We adore Kristen Simmons here at Fiction Fare and we are excited to be a part of the tour for her newest book Pacifica! This is such an amazing story and we’re excited to share our thoughts, but first here are the book details:
Pacifica by Kristen Simmons (Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)Also by this author: The Glass Arrow, Metaltown
Published by Tom Doherty Associates on March 6th 2018
Genres: Action & Adventure, Dystopian, General, Pirates, Science Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Marin is cosario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him. Sailing the ocean to chase adventure is in her blood. But these days no one cares that the island town her people call home is named after her grandfather. They have a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger – and one who thinks that girls are meant for the kitchen or the brothel. Marin knows she's meant for more than that, and with the sudden influx of weapons on the island, and rumors of a pending deal with the enemy oil nation in her wake, she knows a big score to gain the council's favor is the only way to save her people, and herself.
Ross lives a life of privilege. As the president's son he wants for nothing, but he longs for a life of adventure. On a dare, he convinces his best friend Adam to sneak out to the Docks, the site of local race riots between the poor Shorlings and the upper class. But when Adam is arrested along with the other Shorlings, and not even the president is willing to find him, Ross finds himself taking matters into his own hands. He journeys back into the Docks, ready to make deals with anyone, even a beautiful pirate, if it means Adam's safe return.
When Marin and Ross meet in dangerous Shoreling territory he sees a way to get his friend back and she sees her ticket home. The ransom a president’s son would command could feed her people for years and restore her family’s legacy. But somewhere in the middle of the ocean, Marin must decide if her heart can handle handing over the only person who has ever seen her as more than a pirate.
In Pacifica, Kristen Simmons has created a world where climate change has impacted the world so negatively that the world we know today doesn’t exist any longer and I have to say, it is quite frightening that this could probably actually happen. It’s no secret that I love the stories that Simmons writes and this one is no different. From start to finish I was immersed in this story of politics, friendship, and family. Also – the cover is amazing!
This book is told from two very different perspectives. We get Marin, a corsario pirate, and Ross, the son of the president. At the center of this story is something called the Relocation Act. The president has developed a program that will allow five hundred “lucky” lottery winners amongst the shorelings to relocate to a place called Pacifica which Marin knows doesn’t exist because she has been out there. Those opposed to the relocation support revitalization near the shore to make life better for that group and because there is such opposition between the groups, riots occur almost every night. As a way to get away from the boredom of another political event, Ross and his best friend Adam, decide to go see what’s happening.
As far as characters go, I thought Simmons did a fantastic job of developing both Marin and Ross. From the first page we see what kind of life Marin comes from and how that has shaped her. As the story moves forward, we get to learn more about her corsario roots and exactly why she couldn’t go back. I love that she is always willing to do what she can for those she cares about.
As for Ross, he first comes across as a bit spoiled and the fact that he is looking for adventure amongst the danger that the shorelings live in day to day, made me a bit annoyed with him at first. With that said, when he and Adam get into real trouble, Ross finally realizes it’s not a game and his choices have real consequences. He also decides he is going to do whatever is necessary to bring Adam home.
I thought the secondary characters added depth to the story and were just as well developed. We get to learn more about Ross’s family and those who surround them as well as Marin’s family and why she is living with the shorelings instead of her corsario family. There are some key individuals introduced who both help and cause problems for these two along the way.
There is a lot of action in this book and Marin and Ross face a lot of challenges and danger from the second they meet. Simmons does a great job of using this to propel the story along while still focusing on the characters and what the core of the story is.
Overall this book feels relevant to some key political things going on in our world today and while this is a fictional story, it felt very realistic to me and with that said, somewhat frightening. Adding to the story is the personal perspective that Simmons has included by tying this to her family history with internment camps during WWII. For me, this made the story even more impactful and don’t miss the author’s note when you read this book to read about Simmon’s family background.
In the end, I loved this book you guys…Kristen Simmons has written another fantastic story that has interesting characters, lots of action, danger and my favorite, swoons. Definitely add this to your TBR now if it isn’t there already. As a standalone you won’t have to worry about waiting for the next book and I count it as a win that Simmons didn’t make me cry like a baby in this one.
Thank you to the publisher and author for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
“A harrowing world where overpopulation is rampant and pollution stifling. The characters creep into your heart with raw, familiar issues of love, friendship, and family ties, careening you on a plot fraught with just as many twists as there are pieces of trash in the ocean. Pacifica will have you breathlessly fearing our own future.” ―New York Times bestselling author Sara Raasch
“I’m clutching my mangled heart and smiling madly, so it’s that kind of book. Such gorgeous heartbreak! Smart, absorbing, and deeply human.” ―New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor on Metaltown
“A compelling, inspiring read. The characters had me rooting for rebels, fights worth fighting, and girls with gumption. By the time it was over, I had my fist in the air.” ―New York Timesbestselling author Kendare Blake on Metaltown
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