"A Time to Die" by Nadine Brandes (Out of Time #1)
“There was once a time when only God knew the day you’d die.”
It’s the year 2148 and Parvin Blackwater only has 364 days, 7 hours, and 16 seconds left to live.
At least, that’s what her clock says.
Like everyone on the East side of the Wall that splits the entire world in half, seventeen year old Parvin carries around a government mandated clock that counts down to the day she’ll die.
The only problem is Parvin is sharing her clock illegally with her twin brother, Reid.
If and when the government discovers their secret, Parvin will be labeled a Radical and cast across the Wall to the West side - a death sentence for sure.
With only one year left to live, the reality of Parvin's far from accomplished life crashes down around her. Battling fear and failure, she must trust God to complete her story on both the East side and the West side of the Wall.
How would you live your life if you knew exactly when you would die?
In essence, this is the main question of Nadine Brandes’ dystopian debut novel “A Time to Die”.
This first book in the Out of Time series, introduces us to the sarcastic and determined Parvin Brielle Blackwater, who wants more than anything to make a difference in her broken world. Although she finds strength from her family, Parvin feels inferior and insecure compared to her full-of-life twin brother, Reid, who travels the world and touches peoples' lives in everything he does. Parvin’s only accomplishments to her name are a handful of sewing projects and multiple failed attempts at saving Radicals from the death sentences that send them over the wall every day.
Nadine Brandes shapes every character so carefully and differently in "A Time to Die" that they leap off the pages and into reality. I really really really want to share more about the other characters that you'll meet but I can’t without spoiling everything. *sheepish grin* I can say, however, that I hate the villain with an absolute passion. Like A LOT. (You will too, trust me.) Also, the male characters in "A Time to Die" are amazing!! Not only are they all unique, they are strong and complement the characters around them so well (which, to be honest, is rare in YA books right now). I would give my life for Reid, Hawke, or Jude any day, just sayin'.
Parvin and her family live in the not-so-united town of Unity Village on the east side of the Wall. Instead of embracing the time that they have together, the people of Unity Village live in fear of their last days isolated from each other. As Parvin discovers more about herself, she also learns more about the world around her - and soon realizes how different it is to the life she’s known. And how much better it could be.
Parvin’s clock counts down at the beginning of every chapter, creating so much tension as you live her last year with her. I was really curious as to how the story would play out and I was not disappointed. *zips lips*
“A Time to Die” does not feel like your typical dystopian. Although this may throw some readers for a loop, I found it quite refreshing. Nadine Brandes does a fantastic job of mixing together elements of survival, relationships, and exploration of tech. Although there are intense moments and situations that involve violence and raw pain, the author tastefully handles everything with grace, bringing a distinct sense of innocence and strength to the book. Even more importantly, she weaves into the story the grace of God and the plan He has for us even when we feel like failures.
Being a debut novel, there are some vague details and a couple unclear character decisions. But the strong theme and passion of this story overrides any beginner mistakes and makes "A Time to Die" transparent and powerful.
I read this book crazy fast and enjoyed every page however it wasn’t just a fun page-turner.
I think I read “A Time to Die” at the right point in my life.
To be candid, I often feel a lot like Parvin. She feels like a waste of time, like she hasn’t accomplished enough for her life to be worth anything. But as she steps out of her comfort zone and starts to rely on God, she begins a journey of growing into who He made her to be. It was wonderful to grow with her and see her character change through the pages of this book.
“A Time to Die” will challenge you to live fuller, love bigger, and face life with all that you are.
Now excuse me while I hide in my feels until I can get my hands on the next two books.
I am giving “A Time to Die” 4 out of 5 clocks counting down to the day that I die.
Until the next book!
~ K.J. Haakenson
It’s the year 2148 and Parvin Blackwater only has 364 days, 7 hours, and 16 seconds left to live.
At least, that’s what her clock says.
Like everyone on the East side of the Wall that splits the entire world in half, seventeen year old Parvin carries around a government mandated clock that counts down to the day she’ll die.
The only problem is Parvin is sharing her clock illegally with her twin brother, Reid.
If and when the government discovers their secret, Parvin will be labeled a Radical and cast across the Wall to the West side - a death sentence for sure.
With only one year left to live, the reality of Parvin's far from accomplished life crashes down around her. Battling fear and failure, she must trust God to complete her story on both the East side and the West side of the Wall.
How would you live your life if you knew exactly when you would die?
In essence, this is the main question of Nadine Brandes’ dystopian debut novel “A Time to Die”.
This first book in the Out of Time series, introduces us to the sarcastic and determined Parvin Brielle Blackwater, who wants more than anything to make a difference in her broken world. Although she finds strength from her family, Parvin feels inferior and insecure compared to her full-of-life twin brother, Reid, who travels the world and touches peoples' lives in everything he does. Parvin’s only accomplishments to her name are a handful of sewing projects and multiple failed attempts at saving Radicals from the death sentences that send them over the wall every day.
Nadine Brandes shapes every character so carefully and differently in "A Time to Die" that they leap off the pages and into reality. I really really really want to share more about the other characters that you'll meet but I can’t without spoiling everything. *sheepish grin* I can say, however, that I hate the villain with an absolute passion. Like A LOT. (You will too, trust me.) Also, the male characters in "A Time to Die" are amazing!! Not only are they all unique, they are strong and complement the characters around them so well (which, to be honest, is rare in YA books right now). I would give my life for Reid, Hawke, or Jude any day, just sayin'.
Parvin and her family live in the not-so-united town of Unity Village on the east side of the Wall. Instead of embracing the time that they have together, the people of Unity Village live in fear of their last days isolated from each other. As Parvin discovers more about herself, she also learns more about the world around her - and soon realizes how different it is to the life she’s known. And how much better it could be.
Parvin’s clock counts down at the beginning of every chapter, creating so much tension as you live her last year with her. I was really curious as to how the story would play out and I was not disappointed. *zips lips*
“A Time to Die” does not feel like your typical dystopian. Although this may throw some readers for a loop, I found it quite refreshing. Nadine Brandes does a fantastic job of mixing together elements of survival, relationships, and exploration of tech. Although there are intense moments and situations that involve violence and raw pain, the author tastefully handles everything with grace, bringing a distinct sense of innocence and strength to the book. Even more importantly, she weaves into the story the grace of God and the plan He has for us even when we feel like failures.
Being a debut novel, there are some vague details and a couple unclear character decisions. But the strong theme and passion of this story overrides any beginner mistakes and makes "A Time to Die" transparent and powerful.
I read this book crazy fast and enjoyed every page however it wasn’t just a fun page-turner.
I think I read “A Time to Die” at the right point in my life.
To be candid, I often feel a lot like Parvin. She feels like a waste of time, like she hasn’t accomplished enough for her life to be worth anything. But as she steps out of her comfort zone and starts to rely on God, she begins a journey of growing into who He made her to be. It was wonderful to grow with her and see her character change through the pages of this book.
“A Time to Die” will challenge you to live fuller, love bigger, and face life with all that you are.
Now excuse me while I hide in my feels until I can get my hands on the next two books.
I am giving “A Time to Die” 4 out of 5 clocks counting down to the day that I die.
Until the next book!
~ K.J. Haakenson
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