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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I don’t feel like it’s going to have any new or interesting ideas
I really enjoyed the pacing and story telling. I liked Celeste’s character progression and I appreciated not having to read through Mile’s death, which was left as a bit of a cliffhanger at the end. I don’t think I would’ve been able to go through with it if it was available!
A nicely written debut novel. It started out quite well, but the story lost some steam midway through, and ends rather tepidly.
The themes of exploitation, control, and blame of women and girls explored here is such well trodden ground that the story needed a bit more to make it feel like it had something new or different to say.
The themes of exploitation, control, and blame of women and girls explored here is such well trodden ground that the story needed a bit more to make it feel like it had something new or different to say.
Overall a wonderful story that leaves room for a sequel without a huge cliffhanger. Some of the writing is a little awkward but can be overlooked
Fantasy book that deals with predestination, rape culture, daddy's getting WAY too personal with their daughters, and more.
Dystopian? Maybe . But not a plague, more like 'this is what we do here'.
Such a good story!
Dystopian? Maybe . But not a plague, more like 'this is what we do here'.
Such a good story!
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not finishing because I just can’t seem to care what happens. The main character feels robotic.
For most of this book, I wasn’t sure exactly how I’d rate it. I floated around 3 stars until Part IV when the weight of everything this book is finally hit me.
It takes place in a world where the moles a girl has tell her fate and her future. Depending on where on the body they are and the pattern they take on, they reveal everything from career to love/family to personality and even the fates of her family members.
Somewhere around her 16th birthday, a girl undergoes a “changeling” period (basically puberty) where she obtains her adult markings and becomes irresistible to men for a period of time. The chance for abduction (and rape) at this stage is high and changelings are encouraged to cover up with modest clothing and avoid going out at night unless in a group.
The girls who are abducted suffer a grim future. The man is rarely ever caught and nothing bad happens to him, however, the girl becomes a pariah. She’s called a slut at school (so few ever go back), is unable to go to college, and has few job prospects (the government keeps track of everything that happens to all girls - including inspections of her markings - and when applying for college or jobs, that transcript is looked at) - not to mention the depression that comes with it all. Essentially, everyone believes this is all the girl’s fault. She “knows better” and “should’ve resisted temptation.”
Celeste’s brother has uncovered the ability to “interpret/read” whether or not a girl will be abducted. Despite sending numerous letters to the “Office of the Future,” the government wants nothing to do with adding this information to “Mapping the Future” - the book used to help interpret a girl’s markings - even though it could help so many (and take the stigma of a girl’s abduction fate being her own fault away).
Celeste ends up being abducted and the entire future she imagined is over. However, she doesn’t accept this fate and does everything she can to create a future where her experience doesn’t define her. She ends up at a school where everything she has been taught is questioned and in turn, she uses it to help other girls.
There are so many other details I want to write but this review is already long enough so I’ll leave it at that.
The ways that this dystopian society mirrors our own are sobering and a little scary. These connections are what pushes this book to the 4 star (maybe 4.5) rating for me.
It takes place in a world where the moles a girl has tell her fate and her future. Depending on where on the body they are and the pattern they take on, they reveal everything from career to love/family to personality and even the fates of her family members.
Somewhere around her 16th birthday, a girl undergoes a “changeling” period (basically puberty) where she obtains her adult markings and becomes irresistible to men for a period of time. The chance for abduction (and rape) at this stage is high and changelings are encouraged to cover up with modest clothing and avoid going out at night unless in a group.
The girls who are abducted suffer a grim future. The man is rarely ever caught and nothing bad happens to him, however, the girl becomes a pariah. She’s called a slut at school (so few ever go back), is unable to go to college, and has few job prospects (the government keeps track of everything that happens to all girls - including inspections of her markings - and when applying for college or jobs, that transcript is looked at) - not to mention the depression that comes with it all. Essentially, everyone believes this is all the girl’s fault. She “knows better” and “should’ve resisted temptation.”
Celeste’s brother has uncovered the ability to “interpret/read” whether or not a girl will be abducted. Despite sending numerous letters to the “Office of the Future,” the government wants nothing to do with adding this information to “Mapping the Future” - the book used to help interpret a girl’s markings - even though it could help so many (and take the stigma of a girl’s abduction fate being her own fault away).
Celeste ends up being abducted and the entire future she imagined is over. However, she doesn’t accept this fate and does everything she can to create a future where her experience doesn’t define her. She ends up at a school where everything she has been taught is questioned and in turn, she uses it to help other girls.
There are so many other details I want to write but this review is already long enough so I’ll leave it at that.
The ways that this dystopian society mirrors our own are sobering and a little scary. These connections are what pushes this book to the 4 star (maybe 4.5) rating for me.
My Recommendation: This was a fascinating read with echoes of Atwood's speculative fiction. I paused for a few days after a certain scene because I was so upset and pissed off at a character, but I'm glad I picked it back up to read the empowering message that the novel closes with. The world Walter built is a fascinating parable to modern American society and race that will only grow more poignant with time.
My Response: Aaannnnndddddd we have a new entry into the creepy AF, almost could be true speculative fiction world that has a lot of potential to really explode. When the publisher reached out I was vaguely interested until I read it was about freckles/moles determining the future of girls and women I HAD to read it.*
I have a ton of freckles—including what I call my angel wings that spread across my back down my arms—and found the idea terrifying that the future could be told in markings on your body. And I'm not talking palm reading, which the book discusses, but like actual fated fact. Shudder . . .
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Body of Stars from the publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
My Response: Aaannnnndddddd we have a new entry into the creepy AF, almost could be true speculative fiction world that has a lot of potential to really explode. When the publisher reached out I was vaguely interested until I read it was about freckles/moles determining the future of girls and women I HAD to read it.*
I have a ton of freckles—including what I call my angel wings that spread across my back down my arms—and found the idea terrifying that the future could be told in markings on your body. And I'm not talking palm reading, which the book discusses, but like actual fated fact. Shudder . . .
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Body of Stars from the publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.
-Dystopian feel.
-Handmaid’s Tale vibes.
-1st person POV (15/16 year-old girl).
-Invokes intense feelings (these people are infuriating!!).
-Thought-provoking.
-Impossible to put down.
-Original.
This was an amazing read that I could not put down; above I’ve listed just a few of the things I loved about it, but I’m not sure I could say anything that would do it justice. It’s so hard to find originality these days.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Note:
I listened to the audiobook; perfect narration, 5-star performance.
-Handmaid’s Tale vibes.
-1st person POV (15/16 year-old girl).
-Invokes intense feelings (these people are infuriating!!).
-Thought-provoking.
-Impossible to put down.
-Original.
This was an amazing read that I could not put down; above I’ve listed just a few of the things I loved about it, but I’m not sure I could say anything that would do it justice. It’s so hard to find originality these days.
5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Note:
I listened to the audiobook; perfect narration, 5-star performance.