Land of the Unaltered by Leti Del Mar

Land of the Unaltered by Leti Del Mar is a dystopian romance. The main characters, Rose and Flynn, 17 and 18, are both outsiders who find comfort and understanding with each other (eventually), once they have overcome their shyness and misunderstandings about each other.

Rose is from Civitas, which is a city (much like the Capital in Hunger Games) where there are basically two types of people, either shallow and flaky (like Rose's mother), endlessly altering themselves to be fashionable, or greedy and power hungry (like Rose's father), trampling anyone who gets in their way. But Rose is not like other Civitas citizens. She has chosen to move to Eureka to live with her Aunt Ivy, who is the town doctor, and to create a meaningful existence for herself away from her family's influence and bad reputation.

Flynn has grown up in Eureka with his dad, owner of the lumber company and one of the most powerful men in town. He is quiet and has a hard time relating to the other kids in town.

These two struggle to get to know each other. During this process, they deal with several challenging situations and finally become a part of a secret rebellion against the government in Civitas.

I liked these characters, and the story is fun and easy to read. I did find the two water mishaps and Rose's injuries from both incidents a little repetitive, though, and the premise that the couple was "stranded" for so long seemed a little thin, considering Aunt Ivy had a vehicle and they had a way of contacting her from the way station. It also bothered me at first that the male came to the female's rescue over and over (the classic damsel in distress scenario), but it was also Rose's intelligence and quick thinking that saved her in each dangerous situation. The author does a great job of building tension and passion between Rose and Flynn and excitement during their adventures. Finally, I was touched by the nobility of the rebellion's cause and the part Rose chooses to play in it.

The ending is a great lead-in for the sequel, and I will be sure to read it to see what is in Rose's and Flynn's future.