LUSH (a YA Dystopian novel) (A LUSH novel Book 1)

This book was a strange read, the conversations didnt feel natural and Bluebell felt fake, one minute she was questioning things and the next she was completely compliant. There was no major event in the book, until the "twist" at the end, which was blatantly obvious from very early on. But the book ended so abruptly that i was confused. It felt more like a middle point for me. I will read the next book in the series as the bones of this book were ok, but i felt it needed a bit more flesh on the bones.

All in all it was ok.

This book is completely different than The Immortal Ones. It's based in the future and the government has complete control over their citizens from who they marry, what their jobs will be, etc. Pretty good read with some good twists!

This book is completely different than The Immortal Ones. It's based in the future and the government has complete control over their citizens from who they marry, what their jobs will be, etc. Pretty good read with some good twists!

I really, truly disliked this novel. I hate to think of anyone living in such a warped society, forced to endure such miserable lives. I quit reading after the third chapter and simply scanned the rest. Too depressing for me, thank you very much.
Jgtimm

I actually read this in the Fractured world's series box set.
This is an interesting book 1 in this particular series. I now understand why as an author you need conflict. You cannot have a perfect book, perfect people, perfect looks etc. IT”S BORING! You're always wondering where the bad is lurking, or where the imperfection is. I almost skipped this book but I wanted, no I NEEDED conflict. Oh, I got, I could not put it down after half to three-quarters of the story. Then the bombshell at the end (which I suspected but not to the degree) and immediately wanted the next. Is it a stand-alone story, NO! It is a series and leaves you wanting the next.

Lately I've had a few discussions about serials, in essence a full work published in installments. Very common in the 19th century in both Britain and the US, novels such as Dickens' The Pickwick Papers and Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin were published first in magazines with a new part in each new magazine issue. Although much less common in the last fifty plus years, there are a few examples of modern serials. Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities was serialized in Rolling Stone magazine while Stephen King's The Green Mile was published as several very short books. In fact, that's how I read that book, borrowing the full set from my sister after all the episodes had been released. I'd never seen such a thing before and thought it strange. Serials are apparently making a revival (the store even has an official Kindle Serials program).

With all the talk about serials, I'm obviously setting up to tell you that Lush is a serial. Unlike King's book or the the store program, it isn't a novel split into bite-size pieces, but a serial with each installment having its own title and being novel sized. It differs from a series in that each book in a series will go through a complete and obvious story arc. A serial is more like episodic television with conflicts happening and being resolved throughout, but without a single, overriding conflict that happens and is resolved in one installment possibly ending with a cliffhanger so you'll watch the show next week or maybe talk about it around the water cooler. It leaves you with something to anticipate. And that's how I feel about Lush. I've been left hanging, eagerly anticipating the next installment.
Lush serves as an introduction to the world and characters in this continuing story. It takes place in the distant future in a dystopian world very different from our own. Dystopias often have squalor and poverty, which isn't true of Concord, the name of the world Baum introduces us to. The standard of living appears to be high, but what makes it a dystopia is the people are oppressed. As in most dystopian fiction, there is a political subtext, extrapolating elements of contemporary society into the future, imagining what the results of continuing in a particular direction might be, and serving as a warning. It was clear to me that the world Baum imagines was the result of excess nanny state-ism with the government or state becoming too involved in the care and life decisions of its citizens. (For political types, wherever you fit on the spectrum from right to left, you should be able to spot examples here that are projecting what Baum thinks will happen if the other guys get their way, but also what will happen if you get yours. Both political parties in the US are guilty of nanny state-ism, just in different areas.) Concord, as painted by Ms Baum, is a great fictional world. But I wouldn't want to live there.

The protagonist, Bluebell, is in her late teens and has the qualities that make a great focal character for a young adult novel. She's likable and conscientious, yet not too perfect, with flaws and the quality most of us had at one time of sometimes testing the limits placed on her. Even though I don't want to live in Concord, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment (promised in about six months) to see what happens to Bluebell next. (That cliffhanger left me ... well, hanging, obviously.)

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

I was immediately drawn into Bluebell's world, curious about Training Tech and Incorporation Day, and wondering about the cause of the dreams she has "to run... to flee... to hide". It seems strange to be separated, with no contact, from the opposite sex during Year Five to Year Seventeen, and only seeing your parents on Visitation Days. In this future place of Concord, The Council's reasons for control over regulating human beings, are eerily similar to many of the social concerns faced in our society today. As I am doctor/needle phobic, Ms. Baum's description of the required Citizen Branding made me squirm and take a break from reading. Learning about this process--and the Brand unveiling's meaning-- makes the cover picture and book title very fitting.

Ms. Baum has created an intriguing new world with characters displaying distinct personalities making them instantly identifiable and realistic. As Bluebell and her friends discover their career paths and life choices, many questions and suspicions are set in motion...some surprising and others making me feel uncomfortable with the rules and controls in Concord.

This is the first book in a new serial, which sets you up wanting more. I found myself thinking about the events to come and characters' futures long after finishing the book. I eagerly await the next edition...Concur with Concord!

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

I really liked this new series! It was not complicated but drew you in to the world of Bluebell and her friends. I was intrigued by the cliffhanger and can't wait to see what happens next is Hush.
I disagree with some other reviews about the length - I don't think it is particularly short, in fact it seemed an average YA length.

S.L. Baum has created the beginning to a wonderful new series that captured my interest and left me anxiously waiting for the next book to come out! She quickly had me invested in all of the characters, and the world she created was believable and interesting. I have read S.L. Baum's other series and really enjoy her writing. Hopefully the next book in the Lush series will be out before the scheduled time!! Hint...Hint!!!

This book was very very good captured my attention the whole time made me want to read more
and question a lot of things to I felt like i was right next to bluebell the entire time I loved this book can't wait till hush comes out
Ptw when is that it is October now so when is it coming out ??