Review: The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza

Name of book: The Forgotten (The Barronlands #2)
Author: Claudia Carozza
Publication: September 23rd 2012
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Provided by the kind author...
Goodreads

Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?

-- My Rating --

-- My Thoughts --

      I won the first book in this series in a giveaway, and when I read it, I was immediately HOOKED! I l couldn't wait to get back to Hazel's world. And this book was a hundred times better that the first book. (See my review here)

     "Take care if you haven't read the first book in the series,  there might be minor spoilers."

     After leaving her sister and one of the Elects in her uncle's house, Hazel and her friends set out on a journey to find out what the officials are hiding. When Margaret (Hazel's friend) decides to use the help of one of her informants, Hazel is shocked that it is none other than Shane, the guy she met when she was back home.

     Things are getting worse. The officials are looking for Hazel, and they will stop at nothing. Even if it means killing her best of friends. And if that was not enough, Hazel can't help but feel torn between the two equally-captivating boys, Luka and Shane. How can she choose when everything she has ever believed in is at stake?

     What are the officials hiding? Will Hazel and her friends ever find out? And will Hazel be able to choose between the two boys? Find out much more when you read The Forgotten. An action-packed, breathtaking roller coaster ride!

     I LOVE this book. After reading The Twenty, I was anxious to read this book. But not very "anxious". I didn't know how the author would develop the characters more. But I was hell wrong. Claudia Carozza is an AMAZING writer! And she made Hazel even more adorable.

      I LOVE the characters in this book. Hazel is very head-strong and she is determinant, which I love. The supporting characters are really good, too. I LOVED Justin, and Maria, and many others. The boys. I can't even talk about them. Luka is the ultimate bad boy with a soft, sincere heart. He is not shy to show his true feelings to Hazel. I couldn't help but fall in love with his sweetness and protectiveness. Shane is pretty different. He is sweet and wonderful as well. But he doesn't show his emotions easily, although it's obvious that he cares about Hazel. The love triangle is believable, but it is very difficult to choose a side.

     If you want a very enjoyable, romantic dystopian read, then The Forgotten is the one for you! I loved the twists, the turns, and the vulnerability of the characters. I loved reading this book, and this time, I am VERY anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I just miss being in Hazel's world!

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!