The Treemakers (The Treemakers Trilogy) (Volume 1)

Read on recommendation from a friend. Well written, full of action and believable characters. A bit too dark for my personal taste but if you are into dystopian type stories you'll likely love it. I wish there were a rating system for books that included a level of dark/horor/etc.

I throughly enjoyed The Treemakers. Characters and storyline well developed and I felt connected to each child. My heart broke for what they all endured and I was overjoyed at their experience for what we take for granted. Joy was a great, lovely heroine. And I look forward to book two.

The Treemakers takes you on the emotional rollercoaster that is the result of Joy' s life and the lives of her 'brothers and sisters'. The trials and tribulations, love and loss, fear and hope, we all take the journey with them and I felt her every emotion. I hope you do too!
I cannot wait for the next two books!

Very well written! The perfect Dystopian story (with the required love triangle and teenaged heroine) and while part of a series, still plenty of content to be a fulfilling book by itself. Can't wait to read the next volume!

Oh my goodness. This book is soooo awesome. A lot of action going on. I highly recommended to read this book. I wanted to tell you more but no I can’t and don’t want to spoil it. I can’t wait to read the second book soon. Hurry Christina!!!

This book is a very readable first effort. I truly enjoyed the characters and their development. With echoes of other distopias, it still creates a world that is strange and daunting. The self reliance of the protagonist is heartening. I hope to read the next installment soon!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WARNING: Although this book is labeled as "Young Adult," this book is not suitable for younger readers. There are themes that exist in this book that make it appropriate only for mature audiences. For example, it contains scenes of abuse as well as death of some characters. In my opinion, this book is only appropriate for readers age sixteen and older.

Once in a while you come across an Indie author that you can't believe has not been discovered yet by a major publisher. Christina L. Rozelle is one of those rare authors. I am 100% sure that once a major publisher discovers this trilogy, they will be signing her up right away. If not, they are REALLY bad at their job.

Superficially this looks like a typical Young Adult Dystopian story, but once you begin reading, it quickly becomes apparent that it is so much more.

The characters are so well written that is nigh on impossible not to get caught up in their story.

Everything about this book is amazing. Christina L. Rozelle truly has a gift and I am extremely impressed at how vivid her descriptions are and how I was instantly able to form a highly detailed picture in my mind of what both the Tree Factory and what each of the characters looked like. In fact, this book would make an excellent movie which I truly believe would make the film company that produces it millions of dollars.

Even though this book is classified as Young Adult, I think it holds a much broader appeal. Anyone who loves a great story with incredible depth will fall in love with this book.

The phrase "unable to put down" is often used to describe good books, but it is overused. When reading THE TREEMAKERS, I was literally unable to put it down. I read the entire book within 24 hours and immediately started reading THE SOULTAKERS which is the second book in the series.

I loved the fact that this book was unlike most "Young Adult" novels in which the main character spends much of her time swooning over some hot guy. This book is much more realistic.

If you were to spend your day as a slave - working your young fingers to the bone, being offered only the barest minimum amount of food and water to keep you alive, how could you possibly waste any of your precious energy on romantic interests?

Sixteen-year-old Joy Montgomery is the daughter of Zephyr the Magnificent. He was a great magician, but now that he is dead, Joy has been sent to the Tree Factory. The Superiors run the factory with an iron fist and all the workers are orphaned children. Children who do not perform adequately are sent to the cannibal tribe that lives far away.

They are the Greenleigh orphans. The children build
mechanical trees for the colony of Bygonne, so their world behind The Wall can breathe another day.

To go outside is to subject yourself to a horrific death by suffocation. The world's air no longer contains enough oxygen for people to survive outside.

Despite the abuse at the hands of the evil Superiors and the horrific living conditions, Joy is somehow able to hold onto hope and she hatches a plan to get not only herself, but all of the children to "Paradise."

No matter how I describe this book, I am sure that I am not doing it justice. No matter how amazing I make THE TREEMAKERS sound, it is one hundred times better than that. This is a book (and series) that should be added to the "To Be Read" list of absolutely everyone who loves Dystopian fiction with phenomenal world-building, well written characters and a strong female lead.

This book has earned the highest rating possible which is 5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read more of my reviews on my blog at AmiesBookReviews dot Wordpress dot com

It was OK. Probably wont continue the series but I do think it is worth a read. I didn't really identify with the characters and the story was a little predictable. All in all I'd say give it a go.

Buy this book. Buybabshadowbox. Read this book. Put book in shadowbox. Hang shadowbox on wall. It is now what is should be. Artistic in nature, smooth flow, deep and complex. Multi-layered world, and lush descriptions, characters are well fleshed out, just a work of art....

Fabulous book! Fast-paced and raw, honest, even a little scary in parts, but mostly heartfelt and full of action. The Treemakers is what makes Young Adult fiction worth reading.

The characters are real and full, and you wish you could meet them all, maybe even be a few ;D

Stories like this not only hit you hard but they continue in your mind long after the last page.

Can't wait for another from this awesome author!

The author created an unexpected world of young children enslaved and forced to make artificial trees.The main character is Joy who struggles to protect and provide for the other children.The book focuses on the groups attempts at escape from their situation and to find a better life.The narrater was pleasant to listen to. I received a copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This should really be 2.5 stars. The Treemakers is an excellent concept for a story. The prose is clear and smooth, and I have to say it's one of the more imaginative YA books I've read in a while. The only drawback is that it suffers from too much. It's overfilled and overcomplicated with too many subplots and too much going on at the same time. There is an entire lifetime of experiences crammed into the span of only a handful of days. It makes for tense reading and there were a number of times when I had trouble getting behind something that happened or some way a character reacted to it. I also felt a bit cheated at the end. There is nothing in the book description that says it's part of a series, but the end is a very frustrating "to be continued" type thing. That means you HAVE to read the next book to see how the story will resolve. Just be aware of that if you decide to purchase this book.

I finally got interested in the characters and the story in the last 50 pages or so. I'm not exactly sure why, but I just didn't get sucked in like I thought I would. The plot was fine and u last be books of this type, but I just wasn't feeling this one.

The Treemakers started as a dark and beautifully written story, but soon turned unnecessarily inappropriate for a book classified as being for young adults. I enjoyed the variety of genres it explored; with hints of romance, adventure and mystery that kept me guessing more often than I thought it would. I was disappointed with the direction that it took. The first third and last third of the story had so much potential and originality. I have to admit to being conflicted between finding some of the writing too dark for young adults, and some of the writing too childish.

“To be strong in the face of weakness,’ I begin. ‘This is something our sister, Abrilynne, and our brother, Miguel, taught me. To smile, though there’s pain. To laugh, though there’s sorrow. To love, no matter what. And to forgive.” (Page 206).

The Tree Factory. It sounds hopeful, but it isn’t. Inside the walls of the factory are Bygonne’s orphans and they have been forgotten by all but the evil Superiors who work the children to their death. The trees are meant to keep the dying outside world alive with fresh oxygen while inside the factory the children are dying and enslaved. One of the olders, Momma Joy, takes it upon herself to find a way to free them all. No matter where you look it’s a hard life. The world outside has suffocated under the heat and poisonous air. The world underground harbors monsters and killer beasts. The world in between is full of those who seek freedom and survival. It is there that Joy must bring her precious sisters and brothers and it is there that more hardships will be encountered.

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for this review.

The world Rozelle has created is a mix between dystopian/fantasy/futuristic/jurassic/etc. She has pulled so many intriguing elements into the world of The Treemakers that every new part of it is fascinating and alive. The Treemakers doesn’t just take place in the factory, but moves among different environments that are each unique and mesmerizing in their own way. Not only is the environment a slight twist on the familiar, but the characters and the story and the depth involved contain their own twists.

The setup was well-written and instantly pulled the reader into the otherworldly dystopian setting. But Rozelle didn’t stop there, she went further. She pushed the boundaries of the world she created and the genres the novel falls under. This book kept surprising me with the layers upon layers that unwrapped and interconnected to the end.

Though I found the romance both distracting and unnecessary, I didn’t think it inappropriate and thought it only logical in the book. It’s always mildly disturbing for young children to be flirting and reproducing, but in a dystopian future where not many reach over 30 years, it’s perfectly natural and the only way to continue the line of humanity.

What a roller coaster ride this was! If you enjoy dystopian YA books, grab this one and start reading! Ms. Rozelle has a great imagination and her world building is amazing. The characters are great, the villains are hateful and the action is just enough to keep you reading long after you should be in bed!

Throughout the book, you think you know what to expect and what will happen next just to have Ms. Rozelle pull another rabbit from her hat. There are some heartwrenching scenes throughout the book, but there is always hope. And, isn't that what we love about dystopia?

There are many wonderful quotes in this book, but I think this is my favorite: "Sometimes in life, there's sadness. But it doesn't take away from the love, and the joy, and the beauty, and the friendship that remains."

This book is the first of a trilogy, but it doesn't end in a cliffhanger. You could actually just read this book and be satisfied. But, I plan to read the rest of the series and know that it will continue to amaze me! Well done!

This is a suspenseful, heartrending story that still manages to shine with hope and love. The dystopic world of the tree making children makes your heart ache for the abuse they suffered and you want to see pain inflicted on the cruel superiors that ruled their horrific area. You cannot help but fall in love with Joy's beautiful nature, her strength, and the love and caring she shows makes her a very appealing character. You want her and the others to find a better life. At first I was a bit dubious with how quickly she becomes enamoured, but when you consider her age and the volatile nature of teenage emotions and relationships, it becomes more plausible. The author’s ability to make you feel the desolation, despair and hope the characters feel is excellent; she makes your heart bleed while at the same time stirring your ire. You want revenge. Anyone who makes babies and children suffer deserves to suffer themselves. This unusual story has mystery, heartbreak, betrayal, romance and enough tension and action to make you hold your breath. The characters quickly capture your heart and you want them to find a safe, happy life, but one may not always get what one wants! This book was provided to me by the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audio rendition of this book, and I enjoyed the reading, but was appalled by the scenario portrayed. With an Earth toxic to it's inhabitants, that you could not venture outside, without being burnt to a crisp. Then, off course, are the people who are being exploited by malicious people in are positions of power.
I have the rest of the set to read, and although the subject matter may be disturbing, the situation, hopefully will never exist, in my lifetime. It may be a wake up call to all generations, to try and look at the deterioration of the earth's environment, and see if each of us can do our best to nurture what we have, and not let others exploit the resources for their own benefits.

Every once in a while a book takes you completely by surprise, and The Treemakers definitely did that. This book tells the story of a group of children who work as slaves making artificial trees. To say that conditions are harsh would be an understatement. "Momma Joy", a 16 year old (one of the oldest of the group) must fight, nurture, care for and lead the children to safety. But, in doing so, they encounter things they never could have imagined, both horrors and wonders. Christina L. Rozelle created an intriguing world, full of vibrant, amazing, and even gruesome characters. I am so glad I read this, and I definitely can't wait to see what happens to this group in the next books of the series. You won't regret trying out The Treemakers. FYI- I would say this book is safe for YA and maybe even mature middle grade readers. There are some very intense events, but most of the intimacy/traumas are "off-page"

This review can also be found on my blog: [...]

**I received a copy of this book free from the Author on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review**

Title: The Treemakers (The Treemakers Trilogy #1)

Author: Christina L. Rozelle

Publisher: A Spark in the Dark Press, 2015

Genre: YA Dystopia, YA Science Fiction

My Review:
Wow. That was a mind-bending book. I actually have more questions than answers. When I read the description, I was intrigued, and it did hook me from beginning to end. I did feel like some parts had a bit of an “info-dump” because of the complex world the author created, but most of the time, I felt like I could understand what was going on. I almost think it borders on the horror genre…there are some unpleasant parts that may not be totally great for middle grade readers.

The Run Down (and bear with me here…):

Ok…so Joy works in a “tree-making” factory with a large group of children and young adults, and she considers them all her family because they are all orphans. They slave from 6am to 6pm making trees (not real ones) that are supposed to replace the oxygen that has been damaged from what sounds like a hole in the ozone layer. Typical green apocalyptic “the world’s gonna end if we don’t clean up our act” kind of premise. The kids get fed slop, work with dangerous machines, and suffer hellish punishments. One day when Jax and Joy sneak out to scavenge from their old underground living quarters, they come across a portal that takes them to what could only be considered paradise: fresh air, clean water, a tropical island. They decide that whoever owns the portal must take them away from the factory. All of them. But a mysterious girl named Smudge who has access to the portal seems to be hiding something. When Joy, Jax, and two of their friends get caught while sneaking out by the Superiors, they are taken to the dungeon…and unspeakable acts are committed against the four. They decide enough is enough: it’s time to take the people in the factory to this paradise, whether Smudge likes it or not. But is Smudge helping them…or really doing this for other insidious reasons?

There’s a lot of world-building here, and you don’t get it all in book one. Apparently there is another book already out called “The Soultakers,” and that probably gives more info. The book ends on a small cliffhanger: stuff gets resolved, but there are startling confessions and an “End of Book One” that lead me to believe that we are not getting the whole story, and there’s a lot more to be had.

Is it Classroom Appropriate?

This is a tough one. I can’t find a Lexile score because this is a small independent author who hasn’t had a lot of exposure. There’s too much other plot for it to be used in a unit on dystopian literature, or even a unit on environmental literature. It borders on horror in some spots, and there are allusions to things happening behind close doors (wink, wink). I’d say no on this one…it’s more of an enjoyable read by a YA dystopian literature fan. Or an older fan like me. I would not risk using it in the classroom, but it’s definitely something that older teens could read and enjoy.

Age Range:

I’d say no younger than 15. But all the way up to older fans.

End Result:

I plan on reading the sequel for my own enjoyment. Though it may not be a high school book, it could be used in a college course as a science fiction read, or post-apocalyptic read. It would make a fun book club read. I give this book ★★★★☆; I almost gave it three, but it was definitely something I couldn’t put down. And I am interested enough to see what happens next. Rozelle has a strong protagonist in Joy…and she is almost a true heroine who puts her own feelings aside for the needs of the group. She’s kind of forced into the role as one of the older children (at 16), but she doesn’t regret being “Mama Joy.” That in itself is endearing. And Rozelle’s writing is quality. That’s a rare find sometimes nowadays. I would recommend to fans of horror or post-apocalyptic…it’s not sci-fi enough for the science fiction fans and not fantasy all, so I’d recommend to those who enjoy thriller aspects to their books and like to be held in suspense.
Let you know when I read “The Soultakers.”

Rozelle did an excellent job of describing the society, the environment, and the background of the main character - Joy. Joy is a courageous, strong, resilient, and loving young woman who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the other children who are trapped with her in this horrendous factory. The "superiors" exhibit almost every sordid and evil behavior one could imagine. Jax seemed to be Joy's equal in the beginning of the story, his character faded a bit for me before the end of the book. The author wove an interesting story that is definitely Dystopian fantasy. The characters are faced with an opportunity to escape from slavery in the factory. It does come with great effort and some sacrifices by all of them. I'm not so sure I would classify it as romance since those pairings seem to have blurred lines. I would not recommend this book to anyone younger than about 16-17. I don't believe younger readers are emotionally ready for the fairly graphic attack and abuse by Emmanuel in the "dungeon", Nor do I believe that they should be exposed to the idea that the first sexual encounters by anyone should be so nonchalant as they are portrayed in the story. The story did keep me engaged.

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I got this through InstaFreebie. Most always the books are good, but mediocre. Once in a long while I am surprised. This was one of those times. Wow! Seriously, this story is incredible! She grabbed my attention from the start. She paces the story so well. There aren't any dragging parts, but 8th doesn't go so fast that you can't process what's happening either. She really knows how to develop her characters. Every one of them, even the minor characters, has their own voice & feels different in my mind. Her storyline is amazing! There's mystery throughout, adventure, suspense, teenage romance & drama, danger, and a few surprises. It truly kept me guessing right to the end. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

This is a very interesting and intense view of the dystopian world. It is not a book for teen readers due to adult content, including rape and other violence.

Author Christina Rozelle infuses this story with her vivid imagination. The concept is well thought out and the flow is excellent. Her characters are so real, and Joy is the kind of strong leader needed by the children who are forced to work in the Treemaking Factory.

I am conflicted about the progression of Jax and Joy’s story. Once you read The Treemakers, you will understand my reasons. The mysteries sprinkled throughout the book remain mostly unanswered, which means that waiting for the next book, The Soultakers, is driving me crazy.

The Treemakers is a great beginning to this dystopian trilogy. It is an exciting read that riveting and full of twists. I highly recommend this book.

4 3/4 stars

Wow! Wow! Dystopian YA thriller drama?CHECK!!! The Treemakers is a current fav of mine. Christina takes one of the most exciting genres around and makes it so much better! Joy is our main girl of the hour in this book about life in the aftermath of ( no spoilers!) where children and teens are the primary workforce behind the dangerous job of making what's left of our Mars like world livable. The job is dangerous as you find out by the 3rd paragraph!

The life of our characters are bleak and grief ridden. So much has been lost and teenagers are given no choice but to be the adults to the orphaned children left behind in the stations. It goes without saying I absolutely loved ( or fully hated) each character! They are so well written that you will see the decimated world through their eyes. You will feel the hope and the love that can still be found in such a world. Your heart will race as theirs do as the fight to survive in these badlands and as they try to look for more.

The images are STRIKING! You are given every detail of this world and as the scenery changes, you will love the flow! It's heartbreaking and yet breathtaking ! Joy's world is ugly yet you will see so much beauty! My son has just finished The Treemakers, and is reading it again to relive the experience!( he is 17). As a high school reading tutor I will be using this as a must read for my students! Not only is it a great book and will help my " non-readers" turn into " reading fiends" but the lessons taught are so worth the time! I recommend this book to any and all fans of YA/dystopian books ages 13 and up to 100:) I can't wait for more books from this author and I would love more of Joy and Jax. Bravo!!!!!-Leslie cox

The Treemakers, by Christina Rozelle is one of the most refreshingly new and exciting YA dystopians I've listened to for a long time. It is a vivid tale of strength, loss, renewal, courage but most of all self-discovery. I listened to the Audible version and loved it.

The main character, Joy, lives in a closed society we eventually discover is an underground city devoted purely to making trees. These mechanical trees will replenish the sickened, oxygen starved world above ground. Of course we know this can't be true. But Joy and her friends do not. All the adults have died rather suddenly from some unknown disease, and only a handful of teens are left to care for the remaining survivors, if you can call them that. We know they are slaves.

When Joy and her friends discover a way out of their horrible situation do they dare grab it? They could be trading one terrible situation for another. But Joy's bravery tells and their adventure begins. And what an adventure!

Ms. Rozelle's characters are her strength as is her ability to create an amazingly real plot with her smooth and descriptive prose. I was living that story with those kids, laughing and crying, holding my breath, cheering and jumping for "Joy" as she and her friends brave adventure after heart-pounding adventure. To tell the truth, I was quite depressed when, after completing this story, I discovered I must wait over a month for the release of the sequel. Great job, Ms. Rozelle. I can't wait!

Most highly recommended!

"The Treemakers" is an impressive debut from Christina L. Rozelle. Set in a dystopian future and after a cataclysmic event, the story is centered on the symbolically named, Joy, who lives in a world that is anything but.

Joy is a central figure in the work force of “Bygonne”, which primarily consists of children. Working for a shadowy group, the children are slaves, charged with producing metallic trees in order to sustain oxygen for their world. In Bygonne, people figuratively and literally, struggle to breathe.

The children are, however, as much a commodity as the materials they produce. Devoid of caring adults, Joy becomes the mother figure, trying to sustain some humanity in a world that relinquished it some time ago. Spinning hope, love and magic through her stories, Joy attempts to make sense of a world full of dangerous secrets.

In Bygonne, however, hope, love, and magic can get you killed. So, too, can emancipation. Told from Joy’s first person narration, “The Treemakers” is part environmental-warning and bio-punk. I’d recommend this work for readers of Young Adult and dystopian narratives.

This was a compelling read and at times, I longed for more information and backstory, but I am sure all secrets will be revealed in good time. Roll on the sequel!

So, the Earth has been ruined by it’s inhabitants, the hole in the atmosphere leaving no protection to anything above ground, wander in the open at your peril. The decimation of the trees has led to poor oxygenation and life expectancy. In order to survive new trees are fabricated from metals, filtering out the toxic air and allowing life - of a quality of sorts. Joy (although her existence is far from joyous) is a teenager working in the tree factory, although young herself, she is “momma Joy” to the younger children forced to work alongside her in perilous conditions, her and her best friend Jax, the unofficial parents to the orphaned brigade. The factory is overseen by the “superiors”, truly vile specimens of adulthood, able to prolong their lives through the oxygen canisters they are privy to. The children are ruled by fear .

Joy and Jax, when the opportunity arises, spend their nights exploring the bunkers and underground tunnels for anything that could make their lives easier, and one night they are pulled into an experience like no other, a paradise beneath the factory and a chance to escape. Caught on their return, punishments are severe and without mercy - punishments that fuel their need for vengeance and escape further than ever. Help from unexpected quarters leads to a a chance of a new life, but at what cost, and can paradise really be so?

I would say that this is a book which is very much at the top end of the YA age range, there are some really difficult topics which although are alluded to, still very much stayed with me. The friends receive horrible abuses at the hands of the Superiors and powerful imagery is left in it’s wake. The story pulls no punches when it comes to the risks taken and is very much a tonic to the stories where some characters are obviously expendable from the start.

It had the power to convey a sense of menace throughout and i had adrenaline at times about what was going to come on the next page, I was left never fully relaxed whist reading on tenterhooks about what would happen next. It’s been a long time since i have been reading a book and spending every spare second sneaking in a couple of pages here and there.

I realise that i have made this sound very doom and gloom and it isn’t the case there are some beautiful moments - especially when Joy becomes storyteller to the children, and when she find she is able to reminisce about her father when new friends are unexpectedly made along the way. The children's final destination provides them with the reprieve that they so needed, but the truth weighing on Joy’s shoulders is very much something that i am looking forward to finding out more about in book 2.

In a world which seems too good to be true, can Joy let her guard down and embrace what the future could be?

This book grabs you right from the beginning and doesn't let go. The characters are so well written you have an emotional connection to them right away. Some you like and root for, others you despise and hope they fail.
Rozelle packs so much emotion into this story that it also becomes part of the reading experience. The struggles of these children are heart breaking, but they are making the best they can of their lives.
One reviewer called it a work of art, I would have to agree. Bound to become a classic in this genre. Definitely a must for your library.

I am still adjusting to the onslaught of dystopian stories in the YA world. As the mother of a 12 and a 15 year old, I try to keep up with what they are reading, so I have been exposed to a lot of it in the last few years, most of it painful to read. I "met" Ms. Rozelle at an author event on Facebook and was impressed with her personality and intelligence, but honestly kind of cringed when I realized her book was YA Dystopian.

I picked up her "The Truth About Mud" and was absolutely enchanted by it. The lush descriptions and personable main characters were delightful, and I suppose that played a large part in my finally getting around to reading "The Treemakers."

Although I am still not fond of the genre, I will say that Ms. Rozelle is at the top of the game. Being dystopian, the future she paints is very bleak. The earth's ozone has been so depleted that humans are forced to live underground and the age of 30 is the most they can hope to obtain before succumbing to s horrible lung disease from breathing tainted air all their lives. All in Bygonne wear "breathers" most of the time to filter enough to survive. As the children become orphans, they are subjected to horrible living conditions, working hard manual labor twelve hours a day to build metal trees to improve the oxygen content of the air. They are fed foul tasting nutrient enriched slop for their two daily meals, and even those are often taken away as punishment. They live in dingy dorms and new clothes or shoes are beyond most of their fantasies. Joy, the story's heroine is also a mother figure to all.

Much of this book is very dark, but somehow Joy keeps hope alive. There are no truly dull moments, though many are quite sad or will have your heart beating much faster as you go through the adventures with these children. The more you find out, it seems the less you truly know. A page turner for sure, and a very good read even if it isn't really my thing, and I am sure I will read the sequel when it comes out because there were so many questions left unanswered that will haunt me for sometime. I will be passing it down to both children as well.

There were moments where I liked this book and other moments I didn't. There's a lot going on in it and it got a little confusing at times. Sometimes it didn't make sense. Some things that happen are not explained until the very end. It tied it together though and that made me feel a lot better about it.

This book has an interesting story line. It's unique and progresses well. Even though I kind of struggled to read it at times, in the end I found myself enjoying it.

Treemakers: It was a little slow at first, but quickly turned the corner and made a drastic turn for the better. I can not wait to read book #2. If its anything like the first I won't be disappointed.