Review: The Farm by Emily McKay

Young Adult Paranormal

Life was different in the Before: before vampires began devouring humans in a swarm across America; before the surviving young people were rounded up and quarantined. These days, we know what those quarantines are—holding pens where human blood is turned into more food for the undead monsters, known as Ticks. Surrounded by electr

ical fences, most kids try to survive the Farms by turning on each other… And when trust is a thing of the past, escape is nearly impossible.

Lily and her twin sister Mel have a plan. Though Mel can barely communicate, her autism helps her notice things no one else notices—like the portion of electrical fence that gets turned off every night. Getting across won’t be easy, but as Lily gathers what they need to escape, a familiar face appears out of nowhere, offering to help…

Carter was a schoolmate of Lily’s in the Before. Managing to evade capture until now, he has valuable knowledge of the outside world. But like everyone on the Farm, Carter has his own agenda, and he knows that behind the Ticks is an even more dangerous threat to the human race...

My Review

OK so this book is a little different than what I was expecting. I think I went into it thinking it would be similar to Hunger Games...hoping it was like Hunger Games...but no...definitely wasn't. The book starts out by just throwing you into the story with really no background as to how "The Farm" was created. Yes you do eventually learn but it takes a while and for me it was hard to get into the book because I wanted to know more about it..I wanted to understand the world I was in and get a feel for it.....
After about 100 pages in the book grabbed me..The main character, Lily, is portrayed as such a strong, heroic character that you cant help but love her..and Carter is just breathtaking. He is mysterious, secretive, and lovable all in one. Lily's twin sister, Mel, who has autism, is such an important character. Her perspective on the events occurring around her really brings you into the story.
I will say the one part I was unsure about where the "Ticks". At first I assumed they were actually the vampires in the story but later in the book you realize they aren't. They are a totally different species and are more related to zombies. It was hard to wrap my head around that part.
The last 10 chapters in the book are amazing. I couldn't put the book down. There are a lot of questions that are answered in such a short few chapters and it makes the ending very intense. Overall I enjoyed the book and would have given it 4-1/2 stars if not for the lack of world-building and it definitely needed a better explanation regarding the Ticks and vampires.
I will definitely be reading the second one because the ending was so intense and left me dying to find out what happens next....