The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

Title: The Here and Now

Author: Ann Brashares

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Length: 256 pages
Classification: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Time Travel

Release Date: April 8, 2014
Source: e-galley (I received this as a pre-approved e-galley from NetGalley)

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. 

GoodReads || Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Books-a-Million 

***I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This is a book that I would re-read again in the future.

I read The Here and Now pretty quickly. I found the book to be hard to put down. I loved the idea behind the story. Prenna and others traveling back from the future because there is nothing left for them there. I think I understood the blood plague and I didn’t think it was too far-fetched or unbelievable.

I loved the characters. I felt invested in their story. But I think the character I liked most was Ethan. When I finished reading the entire book, he is the character that made me think, “I need to know more about him and his life!”

I felt connected with the characters. These were characters that I loved. I felt heartbroken for them when they were sad or faced difficult situations. I felt emotionally connected to them.

I want to point out that even though I was able to predict a couple things, I don't think it really took away from the story. The author did a good job with having several plot twists and surprises in the story that I didn't see coming.

I loved reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading Young Adult books that involve time travel.

I found the story to be fast paced, there wasn't a time when reading where I considered to put the book down and not want to read it anymore. I think the author did a wonderful job and I really hope that this is the first book in a series. 

I didn't feel that Prenna and Ethan’s relationship was insta-love or rushed. They had been friends for a few years and it was noted that there was something strained between them. I don’t think they acted on their feelings until now, but I believe that you can be in love with someone without telling them or acting on it. So, I found the relationship to be believable.

But I did feel that the relationship wasn't very developed. I know that it is not the focus of the story. (Which is a good thing) but I also felt like there wasn't that much heat or even chemistry. Going into the book, I thought this was going to be an Epic Love, Epic Romance. But I didn't really feel that between them. I understand that the romance is forbidden. And I understand why they are not supposed to be together. But I also didn't feel like the world is going to end if they are not. (I also think that if there is a sequel to this novel the relationship (especially the forbidden part) will have a bigger role there.)

SPOILERS AHEAD: Click button to view spoilers.

  I also found a couple things to be very predictable. From the first time Prenna told us that her father just up and changed his mind not to come, I knew he found a way somehow and that he did make the trip back. I don’t know why he didn't go with them, and I didn't know where in the past he would be, but I guessed that he made the time travel trip. I guessed that Ben Kenobi (the homeless guy) was actually her father pretty quickly after meeting the character. I was surprised that she didn't know it was him. I understand that he aged. But I can still recognize my dad from his appearance and his voice even though he has aged and gained weight since I was a little kid. I would think that his voice would have given him away. And it isn’t necessarily a bad thing that she didn't realize it was him, maybe she was in denial or shock, but I was surprised that it took her so long to make the connection. I was surprised that he died and that she was there. The other thing that I guessed quickly was that Andrew Baltos was Traveler One and that he started the blood plague. But the events that happened surrounding Andrew surprised me. I didn't see them coming.

 

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Here and Now and it is a story that I would re-read. 

My Rating: