Scan barcode
kangokaren's review against another edition
4.0
About an entire world that is a living prison. Very interesting. Waiting for sequel to come in from my library hold.
angelatastic16's review against another edition
Incarceron is a story by Catherine Fisher about a prisoner named Finn who is trying to escape from Incarceron, a prison that is alive, with the help of Claudia, the well-to-do daughter of the warden of Incarceron. There are two different worlds in this book, Incarceron and a futuristic world. In the futuristic world, people live as they did in the colonial ages, making the whole book an anachronism. A common theme in this book is that people are always trying to escape themselves by blaming the world around them for their faults. This theme is apparent in many places in the book. For example, Finn blames all his faults on the prison and he is constantly telling himself the only reason why he murders, steals, etc. is because he must in order to survive in the prison. Jared, Claudia’s tutor, blames his position in society for his fault of never speaking his mind or never speaking up against the injustice that goes on around him. Another common theme in the book is justice is not always just. Incarceron was invented in order to punish the guilty and render justice. Over time, the prison became obsessed with serving justice to the point where it would punish the prisoners for crimes they had not yet committed by forcing them to live in poverty, fear, and danger. This was an interesting philosophical thought I had never pondered before, however after reading this book, more thought must go into the statement: justice is not always just.
This novel starts off slow and picks up speed as it goes along. At first, the reader will be very disappointed and wonder why they are reading this. They will also be very confused at the beginning and might want to keep reading to find out what happens; more likely, they won’t get past the first few pages due to being stymied. Personally, I think starting off a story at a slow pace and confusing the reader, is a weak way to begin a story. However, once you get to about page 100, the story really takes off, and instantly becomes a page turner. The plot twists in this story are extremely predictable. The reader can guess that Finn is going to end up being the lost prince, Giles. The idea of Finn, or Giles, having an evil stepmother who paid through blackmail to have him imprisoned so her son could rule is very cliché. Although this novel has many philosophical points and life statements, it has a weak plotline. Another weakness is the fact that the reader does not get attached to the characters at all. The characters seem hollow and not like the real people. Each character seems to by symbolic of an idea or concept and therefore does not seem like a complex human being. I was also disappointed by the lack of violence, surprises, and romance.
One of Ms. Fisher’s greatest attributes as a writer is world building skills. In this novel, she has created not one, but two worlds that seem vivid, real, and plausible. Before reading this book, I thought the idea of an alive prison was ludicrous. Albeit, once I read this book, not only did Incarceron seem real and scare me but it seemed as if an alive prison, such as Incarceron, could truly be invented in the future. Another positive point in the story was that before each chapter was a quote from fictional pieces of work that the characters would have read such as the diary of the man who invented the prison or the bible-like book of the only prison to ever escape Incarceron. The main conflict of man vs. machine seemed fresh and unique, since it is a type of conflict not used to the degree it is used in this book in many other pieces of literature.
Despite the fact that the book was obviously well thought out and many arduous hours of planning probably went into the making of the worlds the readers will experience if they chose to pick up this book, the plot line is weak and the reader’s craving for an exciting, emotionally fulfilling book is still hungry even after they read the last line of the book. Readers who pursue reading for entertainment, a large portion of readers, will be disappointed in Incarceron. At the same time, readers who wish to read a thought provoking novel that will make them question their beliefs will enjoy Incarceron. Personally, I would not recommend Incarceron to anyone who wants to pick up a book to read in their free time because it is dry. I do believe, however, that this novel would make a good read for an English class or any other organization that wants to have discussions and debates over a deep, meaningful work of literature.
[b:Incarceron|332775|Incarceron (Incarceron, #1)|Catherine Fisher|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327414514s/332775.jpg|323310]
This novel starts off slow and picks up speed as it goes along. At first, the reader will be very disappointed and wonder why they are reading this. They will also be very confused at the beginning and might want to keep reading to find out what happens; more likely, they won’t get past the first few pages due to being stymied. Personally, I think starting off a story at a slow pace and confusing the reader, is a weak way to begin a story. However, once you get to about page 100, the story really takes off, and instantly becomes a page turner. The plot twists in this story are extremely predictable. The reader can guess that Finn is going to end up being the lost prince, Giles. The idea of Finn, or Giles, having an evil stepmother who paid through blackmail to have him imprisoned so her son could rule is very cliché. Although this novel has many philosophical points and life statements, it has a weak plotline. Another weakness is the fact that the reader does not get attached to the characters at all. The characters seem hollow and not like the real people. Each character seems to by symbolic of an idea or concept and therefore does not seem like a complex human being. I was also disappointed by the lack of violence, surprises, and romance.
One of Ms. Fisher’s greatest attributes as a writer is world building skills. In this novel, she has created not one, but two worlds that seem vivid, real, and plausible. Before reading this book, I thought the idea of an alive prison was ludicrous. Albeit, once I read this book, not only did Incarceron seem real and scare me but it seemed as if an alive prison, such as Incarceron, could truly be invented in the future. Another positive point in the story was that before each chapter was a quote from fictional pieces of work that the characters would have read such as the diary of the man who invented the prison or the bible-like book of the only prison to ever escape Incarceron. The main conflict of man vs. machine seemed fresh and unique, since it is a type of conflict not used to the degree it is used in this book in many other pieces of literature.
Despite the fact that the book was obviously well thought out and many arduous hours of planning probably went into the making of the worlds the readers will experience if they chose to pick up this book, the plot line is weak and the reader’s craving for an exciting, emotionally fulfilling book is still hungry even after they read the last line of the book. Readers who pursue reading for entertainment, a large portion of readers, will be disappointed in Incarceron. At the same time, readers who wish to read a thought provoking novel that will make them question their beliefs will enjoy Incarceron. Personally, I would not recommend Incarceron to anyone who wants to pick up a book to read in their free time because it is dry. I do believe, however, that this novel would make a good read for an English class or any other organization that wants to have discussions and debates over a deep, meaningful work of literature.
[b:Incarceron|332775|Incarceron (Incarceron, #1)|Catherine Fisher|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327414514s/332775.jpg|323310]
anacatnascimento's review against another edition
3.0
Catherine Fisher surge com uma ideia que me chamou bastante à atenção: Incarceron é uma super prisão, um mundo dentro do mundo, que embora tenha sido idealizado como um paraíso, acaba por se tornar num verdadeiro inferno.
Este conceito interessou-me na medida em que me fez pensar em várias coisas. Primeiro, que a solução dos humanos para as maldades do mundo foi apenas “deitar fora” quem as praticava e cultivar apenas as partes positivas da sociedade - ou melhor, as partes que o rei considerava positivas.
Claro que isto colocava outro problema: e se o rei acabasse por ser um desses dissidentes?
E ainda havia outra coisa, que ao longo de todo o livro nunca deixou de estar assim a flutuar, nos arredores dos meus pensamentos sobre este livro: e a maldade que é intrínseca a alguns seres humanos? E não descrimino relativamente à origem, seja genética, ambiental, social ou outra coisa qualquer - a verdade é que ela existe. Fiquei a pensar que num mundo em que tudo fosse perfeito, talvez se criassem precisamente as condições ideais para ela se desenvolver. Não haveria equilíbrio.
Penso que foi por isso, para criar algum senso de que a balança estava mais ou menos ajustada, que a autora fez o falecido rei parar o Tempo e criar o Protocolo. Edron, era esse o seu nome, fez o seu reino estancar num momento que comparo ao século XIX, onde tudo era representação, cortesias, connections e muitos jogos políticos.
Esse é o contexto histórico de "Incarceron", que eu achei que nem sempre era claro ou bem explicado. A autora não nasceu para fazer boas descrições de coisa nenhuma, e isso era bastante óbvio depois das primeiras páginas. E que fique assente que não sou fã dos métodos de Eça, por exemplo, que demora 10 páginas para descrever uma fachada.
Contudo, há situações em "Incarceron" que deixam a desejar pela falta de pormenor. E outras, por pormenores a mais. Passo a explicar:
Catherine Fisher não só não é boa com descrições de cenas, lugares, situações, como também não desenhou bem os personagens principais, Claudia, Finn e Jared. Os dois primeiros são jovens que a narrativa nos indica ter pelo menos 17 ou 18 anos, mas que em tudo parecem agir como se tivessem 10. É difícil tirar deles um traço de personalidade até quase mesmo ao final do livro, coisa que, pessoalmente, não me agradou.
Já Jared, é mais velho, um Sapiente erudito, mas é fraco, medroso e assustado, e parece ter uma doença secreta que, adivinhe-se, não é explicada.
Dou a mão à palmatória, contudo, nas personagens de Keiro, Gilas e até do Governador: secundárias e, curiosamente, melhor estruturadas.
Relativamente à história em si, foi difícil de achar boas razões para continuar a ler, no início. Eventualmente, a coisa fica mais complexa e dá mais gosto.
Mas “Incarceron” é sempre um livro confuso, em certa medida - e não sei bem como explicar isto. Tive este feeling com o livro o tempo todo, uma mistura entre "wtf", "oh my gaaawd yes" e "wait, what". Por outras palavras, foi agridoce.
Li este livro em português, e vou recordar o nome de Mário Dias Correia como um tradutor muito competente que, se não fez mais, foi porque os diálogos que a autora lhe deixou não eram grande coisa.
É bastante claro que o livro tem continuação, "Sapphique", que vou sem dúvida ler. Fiquei curiosa com o destino do Governador, mais do que o de Finn ou Claudia.
Para terminar, uma confissão: a certa altura, não consegui deixar de equiparar Catherine Fisher ao meu grande amigo Brian Keaney, que conseguiu a proeza de estragar uma boa premissa literária numa trilogia (da qual ainda me falta ler o último volume - help!) sem pés nem cabeça.
Mas good for you, Cate. Deste a volta por cima e, embora muiiiiito longe do meu top e nunca me dando um momento verdadeiramente feliz em TODO o livro, criaste uma coisa que me fez passar algumas horas sem conseguir parar de virar a página.
Este conceito interessou-me na medida em que me fez pensar em várias coisas. Primeiro, que a solução dos humanos para as maldades do mundo foi apenas “deitar fora” quem as praticava e cultivar apenas as partes positivas da sociedade - ou melhor, as partes que o rei considerava positivas.
Claro que isto colocava outro problema: e se o rei acabasse por ser um desses dissidentes?
E ainda havia outra coisa, que ao longo de todo o livro nunca deixou de estar assim a flutuar, nos arredores dos meus pensamentos sobre este livro: e a maldade que é intrínseca a alguns seres humanos? E não descrimino relativamente à origem, seja genética, ambiental, social ou outra coisa qualquer - a verdade é que ela existe. Fiquei a pensar que num mundo em que tudo fosse perfeito, talvez se criassem precisamente as condições ideais para ela se desenvolver. Não haveria equilíbrio.
Penso que foi por isso, para criar algum senso de que a balança estava mais ou menos ajustada, que a autora fez o falecido rei parar o Tempo e criar o Protocolo. Edron, era esse o seu nome, fez o seu reino estancar num momento que comparo ao século XIX, onde tudo era representação, cortesias, connections e muitos jogos políticos.
Esse é o contexto histórico de "Incarceron", que eu achei que nem sempre era claro ou bem explicado. A autora não nasceu para fazer boas descrições de coisa nenhuma, e isso era bastante óbvio depois das primeiras páginas. E que fique assente que não sou fã dos métodos de Eça, por exemplo, que demora 10 páginas para descrever uma fachada.
Contudo, há situações em "Incarceron" que deixam a desejar pela falta de pormenor. E outras, por pormenores a mais. Passo a explicar:
Catherine Fisher não só não é boa com descrições de cenas, lugares, situações, como também não desenhou bem os personagens principais, Claudia, Finn e Jared. Os dois primeiros são jovens que a narrativa nos indica ter pelo menos 17 ou 18 anos, mas que em tudo parecem agir como se tivessem 10. É difícil tirar deles um traço de personalidade até quase mesmo ao final do livro, coisa que, pessoalmente, não me agradou.
Já Jared, é mais velho, um Sapiente erudito, mas é fraco, medroso e assustado, e parece ter uma doença secreta que, adivinhe-se, não é explicada.
Dou a mão à palmatória, contudo, nas personagens de Keiro, Gilas e até do Governador: secundárias e, curiosamente, melhor estruturadas.
Relativamente à história em si, foi difícil de achar boas razões para continuar a ler, no início. Eventualmente, a coisa fica mais complexa e dá mais gosto.
Mas “Incarceron” é sempre um livro confuso, em certa medida - e não sei bem como explicar isto. Tive este feeling com o livro o tempo todo, uma mistura entre "wtf", "oh my gaaawd yes" e "wait, what". Por outras palavras, foi agridoce.
Li este livro em português, e vou recordar o nome de Mário Dias Correia como um tradutor muito competente que, se não fez mais, foi porque os diálogos que a autora lhe deixou não eram grande coisa.
É bastante claro que o livro tem continuação, "Sapphique", que vou sem dúvida ler. Fiquei curiosa com o destino do Governador, mais do que o de Finn ou Claudia.
Para terminar, uma confissão: a certa altura, não consegui deixar de equiparar Catherine Fisher ao meu grande amigo Brian Keaney, que conseguiu a proeza de estragar uma boa premissa literária numa trilogia (da qual ainda me falta ler o último volume - help!) sem pés nem cabeça.
Mas good for you, Cate. Deste a volta por cima e, embora muiiiiito longe do meu top e nunca me dando um momento verdadeiramente feliz em TODO o livro, criaste uma coisa que me fez passar algumas horas sem conseguir parar de virar a página.
thelibrarylady42's review against another edition
3.0
This is actually 3.5 stars but I can't give half stars on goodreads. I wish I could give Incarceron a full 4 stars but I can't and I can't quite put my finger on why. I felt like there was this huge build up that never fully paid off. I enjoyed the book and I will certainly read the next installment but something just didn't sit right with me. Perhaps it is because there was so much hype surrounding this book or maybe it was just because the cover looks so darn cool. I felt like there were to many secrets that were never revealed or explained we just knew the whole truth wasn't being told. It seems to be a growing trend in YA literature that the first book is mostly exposition and the real action will begin in the second installment. While I'm sure that is good for sales it's a little frustrating on the part of the reader.
jaklettke's review against another edition
3.0
Did I grab this book because my version has a pretty shiny cover? Mayyyyybe. Did I enjoy what was within the shiny cover? Yes. (Enough to get the second part, Sapphique, too.)
Good intentions have unfortunately led to a split in society, those who live within the every-man-for-himself prison of Incarceron, and those who live Outside. This book seems to be set in a future that's parading itself as the past.
Keep in mind that this book doesn't wrap up, it goes directly into the next part, Sapphique.
I'd pick this up again as a light read.
Good intentions have unfortunately led to a split in society, those who live within the every-man-for-himself prison of Incarceron, and those who live Outside. This book seems to be set in a future that's parading itself as the past.
Keep in mind that this book doesn't wrap up, it goes directly into the next part, Sapphique.
I'd pick this up again as a light read.
christiana's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start for me (probably why I abandoned it the first time I started), but sticking with it was rewarding and the book does pick up 9Booktalk: it's like Smart House but a PRISON). However! The best thing about this book was the twisty ending that leaves you with no answers. Granted, it's a well done cliffhanger (not cliffhanger just for cliffhanger's sake), but I had so much trouble connecting to characters and wading through the story that I can't really see myself continuing. I almost would like someone just to tell me how it ends because I'm a little curious, but not enough to make it through another volume. Also, points for thinking about the story after it's over and having no problem thinking of things to discuss.
baphomeow's review against another edition
5.0
Ah... the prison. The characters were not really deep but I didn't found myself disliking any. I fell in love with Incarceron. Not so much the book itself but the prison as a character. I enjoyed the book and the little script things at the beggining Of each chapter, mostly.
However I DID wish Finn ended up with Attia and Claudia with Jared. I don't believe Finn and Claudia have chemistry at all. Even though they are pretty much not supposed to,.
Spoiler
However I DID wish Finn ended up with Attia and Claudia with Jared. I don't believe Finn and Claudia have chemistry at all. Even though they are pretty much not supposed to,.
riley0_0reads's review
3.0
Ok, I think I’m going to rate this book a 3. I though about a 2.5, but that felt too low. Despite being very confused on the politics of this book and certain scenes, it definitely entertained me and that is worth something. So it was nothing special, but it was not terrible either.