Author: Bethany Hagen Publication: February 4, 2014
By: Dial
Amazon
Audiobook (UNABRIDGED)
By Bethany Hagen
Narrated By Leslie Bellair Whispersync for Voice-ready
Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
Buy the Audiobook: Audible
Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal.
In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.
Thank you Penguin for this audio book and Andye from Reading Teen for sharing it.
This book came highly recommended by several people and I wanted to love it, I really did, but...
The cover and the promise of "a tale of love and betrayal" is what piqued my interest. The audio added the element of character accents and I thought Leslie Bellair did a really nice job narrating. Overall though, despite the detailed world building, the premise isn't that much different from other dystopians on the market. The only really unique aspect was the focus on nuclear energy.
I was disappointed by the disconnect I felt toward the characters. There wasn't one that I enjoyed really, at all. Madeline was whiny and David Dana was a total jerk. They spent three quarters of the book dancing around whether or not they had feelings for one another despite how obvious it was that they did. I was so frustrated at one point I actually contemplated DNFing it, but I stuck it out, hoping it would end better than it began. I'm all for a slow build romance, but there comes a point when the characters need to just get over themselves and own up to their feelings even if they can't or won't do anything about it.
And don't even get me started on Cara. She takes "Mean Girl" to a whole new galaxy and I had zero sympathy for her. ZE-RO. The only person who had any redeeming qualities was Jamie but he seemed more like a filler character. The ending is rushed and tied up far too neatly and really doesn't leave the reader with that, "OMG, I NEED the next book RIGHT NOW!" feeling. At least it didn't for me.
I think the most frustrating thing about Landry Park was that it was marketed as a love story and to me, that means kissing - kissing between the MC and the love interest.
This wasn't the book for me but fans of dystopian throwbacks might enjoy this. However, readers who prefer a little more romance and swoon in their epic adventure will have to look elsewhere. The Winner's Curse would be an excellent place to start for both.
Hannah from The Irish Banana LOVED this book. Be sure to check out her glowing review HERE.
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