Waiting on Wednesday (#7)

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This meme highlights some of the books whose releases bloggers are most anticipating this year.

The book whose release I am most excited for this week is...

Title: Inhuman (Fetch #1) 
Author: Kat Falls
Release Date: March 2013

In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit. America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral. Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught. Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy.

I'll admit it - the cover of this one is less-than-truly-appealing, but I think the synopsis more than makes up for it. While the concept of rescuing a parent/sibling from danger or striking an unlikely compromise with a dangerous, yet handsome, potential love interest is, by no means, unique, I think the idea itself of a country torn apart by war and further ruined by mutation is fascinating. I've always been drawn to novels that deal exclusively with DNA or diseases and combining that with political upheaval is a sure-fire way to win me over. Yet, what strikes me the most about this story is the original occupation of a Fetch. I love the fact that the setting plays such a huge role in the basis of this job and am already eager to read more about this world Falls has created. Furthermore, I'm a sucker for the name Rafe and while there's most likely a romance between Lane and Rafe in this story, it isn't explicitly stated, which gives me hope for a creative love story. I can't wait to get my hands on this book and 6 Months+ wait for it is definitely going to either turn me inhuman, or make me willing to cross forbidden lands just to fetch this one and read it myself! ;)