Tag Archives: dystopian
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
Breaking Point
Article 5, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
Tor Teen
2014-01-07
416
After escaping prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are taken in by the Resistance, but when Ember tops the government's most-wanted list, Chase urges her to run and Ember must decide whether to hide again or fight back.
Review:
I really enjoyed “Article 5” and had high hopes for the series. Unlike many dystopias, this series continued even more strongly than it began, with “Breaking Point” upping the ante on everything in the lives of Ember and Chase.
This book was nonstop from the minute I picked it up, with no lulls to speak of throughout. I found myself wondering if all of it could happen within the specified amount of time, and much to my surprise, the author answered the question herself in her notes. Someone was put in charge of making sure their calendar was logistically possible, and they accomplished a herculean test by mapping all of it out. Though they may be tired, our young protagonists kept it all real.
The writing, which was not bad at all to begin with, noticeably improved with “Breaking Point”. None of it felt awkward and the flow was good. The characters developed in important ways, leaving even the minor characters with fully developed backstories. It isn’t difficult to care about them and their fate.
I wholeheartedly recommend the series. It’s a new take on the old dystopian tropes that is both terrifying and thrilling. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one.
Content Warning:
Strong Language, Animal Death, Violence, Brief Sexual Situations
No Safety in Numbers
No Safety In Numbers, Book 1
Juvenile Fiction
Puffin
2013-04-04
288
Teens Shay, Marco, Lexi, and Ryan, quarantined in a shopping mall after a biological bomb goes off in an air duct, learn that in an emergency people change, and not always for the better, as many become sick and supplies run low.
Review:
I began “No Safety in Numbers” with the highest of hopes. I mean, bioterrorism and a crowded mall? What could go wrong with that, right? By about chapter five my entire reason for finishing the book was so I could write a review of it.
That’s right. I loathed a book so bad that I became obsessed with getting to the end just to be able to share my thoughts on how horrible it is. Now my moment has come. Unfortunately, the English language has not yet evolved enough to have words strong enough to describe the complete pile of dung this collection of words creates.
There was one character, the senator’s daughter, who seemed like she was going to be well-developed with an interesting storyline in the first chapter. Alas, that worked out like a child learning about Santa Claus on the first day of preschool, only to go home and find out being Jewish means no Santa. Only worse. Coal in a stocking is a better present than the lack of character development.
The entire plot revolved around being stuck in a mall during a mysterious lockdown, and somehow the author managed to make the book boring without at all conveying any sense of how bored everyone would be, desperate, panicked, or anything else. The teenagers seemed to want to escape while also having fun like they were Kevin McCalister and their parents went on vacation without them. Sliding down a bowling lane naked. Really?
And then there are the complete stereotypes. We have the jock, the artist, the nerd, the mysterious Indian, the misunderstood kid who is bullied, and more. There is nothing to create anything deeper than the tropes that come to mind when you think of these tried and true stereotypes. In fact, the author seemed to just assume everyone already knew those tropes so it wasn’t even really necessary to establish even the most basic aspects of their personalities.
Then we have the writing. It is written on the level meant for a solid d-level third grader, and yet it discusses some very adult behavior in not-too-subtle ways. I have not the faintest idea of what age group this is aimed for, but I hope that should anyone ever find out they do not actually put it into that child’s hands. No child should be exposed to the horribly offensive bad writing, even if they can handle the gratuitous sexual references.
In short: If I die and go to Hell, Satan will be waiting for me with the next two books in the series.
Content Warning:
Strong Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Horrific Writing
Through the Ever Night
Under the Never Sky, Book 2
Juvenile Fiction
HarperCollins
2013-12-23
368
In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.
Review:
Aria and Perry continue their quest to escape the tumultuous atmosphere, save the lives of others, and make me question whether or not Perry is supposed to be Fabio in the sequel to “Under the Never Sky”. Spoiler alert: Perry has much more access to shirts in this one.
All joking aside, it’s a testament to the author’s skill and style that I neither enjoy this sort of mixed genre nor find myself drawn to the world of rustic, long-haired tribal leaders, and yet I still found myself devouring this book like it was a Big Mac and I hadn’t eaten for a week. Actually, this book was even more satisfying than the Big Mac would be. I would have foregone food for another day or two if it meant more of Perry and Aria.
The story is still absolutely ridiculous to me, but the character development is excellent. All of the actions in the first book make sense as we learn more about each one’s past and become to care about them on a deeper level. None of them are one-dimensional, even though it would have been quite easy to make them so, and the dialogue is very snappy and witty. It breathes life into the characters.
My favorite aspect of the book, and I hope I do not live to regret these words when I read “Into the Still Blue”, is that there is an actual, meaningful relationship between characters of the opposite sex that is tender and does not involve any sort of weird posturing and triangle nonsense. I could faintly hear a chorus of angels singing in the distance as I read about Aria and Roar. Perfect.
I found this book to be highly enjoyable. It’s an easy read that isn’t sloppily written and flows in a way only a good author can write. “Under the Never Sky” has become my guiltiest pleasure outside of “Divergent”.
Content Warning:
Strong Language, Violence, Some Sexual Situations
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