Review: Inside Out by Maria Snyder

INSIDE OUT by Maria Snyder
Pub. Date: April 2010
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Paperback, 320pp
Age Range: Young Adult

Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.
I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Whether Dystopian or Fantasy, Snyder knows how to create a captivating world filled with unforgettable characters and a heart-pounding story line. I fell in love with her Study and Glass Series and I knew that her new YA Series would be no exception. INSIDE OUT pulls you in right from the start. The inner workings of Inside’s hierarchy along with the differences between the scrubs and the uppers living arrangements dare you to unlock the mysteries surrounding Inside. What exists Outside? Is there an Outside? These questions amongst others spurred my curiosity alongside Trella’s.

The books that have great characters are always the ones that stay close to my heart. So when you combine these bigger than life characters with a high risk for failure structure, the net is cast. I was so enraptured by this novel that I did not want to break away from it for one minute. Trella has always kept to herself even if her use of the pipes is to escape the unbearable living arrangements of the scrubs. When curiosity gets the better of her, life suddenly goes from uncomfortable to risky. Known for her cold nature, she has to turn to others for help in her search for answers. Suddenly, with everything at stake, she has no choice but to finish what she started. I admire everything about Trella and the dangerous risks she takes on, especially when she could be sent to the Chomper to be recycled. She’s smart, strong-willed, and resourceful in dire situations. Snyder created a great cast of characters and I can’t wait to read more about them.

Snyder’s writing and world building continues to amaze me. Her creativity is something that I’ve always loved about her writing. You never know what surprises or plot twists she has in store for her characters. Currently with the YA genre filled with supernatural creatures, Inside Out is a breath of fresh air for readers looking for something new and exciting.

The next novel in this series, OUTSIDE IN is scheduled for release in January 2011. I can’t wait to see what Snyder has in store for Trella and crew next. I’m sure it’s going to be just as heart-pounding if INSIDE OUT is anything to go by.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars