are running out and she has to find a job soon. Suddenly, twenty women, called The Elect, get pregnant across the Barronlands. The government looks for domestics to take care of them, Hazel and Netty apply for the job. Strangely, both of them are accepted.

     Hazel arrives at Ward Eight, and gets to meet her Elect, Elisa. Elisa is fragile and had a hard time with her pregnancy. But Hazel is just glad for the amount of money she can make, although she can't see her sister as much as she likes. Hazel makes new friends, the lovely Maria, and the adorable Luka. But when Hazel is in the wrong place at the wrong time, she hear something that will cost her life if anyone knew. But someone does know, and he is assigned to kill her...

     What is the government hiding? Will Hazel be able to save her life? And will she surrender to Luka's charm or has she left her heart at home? Find out much more when you read this exhilarating, action-packed novel that will make you say goodbye to sleep and bite out all your nails...

     I LOVED this book. Finished it in ONE setting. I honestly couldn't put it down. Claudia Carozza has a beautiful writing style. You can imagine everything she writes. I loved how her world building. The characters are AWESOME! Hazel is a head-strong, always-reasonable, adorable young woman. I would love to have her as a friend! Netty, Hazel's sister is also very realistic and she acts exactly like younger sisters. Loved her! The boys, oh God, they were so love-able. Shane is gorgeous, but vulnerable, and he has different colored eyes, ohmigod! I loved Luka's protectiveness and I envied Hazel every time he laid hands on her. :P

     The only little flaw this book had was that it was a little slow at the beginning, but it got much better throughout. I can't wait for the sequel, The Forgotten. If you want an exhilarating, believable, imaginary dystopian one-in-a-million novel then this is the ONE and ONLY! 

You NEED to get your hands on this. Like..... right now! PLEASE!