Scott Reads It!

Find this review and more at my blog. Rootless is a book unlike anything I have ever read! It takes place in a bleak future where locusts are rampant, and no trees are left in the world. Locust have destroyed all food supply, they eat human flesh and a dystopian government controls all food supply. GenTech is the closest to a government that exists and they managed to genetically engineer corn that the locust can't eat. I don't want to say anything more because I don't want to spoil the book. Chris Howard expertly created a complex and original story that is truly a page-turner. Once you start Rootless you won't be able to stop because you will be engrossed in the story and in the characters. Rootless's plot was refreshing to read after reading so many generic Dystopian novels. Banyan is a tree builder whose father is missing and Banyan wants to find him before it's too late. Rewind.. I forgot to mention that a tree builder makes artificial trees. The whole concept of tree building and Gentech really added an interesting touch to Rootless. Rootless was a book that I really liked because it was immensly different from everything else I have read. Chris Howard brought to the table in Rootless something that wasn't generic like most Dystopias. I read about things in Rootless that I would never thought of. Who would have thought pirates, man-eating locusts, artificial trees, and an oppressive government would work so well together? Rootless was a refreshing read that surprised more times than I can count. Even though I really loved how original and different Rootless was, it still had some negative aspects. Rootless is very plot oriented and as a result the characters aren't as developed as I like. I really didn't feel a connection to any of the characters except for Banyan. I felt like at times I kind of knew what was going to happen and Rootless was a bit predictable. Rootless's flaws are overcome by it's originality, fast pace, and awesome action scenes. Rootless was a book that definitely caught my interest. It may have some flaws but I was willing to overlook it's flaws due to it's strengths. I really enjoyed Banyan's POV because it felt very personal and helped establish a connection with him. Rootless was a book that I really liked and I'd definitely recommend it. I am pretty torn up over the fact that there is no title or release date for the sequel. Chris Howard's debut is definitely one of the most original and interesting books I have read in a while.