Restoring Harmony Review

Restoring Harmony by Joelle Anthony

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release date: May 13, 2010

Source: Author

The year is 2041, and sixteen-year-old Molly McClure has lived a relatively quiet life on an isolated farming island in Canada, but when her family fears the worst may have happened to her grandparents in the US, Molly must brave the dangerous, chaotic world left after global economic collapse—one of massive oil shortages, rampant crime, and abandoned cities.

Molly is relieved to find her grandparents alive in their Portland suburb, but they’re financially ruined and practically starving. What should’ve been a quick trip turns into a full-fledged rescue mission. And when Molly witnesses something the local crime bosses wishes she hadn’t, Molly’s only way home may be to beat them at their own game. Luckily, there’s a handsome stranger who’s willing to help.

Restoring Harmony is a riveting, fast-paced dystopian tale complete with adventure and romance that readers will devour.

Review:

Wow! What a fantastic debut! Joelle Anthony's Restoring Harmony was a riveting and eye opening read. The society she created was, unfortunately, believable and made me wonder- is this what our future has in store for us? A lack of oil is real possibility, so I read into the story even more, trying to figure out what my life would be like in Anthony's 2041. It's scary when you think of it, but Molly's family was full of hope and initiative. They were a lot better off on their island in Canada then the struggling and over-controlled Americans.

This brings me to one of the highlights if the novel- the characters. There were A LOT of characters, but Anthony made it work. They were all unique and well developed. Molly, the main character, was smart, thoughtful, creative, and knew how to think ahead. She had a very take charge attitude that probably saved not only her life, but quite a few others. She added a lot to the novel, and she was someone I would like to know in real life. The whole cast of characters was fantastic, there wasn't one character that didn't need to be there and didn't add something to the story. Molly's family- her parents and siblings were great even though they didn't play a big role.

When Molly left her home in Canada to bring her grandparents back from America, it was an exhilarating, dangerous, and emotional journey. I was on the edge of my seat in quite a few instances and was always anxious to find out what was going to happen next. The mystery involving the Boss and the Organization was original and unpredicted, and I really liked how everything played out. Molly's journey never really ended even once she arrived at her grandparents house. Upon her arrival, Molly really had to take action by helping not only her grandparents, but their neighbors, too.

I want to learn how to play the fiddle now!! Molly's prize possession, Jewels, was a great addition to the novel. I loved all the songs she played and how, at times, the fiddle really ended up saving their lives. The fiddle was not the only thing that ended up saving Molly and her family- Spill did, too. I <3>Restoring Harmony was sweet and Spill was a great guy for Molly. He was a unique character and their relationship was definitely different than most YA romances I've read lately.

In the end, Joelle Anthony crafted a poignant and extremely enjoyable novel in Restoring Harmony. I loved all the characters and the plot was extremely well orchestrated. I can't wait to read her next book!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars