Once by Anna Carey

Once by Anna Carey
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 368


Summary: Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet

My Thoughts: Oh, how I enjoyed this book just like I did Eve. It's going to be very hard to review, so if you haven't read Eve, beware and go away from this review.

We are back with Eve whom at the end of book one finally made it to  Califia . The little sanctuary where people go to get away from the confinements of the city and the schools. Everyone takes care of themselves and helps out with daily chores and the life inside Califa. Only women are accepted so everyone else is refused. Caleb is refused.

I still love Eve's personality. Yes at time she seems like she's really love struck and its instant love between her and Caleb, but so what, it seems like they actually share a bond and get each other.

Eve is living her life when Arden shows up. Remember, Arden is the girl from Eve who Eve was traveling with.  Arden and Eve are enjoying each other when they find out Caleb is alive and he is out there hurt. They go after him and they get captured. Eve is taken to the King where she finds out she is not who she thought she was. Not even close. He doesn't want her to bare his children, say what?

Eve is thrown into this new world, this new life, without the boy she truly loves and into the arms of a new suitor named Charles. Charles seems like he is a nice enough guy but he's no Caleb.

Eve and Caleb sneak around and Eve has a plan to escape, until that plan goes awry. That's all I'm going to say. In Once, we find out Eve's real background and how she plays in all this. The ending was very frustrating for me. I'm not sure if it will change and things aren't what we believe them to be or not.  A lot of betrayals, and secret alliances take place in Once.  It's hard to tell who to trust really.

The battle has just begin and Eve is right smack in the middle of it. She has to fight for her life.

Overall: Oh gosh. I love this series but each book ends on a major cliffhanger and I am so frustrated waiting on the next book. What is going to happen to Eve and Caleb, can it be true? And what about Charles?  And the King? Why is he such a jerk? LOL.

Cover: Love it! I love how she is standing there once again, and all the beautiful colors.

What I’d Give It: