by Daniel Sweren-Becker ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2016
The interesting concept is utterly foiled by pedestrian writing.
In a near-future America, intolerance against genetically engineered citizens takes a violent turn.
For the past 20 years, 1 percent of all babies born in America have been part of a National Institutes of Health study. Their genomes were manipulated to keep some of their parents’ traits and remove others. Known as the Ones and for some reason identically engineered to be “tall, sturdy athletes with perfect facial features,” they are now coming of age—and having a much bigger impact on society than expected. So society rebels against the Ones, and Congress passes the Equality Act. For Cody and her boyfriend, James, both Ones and both white, it means becoming second-class citizens. At least it does for James—in a nonsensical plot twist, Cody is revealed to not be a One. Yet this doesn't protect her when the peaceful protest they run at their school goes very wrong. The only question becomes what the Ones are willing to do to stand up for their rights and how the government will respond. Not that readers will care all that much, given the flat, lifeless characterization and tell-don't-show plotting. Simplistic logic doesn't come close to exploring the meaty ethical dilemma at the core of the novel. (Among other “unfair advantages” that Cody points out are not being legislated against, she includes “having a parent at home who has time to read to you” but not race.)
The interesting concept is utterly foiled by pedestrian writing. (Dystopian thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-250-08314-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Imprint
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016
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More In The Series
by Laura Nowlin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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More by Laura Nowlin
BOOK REVIEW
by Laura Nowlin
by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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