Fire Country by David Estes

Fire Country (Country Saga #1)
by David Estes (Goodreads Author) 

In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely.

Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.

Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with.

As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun.(less)

ebook, 398 pages
Published January 29th 2013 by Smashwords Edition

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My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fire Country, the first book in the Country Saga, is the story of the Heaters, a tribe of people struggling to survive in a world where if breathing the air doesn't kill you, then certainly the unrelenting heat, the Killers, or the Glassies will. Fifteen-year-old Siena is on the cusp of becoming a Bearer, a woman who is of the age to be Called to bear children for the survival of the tribe. Even though the Call is a requirement for every young girl, Siena is not sure this is the life for her.

I liked Siena's character a lot. She is young but strong, not afraid to question the things she sees going on around her or those in power. She feels at times that she doesn't fit into her little world, but what she doesn't realize right away is that it is okay not to conform. Throughout the story we see Siena's character grow emotionally, and as she matures she makes choices that fit her own desires rather than those of the tribe elders and begins to question everything she thought she ever knew.

The world building in this book was simply amazing, and I hope it continues to be as dedicated and intricate through the rest of the series. The imagery the author was able to portray brought the story to life. I additionally enjoyed the unique language in the story, which helped set the atmosphere and added to the overall effect of the story. Add all of the above to the unique and interesting storyline, the author's humor (loved Perry!), and all the mysteries brought about by the conclusion of this story, and Fire Country looks to be a very promising start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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