ORLEANS: My Favorite DIVERSE YA BoOk...

When Beth Revis challenged us to post about our favorite book for a giveaway, I furrowed my brow because I have over 100 favorite books. Seeing that this blog is geared toward YA, and DIVERSITY in YA has been in the forefront of many tweets and blog posts, I decided to use these two descriptions to narrow the playing field. Bingo!! ORLEANS by Sherri L. Smith jumped right out.

GOODREADS

After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.

"Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival."

THIS WAS MY GOODREADS MINI REVIEW WITH FIVE STAR RATING

Refreshingly real and gritty!! No kissy facing or love triangles, just in your face life in a dystopian world. Fen is a strong and courageous heroine, who tugs at your heart and amazes you with her facility to be both warrior and gentle caregiver. I loved this book from beginning to end. There wasn't one page of boring filler fluff in it.  THAT'S RIGHT... NO ROMANCE and NO FASHION... YES!!!!  SHERRI L. SMITH