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Daughter 4254: Blog Tour & Review

Posted November 7, 2017 by Christine in 4/5, giveaway, review / 1 Comment /

Title: Daughter 4254
Author: Leigh Statham
Publication Date: Dec. 5, 2017
Find: Amazon | Goodreads | iTunes | The Kings English (exclusive signed copies)

Daughter4254 used to think life in a community where art, music and names are outlawed would suffocate her creative spirit. Now that she’s rotting in a prison cell, she’s not sure her dying mother made the right choice when she entrusted her with the secrets of rebellion. Prison has given her plenty of time to relive every mistake and lose all hope.

Then she meets Thomas, a fellow inmate, who tells her stories of the mythical mountain colonies where people have names and the arts thrive. Together they plot an escape, knowing if they fail, they will die. Or worse, their consciousness will be taken by the MindWipe, leaving their bodies free for the government to use. When nothing goes as planned, Daughter4254 must choose between using her mother’s secret to better the world she hates, or following Thomas to the quiet life of freedom she has always craved.

Leigh Statham was raised in the wilds of rural Idaho but found her heart in New York City. She worked at many interesting jobs before settling in as a mother and writer.

She now resides in North Carolina with her husband, four children, eight chickens, a fluffy dog, and two suspected serial killer cats.

Leigh is currently working on an MFA, has written countless short stories, and is the author of lots of mediocre poetry. She is also the winner of the 2016 Southeast Review Narrative Nonfiction Prize for her short story “The Ditch Bank and the Fenceline.”

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Wattpad

Dystopian books are so common that it’s rather difficult to find one that can hold my attention longer than a couple of chapters. I find that most hold to the same tropes and formulas and are generally pretty predictable.

What I loved about Daughter 4254 was that, even though I don’t feel as though Ms. Statham necessarily broke the mold in YA dystopian literature, I was instantly transported into her story and carried into a world that is captivating and suspensful.

I began this book at bedtime and did not put it down until I was finished–sleep be damned. That rarely happens anymore for me. Sleep is a precious commodity with four young kids to take care of.

The way I read books, is I usually become so engrossed I feel as though I am the main character. I try to put myself in their shoes. Try and feel what they’re feeling. The problem is that, as the reader, you always have a sense of foreboding when you know something bad is going to happen. It can make for some pretty stressful reading when you’re that involved. Like an investment.

But, I feel like if I’m able to do that with a book, successfully, then the book is a gem. Because few writers are able to draw me in that much anymore.

Ms. Statham was able to do just that. I was able to relate to 4254 as much as possible, while also being terrified of where her, sometimes crazy choices, would lead her.

Daughter 4254 is a “normal” girl by today’s standards–but in her world she’s something of an anomaly. And that’s not a good thing for her.
Told in a non-linear time format, I feel was a wise choice for this story. It left enough intrigue to help the reader care as to how Daughter 4254 arrived in the present time at her present place.

The story does end on a cliffhanger, so if you’re not into that then I wouldn’t skip this story–maybe just wait until the next installment. Because, you’re not going to want to miss this one.