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casreads's review against another edition
4.0
Julia Karr has penned a novel strikingly relevant to our own time, intertwining the media influence and commercial culture with concerns about the exploitation of teenage sexuality. XVI is incredibly easy to read. Unlike some overwrought writing, Karr's prose does not get in the way of her story. Likewise, the world-building is subtle and unobtrusive. Many dystopian novels fixate on the brave new world, and not the people in it -- but XVI is Nina's story, first and foremost, while the futuristic and dystopic elements are blended seamlessly into the backdrop. Many things about the world just don't add up for Nina, and she's determined to find out why. At the heart of her story lies a secret with earth-shattering ramifications, and she struggles to unravel the rich backstory, adding depth and complexity to the mystery.
Nina is a beautifully written character. She doesn't have to work for readers' affection -- they will instantly fall in love with her girl-next-door charm and familiarity. Nina is tough and vulnerable, unusual and still just a normal girl. She's resourceful in a crisis and isn't afraid to question the world in which she lives. It's exciting to see a heroine who's already a bit of a rebel, without needing an outsider (read: boy) to show her the light. However, there is a hero in Nina's story, and their relationship is the only real problem with the narrative. Considering the sex-teen society in which she lives, Nina's qualms about the opposite sex seem natural. However, her sudden romance with Sal undermines the delicate issues that haunt Nina from the start. I would have liked to see this crucial element treated more deeply, in order to believe in their relationship.
Though Nina shines, her friends fall a little flat. Sandy seems to be a stereotype of the society, and Mike and Derek fill archetypal roles. However, Nina's new friend Wei is a force to be reckoned with. Wei, like Nina, has her doubts about society and she's not afraid to fight back -- disguising her "XVI" tattoo and learning martial arts to defend against the many licentious men roaming the streets. Additionally, Nina's family is richly written -- it is easy to see where she gets her charisma. Her grandparents are real and wonderful people, and her mom clearly loves her daughters though she harbors deadly secrets. The relationship between Nina and her little sister Dee is one of the most touching aspects of the novel. Nina's motherly love and care for Dee is tangible, and her willingness to make sacrifices for her gives Nina an air of nobility that melds perfectly with the rest of her character.
XVI moves at a brisk pace, keeping readers' minds awhirl to solve the troubling puzzle that drives the story. The solution is only partially revealed in this first installment, and raises almost as many questions as it answers -- raising the stakes for the upcoming sequel, Truth.
http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/2011/03/cornucopia-of-dystopia-xvi-by-julia.html
Nina is a beautifully written character. She doesn't have to work for readers' affection -- they will instantly fall in love with her girl-next-door charm and familiarity. Nina is tough and vulnerable, unusual and still just a normal girl. She's resourceful in a crisis and isn't afraid to question the world in which she lives. It's exciting to see a heroine who's already a bit of a rebel, without needing an outsider (read: boy) to show her the light. However, there is a hero in Nina's story, and their relationship is the only real problem with the narrative. Considering the sex-teen society in which she lives, Nina's qualms about the opposite sex seem natural. However, her sudden romance with Sal undermines the delicate issues that haunt Nina from the start. I would have liked to see this crucial element treated more deeply, in order to believe in their relationship.
Though Nina shines, her friends fall a little flat. Sandy seems to be a stereotype of the society, and Mike and Derek fill archetypal roles. However, Nina's new friend Wei is a force to be reckoned with. Wei, like Nina, has her doubts about society and she's not afraid to fight back -- disguising her "XVI" tattoo and learning martial arts to defend against the many licentious men roaming the streets. Additionally, Nina's family is richly written -- it is easy to see where she gets her charisma. Her grandparents are real and wonderful people, and her mom clearly loves her daughters though she harbors deadly secrets. The relationship between Nina and her little sister Dee is one of the most touching aspects of the novel. Nina's motherly love and care for Dee is tangible, and her willingness to make sacrifices for her gives Nina an air of nobility that melds perfectly with the rest of her character.
XVI moves at a brisk pace, keeping readers' minds awhirl to solve the troubling puzzle that drives the story. The solution is only partially revealed in this first installment, and raises almost as many questions as it answers -- raising the stakes for the upcoming sequel, Truth.
http://thebookishtype.blogspot.com/2011/03/cornucopia-of-dystopia-xvi-by-julia.html
readingdate's review against another edition
4.0
Dystopian books are all the rage right now, and there are a crop of them popping up this year. Some of them are better than others. Overall, I really enjoy this genre and ever since The Hunger Games I have been devouring these books. XVI is an exciting new dystopian novel by debut author Julia Karr. XVI paints a dark picture of the future, and makes you wonder if this is where we’re headed.
The year is 2150 and the world is a dangerous place, especially for young girls. At the age of sixteen, girls are tattooed with an XVI on their wrist to show that they are legal and ready to have sex. They are called sex-teens. These girls have been taught by the media to look, dress and behave a certain way to attract the opposite sex. Men basically feel like they have the right to have sex with any girl with the XVI marking.
The protagonist is Nina Oberon, and it is her worst nightmare to become a sex-teen. Nina is a smart, thoughtful, responsible girl. Nina’s mother Ginny has encouraged her to think for herself and not trust the government. Ginny has encouraged Nina to be an artist to carve a different path for her. Tragedy strikes when Ginny is murdered, and with her dying words sends Nina off to discover the clues of her mother’s secret life. Nina also must protect her little sister Dee from being abducted by Ginny’s evil ex-boyfriend.
Nina and Dee go to live with their grandparents, and attend a new school. Nina is separated from her best friend Sandy after she moves away. Sandy has bought into the whole sex-teen thing and can’t wait to turn sixteen and live the glamorous life portrayed in the media. They have two friends, Mike and Derek, who are sweet and supportive and have known the girls since grade school. Nina runs into a new boy, Sal, who questions the government’s motives and practices, much like Nina’s parents did. Ginny’s boyfriend Ed is one of the villains of the book, and he is very creepy with his taste for young girls and violence towards women in general.
Nina finds herself infatuated with Sal, and is conflicted about starting a romance with him. Her life is complicated, and she is worried about being a sex-teen. Their relationship was a strong point for me, and I just wish it were developed a little more. Nina also becomes friendly with a cool, confident, girl named Wei, who studies Cliste Galad martial arts. I hope to find out more about her and the martial arts in the next book in the series.
I was fascinated and horrified with XVI’s dystopian world, where there is no free speech, and girls are objectified and monitored with implanted gps devices. Verts/Advertisements are everywhere and the government is always listening and monitoring your every move.
XVI has a great story and characters, has a feminist theme, and makes you think about the future. As a bonus, I also loved that the society is vegetarian, and eating meat is outlawed due to the fact that there are so few animals left in the world. The story is fast-paced and kept me turning the pages (or clicking next on my kindle.) The ending was satisfying on it’s own, but I’ll definitely be ready to pick up the next book in the series.
The year is 2150 and the world is a dangerous place, especially for young girls. At the age of sixteen, girls are tattooed with an XVI on their wrist to show that they are legal and ready to have sex. They are called sex-teens. These girls have been taught by the media to look, dress and behave a certain way to attract the opposite sex. Men basically feel like they have the right to have sex with any girl with the XVI marking.
The protagonist is Nina Oberon, and it is her worst nightmare to become a sex-teen. Nina is a smart, thoughtful, responsible girl. Nina’s mother Ginny has encouraged her to think for herself and not trust the government. Ginny has encouraged Nina to be an artist to carve a different path for her. Tragedy strikes when Ginny is murdered, and with her dying words sends Nina off to discover the clues of her mother’s secret life. Nina also must protect her little sister Dee from being abducted by Ginny’s evil ex-boyfriend.
Nina and Dee go to live with their grandparents, and attend a new school. Nina is separated from her best friend Sandy after she moves away. Sandy has bought into the whole sex-teen thing and can’t wait to turn sixteen and live the glamorous life portrayed in the media. They have two friends, Mike and Derek, who are sweet and supportive and have known the girls since grade school. Nina runs into a new boy, Sal, who questions the government’s motives and practices, much like Nina’s parents did. Ginny’s boyfriend Ed is one of the villains of the book, and he is very creepy with his taste for young girls and violence towards women in general.
Nina finds herself infatuated with Sal, and is conflicted about starting a romance with him. Her life is complicated, and she is worried about being a sex-teen. Their relationship was a strong point for me, and I just wish it were developed a little more. Nina also becomes friendly with a cool, confident, girl named Wei, who studies Cliste Galad martial arts. I hope to find out more about her and the martial arts in the next book in the series.
I was fascinated and horrified with XVI’s dystopian world, where there is no free speech, and girls are objectified and monitored with implanted gps devices. Verts/Advertisements are everywhere and the government is always listening and monitoring your every move.
XVI has a great story and characters, has a feminist theme, and makes you think about the future. As a bonus, I also loved that the society is vegetarian, and eating meat is outlawed due to the fact that there are so few animals left in the world. The story is fast-paced and kept me turning the pages (or clicking next on my kindle.) The ending was satisfying on it’s own, but I’ll definitely be ready to pick up the next book in the series.
czarmorte's review against another edition
1.0
I had to drag myself to finish this book...it just wasn't as interesting as I hoped it would be.
erika_briggs's review against another edition
5.0
Good book about the future and all... amazing book about a random girl's life. crazy twists and turns. Loved it.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Jenny
Cover Story: Faking It
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: -5 & +5
Talky Talk: Straight Up... But With NewSpeak
Bonus Factors: Dystopia, Feminism
Relationship Status: Sister Suffragette
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Faking It
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: -5 & +5
Talky Talk: Straight Up... But With NewSpeak
Bonus Factors: Dystopia, Feminism
Relationship Status: Sister Suffragette
Read the full book report here.
welivethrougbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book caught my attention with the talk of sex. But it was a science fiction book, so I was curious. When I picked this book up I had no idea what I was in store for. It was in a future world, much like the Hunger Games, and it was full of action and dealt with a lot of issues that modern teens work with, such as peer pressure, the media, and family issues. This book aslo had some romance in it, to fulfill my teenage romance need that I have. The author made sex the main concern of the character, or turing "sex-teen," the age where she can legally have sex. That was a great concept because that's an issue that many teens are going through right now. Many are struggling with whether or not to give into the pressure, and like in the book, the media supports it! The protagonist had two friends in the book, one that was drawn into the whole idea of "sex-teen" and another that was against it, and it made me realize how idiotic some girls can be about sex, and how ignorant they can be when it comes to sex.
Overall I thought that book was great, and I would recommend it to people that liked the Hunger Games or Twilight.
Overall I thought that book was great, and I would recommend it to people that liked the Hunger Games or Twilight.
andiabcs's review against another edition
4.0
Well this book was a roller coaster for me. When I started it I wasn't really convinced I was going to actually enjoy the story. The language was tough and I couldn't make heads or tails of what was going on. I felt kind of blah about Nina, Dee, Ginnie and friends and I had no clue where the story was going. Honestly I think I was expecting more of a Divergent kind of story when I went in so my expectations were off. But as I read further and further into the book I was able to take the story for what it was, a story of a girl scared to have to conform and grow up before she was ready while finding out everything she thought she knew wasn't true at all. I found myself really feeling for Nina and understanding the reactions she was having. She was strong in her own way without being outwardly so and I appreciated that. Truth is at one point this book was more on the 3 star scale thanks to annoying Sandy and a little repetitiousness in the middle, but the end saved it for me and left me wanting the next book as soon as possible.
aritrow's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and by the end of it, I wanted more (and am pleased to read that the author is working on a second book).
My only issue with the book was the XVI tattoo, which is how the book got it's title. It still doesn't make sense to me. I just don't understand the point of it's existence, and if it really is there just so that people can sleep with girls who have one (which is something they get when they turn 16) then I find that utterly ridiculous and I don't the government would be that dumb.
Either way, I really liked the book.
My only issue with the book was the XVI tattoo, which is how the book got it's title. It still doesn't make sense to me. I just don't understand the point of it's existence, and if it really is there just so that people can sleep with girls who have one (which is something they get when they turn 16) then I find that utterly ridiculous and I don't the government would be that dumb.
Either way, I really liked the book.
electraheart's review against another edition
3.0
As a dystopian novel, this book was a little disappointing. Like other people have said, the idea has so much potential, but it falls short in the writing.
I understand Nina grew up in a family who were against the media/government, but there was so much of the "sex-teen" issue being shoved down my throat the entire time. Her constant worry seemed to be that she didn't want to turn sixteen because she didn't want to have sex. It was constantly coming up in the story, and I think if it had been taken out (thus probably eliminating the dystopia theme), it would have been a better novel. Even the summary of the book is about Nina dreading her sixteenth birthday, but there is so much more to the book than that. At times I felt there was even too much going on. I liked the plot twists and aside from Sandy, I enjoyed most of the characters, especially Wei. It was frustrating at times to have to stick the book out with Nina, because although it's understandable, her paranoia of everyone got a little annoying at times. She wasn't the best protagonist, but rather, she was tolerable.
I liked this book, but I don't think there was anything very special to it.
I understand Nina grew up in a family who were against the media/government, but there was so much of the "sex-teen" issue being shoved down my throat the entire time. Her constant worry seemed to be that she didn't want to turn sixteen because she didn't want to have sex. It was constantly coming up in the story, and I think if it had been taken out (thus probably eliminating the dystopia theme), it would have been a better novel. Even the summary of the book is about Nina dreading her sixteenth birthday, but there is so much more to the book than that. At times I felt there was even too much going on. I liked the plot twists and aside from Sandy, I enjoyed most of the characters, especially Wei. It was frustrating at times to have to stick the book out with Nina, because although it's understandable, her paranoia of everyone got a little annoying at times. She wasn't the best protagonist, but rather, she was tolerable.
I liked this book, but I don't think there was anything very special to it.