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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
This was a solid YA dystopia future novel. I liked the characters and the development of the "wordsmith" profession as well as the beautiful descriptions of artists and musicians. Definitely thought provoking, although I was not expecting the heavy political element of global warming.
adventurous
inspiring
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Finished reading: July 14th 2017
"There's always truth in dreams. Don't you know that? We have to learn what they mean, that's all."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Jabberwocky in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Spoiler
I admit I wanted to read The List as soon as I saw that absolutely stunning cover; yes, even before I read the blurb which only confirmed my desire to read this story. The List was actually originally published two years ago under a different title, but will be republished next month with this stunning cover. Now I have read it there is no doubt that this debut novel by Patricia Forde is based on a very fascinating concept. The List is set in a dystopian world where most of the world is destroyed by the Melting, most people now forced to live in the city of Ark and their surroundings because there is nowhere else left. The founder of Ark is Noa (see the biblical references yet?) and he has restricted the use of language to just 500 approved words... His belief of humanity being able to use/abuse words and words bringing doom to the human kind is fascinating and I would definitely have given The List a full 5 stars for originality. The so-called List speak is fascinating (although that might just be the philologist in me talking) and the List itself plays a central role in the story. The worldbuilding is intriguing and even though the plot itself isn't all that exciting I'm sure it will be fitting enough for the age group. The List is ment as a Middle Grade read and I admit I don't have a lot of experience reading stories for this age. Still, I do believe the tone doesn't always felt right (too adult) and I personally had difficulties connecting to the writing style. As fascinating as the concept of this story sounded, I don't think I enjoyed actually reading about it as much as I would have hoped... I also struggled to connect to the characters and personally didn't like Letta at all. She seemed quite bland as a main character and I'm not sure if she will be able to win over the target group either; this has most likely to do with the lack of character development in general. The ending itself wasn't really satisfying either and it took me a lot longer than expected to finish this story. In short, while I loved certain elements of The List (the concept, the List-speak), I also struggled with other elements and all in all unfortunately I ended up having mixed thoughts.
After the Melting, only the lucky have survived and most of them live in the city of Ark. To keep things running smoothly the founder Noa has speech constrained to 500 approved words; if you speak outside the approved lexicon you will face banishment. Only a few people are able to speak freely, and only in private: the Wordsmith and his apprentice Letta belong to that group. When her master dies, Letta is suddenly promoted to Wordsmith and charged with collecting and saving words. But she doesn't realize something sinister is going on in Ark... Something that will have devastating effects if not prevented.
The List is without doubt based on a very fascinating and original concept I would easily have given the highest rating for. The language elements are very interesting as well and this was definitely my favorite element of the story. That said, it did take me way longer than expected to read this Middle Grade story and I had difficulties connecting to both the writing style and the characters. I ended up having mixed thoughts about The List, but I guess the story can go either way for you.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a highly unique book, stop here, don't look further! This book is all about WORDS. About talking and understanding words, with little references to the flood from the Bible where Noah built an Ark. This story was so clever, so unique and it was actually kinda creepy to bestow a world where spoken language is minimalized little by little...
A longer review can be found at Bite Into books
Unique, creepy and all about WORDS. I like the fact that words are such a big part in this book, or actually not, because the list of words that are allowed is only 500 words long. I'm also really curious about more books by Patricia Forde, I expect a lot more unique novels! I'll keep an eye out for new books.
If you're looking for a highly unique book, stop here, don't look further! This book is all about WORDS. About talking and understanding words, with little references to the flood from the Bible where Noah built an Ark. This story was so clever, so unique and it was actually kinda creepy to bestow a world where spoken language is minimalized little by little...
A longer review can be found at Bite Into books
Unique, creepy and all about WORDS. I like the fact that words are such a big part in this book, or actually not, because the list of words that are allowed is only 500 words long. I'm also really curious about more books by Patricia Forde, I expect a lot more unique novels! I'll keep an eye out for new books.
Just the right type of dystopia to cope with right now! Not too heavy or dark. A great heroine, Letta, who works as a wordsmith, a community member in charge of which 500 words the society can use. Controlling language and expression is essential in Ark after the Melting but when the governing members want to reduce the words to 300, many get suspicious. Letta suddenly questions everything she knows and dares to dream for more.
Grades 6 and up
Grades 6 and up
I finally finished this, but it took forevvver. It had a good hook, but the story was sloggy. Not the City of Ember readalike that I had hoped for.
I really enjoyed our main character and her growth. What else can you ask for then a character who you get to see grow as a person based on who her experiences. I am looking forward to the second installment to see where this world and characters go.