Scan barcode
thebluelady's review against another edition
1.0
Maybe it was because I had been looking forward to reading XVI that I came to dislike it so much; a case of my hopes and expectations not meeting the hype surrounding the book. Regardless, I struggled to make it through this take on a dystopian future where sixteen-year-old girls are marked with a tattoo and essentially seen as sex objects, willing and eager to please.
For starters, our main character, Nina, simply doesn't come across as a teenage girl - or even a real human, really. Her reactions to events aren't realistic but the bigger issue is the way I was left feeling like, despite the fact I'd read 325 pages about her, the only thing of substance I knew about Nina was that she didn't want to have sex. I know a few other readers have already said this, but I really feel like Nina was a mouthpiece for Karr's opinions about sex and relationships (ie. the typical don't have sex until you're older, don't change yourself to appeal to a guy spiel), and not even a particularly well-fleshed out mouthpiece at that.
Nina's character makes me question whether Julia Karr decided to set the book in this sort of world purely to make her point about sex, particularly by actively engaging in slut shaming;. I guess I was hoping for a version of [b:The Handmaid's Tale|38447|The Handmaid's Tale|Margaret Atwood|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1294702760s/38447.jpg|1119185] for younger readers, something which would look at an exaggerated version of today's world with a critical eye. Instead we get this rehashed, regressive morality tale. The lack of world building frustrated me; we're never given any hint as to why the sixteen system - or even the tier social system - has been put into place or even really why tattoos are used.
What really puts the mouldy cherry on this festering sundae is the writing in general; it's so BAD! I feel like someone should have told Karr to be a bit more liberal in her editing as we're left with so many irrelevant parts of this novel which seem to serve no purpose other than to pad out the novel, giving Karr enough material for her second book. I wish dystopian YA authors would take note: You don't need to write multiple books! I theorize (because I'm yet to read the next book at this point) that the story could have been wrapped up in one book if someone had come along and edited it well. Then we've got the gratuitous abbreviations which seem to serve no real purpose other than to convey *cue the spooky voice* Welcome to the future! It just came across to me as a bit old hat.
For starters, our main character, Nina, simply doesn't come across as a teenage girl - or even a real human, really. Her reactions to events aren't realistic but the bigger issue is the way I was left feeling like, despite the fact I'd read 325 pages about her, the only thing of substance I knew about Nina was that she didn't want to have sex. I know a few other readers have already said this, but I really feel like Nina was a mouthpiece for Karr's opinions about sex and relationships (ie. the typical don't have sex until you're older, don't change yourself to appeal to a guy spiel), and not even a particularly well-fleshed out mouthpiece at that.
Nina's character makes me question whether Julia Karr decided to set the book in this sort of world purely to make her point about sex, particularly by actively engaging in slut shaming;
Spoiler
she couldn't have made it any more obvious if she had raped and killed off the 'slutty' girl while letting the 'pure' one live. Oh, wait...What really puts the mouldy cherry on this festering sundae is the writing in general; it's so BAD! I feel like someone should have told Karr to be a bit more liberal in her editing as we're left with so many irrelevant parts of this novel which seem to serve no purpose other than to pad out the novel, giving Karr enough material for her second book. I wish dystopian YA authors would take note: You don't need to write multiple books! I theorize (because I'm yet to read the next book at this point) that the story could have been wrapped up in one book if someone had come along and edited it well. Then we've got the gratuitous abbreviations which seem to serve no real purpose other than to convey *cue the spooky voice* Welcome to the future! It just came across to me as a bit old hat.
joyagoffney's review against another edition
2.0
I would have given this book one star, but the last quarter of the book was not as bad as the first 3/4 so it got bumped up a star. However, this book is not worth the wait. It was a waste of time, and so much time I dedicated to trying to finish it. The writing was mediocre, the dialogue was just bad, but the idea was good. I suppose that was the only reason this book is in anyway popular. But it is not worth the time. Miss
mona254's review against another edition
5.0
Awww.. I really like this book.
XVI is a Dystopian noval, about a world that it all about technology and sex (basically). Where on your 16th birthday, you are marked to have sex or legal to have sex whenever with whoever. The government puts all sorts of things in these teenagers heads to make them want to have sex, like how to impress, what to wear, what to say, ect.
They have divided people/families in to tiers. Which is tier one being very poor and tier 10 being very rich. If you live in a lower tier, you have to work your way up. For the lower tiers, there is a program called FeLs. FeLs is a training program in Mars-which you stay for 2 years- is supposed to be promising for lower tier sex-teens to move up and have a good lives.
15 year old Nina is dreading the days she gets her tattoo that will mark her 16 and will make her sex-teen. She wants nothing more than to live normal and to not have sex, until she's ready. Her father died when she was born, and she is left with her mother, younger sister, and her mother's boyfriend. When her mother was stabbed and left for dead, she had the chance to tell Nina her secrets, that will change her life forever. She learns things about the FeLs and the government, and she learns the truth about Non-cons and her past. She goes on a journey to uncover the truth and to get the right information in the right hands. She also finds love and friendship.
This was a really great read. I'm glad I chose a good book. So wierd how the last book I read (Dilerum) was such the opposite. I loved all the characters. I wonder if there is a next book, I thought I had had a good ending, so maybe not. :)) loved it.
XVI is a Dystopian noval, about a world that it all about technology and sex (basically). Where on your 16th birthday, you are marked to have sex or legal to have sex whenever with whoever. The government puts all sorts of things in these teenagers heads to make them want to have sex, like how to impress, what to wear, what to say, ect.
They have divided people/families in to tiers. Which is tier one being very poor and tier 10 being very rich. If you live in a lower tier, you have to work your way up. For the lower tiers, there is a program called FeLs. FeLs is a training program in Mars-which you stay for 2 years- is supposed to be promising for lower tier sex-teens to move up and have a good lives.
15 year old Nina is dreading the days she gets her tattoo that will mark her 16 and will make her sex-teen. She wants nothing more than to live normal and to not have sex, until she's ready. Her father died when she was born, and she is left with her mother, younger sister, and her mother's boyfriend. When her mother was stabbed and left for dead, she had the chance to tell Nina her secrets, that will change her life forever. She learns things about the FeLs and the government, and she learns the truth about Non-cons and her past. She goes on a journey to uncover the truth and to get the right information in the right hands. She also finds love and friendship.
This was a really great read. I'm glad I chose a good book. So wierd how the last book I read (Dilerum) was such the opposite. I loved all the characters. I wonder if there is a next book, I thought I had had a good ending, so maybe not. :)) loved it.
khaddock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I don’t think this book is terrible by any means. It mostly just suffered by me reading it in 2022. The ideas and plot feel fairly derivative, with a girl who “isn’t like other girls”; who hates boys until she finds that dream guy. It just felt like a missed opportunity to not touch on issues on lgbtq+ etc in a world that is so Hetero sex focused. I also felt like not much happened. It was quite slow plot wise. Not a terrible book but definitely won’t read the sequels
philyra91's review against another edition
2.0
I'm still not sure about how I feel towards XVI. On one hand, it definitely was an interesting dystopian premise and the story's not too bad. But on the other, my attention wasn't really captured. The book does seem kinda made of cliches.
Nina Oberon is different from all the other teens her age. She doesn't want to be sixteen, or a sex-teen. I don't know how her world was constructed but it made it seem like Nina was the ONLY one who felt this way, when I'm sure there must have been other teens like her. If it's true that there were 'rebels', then surely these rebels would have taught their own daughters to not be sucked into Media's lies.
Sal's a passable hero but I didn't like how they felt in love so fast; like most of the other YA novels around. He just didn't have that spark that I had hoped for.
The idea's pretty cool but the execution's flawed. Sure hope the sequel improves.
Nina Oberon is different from all the other teens her age. She doesn't want to be sixteen, or a sex-teen. I don't know how her world was constructed but it made it seem like Nina was the ONLY one who felt this way, when I'm sure there must have been other teens like her. If it's true that there were 'rebels', then surely these rebels would have taught their own daughters to not be sucked into Media's lies.
Sal's a passable hero but I didn't like how they felt in love so fast; like most of the other YA novels around. He just didn't have that spark that I had hoped for.
The idea's pretty cool but the execution's flawed. Sure hope the sequel improves.
codeimagine's review against another edition
3.0
I had not planned on deviating from reading my other books in favor of this one. The summary and plot idea sucked me in to reading it. After reading the reviews of my fellow readers, I have to agree in a way of how it did not exceed my expectations. So, I am giving it a three star.
When I started reading, I was very excited. After a while, I lost slight interest except when there was action or an intense moment. Otherwise, it did not keep me sucked in. All I wanted to do in the end was finish the book. I still plan to read the sequel regardless to know what happens next. Although I want to read the sequel, a cliffhanger would have been good at the end. Otherwise, I see less people wanting to finish the series because one could practically finish at the end of this novel.
I really hope authors who start writing dystopian novels actually put more work into it. Otherwise, it will be like the supernatural kick with crappy writings that I have to sift through.
When I started reading, I was very excited. After a while, I lost slight interest except when there was action or an intense moment. Otherwise, it did not keep me sucked in. All I wanted to do in the end was finish the book. I still plan to read the sequel regardless to know what happens next. Although I want to read the sequel, a cliffhanger would have been good at the end. Otherwise, I see less people wanting to finish the series because one could practically finish at the end of this novel.
I really hope authors who start writing dystopian novels actually put more work into it. Otherwise, it will be like the supernatural kick with crappy writings that I have to sift through.
heyshay07's review against another edition
4.0
I can see the criticism some of the reviewers have voiced about the book emphasizing sex as a bad thing and "slut-shaming." I didn't really see it that way until I read some of the views. I thought the XVI was more about how society and culture really pushes sexuality and to this society its to the point its where a women's only value is in her sexuality. The idea that men are essentially given free reign to essentially rape women as long as they are of a low socioeconomic status and over 16 is a little far fetched, but the premises I think still says a lot about our cultures society. Karr does overdo it quiet a bit making Nina the naive, virgin who has little to no interest in sex and freaks out about making out with a guy. As she is supposed to be the ideal heroine in the book, that persona really supports the mixed message society is always encouraging sex, yet women are supposed to be virginal. Hopefully Karr finds a better balance in her next book. There is definitely a sequel because NOTHING was really resolved by the end which drives me crazy. At least give us a little closure. Overall, I respect what the book is trying to do; I'll probably read the sequel; BUT a better written dystopian novel with a message would probably be Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. Also, the whole book is DARK and GRAPHIC and not suitable for any school library even high school. I'm going to donate my copy to the public library.
Spoiler
The ending with Ed was rushed and not overly satisfying even if it did get rid of a major obstacle.julieabe89's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This dystopian novel is incredibly interesting. The world is dark and scary in very familiar ways, the main focus being on lack of bodily autonomy for women. It's definitely got a lot of triggers relating to sexual violence and relationship abuse. Prepare yourself if you're going to read it.
broooe's review against another edition
4.0
This is more like 4 1/2 stars.
Reviews and more found at Readers In Wonderland
I seem to be one of the few people who actually liked this book. Immediately after reading it I bought the sequel on my Nook, which is rare given how stingy I am with my Nook money. After reading many reviews I do somewhat see what most of the people where talking about. This story being a bit cliche, similar to other dystopian books. Let's be completely honest with ourselves here, the vast majority of dystopian books follow the same exact outline story wise. I've accepted that they'll all most likely be similar and moved on to enjoy the books for what they are.
In Nina's world, once girls turn sixteen they are given a XVI tattoo. Most of the girls are excited to get it. But they've been blinded by social media and don't know the truth of what the tattoo has in store for them. Guys when they see the tattoos take it as a "free sex" pass since the girls have officially become legal (And I emphasize officially because some other readers got confused and thought the tattoo meant they could have sex, but it mentions more than once that some of the girls have had sex before their sixteenth. So it's kind of like how our law is eighteen, but the majority do it before they turn eighteen)
Her Society denies the rumors of rape and if it wasn't for Nina's mother constantly telling her about how she should be careful, she'd believe them too.
After the "brutal blow" as the goodreads description likes to call it, Nina becomes a wreck trying to protect her family, friends and herself as she realizes the complete truth about the world she lives in.
Reviews and more found at Readers In Wonderland
I seem to be one of the few people who actually liked this book. Immediately after reading it I bought the sequel on my Nook, which is rare given how stingy I am with my Nook money. After reading many reviews I do somewhat see what most of the people where talking about. This story being a bit cliche, similar to other dystopian books. Let's be completely honest with ourselves here, the vast majority of dystopian books follow the same exact outline story wise. I've accepted that they'll all most likely be similar and moved on to enjoy the books for what they are.
In Nina's world, once girls turn sixteen they are given a XVI tattoo. Most of the girls are excited to get it. But they've been blinded by social media and don't know the truth of what the tattoo has in store for them. Guys when they see the tattoos take it as a "free sex" pass since the girls have officially become legal (And I emphasize officially because some other readers got confused and thought the tattoo meant they could have sex, but it mentions more than once that some of the girls have had sex before their sixteenth. So it's kind of like how our law is eighteen, but the majority do it before they turn eighteen)
Her Society denies the rumors of rape and if it wasn't for Nina's mother constantly telling her about how she should be careful, she'd believe them too.
After the "brutal blow" as the goodreads description likes to call it, Nina becomes a wreck trying to protect her family, friends and herself as she realizes the complete truth about the world she lives in.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
This one didn't work for me. But despite that and the fact I didn't finish it, this one brings up some really important topics, including media influence on society, government control, gender roles, and the rapid speed and distribution of technology and how that impacts everything.