Author: Katy Glemser
THE HARVESTER is the first book in a new trilogy simmering with conspiracy, insanity, and illicit romance - and a broken girl's struggle to break free.
Unbeknownst to modern America, a wealthy family is recycling their Southern plantation for the growth and harvesting of drugs. Eighteen-year-old Eden is one of their harvesters. From the moment she awakes to blazing sun and a Nixed mind in the middle of Master Uriah's poppy field, she begins her new life of harvesting opium. Uriah calls this - his growing, refining, and delivery of medicines to aid an elusive underground fight - his "holy work."
Eden calls it her hell.
But when Uriah's son, Todd, returns home to conduct the tests of an exclusive new drug with unparalleled abilities, Eden is chosen to be the testing subject. By meeting with Todd again and again inside the estate's mansion, she becomes entangled in his family's world of bloodlines and agendas. It is then that her own fight begins - a fight against the effects of the drug, her growing attraction to Todd, and the screams in her head that beg for the truth.
Welcome to McAvoy Manor.
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I've read so many books this year but this one is on a league of its own and I'll let you know why.
First, it's not your usual YA/Contemporary novel. It's a mix of great characterization + a great plot + a really unique way of story-telling. Who'd ever think that "drugs" could work in a YA and somewhat Dystopian/Mystery novel? Glemser really did take a risk on writing something as bold and daring as this but I think, the risk paid off because the book was truly something good.
This book is something that I recommend you read when you're not thinking of too many things at once and when you know that you can really focus. It's not your usual, everyday, light book and I think that's what's good about it: Its depth, its fragility and how Glemser was able to work on Eden's story and how she told it in a way that's both refreshing and mysterious.
Eden is a kick-ass protagonist. She's smart, and even though she's thrust in a situation that is both unbearable and crazy, she's still able to be her own person and is someone worth emulating because she's strong, she's not your usual damsel in distress and she sure knows how to fight for what she believes is right.
Glemser was also able to write in a very professional way. Never sounding amateurish or like a newbie, this novel is a testament of how great of a writer she is and make you want to read more from her.
This is a novel that will certainly get you hooked. It's fresh, it's something deep--which is good because most novels these days are in the same side of the spectrum and sometimes, won't allow you to use your mind, but this one is truly something that will capture your attention and make you itch for the next installment right away.
The Harvester is a good book. It's next installment, I think, will be even better.
Thank you, Cass! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
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