Mini Review: Inside Out & Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Insider #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 1, 2010
Pages: 315
Format/Source: Paperback/Purchased
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. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Insider #2
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: March 1, 2011
Pages: 326
Format/Source: Paperback/Purchased
Me?
A leader?
Okay, I did prove that there’s more to Inside than we knew.
That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion–between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we’re free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again–while still touching base with Riley, of course. He’s the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there’s outside and then there is Outside.
And something from Outside wants In. (Cover and synopsis from Goodreads.)
*Warning: This review covers both books in this series. While I really don’t like spoilers, you might find some slight spoilers in this review.*
I read Inside Out back before I started my blog, and never got around to reading Outside In until this past December. But I breezed through both of these books and decided to write a mini review for both of them. So I’ll just share some of my notes with you.
- Both times I read Inside Out I had a bit of trouble imagining the “Inside”, where they live, in my head. So this time around, I made diagrams in my notes, and that helped.
- When I reread Inside Out, I remembered some major events from the first time I read it, but a lot of things I had forgotten, so it was nice to reread it.
- I love that in both Inside Out and Outside In, there is action right from the beginning.
- There is a nice theme of hope running throughout these books, especially in Inside Out.
- Both books were full of action, mystery, and twists and turns. Also lots of creepy parts, and sad parts as well.
- Inside Out has a great ending. Closure, but a cliffhanger as well!
- I loved the fact that in Outside In, the people of Inside still have their issues. The tyranny that they faced throughout Inside Out is over, but there is still discord between the inhabitants, and things are not automatically perfect, which makes it very realistic.
- I love how, especially in Outside In, you really don’t know who to trust at all.
- I wish I had written my review right away, because I find myself forgetting parts of the end of Outside In. I’ll just have to reread it sometime!

Kate Midnight Book Girl
January 20, 2014 at 1:06 pmSomeday I will probably read this series, but it's not a priority since I don't own these books (which is kind of a miracle!). I do love that the first book was good enough to garner a re-read from you- I know how precious our book reading time is!
Brandi Kosiner
January 20, 2014 at 2:57 pmI have been meaning to read this series for quite a while, and sound like it is worth the time
Asheley (@BookwormAsheley)
January 20, 2014 at 8:56 pmWow 5/5 for both! That's awesome. These are two that I've always wanted to read and for some reason, I've just never gotten around to them. I LOVE how you made this review. And I love that you mention the cliffhanger at the end of the first book because I'll try and have the second on hand for a close follow-up read when I can get to them. I also like how you mention that things are not automatically perfect and how that is realistic because I appreciate that in books like this. Great thoughts here. Love this!
Bittner
January 23, 2014 at 5:23 pmInteresting, I'm still not sure if I understand the plot of these books. But I'm really glad you liked both books equally because that doesn't always happen in series.