This is one of relatively few free shorts aimed as prequels that I have read that actually really made me want to read the first book in the series.

Only part of that is due to the things lest unresolved - otherwise . . . I really did get to know Viola, and very well, for such a short span of pages that also let me know so much about her world and her family.

Viola is a very believable young woman (not quite a teenager, but definitely showing those years are coming) who not only made me sympathetic to her, but also managed to keep the realism of being so nervous, even perhaps sullen and snappish, about a big change coming in her life.

All the more so for the fact that no one seems to share her fear and loathing for the idea. Which again, fits very well with her age and gives us an easy platform to translate from our own experiences - perhaps I've never gone through any preparations for a change like hers, of course, but I have memories of fearing and hating the prospect of a change as an adolescent and feeling like I was the only one who understood my own worries.

I had already wanted to read the Chaos Walking trilogy, in a vague way - now I will definitely be making an effort to do so. I really enjoyed this prequel, which also stood fairly well as a short in its own right - if one with an ending that leaves the reader wanting more. ( )

It didn't develop the characters enough for me to be emotionally invested in their fates. ( )

Watched the movie and wanted to know Viola's backstory. ( )

Welp, I guess I have to read the Chaos Walking trilogy now. Such a great teaser of a prequel, so well written. ( )

Too short and slight to get more than 3 stars but very well done nonetheless. And interesting as this is the first e-book I have read. I put it on my phone and read it odd times when I had 5 minutes to spare. Works well for a short story - not sure I would have the patience to read a whole book that way. ( )