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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This almost felt....too real.
Riot Act caught my attention a while ago, but it took me a while to circle back to it. Told in an alternate version of the US in 1991, it's a book that serves as a cautionary tale.
What Worked: Thought I don't want to spoil the book (it's kept vague within the summary), I do want to point out that Lariviere chose a very interesting narrator for the story. It was unexpected and worked well with the rest of the content. There were unique implications for this character having an almost omnipresent role in the lives of the other characters. I also appreciated the complicated feelings and relationships that were tackled through the various interactions of the characters. The lack of trust, the fear, the desire to be close to someone, the fracturing of familial relationships were strategically interwoven into the story. The back drop of Henry VI served as an effective catalyst for the story as whole and defined the essence of resistance.
What Didn't Work: I wanted just a little more world building. This is a personal preference and could be an urge that has developed from our current political climate. I do think that teens seeking out this book will appreciate the focus on the coming of age elements. There were also some pacing issues in which the conclusion to a mystery is revealed early on making certain portions of the book anticlimactic particularly the ending. Stylistically, I understand what Lariviere was attempting to do on an emotional level, but it left much to be desired.
Overall, this was a solid read and one that I would recommend to teens who may show interest in books that have a "Handmaid's Tale" vibe to them. The 90s grunge thespians will appear to theater kids far and wide.
Riot Act caught my attention a while ago, but it took me a while to circle back to it. Told in an alternate version of the US in 1991, it's a book that serves as a cautionary tale.
What Worked: Thought I don't want to spoil the book (it's kept vague within the summary), I do want to point out that Lariviere chose a very interesting narrator for the story. It was unexpected and worked well with the rest of the content. There were unique implications for this character having an almost omnipresent role in the lives of the other characters. I also appreciated the complicated feelings and relationships that were tackled through the various interactions of the characters. The lack of trust, the fear, the desire to be close to someone, the fracturing of familial relationships were strategically interwoven into the story. The back drop of Henry VI served as an effective catalyst for the story as whole and defined the essence of resistance.
What Didn't Work: I wanted just a little more world building. This is a personal preference and could be an urge that has developed from our current political climate. I do think that teens seeking out this book will appreciate the focus on the coming of age elements. There were also some pacing issues in which the conclusion to a mystery is revealed early on making certain portions of the book anticlimactic particularly the ending. Stylistically, I understand what Lariviere was attempting to do on an emotional level, but it left much to be desired.
Overall, this was a solid read and one that I would recommend to teens who may show interest in books that have a "Handmaid's Tale" vibe to them. The 90s grunge thespians will appear to theater kids far and wide.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was engaging, but for whatever reason it didn't resonate as strongly with me as I wanted it to. I can't really put my finger on what wasn't working for me, but I know it's a personal taste thing. I would absolutely recommend this to someone, especially someone struggling with anxiety about the current US political climate.
Edgy high school me would have aaaaatttteeeee this up.
I still really enjoyed it as an adult and I will be read the second part as soon as it releases.
I still really enjoyed it as an adult and I will be read the second part as soon as it releases.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Police brutality, Classism
Minor: Blood
Authorization government
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No