Although aimed at LGBT readers and despite its unevenness, philosophical dystopia fans of all orientations will find much to...
In an idyllic all-female future, Rubric and Salmon Jo’s luxurious life is disrupted by their Utopia’s dark side.
Ever since a chromosomal problem created the Cretinous Male, distasteful things like sexual reproduction and pregnancies were replaced by hatcheries and the genetics of 300 exemplary women—300 Jeepie Types, “Jeepie” referring to “Genotype Phenotype.” Young girls won’t encounter their Jeepie Similars (sharing a Jeepie Type) until they mature, and they rarely encounter Jeepie Similar Klons. Despite sharing Jeepie Types with humans, Klons are regarded as a different species, altered to be better suited to unpleasant labors. The exposition lacks grace as Olsen rushes to the plot, but then it rumbles along. When Rubric’s girlfriend, Salmon Jo, is assigned to the Hatchery where Klons and humans alike are decanted, her scientific curiosity uncovers their society’s big lie. Knowledge endangers them. Rubric’s plan to reveal the truth brings her to her Jeepie Similar Klon, Dream. They help Dream escape Society to freedom in the Land of the Barbarous Ones. Salmon Jo takes to life outside better than Rubric, who yearns for art over labor and wants to fight Society’s injustice. She and Dream return on a mission of liberation; disappointingly, the mission’s escalating stakes end in a cop-out.
Although aimed at LGBT readers and despite its unevenness, philosophical dystopia fans of all orientations will find much to appreciate in this story that tackles big ideas. (Dystopian adventure. 13-17)Pub Date: May 14, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-60282-874-2
Page Count: 170
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Review Posted Online: March 19, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
A run-of-the-mill quest fantasy, despite its uncommon setting.
In the sequel to Prophecy (2013), demon slayer Kira searches for a second ancient treasure to protect her cousin and her homeland.
Only days have passed since the Iron Army, led by Kira’s uncle, King Eojin, defeated the Yamato invaders and liberated Hansong. Unfortunately, their triumph is short-lived: Assassins murder Eojin at a royal banquet, fracturing the fragile alliance that had united the Seven Kingdoms under one leader. To defend her cousin, Prince Taejo, from those who contest his claim to the throne, Kira embarks on a quest with her most trusted companions to find a jeweled dagger, the second of three magical treasures mentioned in an ancient prophecy. Their action-packed journey provides ample opportunities for Kira to demonstrate her fighting prowess and explore her growing feelings for the handsome, haunted Jaewon. Unfortunately, the brisk pacing doesn’t entirely compensate for the stock characters and the weak worldbuilding. It’s difficult to understand Kira’s strong senses of duty and loyalty when her most important relationships feel perfunctory. Meanwhile, though Oh weaves many details from Korean history and folklore into her story, her inconsistent prose—which veers from contemporary snark to stilted formality—prevents her from establishing a convincing sense of time and place.
A run-of-the-mill quest fantasy, despite its uncommon setting. (glossary, map; not seen) (Fantasy. 13-16)Pub Date: Dec. 31, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-06-209112-3
Page Count: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: Oct. 8, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
At least there’s a lot going on
Gene escapes from certain death at bloodsucker hands—and from drowning and starvation on the river, freezing in the mountains, wickedness in the creepy murder village, a deadly plummet on a death train—until finally he’s right back in vampire central.
After their death-defying escape from the Mission in The Prey (2013), Gene, Sissy and the other humans (or hepers) find their escape vehicle takes them not to the promised land of safety, but to a cavern full of starving hepers beneath the Palace: the Ruler’s larder. Double agents promise to rescue Gene and Sissy, but the cost—the sacrifice of all the other humans in the cavern—is too high. Gene and Sis together make up the Origin; their blood combines to fuel weapons that can de-fang the vamps back into hepers. They’re the only source of the weaponized blood (for no good reason), so when their next frying-pan–to-fire maneuver sends them straight back to the metropolis filled with millions of starving man-eaters, the salvation of humanity is at risk. As if gore-drenched certain death weren’t enough cause for despair, Gene suspects his vanished father didn’t love him enough, and he has to choose between two different girls, one of whom is a vampire, which should make it easy.
At least there’s a lot going on . (Science fiction. 14-16)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-250-00512-0
Page Count: 320
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2013
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