This dark and gritty futuristic YA novel had an intriguing premise with a slow build up but not enough explanation of the world this story takes placeThis dark and gritty futuristic YA novel had an intriguing premise with a slow build up but not enough explanation of the world this story takes place in. ACE/ARO assassin, Isobel, has escaped her abusive parents and the murderous guild that has turned her into a lethal weapon. She craves a normal life but her bloody past just won't let her go. When she makes a fateful error she is thrust into a new battle for survival against a deadly enemy. It might have been mentioned in the story and I missed it, but I only know Isobel was ACE/ARO from the own-voice author's notes at the end which, by the way, were well worth the read as it gave me some more context for the story. I'd recommend reading them beforehand. From memory there are no spoilers. A darkly violent but entertaining YA thriller.
Come one, come all to witness the birth of an autocratic government in this brilliant novel that had me on the edge of my seat and gasping in places. Come one, come all to witness the birth of an autocratic government in this brilliant novel that had me on the edge of my seat and gasping in places. This frighteningly feasible book is set in a post-Covid world and looks at the government's disturbing reaction to multiple crises such as climate change, dealing with the social and financial aftermath of the pandemic, and the rapidly increasing number of babies not surviving birth. The authorities slowly develop a strangle hold on it's citizens with Big Brother level monitoring and surveillance, the curbing of rights, and alarming mandates that give the state control over women's bodies. The women in this novel are intelligent and fierce. I wanted a bit more from the ending so I think there is room for a sequel. An excellent dystopian thriller.
CW: Descriptions of babies not surviving birth on page (view spoiler)[forced medical procedures, teen pregnancy, kidnapping, murder (hide spoiler)]...more
Reading this book when war is raging in Eastern Europe and people are controlled and kept in the dark by a well oiled propaganda machine made for an iReading this book when war is raging in Eastern Europe and people are controlled and kept in the dark by a well oiled propaganda machine made for an intense experience. This is the OG of dystopia that inspired Huxley's Brave New World and Orwell's 1984, which in turn inspired Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. The audiobook I listened to contained a foreword by Atwood, a review of the book by Orwell and an essay by Ursula K. Le Guin! I mean talk about a sublime listening experience! The novel presents so many points for discussion about the mechanisation of humans and how freedom and imagination are the enemy of happiness because the source of happiness is regulation and control. I listened to it twice. Once to sit back and listen to this wonderfully written and frighteningly prophetic story, the second with a pencil and paper at the ready to write down quotes I liked and thoughts I had. I won't say too much more but here are some of the quotes that I think will tell you everything you need to know about this novel (I've written them as best as I heard them so apologies for errors - I didn't have time to trawl through the intermaweb looking for them).
... we are always in view. Eternally washed by the light within our translucent walls which seem to be woven from sparkling air. We have nothing to hide from each other. Plus, it makes the difficult and noble task of the Guardians a lot easier. Otherwise, who knows what could happen? It's quite possible that the bizarre opaque dwellings of the Ancients are exactly what lead to their pathetic single-celled mindset, "My home is my castle". Imagine!
You're sick. And the name of this illness is 'Imagination'. It is the worm that gnaws black wrinkles into your forehead. The fever that drives you further and further away, even when further begins precisely where happiness ends. It is the final barricade on the path to total happiness. But rejoice, we have already blasted our way through this obstacle. The path is clear. The latest State science discovery is the seat of the Imagination. A pathetic little neural nodule in the region of the pons Varolii. With a simple triple x-ray quarterisation you will be cured of Imagination. Forever. You will be perfect. You will be equal to the machine. The path to one hundred percent happiness is clear. Hurry! One and all, young and old. Run, don't walk to undergo The Great Operation. Hurry to the auditoriums where they are performing The Great Operation. All Hail The Great Operation! All hail the One State! All hail the Benefactor!
No more delirious nonsense. No crazy metaphors. No feelings. Just facts. Because now I am healthy. I am completely and totally healthy. I'm smiling. I can't help smiling. A splinter has been removed from my head and now it is empty and light. Rather, not empty, but there is nothing foreign in it that would keep me from smiling. Smiling is the normal state of a normal person.
This is a really interesting novella that requires a lot from the Reader. We are presented with a dystopic world but given next to no information abouThis is a really interesting novella that requires a lot from the Reader. We are presented with a dystopic world but given next to no information about it. It is almost like a rough sketch in which we have to visualise and fill in details making assumptions about what we might already know about the classic elements of a dystopian novel. We wonder who They are and what Their motivations are (beyond the obvious: destroy art and artists, remove creativity and emotion and that old classic chestnut of demanding conformity). What happened to Them to make Them want this world? What is Their power structure? Why cruelty to animals? (yes there are some awful incidents in the novel). There is no big uprising. Instead we just see things from an unknown person (or persons) point of view. It feels like it is one character but on a second read I realised it is likely more than one character but with so many similarities to make it unclear and confusing. I suspect this was part of the author's intent. To have us confused and unsure and as the title says, uneasy. I don't know if I liked it but if the aim was to make me feel unsettled then job well done.
Well that was an entertaining action story about some over-powered teens!
I liked the premise and the multi POV. I'd like to h2.5 Stars rounded up to 3
Well that was an entertaining action story about some over-powered teens!
I liked the premise and the multi POV. I'd like to have seen a bit more use of their powers in battle situations but overall it was a satisfying story. What was missing was some much needed world building. We had no context for why there were terrorists and what they hoped to achieve. I will actually follow up with book two at some point however it will be a wee way down the TBR to be honest. ...more
CW: It's pretty violent in parts (view spoiler)[son believes father committed suicide so there are a few references to that throughout, cannibalism (rCW: It's pretty violent in parts (view spoiler)[son believes father committed suicide so there are a few references to that throughout, cannibalism (ref only) (hide spoiler)]
Well that was relentless action with some major Mad Max vibes, yet something was missing.
I can't quite pinpoint why this ended up 'good' as opposed to 'great', but I suspect it's because for most of the story the 'good guys' felt a little bit flat. It was maybe in the last quarter that I actually felt any kind of hope that they might make it out of the many...like numerous...fight for survival situations. It's a pretty grim future that David has created but I don't think I got enough of a feel for the world as the fast pace meant interesting elements were mentioned, but never fully developed. I do think this will have a lot of appeal so am happy to add it to my booktalk shelves....more
Well this was a good entry level YA scifi-dystopia.
By entry level I mean perfect for a young adult who is a less experienced reader and in particular of dystopian novels. It was predictable, there was a lot of explaining of the world and the science, and the characters and tropes were stereotypical for this genre. The story was engaging with some good twists and turns. It reminded me a bit of the exceptional Hugo and Nebula Winning Novella Beggars in Spain, with it's exploration and discussion of genetically engineering babies to create perfect humans. I will definitely be ordering a copy for the library....more
Well that was a cracker conclusion to this engaging series!
I believe there is actually a book four now but I am pretty sure this book was the originalWell that was a cracker conclusion to this engaging series!
I believe there is actually a book four now but I am pretty sure this book was the original finale. I ended up really enjoying this entire series. It ended a lot stronger than it began. Book three was exciting because it was more about the political intrigue and alliances, yet still managed to retain a good level of action throughout. I am really pleased I have completed this series!...more
Well the world Amy has created is incredibly interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed this series opener!
Roselle was an exceptionally engaging main characWell the world Amy has created is incredibly interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed this series opener!
Roselle was an exceptionally engaging main character and I enjoyed the camaraderie that developed between her and her fellow soldiers. This is definitely a futuristic dystopia but it also had a roman gladiator type feel to it. Maybe because it was because there were armies and swords, brutal training programmes, and the themes of deception and betrayal running throughout it. Definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in the rest of the series. ...more
Well that had a whole lot of 'splaining throughout which, whilst necessary, made for some long dull moments in this YA dystopia.
I know this h2.5 Stars
Well that had a whole lot of 'splaining throughout which, whilst necessary, made for some long dull moments in this YA dystopia.
I know this has been very popular but I honestly feel like it hasn't aged well. The main character makes lots of pervy comments about girls and says he can't hug his kidnapped, injured and traumatised male friend because guys don't hug each other. I think we have moved past that mentality as a society right? On the positive side, I really liked the way the dystopic elements developed and how things became quite brutal quite quickly. Just okay for me. ...more
Despite the lack of character development, or world building, or explanations of mysterious capabilitiesWell this was an oddly compelling little read.
Despite the lack of character development, or world building, or explanations of mysterious capabilities that people had, I weirdly still enjoyed this. It is quite short so there was definitely room to flesh things out a bit more. And guess what! There are animals that the main character can talk to! Another animal book in my booktalk repertoire. ...more
CW: (view spoiler)[Medical experiments, torture, loss of loved ones, attempted sexual assault, women treated as property (hide spoiler)]
Well sadly thiCW: (view spoiler)[Medical experiments, torture, loss of loved ones, attempted sexual assault, women treated as property (hide spoiler)]
Well sadly this was not as engaging as book one. The romance storyline felt forced, fast and, quite frankly, awkward. The menacing characters were also a bit overcooked. The conclusion was satisfying in terms of tying up the duology but in the end, this fell flat for me....see what I did there?...more
Well that was my first piratical zombie fantasy, and it was a real treat!
In a world where a virus/magical curse has the potential to turn people into flesh eating monsters, Charlotte lurks in the shadows of her two incredible sisters. Harlow is a commander, Vanessa is the 'Chosen One', and Charlotte is the middle sister. I loved the concept of the how virus is transmitted because it brings with it mistrust and a 'kill or be killed' mind set, which leads to the break down society. You catch the virus through eye contact, however, passing it on to others will cure you and give you immunity! This opens up a slave trading market where people are trafficked and used to pass the virus onto by those who can afford to purchase them. The newly cursed people are then disposed of. There is action aplenty, and a growing level of intelligence and coordination among the cursed (Vessels). I really enjoyed the experience of being in a well developed world with characters that I could relate to and was completely invested in. I thoroughly recommend this original YA novel....more
CW: (view spoiler)[Death of loved ones, gore, environmental disaster, violence, women kept as sex slaves, women needed for breeding, offensiv3.5 Stars
CW: (view spoiler)[Death of loved ones, gore, environmental disaster, violence, women kept as sex slaves, women needed for breeding, offensive nicknames (Fotard and Botard), rape, starvation, (hide spoiler)]
Well what a ripper of a ride that was!
What a marvellous concept and a frightening world Bethany has created. Yes, there are issues. I found the nicknames offensive, I wish Fiona was a bit smarter and in less need of rescuing, it's the typical dystopic world where women are needed for breeding, and of course the dreaded 'special snowflake' trope that underpins this story. If you can get past that then it really is a fun, action packed story where a bee flu has decimated the world's population and terrifying zombies are being used in cage fighting type situations! It is a harsh 'dog eat dog' world on the wrong side of the wall so characters never know who to trust. I look forward to reading the next in the series! ...more
Well it took a while to get there but I ended up enjoying the laCW: (view spoiler)[Death of loved ones, violence, suppression of women (hide spoiler)]
Well it took a while to get there but I ended up enjoying the last section.
In a futuristic Gotham, where the superheroes are long gone and women have been silenced, Dinah seeks the power to bring true justice back to the city. This was a really really slow burn. There was a lot of wondering and talking about the wonderings and slow unveilings of truths that span the first half of this book. The action doesn't really ramp up until the last quarter. I thought the world building was good but a little bit under developed. Given that Dinah sought to overthrow the controlling regime it warranted a bit more detail. The last quarter definitely saved this from iminent twodom. A solid addition to this series. I am also going to have to say that in my opinion, the books in this series featuring female superheroes are so much more engaging than the others. Just saying....more
CW: (view spoiler)[blood, sexual content, we learn mc's brother killed himself, death of loved one through shooting (hide spoiler)]
Well, there were brCW: (view spoiler)[blood, sexual content, we learn mc's brother killed himself, death of loved one through shooting (hide spoiler)]
Well, there were brilliant elements in here but unfortunately they didn't add up to anything great for me.
I'll set the scene for you. A woman fighting to keep her children safe in a dystopian world where her husband has disappeared. She embarks on a perilous journey, evading authorities at every turn, and then sets sail across treacherous oceans to find her husband. Sounds good right!
So why didn't I enjoy this?
It started off by establishing a frighteningly feasible dystopia where everyone is microchipped so their activity and whereabouts can be tracked "for their own safety". Mim is told her husband has gone missing and she sets off with her two young children to find him. What follows is an incredibly boring trek across the country with a main character I did not like whose children were unpleasantly willful. There were only a couple of 'close calls' with police and even then they were pretty non-eventful. This is followed by a long stint at sea where she battles her attraction to the yacht's captain. What a missed opportunity! Why didn't the author keep up the dystopian elements? They ended up serving no point as it didn't feature much in the rest of the story. At 48% I was so close to DNFing but I kept thinking surely something interesting will happen. Alas, aside from one or two tense moments it did not engage me. I will say this though, the writing itself is simply stunning, hence my 2 stars....more
I don't think this was enjoyable but it was definitely interesting.
The concept of women developing powers that can bring men to their knees was fascinating. The social and political commentary during the spread of the women's movement that followed the development of these powers was really well done. The actions of the newly empowered women were abhorrent yet disturbingly familiar. I wasn't wowed by the writing and I didn't really like any of the characters to be honest. There is a certain harshness in the whole story, and I get it, but it left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. I can appreciate the themes and the world Naomi has created but they story was just okay for me....more
I'm freaking out. Mind. Blown. Don't read any reviews about this until you have finished. It will have more impact.I'm freaking out. Mind. Blown. Don't read any reviews about this until you have finished. It will have more impact....more
CW: (view spoiler)[Cannibalism, sexual references, murder of women and girls, females are controlled by men and seen as inferior, gore and vi4.5 Stars
CW: (view spoiler)[Cannibalism, sexual references, murder of women and girls, females are controlled by men and seen as inferior, gore and violence, women accused of being promiscuous (hide spoiler)]
Well this was an utterly gripping story that I loved and hated in equal measure.
I don't think people could call this an enjoyable book despite there being glimpses of joy within. Essentially this was another story where women are subjugated and cast as 'Eve' in yet another male dominated world. However, this one had quite a sickening and horrifying twist that I haven't read in any other similar novels. I felt the women's voice was quite ragged and real in this book with the authors recognition that there isn't a silver bullet in this scenario. Movements take time. Arguably there will be some people who think one subplot was anti-feminist but I would disagree. In my view one crucial aspect of feminism is about freedom of choice. Tierney was a wonderful, strong woman and I found her journey captivating....more
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