Taken

Title : Taken (Taken # 1)
Author : Erin Bowman
Rating : 4 Stars!
Hardcover, 360 pagesPublished April 16th 2013 by HarperTeen



There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?
Source : Goodreads


I usually fall in love with the covers of the books. Seeing how beautiful and captivating they are, I can't help myself but to read it in an instant. Some books have failed me, not in any harsh way. But I expect more inside of the story every time the cover is entrancing. 

Any readers who would search for new books or genres definitely fell in love on the cover. I mean, just look at the hue of it that match with an undeniable expression of confusion and tragedy of the boy and the girl. The blissful part of it: It doesn't fail me. Taken was craft fully  written containing with such a tragical and unpredictable feelings and movements of every character. What I refer as 'movements' is not about the mobility, it's their undeniable passion that drives them straight to their goals.

Every boy turning into eighteen are Heisted on Claysoot. The Heist that will take away the boy and never return. No one knows what happened or where they've been taken into. That's the nature and inevitable life of the citizens. People have no rights to justify why eighteen. Or why they can't make to live the freedom they've been wanting for. Most importantly why it even started. Gray, a seventeen year old boy can't accept the mere fact that his brother, Blaine which is year older than him will be Heisted. Just like their Mom, they know deep inside that there must be something more that being Heisted.

Then the Heist take Blaine. It was such a dreadful moment of Gray. Aside from Kale, Blaine's offspring and Emma, a special friend of them, Blaine is the most important person of his life. The moment their Dad was gone and an illness take away the life of their Mom, Blaine was always the person who defends and protects him. Blaine being gone, Gray felt lost. He turned to Emma and they suddenly realized that there is an undeniable pull outside the walls. The answers were there. Well, seeking answers can be a bit trouble for them.

At first, It seems unlikable for me think of Gray being the responsible kid. I do not mean this in any hurtful way but, I was thinking of him as a childish boy who moves from the way he thinks and feels. But then as I was continuing in reading the story, I came to realize how his insights changed my mind in an instant. His point of view is very clear and straight to the point. I admire his potential on being a full-grown man at the course of this story. Another thing that is insanely beyond amazing and enjoyable, its Gray's desirable motive to seek for the truth. He keeps on asking and asking different questions, some tricky questions really. I was pleased on appreciating how Erin Bowman created such a young and curious man like Gray Weathersby.

A thrilling and unique novel like Taken wouldn't add much suspense if not for not The Heist itself, but also the Crevice Valley. The place is build to live for rebellion, to survive on the threats. It is utterly wonderful how it was created with full of engaging people who are willing to place everything at cost just to make the place stand and strong. Another one, Oh you will be surprised on this. Beyond this thrilling ride are two young women interwoven on the same guy. Yes, at the SAME guy. Its undeniably sweet in all ways!

Emma and Bree are definitely and completely different person. Not in a personal or facial way. But the one is  a fine young lady and a fierce and wild lady. I devoured all of it, every time they exchange different emotions towards Gray. Its very confusing to me, if you might ask. Its really hard to choose from the two of them.

At the end of this, Taken is such a wild ride of emotions. It's full of betrayal and unpredictable events. Readers will be definitely taken upon the course of the story and will definitely have the same feeling of Gray - to seek for answers.