Weirdly addictive. Wasn't sure at first - other characters generally save the day rather than Sherlock - he is often saved rather than thinking through a solution himself, which is not a great approach in YA. However, the characters are both appealing and odd, the mystery was not bad and the idea itself is terrific. Will look forward to reading more in the series.
If
you love dystopian YA, with a strong female lead, gorgeous love interests and a
roller-coaster plot that keeps you glued to the page, then don’t miss Glitch.
A kind of Bourne Identity meets Divergent, the book is scary, sensuous,
emotional and thought-provoking, and yet the action –packed plot keeps twisting
and turning, with enough shocks and surprises to keep the reader wide-eyed and
breathless.
The
Community is mind-controlling, freeing humankind from pain and war, but also
from love, joy and the appreciation of beauty. When Zoe begins to ‘Glitch’ and
see things as they really are, her secrets and lies begin to pile up. She
cannot reveal her feelings and reactions – to do so would reveal her as ‘anomalous’
and schedule her for deactivation. She must control her emotions, stay blank,
walk at a uniform pace, all the while experiencing real terror in case she, or
her strange new power, is discovered.
Zoe
meets Adrien, and extraordinary love scenes ensue (nothing M or X rated).
Adrien slowly teaches Zoe about her own emotions and how to read human
reactions, long denied to her before she Glitched and broke free of The Link –
the Community’s mind control program. With Zoe, we experience afresh every
touch, every hesitant unfurling of feeling, the raw exhilaration of love. But
can she trust Adrien? Is he who he says he is, or a Monitor for the Community?
If Zoe makes a mistake, it could mean death and deactivation for her, and doom
for those she cares about. Is she better with Max, or should she trust her instinctive
wariness around him?
Zoe
cannot even rely on her memory, as memories can be wiped or altered: she can
only rely on her wits and emotions of the moment, although she is only learning
what emotions mean. The stakes mount higher as more Glitchers are drawn into desperate
escape plans, but almost everyone could be different from what they seem,
including the terrifying Chancellor who interrogates Zoe weekly.
Key
aspects of Anastasiu’s writing are refreshing and convincing. Science elements such
as knowledge of brain structure and emotional pathways, pathogens and allergens,
lift the novel above comparable YA romance/adventures for Science fans like this
reviewer. The Worldbuilding is excellent
– ‘only officials had real last names instead of just work designations’. The
concept that citizens can only Glitch while their brain is developing - until
18 - then they have the permanent
‘V-chip’ installed and are lost to the Community forever adds tension, and
places the story squarely with teenagers.
The novel explores the nature of
memory and emotion, and what it means to be human, and the consequences of our
choices. The novel also has a delightful
Paranormal edge with The Glitchers’ surprising and extreme anomalous powers, which
emerge when they begin to Glitch.
Minor
weaknesses include the contrived slang, which is so hard to get right and could
annoy some readers. The protagonists fell in love a bit quickly – the dreaded
instant-love of many YA novels - but later developments add an interesting
spin. A memory wipe, and they are starting again. Would she remember? Will she
make the same choice? There are some bumps in the writing: In the beginning,
did Adrien save Zoe too quickly, taking over the action lead, before we see her
fighting for herself?
Overall,
the trilogy promises a gripping, fast-paced read, with wonderful, strong
characters that we really care about, and a terrifying dystopian world.
This
review is made possible due to NetGalley – Thanks NetGalley, I loved reading
and reviewing this exciting debut novel.
5 stars. Rick Riordan penned another winner with this one. The labryrinth is a fantastic character in itself - a feat of imaginative genius to have it constantly morphing and challenging its entrants. The labyrinth becomes a metaphor for life and the choices we make - the characters must 'see clearly', and 'hold fast' to their chosen path, or be very flexible and prepared for anything, dealing with surprises, monsters, threats and upheavals along the way. Like life, it is always difficult to go back or retrace steps back to a turning point or crossroads - everything has changed again. The characters lose and find friends along the way, other characters are more fully revealed, and some lose their way, their family and friends, and even their sanity. Love the names, as always - Mrs O'Leary is a delight.
Love the Ancient Egypt themes and characters even better than the half-blood heroes in the Lightning Thief. Love how humour is used to lift a slightly sagging middle storyline! The animal characters are very appealing and funny - it all makes me feel like a puzzled teenager doing his and her best in a most confusing world. Laugh out loud stuff, here.
In
the first book of her new trilogy, master storyteller Emily Rodda weaves her
magic once again. The Golden Door
introduces Rye, youngest of three brothers. His brothers, and others, have
vanished one by one while seeking to stop the deathly flying skimmers which
attack and kill the citizens of The Weld.
Rodda
unfolds a story full of magic, danger, chance encounters and strange characters
who offer assistance at critical junctures. Accustomed to thinking less of
himself than his heroic sporty eldest brother, and his clever, quick, second
brother, Rye must somehow face hazards, battle evil-doers, trust his instincts and
new abilities, and find the hero within himself.
Rodda’s
language is simple and clear, her writing is assured, the plot is fast paced
and yet allows us to get to know Rye and his assorted friends whom he collects
along the way. Rye is an immensely appealing character – unassuming, loyal and
courageous when it matters.
Emily
Rodda has won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award
for a record five times. Many readers will be familiar with Rodda’s
best-selling Deltora Quest series, and this trilogy promises to be another
extraordinary adventure.
My introduction to Kate Forsyth's wonderful children's fantasy writing - after which I gulped down 11 more of her books in row.
The Puzzle Ring has elements of history, of magic, of mystery and a quest. The plot is tight and satisfying, and the writing is as magical as any of Kate's own inventive magical creatures or objects. Like most of her stories, the character, Hannah, learns much about her own courage, kindness and persistence, and makes surprising friends and allies in the least expected places. She also discovers where she really belongs.
Kate Forsyth's stories always have the child or children driving the action and solving the mysteries, and The Puzzle Ring is another terrific offering.
Recommends it for: everyone; middle grade children
The gripping final in the Starkin trilogy, with a prince on a quest, his devoted friend and a snooty princess-turned ally. As always, the humbler characters are wonderfully drawn and very appealing.
The snooty princess gradually becoming a friend device, echoes and reflects each layer in the trilogy.
In this third installment, the lovers didn't ring quite true for me - perhaps they were not tested as much, or they became aware of their mutual attraction too soon; the mutual attraction gradually unfolding by the characters in the Starthorn Tree was beautifully done, by contrast.
Overall, the writing is as beguiling, the scenes and landscapes as fresh and wonderful and the storytelling as magical as all Kate Forsyth's Children's fantasy.
