Book Review (10).

Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)

by Caragh M. O'Brien 

Publication: 2nd May 2011

Publisher: Simon And Schuster Australia

Pages: 361

Genre: Dystopian

Age Appropriate: Young Adult

Price: $16.99

IN THE ENCLAVE, YOUR SCARS SET YOU APART, and the newly born will change the future.
In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the walled Enclave and those, like sixteen-year-old Gaia Stone, who live outside. Following in her mother's footsteps Gaia has become a midwife, delivering babies in the world outside the wall and handing a quota over to be "advanced" into the privileged society of the Enclave. Gaia has always believed this is her duty, until the night her mother and father are arrested by the very people they so loyally serve. Now Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught, but her choice is simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.
A stunning adventure brought to life by a memorable heroine, this dystopian debut will have readers racing all the way to the dramatic finish.

My Thoughts.

Gaia is following in her Mother's footsteps and training to be a midwife.The first three babies born each month are handed over to the Enclave to be adopted and live inside the wall (these included Gaia's two older brothers).

One night arriving home after delivering her first unassisted baby she finds both her parent's have been arrested by the guards of the Protecterate, there is a guard there waiting for her to ask her about important information that her parent's had (a record of all the births of the babies given into the Enclave) Gaia doesn't know anything but was given a ribbon by Old Meg who works with her Mother, not knowing the information they're after is sewn onto the ribbon.

Gaia's time is then spent trying to find a way into the Enclave to save her parents, and once in there trying to find her way out. 

I liked this book way more than I thought I would and now it's straight onto the second book Prized.

I give this book 4/5

A big thanks to Caroline @ Simon And Schuster Australia