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kaidalea's review against another edition
4.0
When I was halfway through this book, I thought I would give it half this rating. It is reminiscent of FEED. Not only in its story arc and general dystopian downfall of society, but in the reverberating awareness the narrative offers as time goes on. Normal becomes bleak, and then bleak becomes horrifying, even though the main character (Nat) has no idea, really.
The diary aspect is unique, but unfortunately it does leave a lot of angles untouched, which is where the story is lacking. Had it been told from a more general first person POV, readers might have gotten more of what they needed from this excellent world the author has created.
Otherwise, this is a deeply disturbing tale of what I can imagine could very well be a not-so-distant future for this world. Very quick and easy read. Again, like Anderson’s FEED, I believe this one will stay in the back of my mind for a while.
The diary aspect is unique, but unfortunately it does leave a lot of angles untouched, which is where the story is lacking. Had it been told from a more general first person POV, readers might have gotten more of what they needed from this excellent world the author has created.
Otherwise, this is a deeply disturbing tale of what I can imagine could very well be a not-so-distant future for this world. Very quick and easy read. Again, like Anderson’s FEED, I believe this one will stay in the back of my mind for a while.
addison_reads's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Millet is excellent at creating a post-apocalyptic world that feels all too similar to the present. The idea of a world where people are vaccinated in order to keep them happy is such a unique view on the dystopian genre. It brings a lot of questions to mind, especially since I read this during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Very engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking.
Very engaging, entertaining, and thought-provoking.
kayla_danielson's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
iheartya311's review against another edition
2.0
Another case of a unique idea flawed by poor execution. *sigh* I may be over-dystopianed after reading so many. I get the whole point of the book portrayed as a journal, but this style of first person POV infuriated me. I wanted to throw every "Anyway" back at her. Grrr. Combined with a simple writing structure and simple sentences, this book lacked a lot overall for me. I read it as part of a Litsy mark up swap group (sorry, Katherine) so I felt I had to finish it and was torn if I should leave an honest review but ultimately I couldn't find enough I liked about it to play nice. If I had chosen it on my own, I would not have gotten through the first 30 pages. The author really did try and I could sense she was passionate about her idea, that deserved 2 stars and not 1.
greenteadragon's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Suicide
bookninja232b4's review
This author is acclaimed for her adult novels, so I was hopeful that this was going to be really strong and smart. In the end, the world she created didn't make as much sense as I'd hoped. I bought into the possibility that many of those things could happen, but in a world where so many people's lives are controlled by pharmaceuticals (pharms) it would seem a lot easier method for population control--and something that clearly could have been done in earlier generations to keep people, even in the poorest parts of this world, from reproducing. So that kind of fell apart for me.
The choice to tell the story in a diary format held me at arm's length, leaving me uninvested. I wanted to care about Nat, but her emotions were kind of flat-lined so I never got a sense of her. The secondary characters lacked development, despite the fact that they orchestrated the entire plot.
Interestingly enough, an NPR interviewer recently suggested this book is darker than other YA dystopians because it isn't obviously violent, but I'd disagree. The corporation never seemed especially sinister, the stakes were never terribly high (even during a Category Six storm), and the main character was rarely an active participant in her own salvation. Millet's dystopian world isn't any more profound or terrifying than Suzanne Collins or Paolo Bacigalupi. I'm not saying that was her intent, but she certainly breaks no new ground here.
The choice to tell the story in a diary format held me at arm's length, leaving me uninvested. I wanted to care about Nat, but her emotions were kind of flat-lined so I never got a sense of her. The secondary characters lacked development, despite the fact that they orchestrated the entire plot.
Interestingly enough, an NPR interviewer recently suggested this book is darker than other YA dystopians because it isn't obviously violent, but I'd disagree. The corporation never seemed especially sinister, the stakes were never terribly high (even during a Category Six storm), and the main character was rarely an active participant in her own salvation. Millet's dystopian world isn't any more profound or terrifying than Suzanne Collins or Paolo Bacigalupi. I'm not saying that was her intent, but she certainly breaks no new ground here.
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