Categotry Archives: Dystopian
The Alliance: A Registry Novel
The Registry, Book 3
Fiction
William Morrow Paperbacks
2014-09-02
448
In this deadly endgame, the final move is hers . . . In America, the Registry weds girls to the highest bidder and raises boys for its army. Mia Morrissey escaped to make her life her own, and now that she has, she will risk everything so that everyone can be free. Going undercover as part of a diplomatic mission, Mia returns to America. But life there is more dangerous than ever as the walls grow taller, and the forgotten country faces its most ruthless leader yet, Grant Marsden . . . a shadow from Mia's past. With the help of Andrew, Carter, and other members of the subversive group Affinity, she embarks on a perilous journey to defeat Grant, bring down the government, and destroy the Registry once and for all. But when a terrible betrayal exposes the operation, Mia discovers that her enemies have used her—and so have her friends. Alone and frightened, she's uncertain of whom to trust—or whether the mission is worth the sacrifice. With the fate of her friends and the future of her country on the line, Mia knows that her next step may be the last for her . . . and America.
Review:
I admit that I was a little reticent to continue “The Registry” series, by Shannon Stoker, but the premise was promising enough to get me to give “The Alliance” a try, and I’m glad a did.
While the writing still lacks some polish and over-use of certain words (said being an example), the author showed a great deal of growth in how she handles character interaction and personal thoughts. The backstories sprinkled throughout made the characters feel less like caricatures and more like humans. I genuinely began to care about most of them, even the less than likable ones from the previous “Registry” novels.
I loved the beginning of each chapter including the history of how the society came to be using accounts from diaries of the period. It provided answers to questions that had been nagging me from the beginning, and the explanations made perfect sense in the context of the story. The ending was also plausible and satisfying.
I’m very impressed with Stoker’s growth and look forward to seeing what else she publishes.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
Graduation Day
The Testing, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2014
304
In book three of The Testing series, the United Commonwealth wants to eliminate the rebel alliance fighting to destroy The Testing for good, and though Cia is ready to lead the charge, will her lethal classmates follow her into battle? 75,000 first printing.
Review:
I absolutely loved “The Testing”, and while a bit disappointed in “Independent Study”, I still enjoyed it. I wish I had stopped before I read “Graduation Day”.
The one redeeming factor of “Graduation Day” is the action, so I will begin there. The action sequences were intense and real page turners. Unfortunately, there was not enough of it.
It all seems like the author is trying too hard to put in plot twists. Some of it came nowhere and made no sense. Characters made decisions not in line with what had been established about them previously, and at some point Cia became just as cold and uncaring as those she was trying to overthrow. The ending made her seem like she cared about no one but a cause- the same way of thinking that created the testing in the first place.
I wanted to love this book, or to even just “like” it. Neither of those are possible. There are barely even any resolutions to the multitude of problems in their society. It was enough of a letdown to make me regret reading past the first book.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence
Into the Still Blue
Under the Never Sky, Book 3
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
2014-01-28
400
The race for survival comes to a thrilling close in the earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's New York Times bestselling Under the Never Sky trilogy. Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to find the fabled Still Blue and bring balance to their world. Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Divergent series, Veronica Rossi's trilogy has been called "inspired, offbeat, and mesmerizing" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) and "incredibly original" (Seventeen.com). Brimming with romance and danger and building to a climax that will leave you breathless, Into the Still Blue brings this "masterpiece" trilogy to an unforgettable close (Examiner.com).
Review:
With the “Under the Never Sky” series being one of my favorite guilty pleasures, I could not wait to get my hands on “Into the Still Blue”. Aria, Perry, Roar, Cinder and Company were in a bad situation the last time I saw them, and I was glad to know the action picked up immediately from where the previous book ended.
Before I go any further, I need to say that I did enjoy the book. It was a fast and fun read, and I do not regret reading it. The characters are fun, the plot still makes no sense but for some reason I did not care, and I am a total Perry and Aria shipper.
With that out-of-the-way, I was still irritated to no end by the sheer predictability of the book. It feels as though not one single curveball was thrown, and I could have spared myself the few hours it took me to read it by just knowing everything would happen exactly as I thought it would, with one exception, and that is that the author left a major plotline unresolved. In fact, it goes completely unmentioned. It is as if it never happened, and that is a pet peeve of mine.
I enjoyed it, but it felt way too phoned in to count as a satisfying conclusion to an otherwise fun story.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
The Collection
The Collection: A Registry Novel
The Registry, Book 2
Young Adult Fiction
William Morrow Paperbacks
Paperback
368
How far would you go to control your own destiny?
Mia Morrissey has escaped: from America, from the Registry, from the role she was raised to play—a perfect bride auctioned to the highest bidder. She's enemy number one to the world's largest power, and there's no turning back now.
Review:
“The Collection” picks up immediately from where “The Registry” ended, with Mia in the company of Riley and Andrew and Carter being held captive. Riley is my favorite character in the series up to this point, and I hope we get to see more.
My feelings on “The Collection” are very mixed. The plot is very imaginative, and it brings up many talking points, including women’s rights, war, etc. It is clean enough for middle readers without being too juvenile for the older young adult crowd. Those points alone are worth the given three stars.
Unfortunately, character development is sparse, and the writing contains way too many “he said, she said, they saids”. I feel like if “said” were to be removed entirely, being replaced with more descriptive words, it would have been a much more pleasant read. It would have been wonderful to know more about the internal conflicts faced by each character. Instead, it is left somewhat dry and unexplored.
All said, I am still going to give the third installment of the series a read, because the plot has me hooked enough to want to know how it ends.
Content Warning:
Violence, Sexual Situations, Unwilling Drug Use
The Scorch Trials
The Maze Runner, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Random House LLC
2011
361
After surviving horrific conditions in the Maze, Thomas is entrapped, along with nineteen other boys, in an experiment designed to observe their responses and gather data believed to be essential for the survival of the human race.
Review:
Once again, there is a second in a series book that I found more enjoyable than the original, though there was more character development and plot in the first, making “The Maze Runner” a better novel all around. The action is where the appeal is in this one, with “The Scorch Trials” picks up immediately where “The Maze Runner” ended, with the Gladers once again being thrust into a situation they do not understand and have no chance to stop and ponder.
“The Scorch Trials” has action that literally does not stop. No time is left to think, and the panic felt by the characters becomes very real. The violence is raised to a higher level than in “The Maze Runner”, so those with weak stomachs should most likely stay away. In fact, it is taken to a high enough level that the target age group seems to be older. Gruesome is a good word for it.
The writing is solid and as I said, the plot moves rapidly, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. There is not much time spent on character development, but it is not neglected, either. It simply builds naturally on what has already been established in the first book, with a couple of new characters thrown in. Don’t go in expecting any answers. “The Scorch Trials” brings nothing but more questions, but it does so in a way that left me eager to find out what is going on, as opposed to frustrated that too much was happening.
A solid read, and I am looking forward to seeing where it all leads.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence
Insurgent
Diverent, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Katherine Tegen Books
2012-05-01
544
"As war surges in the dystopian society around her, sixteen-year-old Divergent Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love"--
Review:
I keep trying to write a serious review of “Insurgent”, but I’m finding it nearly impossible, because I can’t even take myself seriously as a book blogger for loving the entire “Divergent” series so much.
The story is a good one, as long as one sets aside their questioning Erudite nature, but my goodness, it is all so ridiculous. Why can’t people feel more than one way? How is it even possible NOT to be Divergent? These are questions that are not answered in “Insurgent”, and probably will not be answered in “Allegiant”, and I suppose we just accept it all. And eat more Amity toast.
The entire plot can be summed up by saying that Tris and Four argue and then Caleb does some stuff. Oh, and we meet Four’s mother. None of it really makes sense, but again, have some more toast. I can’t even mark this as a spoiler because it reveals nothing, just as the actual plot reveals nothing.
I want to edit the book. Then I want to edit “Divergent”. Then I want to read them again because they are still my guilty pleasures. Life doesn’t always need to make sense. Sometimes I need a total fluff read. I would say the author’s age shows in the writing, but who am I to judge? Nobody has paid me to write a book. I doubt they ever will, so good for her!
I do wish they would hire a better editor, though. It would make me feel just a bit better about my life’s choices right about now.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Bad Grammar
Unwholly
Unwind Dystology, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Simon and Schuster
2013-10-15
402
"Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa, and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens and, in the same stroke, providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but expand, allowing the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished. Cam is a teen who does not exist. He is made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds. Cam, a 21st century Frankenstein, struggles with a search for identity and meaning, as well as the concept of his own soul, if indeed a rewound being can have one. When a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from the unwinds he captures starts to pursue Connor, Risa and Lev, Cam finds his fate inextricably bound with theirs"--
Review:
Mr. Shusterman accomplished something with “Unwholly” that I would have thought impossible: He not only improved upon “Unwind”; he made the entire idea of unwinding even more disturbing.
My humble words can never appropriately describe the genius that is the “Unwind” dystopia. The progression from the first book to the second is so natural that it is easy to imagine it actually happening in this country, and the facts added by the author send shivers down my spine. They provide excellent talking points about how reality can be scarier than fictions and how the decisions made by us today can have the type of lasting impact that could lead to these types of laws.
Additionally, the “ads” and “political advertisements” sprinkled throughout “Unwholly” are brilliantly worded and well-placed. They show the progression of thoughts and corporate greed, as well as the use of propaganda to sway the opinions of the population. They are terrifying because we see and hear messages worded the same way every day. None of it is as far-fetched as the reader would like it to be, and Mr. Shusterman is relentless in keeping us from feeling secure in our own worlds and beliefs.
Without getting too spoilery, I have to say that “Unwholly” made me completely reassess my own religious and moral beliefs on certain issues. What makes one human? What is a soul? Cam puts those questions, and more, right into the face of anyone who seems to think they know the answers, and does so in a way that can keep a person up at night.
I could go on about the character development (exceptional), writing (exemplary), the attention to detail (minute), and more, but all it really comes down to is that the only way to appreciate how profound this entire series is is to pick it up and read it for yourself.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
Crossed
Matched, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Puffin
2013
367
Seventeen-year-old Cassia sacrifices everything and heads to the Outer Provinces in search of Ky, where she is confronted with shocking revelations about Society and the promise of rebellion.
Review:
Unlike many second books in series, “Crossed” managed to not only match, but surpass, the first.
As with the first, Cia is discovering more about the Society than she was ever meant to know. The pacing is excellent, with a great balance of action and character development. New questions are raised while also giving readers some resolution to a few from “Matched”, thereby avoiding the frustration of too many loose ends found in many second novels in a trilogy.
The writing itself is superb and raises many thought-provoking questions about the importance of art, censorship, and the role of the government in our lives. What are we willing to pay for perfect health and stability? Are our choices worth exchanging for security? Will that security last?
Both books in the “Matched” series are excellent introductions into the dystopian genre for younger readers. The questions are important, but the content is presented in a way which is accessible and without too much in the way of questionable content. It is a good series for parents to read along with their children.
Content Warning:
Violence, Very Mild Sexual Situations
Independent Study
The Testing, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2014
310
Now a freshman at the University in Tosu City with her hometown sweetheart, Tomas, Cia Vale attempts to expose the ugly truth behind the government's grueling and deadly Testing put her and her loved ones in great danger.
Review:
My feelings on “Independent Study” are torn. On the one hand, it lacks the quick pace and immersive feel of “The Testing”. On the other, the character development is excellent and sets up for what I hope is a great finale.
There is quite a bit of action packed into the first half of the book, introducing us to new characters and elaborating on others in a sort of “trial by fire” way. The theme of distrust continues more questions are brought to light about the government and university. All of that is interesting.
The major flaw in the book is that Cia seems to be superhuman. There is no problem she can’t solve. She is singled out by multiple groups and people as showing progress, yet there seems to be nothing she has that others in the student body do not also possess. It’s off-putting and mars what is an otherwise interesting premise. The finale has the potential to be great if the Cia situation is somewhat resolved.
Content Warning:
Violence
Ashen Winter
Ashfall, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
2012
576
More than six months after the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano, Alex and Darla retrace their steps to Iowa hoping to find Alex's parents and bring them to the tenuous safety of Illinois, but the journey is ever more perilous as the remaining communities fight to the death for food and power.
Review:
“Ashen Winter” is a solid second installment in the “Ashfall” series by Mike Mullin. Wasting no time, the book picks up a few months after the first has left off. Spring, or what can be called spring, has arrived and Alex decided it’s time to set out to find his parents.
Unlike its predecessor, “Ashen Winter” is a page turner from the very first chapter. I carried it around for a day, reading every second I could, and would have recommended it to everyone I came across if I could have put it down long enough to speak. In fact, the only problem I have with it is that there is one point that it becomes a bit repetitive, though I even enjoyed those bits. Anything to get more of Darla and Alex.
Beware, “Ashen Winter” is not for those with weak stomachs. The attention to detail is incredible and realistic, but that does mean that things are not at all ok in the post-Yellowstone Super-volcanic world. People under the best of circumstances are capable of horrible things. Under apocalyptic conditions humanity takes a total nosedive. Mr. Mullins is not afraid of the gore that ensues.
Along with the gore, I feel like this is a perfect manual for an introduction to Doomsday Prepping. The things that are essential make perfect sense, but I would have never thought of them. In fact, I am fairly certain I will be one of the first to be flensed. At least I will have Chapstick now. (Really. Buy Chapstick.)
The characters are still wonderfully flawed and well-developed, with more being added in seamlessly. Darla may be my favorite heroine in literature. If this were the Hunger Games, Darla would take out everyone at the Cornucopia and be elected President of Panem before even leaving the arena. Even Katniss looks weak in comparison to her.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Gore, Animal Deaths, Sexual Situations
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