Book review: Truth - Christina Benjamin (The Geneva Project #1)
Trapped on a flood ravaged island full of orphans, natives and wealthy citizens of the prosperous city Lux, a young girl named Geneva finds herself enslaved at an orphanage with no future and a past she can’t remember. That all changes when she meets someone who promises her that there’s more in store for her than she ever could have imagined. Her once dull life rapidly spirals out of control as she starts to acquire new magical powers that may be the key to unlocking an ancient legend along with her true identity. But first she must master these powers, all while trying to keep them secret from her friends and the evil head mistress at the orphanage. Before she knows it, Geneva is in over her head and has inadvertently wrapped her friends into her web of magic and lies and now all of their lives hang in the balance once the head mistress finds out her plan to prove that the legend of Lux may not be a legend at all! Who will Geneva trust and how far will she go to save her friends and find out her true identity?
My opinion.
When Christina Benjamin approached me for a review, she pitched the book as being a mash-up between Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games - according to a fan. Although skeptical at first, I was sold. And more importantly, with expectations that high, I wasn't disappointed... at all! I absolutely loved it.
Discovering a 'new' world created by an author is always tricky. Usually it really comes down to 'love it or hate it'. It was clear though from the very first chapters, that I would love Christina Benjamin's world in The Geneva Project. It's great that you start discovering this world along with the main character. She too is just finding out about the island's history, hidden secrets and legends.
Geneva is an easy to love MC. She's impulsive, but she has a great heart and an endearing naivety about her you just got to love. She's always been the outsider longing to be a part of something and thanks to her (old & new) friends, she gets that chance and, most importantly, support.
It's easy to forget how young she still is, which is why the little diary fragments are just perfect.
Think Divergent for the island's post-Apocalypse vibe and strong heroine with hidden 'powers', think The Hunger Games for the difference in social classes and tasks assigned to them, think Harry Potter for the close friends and the boarding school with evil headmistress (Umbridge!) and then forget about all of them, because The Geneva Project is right up there with these series.
Truth a thrilling story about friendship and finding your place, set in an exciting world full of secrets and hidden magic.
Big, big thank you to Christina Benjamin for approaching me
and giving me the opportunity to read and review this brilliant first novel
in a series I'm definitely going to want to read entirely!
would you believe I haven't read Harry Potter, Twilight or The Hunger Games
ReplyDeleteHilary! That is UNacceptable!! How can you go through life without Harry Potter? Oh poor you, you're missing out on so much!!
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