Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Breathe by Sarah Crossan is a book that has been on my to read list for about 9 months now and I was happy to find out that my local library had a copy in ebook format. But then I had to wait for another month and a half on the hold list. But eventually I got my copy! Woohoo!

Breathe turned out much better than I expected. Don't get me wrong, the book sounded good from the blurb, but the story in actuality was ten times more awesome than the blurb.

The blurb tells us that Quinn, Bea, and Alina live in a post apocalyptic society. The world outside their pod is devoid of oxygen and inside their pod a company manufactures oxygen rich air. Quinn and Bea go on a two day hike outside the pod, with air tanks strapped on and Alina joints them at the last minute, something Bea isn't too happy about. For Bea, this was the chance to get Quinn to finally notice her, for Quinn it was the chance to impress Alina, and for Alina it was the chance to escape.

In the book it is infinitely more complex. Growing plants is forbidden, walking faster than 3 mph is forbidden and only Premiums have enough money to buy air for more than one child. Air consumption is taxed and a small tattoo on your ear lobe defines your status. Quinn is a Premium and his best friend Bea is an Auxiliary. Two different classes that aren't supposed to talk, let alone be friends. Bea is the better student, but because of Quinn's father's rank, he is the one to win the coveted spot in the leadership program. When they leave for their hiking trip they are on uncertain terms, unsure how to deal with the difficulties their differences have caused. Adding Alina to the mix only makes it harder. When Quinn and Bea save Alina's life she takes them to the Resistance and they learn the real truth of Breathe, the company that makes the pod's air.

I was impressed with the book overall and would rate it a 4/5. I thought the relationships seemed realistic while at the same time not overwhelming the rest of the book. There is romance in the book but its not the most important aspect. I approve of this.

Recommendations:
Resist by Sarah Crossan: This is the second book in the series, a sequel to Breathe. Sadly, this book won't be released until sometime in October 2013. Maybe I will get lucky and she will come through Salt Lake City on her book tour.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman - Another story about how the world has been destroyed but thanks to some kind company there is a place to live as long you don't question anything you see.

The Burn by Annie Oldham - This one goes along the same vein as the others, only the dome is under the sea and is a research colony.