First

Live Once: Book 1

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Pub Date 08 May 2013 | Archive Date 29 Aug 2015

Description

Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.

When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.

With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, to the boy who wants her to live, or to the man who wants her dead.

Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781940215013
PRICE $14.99 (USD)

Average rating from 20 members


Featured Reviews

Enjoyed this book,can't wait until the next one comes out

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First is a dystopian young adult novel taking place in America approximately 500 years in the future. Mira is a 17 year old growing up in Texas which is home to the descendants of former rebels who had attacked the White House and Pentagon 200 years earlier. The Texans work farms to raise food for the free citizens but also offer up their children to become what is known as a second to the group of firsts who are immortal by taking over the bodies of their seconds.

When Socrates the first of the firsts shows up at Mira's farm and chooses her she has no idea what to expect. The ones living on the farms have been told they are being excused for their ancestors crimes and going to be free if chosen. Mira doesn't care about being free and would rather stay on the farm and marry her best friend Tanner.

The book changes points of view between Socrates and Mira so you get to know the both very well. It does get a bit of a slow start though to figuring out what this world is all about. Switching back and forth though let's us know what it means to be a first or second eventually so you must have a bit of patience with the story to really learn what is going on.

Other than the slow start I found the whole story fascinating. The future of course has new technology and things like cancer have been cured. They can do things such as transfer the mind of a first into a second. There's rebels opposed to the whole process and fighting for freedom for everyone.

A lot of things going on to piece together but thought it was worth the effort in the end. Will look forward to picking up book 2 at some point.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion. Socrates is the first if the Firsts. People throughout history chosen to live life after life by taking new bodies because they have knowledge the world feels needs to live on. He comes to Chesaning farm in Texas to pick a new Second from amongst the kids. Since Texans have been enslaved due to actions their ancestors made these farms are where the Firsts choose their new bodies from.
Mira doesnt want to be chosen but is. She wants to stay on the farm & help raise her brother Max and marry Tanner her bestfriend. But when she's chosen she meets Will. Will is a servant but he shows her kindness and shows her the big secret about how Seconds are used by the Firsts. They die so their Firsts can live on. The ending left me with my mouth open wanting more.

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Pretty crazy interesting!

Mira, a 17-year-old Texan farmhand lives in an age after the Texans rebelled against the government and are treated as an inferior class. A class that has children chosen to be Seconds to centuries old Firsts that need a continuous supply of young bodies. When Mira is chosen, by Socrates, she leaves her world behind, not knowing what kind of "Privilege" she's been given - only that something doesn't feel right.

Told by both Mira, a strong-willed and intelligent young woman and Socrates, a 500 year old man who's at war with himself and the choices he has to make, this story was both humane/inhumane at points which made it such a great read and asks questions that are not easily answered.

I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

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First is an interesting Dystopian that really delivers some enticing moral quandaries. There was definitely a lot of inspiration taken from other popular Dystopians, and at first I found this distracting,(the beginning reminded me very strongly of The Hunger Games for example) but eventually I got used to it and it didn't bother me as much as the story progressed.

I loved that I hated Socrates, as I always appreciate when the writing is good enough to make me feeling strongly about a character, even if that feeling is hate. As for Mira, I can't say that I was the biggest fan of hers, I found her to be very naive and a little annoying and repetitive. While being naive is a reasonable character trait considering her upbringing, I just couldn't root for her when there are so many alternative Dystopian characters that come from similar backgrounds, that are just so much stronger and badass.

Overall I did like this book, the plot really makes you think and the world that it took place in was interesting. However there were some issues with repetitive phrases and insta-love that brought down the rating for me a bit. The story also dragged a little. These issues were not enough for me to dislike the book, but it did bring down the rave factor.

Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict:Borrow

Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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I received this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 
First is a distopyan that really shocked me. 
At the start it was a bit slow but then this alternative reality sucked me in with their choice to use child and teenagers body, killing their possessor, to prolong the lives of "important" people, "re incarnating" them, downloading their minds in the younger host. It was... disgusting and shocking. But the end was surprising. I'll be sure to follow this series. 
My vote: 3.5 stars

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Such an interesting concept. Totally something I'd recommend to my students.

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