DECEMBER 2017 - AudioFile
Set in the underground city of New Canaan on the planet of Canaan, this story follows two narrators. Samara, one of the Knowing, has the privilege of not having to deal with the Forgetting. Emily Woo Zeller's portrayal of Samara is reflective of her character, especially the struggles she deals with and the memories that plague her. The other character is Beck, who is stranded on Canaan after traveling there on a spaceship from Earth. Andrew Eiden's narration is perfect for Beck's point of view. Both voices help create a story that is well described and pulls listener into its world. With distinct perspectives, charming characters, and a unique setting, THE KNOWING will charm listeners. C.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for The Knowing:* "Both a politically charged adventure and culture study, this thought-provoking dystopia stands firmly on its own." — Booklist, starred review"Diverse, well-drawn characters abound, but in the riveting power struggles that ensue, women are dominant players, ruthless ideologues willing to sacrifice all that interferes with the goal. The intricately woven narrative threads come together in a suspenseful denouement sure to leave readers hoping for another installment." — Kirkus Reviews"Wildly inventive yet somehow believable. . . . For all of its fantastical elements . . . this companion novel is ultimately a story about two teenagers, Samara and Beckett, finding their places in the world, managing familial and societal expectations, and falling in love. Cameron is a writer of prime caliber." — School Library JournalPraise for The Forgetting:A #1 New York Times bestsellerAn Autumn 2016 Kids' Indie Next List selection* "Effective worldbuilding and strong characterization . . . A well-crafted fable for our time." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "This fantasy is a marvelous achievement." — School Library Journal, starred review"[An] absorbing adventure." — Publishers Weekly"The Forgetting is Sharon Cameron's fourth young adult novel, and she's grown adept at blurring the lines between fantasy, dystopian and science-fiction genres. Cameron reminds us, through Nadia's documented memories, that we must learn to appreciate the truth as much as question it, exploring the morality tucked within the fallacy of memory." — Bookpage, Top PickPraise for Rook:A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selectionAn Indiebound Indie Next Top Ten selectionWinner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award "The suspense kicks right off in this action-packed tale, quickly wrapping readers up in the drama." — Romantic Times"Full of derring-do and double crosses, this romantic adventure is thoroughly engrossing." — Kirkus Reviews"Cameron crafts a brilliant homage to The Scarlet Pimpernel yet also manages to make her telling unique, particularly in... the many twists, turns, betrayals, and lucky breaks [that] will keep readers breathless until the very end." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Rook is sure to be a read all readers will remember." — Portland Book ReviewPraise for The Dark Unwinding:A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selectionWinner of the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award "Utterly original, romantic, and spellbindingly imaginative." — USA Today"Haunting thrills unfurl..." — Entertainment Weekly"Gripping twists, rich language, and an evocative landscape." — Publishers Weekly"[A] singularly polished piece." — The Horn Book"A strikingly original, twisty gothic tale that holds surprises around every dark corner." —Judy Blundell, author of What I Saw and How I LiedPraise for A Spark Unseen:"Gripping... [an] absorbing, intelligent adventure." — Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
08/01/2017
Gr 8 Up—In this companion novel to The Forgetting, Cameron once again fashions an elaborate dystopian narrative that fairly prickles with suspense. Five hundred years ago, Earth lost contact with its fledgling colony New Canaan. In the intervening years, a rigidly hierarchical, no-tech society formed. Samara, one of the Knowing, runs away when she realizes that the Council plans to kill her at the next Judgment. On the lam, she encounters newly arrived scouts from a super high-tech Earth, Beckett and Jillian. Though the scouts are under orders to refrain from engaging with New Canaan residents, Beckett finds it impossible to resist helping Samara no matter what it costs him or his mission. Masterful characterizations, world-building, and pacing make for irresistible reading. As the narrative switches between Samara and Beckett, their voices become distinct. Samara's ability to remember everything she has ever dreamed, read, heard, or seen weighs on her emotionally, yet she is compassionate and courageous. Beckett is confident and smart. Though his self-assurance crosses into hubris at times, he learns from his mistakes. Wildly inventive yet somehow believable elements such as "wellness injections," "weavers singing down the looms" at the end of the day, and oblique references to the Fourth and Fifth World Wars add intriguing depth. For all of its fantastical elements such as caching memories, a handheld gadget that fuses broken bones, and a three-moon sky, this companion novel is ultimately a story about two teenagers, Samara and Beckett, finding their places in the world, managing familial and societal expectations, and falling in love. VERDICT Cameron is a writer of prime caliber. Purchase where the previous book is popular.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC
DECEMBER 2017 - AudioFile
Set in the underground city of New Canaan on the planet of Canaan, this story follows two narrators. Samara, one of the Knowing, has the privilege of not having to deal with the Forgetting. Emily Woo Zeller's portrayal of Samara is reflective of her character, especially the struggles she deals with and the memories that plague her. The other character is Beck, who is stranded on Canaan after traveling there on a spaceship from Earth. Andrew Eiden's narration is perfect for Beck's point of view. Both voices help create a story that is well described and pulls listener into its world. With distinct perspectives, charming characters, and a unique setting, THE KNOWING will charm listeners. C.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-08-02
Nearly 400 years after the events in The Forgetting (2016), Canaan, long abandoned, its whereabouts lost, has devolved into an evil myth, while New Canaan, the rigid, class-stratified community that's replaced it, faces growing threats, internal and external. New Canaan's rulers, the Knowing, live underground and are served by Outsiders, impoverished surface dwellers. The Knowing have perfect memory; to recall is to re-experience events as if for the first time. For those like black-haired, brown-skinned Samara who are unable to "cache," or repress traumatic memories, suicide is common. Secretly helping Outsiders, Samara may have unintentionally endangered them. Tortured by horrific memories, she escapes to find Canaan's ruins and to Forget. There, she runs into Beckett and Jill, two Americans from Earth's spaceship Centauri III, its mission to learn the fate of predecessor missions. Beckett, multiracial (Chinese/Latinx) son of two anthropologists, is intrigued by Samara, who talks them into returning to New Canaan with her. His growing chemistry with Samara angers Jill, the bright, blonde, white daughter of an archaeologist. Uneasy with Jill's ambition and expectations, Beckett's alarmed by his father's warning that Centauri III has a secret agenda, one that Jill may share. New Canaan, too, has surprises in store, including a burgeoning rebellion. Diverse, well-drawn characters abound, but in the riveting power struggles that ensue, women are dominant players, ruthless ideologues willing to sacrifice all that interferes with the goal. The intricately woven narrative threads come together in a suspenseful denouement sure to leave readers hoping for another installment. (Science fiction. 13-16)
