"Anomaly" by Krista McGee

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli's birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won't threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli's secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists' Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer---someone even more powerful than The Ten. What's more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she's been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out . . .

I absolutely loved the last Krista McGee novel that I read, so I was a bit disappointed with the opening of this one.  The premise feels very much like Lois Lowry's The Giver or even Ted Dekker's Mortal series.  You know, planned community in which all emotion and sensual information is erased and science rules ...

except that's where the similarity ends.  

Anomaly focuses less on the main character's rebellion of the ruling scientific regime and more on each person's innate longing to know our Creator.  McGee has crafted an intense blend of science and faith that will fascinate even the most reluctant science fiction or fantasy reader.  Anomaly is both and neither at the same time - because while the premise may be futuristic and technological, truth resounds within its pages.

• We are created to Love.
• We are planned with a purpose.
• We are not all the same - and those differences are in accordance to the above purpose.
• We are not meant to be in control, and rather than being scary, this can be a freeing discovery.

Anomaly is a perfect teen read.  It would make a fantastic book club book or discussion diving board for those angst-filled teen years when one is trying to figure out one's purpose, place, and how to live with zits.  

That early similarity to The Giver?  It remains, lingering in the background, throughout the major action in the plot - but McGee ultimately does it better.  Not only does she add depth and meaning where it was missing in the first, but she throws in a surprise twist that totally blindsided me - and will have me scanning the newly-released book lists in watch for the sequel.

If you want to read other reviews from this blog hop, click here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of "Anomaly", "First Date", "Starring Me", and "Right Where I Belong". 

Connect with Krista at http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com.

I received a free copy of Anomaly from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.