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Book Review: The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker & Giveaway (US/Canada)

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The Age of Miracles is Karen Thompson Walker’s fiction debut novel depicting a scenario of the approach of the end of the world. The earth’s rotation is slowing down causing widespread panic and what makes this novel so good is that as you are reading you can really picture something like this occurring.

Julia is eleven years old living in a California suburb when her world changes forever. All of a sudden there is a breaking news announcement that the earth is slowing down and fast. At first it doesn’t seem to be such a big deal but soon it becomes apparent that the ‘normal’ 24 hour day doesn’t exist anymore. Soon there are the people who live by the clock time which means they are still living by the 24 hour clock regardless of how long the day actually is and then there are those that decide to live in the real time which has them still living normally by sleeping when it’s dark and living while it’s light. However neither really works too well as the days and nights become longer and longer.

As the days wear on people begin to suffer from gravity sickness later called the syndrome, the birds are dying, and the consequences of the slowing, as it’s come to be called, are becoming more and more apparent. The news reports are talking about the very real possibility of food shortages and power failures; not to mention the fear of radiation. This novel really made me stop and wonder about what I would do if all of a sudden something like this happened. I can’t even begin to imagine a seventy- two hour day and even worse if it was extremely hot or cold.  What I do know is I would be thrown into an extreme panic in no time at all.

The story is told from the point of view of Julia and in so many ways this is novel is also a coming of age story for her. She’s just coming into being a teenager and being an only child she’s always been a bit of a loner. When the slowing begins her friend Hanna moves away and Julia is left on her own as she’s never been able to make friends easily. Then Seth, a boy she’s had a crush on, begins to pay attention to her and they start to hang out. Even in the midst of a catastrophe young love still blossoms but can it last in the face of the end of times?

I enjoyed The Age of Miracles quite a bit. I find novels that deal with the end of the world scary and fascinating all at the same time. I really found the premise of this book believable because I could actually see that something like this could happen but what I didn’t believe as much was how calmly it seemed that people dealt with it. I would have expected a lot more panic and looting and such especially with the power outages. I think maybe a little more development in these areas would have made the story a lot more plausible. Either way I still really enjoyed the story and it was a quick read for me as when I did put it down I wanted to get back to it to see what was going to eventually happen. If you enjoy novels about the end of the world then pick up The Age of Miracles and give it a try!

I read The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to pop over and check out all the other tour stops to see what everyone else thinks of the book. The Age of Miracles has it’s own website and Facebook page that you can visit as well. Your own copy of The Age of Miracles can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do let me know so I can pass that extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, August 4/12.  Good luck!

Source:  Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and the Publisher via NetGalley.  No compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Comments

  2. I’ve read so many great things about this one. I’d love to be entered, and I’ll post the giveaway on my sidebar as usual.

    I follow as you know.

  7. I should be listening to this one soon, and I am intrigued by the premise. It sounds like a book that I would really love and also one that would make me think. Great review today, Dar!

  8. I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, entertaining read. (I already have a copy so no need to enter me in the contest.)

  9. This book sounds fascinating, but frightening at the same time. Thanks for the giveaway.]
    -follower viai GFC, email, Facebook

  18. I have read so much about this book would love to read it.blog follower will tweet at rhondareads

  19. Interesting premise and a book I’d like to read. Thanks for the giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  23. Wow, sounds scary! I love/hate reading about different opinions on how the world will end; some seem preposterous and some seem so realistic that you fear it actually might happen that way!

    Google/email follower

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  24. I downloaded this book a couple days ago. I’m going to read it even before I read your review. But, I have heard good things about it. I think I’ll head in to bed right now and start it!

  27. This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  29. I really like that this story is told from such a young girl’s perspective. In such a world it’s bound to be interesting.

  32. The Age of Miracles sounds very good. I enjoy these end of the world type stories too, they are scary enough to seem real.

  33. What a great concept and that it is from a young girls POV. Definitely going to get this for my daughter and I’ll probably read it as well. Great review and thanks for the giveaway!

  34. I just love the premise of this … it seems like (though I don’t know as I’m as far from a scientist as you can get) something that could actually happen. I too like to imagine what I’d do in scenarios like this … probably fall apart I suspect.

  41. Sounds like you felt pretty much the same way I did about how everyone was too calm!! if that had been fleshed out more I think it would have rated higher from me.

  42. This looks like such an interesting read. I’ve seen it making the blog rounds and each time I just want to read it more. I wonder if I will feel the same about everyone’s attitudes!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  45. Have read several reviews of this book. Thanks for your excellent one too. Would love to escape with it on my front porch. 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway.

  46. I now follow your blog too. Thanks again for the chance to win a good book. 🙂