The Cage by Megan Shepard Review

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Collins
Source: Conference
First book in The Cage series
The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughter trilogy.
When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.
Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.
As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

Review
I have some mixed feelings about this one. It had its good and it's bad things. It was just okay for me. 

This tells the story of Cora. Things haven't been easy for her lately. She's given an unwelcome fresh start when she wakes up in a strange land with a couple strangers. No matter how good this world may be, it will never be enough for Cora. 

I didn't connect with the characters much. They were very average. I honestly found Cora super annoying. She was indecisive and a little selfish at times. Cassian just confused me. I didn't understand his relationship with Cora at all. It was kinda weird. I enjoyed the side characters but they didn't wow me. 

This had a very creative concept to it. I really enjoyed the setting and world building. I wish that things had been explained a little more. It was a tad confusing at times. Most of the time I had no idea what was happening or why it was important. It was a little slow. Most of the action was at the end. Overall this was just okay! It did have some awesome aspects to it. So even though I wasn't wowed, I would still enjoy seeing more of the story!