Lia lives just outside the gates of the Village on a small farm her parents had bought way before the Watchers killed them. No one else wanted it because it was too far from the safety of the Village gates. But now that they are gone, Lia is left to care for her crippled brother and scatterbrained younger sister...all while trying to make quota each week for the Village. And sometimes it proves to be too much for the young girl. So when her sister demands they care for a dying Farther, one of the very people the Elders have warned them against, Lia believes this could be the final straw that could finally tear her family apart.

I'm telling you, those things think they're alive, Frost. Can you imagine? Being trapped inside a wall for all eternity? The darkness that envelops you, and not glimpses of light? It must be like vein buried alive."I don't like / won't read zombie books, but I decided to make an exception with this book because: robots! The idea of a world with both robots and zombies (rather, 'eaters', which are different from zombies because they can talk and still somewhat control themselves and their "dietary cravings" and even appear normal) intrigued me. Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.

Isla Frost’s novel “Shadow Trials” immediately portrays a snapshot of Nova, the lead, her family, and the world that she lives in. The author masterfully captures everything and she instantly pulls in the readers who will get attached to the lead and her family. I’m expecting to see more from Adam in the future. My opinion about him is not quite formed yet. ;)The end. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely loved the final letter from Gabe but I was not expecting it to end so soon, without the Farthers coming to her house again in the morning. I think I’m kinda desperate to have the second book right now :P He pulled her in close, kissing the top of her head with great force. 'I love you, little girl. I love you more than anything, and that's why I'm doing this. So I can always be with you. So I can always help you. I'm never leaving. Never.' Frost nodded and her father wiped a year away from her eye. 'Now, put them on and go read whatever book you like best. Read your favourite one and let the story do what stories are supposed to do. Let it take you far away." Collected Poems, Prose and Plays, edited by Richard Poirier. Library of America. ISBN 978-1-883011-06-2. ( omnibus volume.)