The Angel & The Brow-Eyed Boy by Sandy Nathan REVIEW

"Eliana made her way along the sidewalk, knowing that she was dirty, feeling the grit in her hair and on her skin. When she had reached the planet's atmosphere, clothes and all sorts of things had rushed at her with great force, tossing her over and over. Dirt had come, too. She'd found the clothes she needed and put them on the way her teachers had shown her. Then her people had put her where she was...."NEW YORK CITY ON THE EVE OF ARMAGEDDON, IN THE LATE 22nd CENTURY--PERHAPS Mistaken for a Russian ballet dancer, Eliana finds her destination-the Hermitage Academy, a famous high school for the arts. Soon she discovers that this Earth is a strange and violent place, where people live in fear, and where her very presence makes some want to protect her and others want to hurt her.It is a century after the second Russian revolution, when technology was outlawed and Tsar Yuri took over most of world, ushering in the "Great Peace." For the U.S. president, Lincoln Charles, peace is doable-just focus on the positive, project a trustworthy image, and make sure that dissenters are taken care of quietly, permanently. Something terrible, though, is about to happen; and for Eliana, not much time remains to find the "Golden Boy..""

(another synopsis from Pump Up Your Book):
Tomorrow morning, a nuclear holocaust will destroy the planet. Two people carry the keys to survival: A teenage boy and an intergalactic traveler.
By the late 22nd century, the Great Recession of the early 2000s has lead to a worldwide police state. A ruined United States barely functions. Government control masks chaos, dissenters are sent to camps, and technology is outlawed. War rages while the authorities proclaim the Great Peace.
Finally it all breaks down. We’re in New York City on the eve of nuclear Armageddon. In the morning, ultimate destructive forces will wipe out all life on earth. Only Jeremy Edgarton, a 16-year-old, tech genius and revolutionary; and Eliana, the angelic, off-world traveler sent to Earth on a mission to prevent her planet’s death, can save the world.  Join Eliana and Jeremy as they begin a quest to save two doomed planets … and find each other.

When I pick up a book I want to and look forward to the emotional connection I'll have with the characters and how the books plot and characters will make me feel. I am always so happy when I find a book like that. I love it even more when I find a book series/trilogy that gives that to me. The author of The Angel & The Brown -Eyed Boy gives you that opportunity to connect with the characters in her book.
You immedietly get drawn into this book with realist characters in this futuristic style book.
What made this book a must read for me besides the realistic characters was the well written plot. Life seems great; no wars, no fighting. Life is a peach. As long as you don't question authority or ask questions period. I enjoyed this book so much that I have put it on the "must read" list for my book group.
I highly recommend this book.

I received this book for review from Pump Up Your Book