Book Review: Way Down Dark by James. P. Smythe

Read between: 30th June 2015-1st July 2015
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Release date: 2nd July 2015
Synopsis: ”

There’s one truth on Australia.

You fight or you die.

Usually both.

Imagine a nightmare from which there is no escape.

Seventeen-year-old Chan’s ancestors left a dying Earth hundreds of years ago, in search of a new home. They never found one.

This is a hell where no one can hide.

The only life that Chan’s ever known is one of violence, of fighting. Of trying to survive.

This is a ship of death, of murderers and cults and gangs.

But there might be a way to escape. In order to find it, Chan must head way down into the darkness – a place of buried secrets, long-forgotten lies, and the abandoned bodies of the dead.

This is Australia.

Seventeen-year-old Chan, fiercely independent and self-sufficient, keeps her head down and lives quietly, careful not to draw attention to herself amidst the violence and disorder. Until the day she makes an extraordinary discovery – a way to return the Australia to Earth. But doing so would bring her to the attention of the fanatics and the murderers who control life aboard the ship, putting her and everyone she loves in terrible danger.

And a safe return to Earth is by no means certain.”
Rating: 

Review: I requested this book from Netgalley as soon as I read the synopsis. I love a good YA dystopian and it did not disappoint so thankyou to Hodder and Stoughton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ll also be posting this review on bookbridgr so I can share my love for it.

This. Book. Is. Amazing!!!!
It’s recommended for people who enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy and the Divergent trilogy. And I can see why, Way Down Dark has everything a YA dystopian novel needs. Death, blood, and a badass seventeen year old who’s determined to keep her promise to her mother and stay alive.

James. P. Smythe has it down to a tee.

On Australia (a spaceship rather than the country) you either fight, or you die. Chan is a fighter, it’s clear from the beginning and I actually really like her character. Far more than I like Katniss Everdeen but that’s a different story. After losing her mother, Chan makes it her mission to protect her people, as many as she can, and to become the saviour in the fight against the Lows.

Of course, there is a surprising twist to Australia, but to avoid being spoiled, you’ll need to read it yourself to discover what it is. I certainly didn’t see it coming though. Not at all.

I can tell you one thing though, I am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy to find out what happens now that the Australia has landed.

It’s a great read.
I would totally recommend it.
4/5 stars. Brilliant.