Beyond the Wall

A Young Adult Dystopian Novel (The Beyond, Book 1)

By: Kate L. Mary

Narrated by: Jelyne Helms

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Society, everyone is happy. 

Drea Young has grown up living in the shadow of the wall. Not only does she know there’s nothing left beyond it, but she also knows that it’s there to protect the citizens of the United Society of the Reestablishment. That doesn’t stop her from feeling trapped, though. Why? Everything in her world is perfect. There’s no more struggle, no war or crime, no conflict. 

No choice. 

Drea has always thought she was alone in her blasphemous thoughts, but then she gets to know Jerrick Carter and realizes she couldn’t be more wrong. Quiet and brooding - and incredibly gorgeous - Jerrick helps her understand not just the world around her, but herself as well, and the more Drea learns about the Society, the more desperate she becomes to break free.

But after a lifetime of being controlled, she isn’t sure if she’s strong enough to leave everything she knows and loves behind....

©2021 Kate L. Mary (P)2021 Kate L. Mary

Thin plot line, Sophomoric take on mature themes

After reading the reviews for this series, I was ready to immerse myself in an adventurous, dystopian journey. What i found instead was a plot line reminiscent of every other dystopian theme under the sun. Not one new concept was expressed. But the purely derivative plot wasn't the worst of it.

Drea started off as a strong female character. An independent thinker who innately knew something was amiss in her walled in - saccharine perfect - post apocalyptic society. But it didn't take long for her character to devolve into a Marsha Brady-esque woman child who became progressively more obsessed with her new boyfriend as the story progressed.

She toggled annoyingly between utterly prudish and ultra sexually charged. No solid character arch from one to another, just a constant barrage of neurotic, whiney indecision. This 20 year old character was behaving like a 14 year old - at best.

The author's writing style was adequately descriptive and she did a fair job at world building - but this effort was lost in the insipid overuse of the word "twisted" and multiple references to Drea's digestive reactions to almost every situation.

Being a story junky who rarely gives up, I really wanted to get to the end of this plot line - but I couldn't handle all the distractions. The reader didn't help as half her inflections were up-speak when interpreting a definitive sentence or thought.

I am rarely this disappointed by writing style and character dialogue. I truly couldn't bare listening anymore. I suppose it could be argued that I am several decades beyond the target YA audience - but some of the best books I've read have been YA.

If you are looking for original plot lines, well-crafted writing and relatable characters - this book is not for you.

Hope the second book comes out soon

Really enjoyed the first book and when it ended I was really want to keep listening but I guess I'll just have to buy the second book and read it myself ! Narrator was great too give life to the characters.

Ready for Book 2

I was so not ready for this book to be over. I am loving the story and looking forward to the next one.

Can’t wait for the rest to be available

This was a really good start to the series…I finished it in one day and now I’m anxiously awaiting the rest to become available on audible. The story is well told and the performance was good!!!

hmm

normally I love your Facebook's without reservation. this one however seemed like a mixture of many of her older books. I would have been enjoyed it more if it was more original.

Great Dystopian Listen

I was intrigued from the very first chapter of this book to see where it would take me... the narrator did a great job from the very start making the characters individual's and defined. I loved the little touch of music as well it was such a classy invitation into the book.
I have to say though be careful when you start this book as I ended up pulling an all nighter as I couldn't put it down.
The storyline was fresh, the characters rich, complex and interesting and the concept moreish!!! Definitely a 5☆ banger!!!!