Pure by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Publisher: Headline

Published: 2^nd February 2012

ISBN: 9780755385485

Rating: 4.5/5

The cover on this ARC is pure white, as is the book title and author’s name on the spine – I know it makes sense for it to be white; however it makes it extremely hard to see both the title and author name – I’m not sure if this is the final book sleeve which will be published though. 

Pure is a post-apocalyptic novel – after the detonations the world is split in two; the Wretches and the Pures.  The Pures are those that were housed in the Dome before the detonations and are therefore unscarred by the full force of the blast.  The Wretches are those cut off from the Dome and living in poverty, people who survived and are fused together with whatever the detonations flung at them – metal, glass and animals. 

Pressia Belze is a Wrench, who dreams of safety of the Dome with the Pure.  Her grandfather is frail and does everything he can to protect her.  Partridge is the son of the leader of the Dome, and detests their regimented and forced way of life.  He remembers snippets of his childhood and wants more than the Dome can give him – he yearns for freedom.  Pressia and Partridge come from opposite sides of the fence, but together must unite and take action.

I adored the steam punk feel to some of these characters and the slightly dark element of people fusing with metals etc.  I can visualise all of this as a film, so I’m not surprised that Fox 2000 have already snapped up the film rights to it.  My favourite steam punk character was Freedle, Preesia's filigree metal insect.

I found this an addictive read, with some really unexpected twists at pivotal moments in the story.  The characters come into their own and my favourite is Bradwell, the seemingly fearless leader of a resistance type gathering who takes a stand and helps Pressia even though he doesn’t really know her.  My second favourite is El Capitain, who is fused to his brother Helmund which has made him a survivor with enormous strength and loyalty.  Pure is an imaginative read.  Just how far will those in power go to keep power and control everything they hold dear?

Pure is Part One of the Pure Trilogy due out next year – I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the following two parts.  I can’t wait to see how the story progresses!

Source – many thanks to Headline, a copy was received in return for an honest review. This review is based on the ARC.