01% Falling by Chaselyn Roderick

My rating out of 5: 5

Introduction

As soon as Chaselyn Roderick posted on her Facebook that the sequel to 99% Down was available, I immediately downloaded the eBook. Then I kept checking Amazon till the paperback was available, and ordered it as soon as it was on Amazon. Why was I so excited about this book? Because I had high high expectations.

This is a sequel to 99% Down, which was an amazing YA post-apocalyptic thriller. The previous book left a high standard for a sequel, and Chaselyn managed to surpass my expectations.

I was so excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed. 

01% Falling is a mentally draining page-turner, which will leave you wondering "what happens to them next" at the end of each chapter. There's no way to not get invested in at least one of the characters as they struggle to find freedom amidst a dying country.

Development

The characters are some of the most developed I have ever read. 

A common theme I've noticed from her readers -- in reviews or in comments to her posts on Facebook -- to always mention their favorite character. You can't come away from a Chaselyn Roderick book, 01% Falling included, without being deeply attached to at least one of the characters. It's like an unspoken rule. My favorite character is Lilith. 

Lilith has a habit of humming Christmas carols to keep herself from having mental episodes, and she likes to quote from books she's read. Despite her being mentally broken in so many ways, I found her to be a very lovable character. 

Chaselyn gives each character so much backstory, and that backstory is far from filler. She uses the backstories to set tone, and to build tension.

Spelling and Grammar 

Absolutely spotless. 

What I loved about this book

I love how 01% Falling is so dark, depressing, and mentally exhausting, while still being enjoyable. 

For example: Asher being falsely sentenced as a murderer, without a trial, just to be tested on, after dealing with a life of constant abuse from his father. Then Asher meets Lilith who has to endure her psychotic older sister, who enjoys making Lilith's life a living hell. No one cares to protect Lilith from her sister, except Asher. and no one cares that Asher is innocent. And that's not the main focus of the book. That's just a backstory. 

Some books are so draining that I put them down, unable to handle it. But, Chaselyn uses the tragedy to make me want to read further.

Sure, this book is draining, yet the character development is so good that I found myself needing to know what happens to Lilith, Asher, Rowan, and the others. This book is a page turner because of this perfect mix of lovable characters, and a draining amount of tragedy. I found myself craving a happy ending the further I read. 

Each depressing backstory added to that craving of a good end. That feeling of wanting those characters to finally be at peace after all they've been through. And putting down the book was not an option when I was already so invested in the characters. 

Chaselyn Roderick has been my favorite author since I read 99% Down, and I hope you take a chance to read one of her books! I am definitely awaiting her next release. 

Links

Find Chaselyn Roderick on Amazon and Facebook using the links below.

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