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lauralauralaura's review
1.5
This book was a very disturbing hot mess. Like, if tech bros brainwashed/replaced with AI everybody into genocide of everyone who did not subscribe to their cultural agenda. I kind of wondered whether the author had met any actual humans.
megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bizarre mix between Brave New World and Clockwork Orange. It had some interesting concepts and a satisfying conclusion, but took too long to get away from the recycled conventions and into something new.
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting sci fi novel. The sci fi elements are kept in the background, allowing the characterization to take centre stage. It reminded me a little of The Giver, in that the character thinks people are being given mercy when something much more sinister is happening.
Natasha's boss/love interest was a little creepy, but I liked the rest of the characters. A thought provoking read.
Natasha's boss/love interest was a little creepy, but I liked the rest of the characters. A thought provoking read.
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
Though I often lament that I am suffering from extreme dystopia burn out (and I am) I still can’t resist those titles that sound reminiscent of the parents of the genre. The ones that made me fall in love with it in the first place. And when Viking suggested this title for fans of Margaret Atwood and Kazuo Ishiguro there was no way I could say no.
The Office of Mercy takes place in the distant future, where society as we know it has shifted into a high tech, ultra evolved civilization that basically lives inside a bubble. Not a figurative bubble. And actual bubble. But with tunnels and stuff. More like a hamster maze than a bubble. But rather than describe this book as “dystopian” it swings more toward the “utopian” side of the spectrum. We’ve made huge advances in health, science and tech. Overall things don’t look too bad.
The problem, however, is that not everyone lives inside the hamster maze. There are “tribes” of people who still live out in the Wilderness. And because the people of America Five (the bubble) consider themselves so advanced, they also think they know what’s best for those outside the walls. And what’s best, in their opinion, is the complete genocide of the Tribes. Why? Because they are obviously suffering (what with their sickness, and unpredictable weather and death –out there and it would be cruel not to put an end to that suffering. Oh and they carry out this genocide without any warning (does that make it better or worse? I’m still undecided.) They justify this by teaching their citizens:
“For if the Tribes ever did suspect that people like themselves were being systematically wiped from existence, they would feel dread, and dread was a particularly terrible form of suffering, worse even, as some had argued during the debates of Year 121 Post-Storm, than purely physical pain.”
As the novel continues our heroine – Natasha – begins to doubt this policy. She’s always been interested in the Tribes but it’s not until her first outing beyond the Walls that her beliefs are really called into question. She comes across a dog and she’s unable to separate this living thing in front of her from the more abstract ideas she’s always been taught.
I found this novel really interesting because Natasha doesn’t start out as a nay sayer or a rebel. She doesn’t have the same knee jerk reaction that most of us would have while reading this novel. She changes over time as outside influences come into being and we get to watch her transformation and the issues she begins to question at each step.
The Office of Mercy calls into question the nature of mercy itself as well as the question “what makes a meaningful life?” Is their life in America Five more valuable or more meaningful because of their scientific advancement? Or is it better to be a part of the Tribes and have more deep and meaningful connections with your fellow men and women? I don’t have a perfect answer but The Office of Mercy definitely got me thinking.
Though I loved almost everything about this book, I had a few issues with the writing style. At times it felt a bit cold and clinical – and maybe that was on purpose to mimic life within America Five but it always kept the story at arm’s length for me. I was never particularly moved by what was going on and I had a hard time bonding with Natasha. It all just felt so distant. It’s still an incredibly interesting book just not as emotional as it probably could have been.
Recommedation: I’m really happy I read this book. It’s a complex book that raises some complex questions. It’s not the most beautifully written but it is really interesting and very compelling. Recommended for fans of 1984 and Logan’s Run.
Though I often lament that I am suffering from extreme dystopia burn out (and I am) I still can’t resist those titles that sound reminiscent of the parents of the genre. The ones that made me fall in love with it in the first place. And when Viking suggested this title for fans of Margaret Atwood and Kazuo Ishiguro there was no way I could say no.
The Office of Mercy takes place in the distant future, where society as we know it has shifted into a high tech, ultra evolved civilization that basically lives inside a bubble. Not a figurative bubble. And actual bubble. But with tunnels and stuff. More like a hamster maze than a bubble. But rather than describe this book as “dystopian” it swings more toward the “utopian” side of the spectrum. We’ve made huge advances in health, science and tech. Overall things don’t look too bad.
The problem, however, is that not everyone lives inside the hamster maze. There are “tribes” of people who still live out in the Wilderness. And because the people of America Five (the bubble) consider themselves so advanced, they also think they know what’s best for those outside the walls. And what’s best, in their opinion, is the complete genocide of the Tribes. Why? Because they are obviously suffering (what with their sickness, and unpredictable weather and death –out there and it would be cruel not to put an end to that suffering. Oh and they carry out this genocide without any warning (does that make it better or worse? I’m still undecided.) They justify this by teaching their citizens:
“For if the Tribes ever did suspect that people like themselves were being systematically wiped from existence, they would feel dread, and dread was a particularly terrible form of suffering, worse even, as some had argued during the debates of Year 121 Post-Storm, than purely physical pain.”
As the novel continues our heroine – Natasha – begins to doubt this policy. She’s always been interested in the Tribes but it’s not until her first outing beyond the Walls that her beliefs are really called into question. She comes across a dog and she’s unable to separate this living thing in front of her from the more abstract ideas she’s always been taught.
I found this novel really interesting because Natasha doesn’t start out as a nay sayer or a rebel. She doesn’t have the same knee jerk reaction that most of us would have while reading this novel. She changes over time as outside influences come into being and we get to watch her transformation and the issues she begins to question at each step.
The Office of Mercy calls into question the nature of mercy itself as well as the question “what makes a meaningful life?” Is their life in America Five more valuable or more meaningful because of their scientific advancement? Or is it better to be a part of the Tribes and have more deep and meaningful connections with your fellow men and women? I don’t have a perfect answer but The Office of Mercy definitely got me thinking.
Though I loved almost everything about this book, I had a few issues with the writing style. At times it felt a bit cold and clinical – and maybe that was on purpose to mimic life within America Five but it always kept the story at arm’s length for me. I was never particularly moved by what was going on and I had a hard time bonding with Natasha. It all just felt so distant. It’s still an incredibly interesting book just not as emotional as it probably could have been.
Recommedation: I’m really happy I read this book. It’s a complex book that raises some complex questions. It’s not the most beautifully written but it is really interesting and very compelling. Recommended for fans of 1984 and Logan’s Run.
thedistortedbliss's review against another edition
4.0
I won this as a free giveaway from GoodReads.com
I am so glad i was chosen to win it :)
i stink at reviews but whatever! ^.^
Wow, what to say. I just finished it and i am still in shock! the ending is not what i predicted. Not saying it is a bad one but it did hurt me alittle bit. Emotionally it shocked me and i am alittle sad. The book in the begginning was kind of confusing but it gets explained :) it is a fascinating story. I am a mythical/romance/fantasy reader never would i think i would fall for a book like this. It kept me reading and only because i am very busy lately and super tired did i finally have to put it down so i could sleep. I could never guess what would happen next and your emotions will be high and low, you will feel true emotions for each character whether it be love, joy, hatred, confusion. I laughed, i smiled, i had awww's and i also teared up alitte. It's a surprise at every corner and the ending will shock you!
Characters: I loved LOVED Natasha! She,hmmmm i feel some bit of her in me. Especially when it came to her feelings toward other beings.
Jeffrey... I like him even though sometimes i wanted to flick his forehead and say out loud "really, really! what a retard" but i love him!
Min-he she is an adorable character!
Eric is ok
Truly i do reccomend this book :) it has romance, twists and turns, shocks and wow O.O
I am so glad i was chosen to win it :)
i stink at reviews but whatever! ^.^
Wow, what to say. I just finished it and i am still in shock! the ending is not what i predicted. Not saying it is a bad one but it did hurt me alittle bit. Emotionally it shocked me and i am alittle sad. The book in the begginning was kind of confusing but it gets explained :) it is a fascinating story. I am a mythical/romance/fantasy reader never would i think i would fall for a book like this. It kept me reading and only because i am very busy lately and super tired did i finally have to put it down so i could sleep. I could never guess what would happen next and your emotions will be high and low, you will feel true emotions for each character whether it be love, joy, hatred, confusion. I laughed, i smiled, i had awww's and i also teared up alitte. It's a surprise at every corner and the ending will shock you!
Characters: I loved LOVED Natasha! She,hmmmm i feel some bit of her in me. Especially when it came to her feelings toward other beings.
Jeffrey... I like him even though sometimes i wanted to flick his forehead and say out loud "really, really! what a retard" but i love him!
Min-he she is an adorable character!
Eric is ok
Truly i do reccomend this book :) it has romance, twists and turns, shocks and wow O.O
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Do not go in waiting for a non stop action book where someone fights the big bad and comes out victories, because good always wins. No, this book was different, more thinking, more slow, more grey.
It's the perfect society, everyone is happy. The oldest people, The Alphas are over 300 years old. You can live forever as they grow new organs. Babies are grown, not made. Sex is better had in "The Pretend". Everything is very logical, and clean.
Does this make it better, no. They live in their bubble ever since the world ended. Some people survived on the outside but those are being swiped tribe by tribe. They are so caught up in the philosophy and logical thinking that they do think their way is right. Their way of killing the tribes because they are suffering, they are hungry, always on the move, what kind of life is that? Not to mention they die fast. I did get this whole concept, yes everything is better in the safe haven, killing others are merciful. But also truly evil, just go out and invite them in and give them meds and be happy. But that would not be logical, that would mean less for those inside. There is where the conflict is. Natasha the lead character comes in contact with the tribes after a sweep and starts to think that this does seem pretty messed up.
I liked it because I understood their way of thinking, and I hated their way of thinking. It was an interesting world.
It's the perfect society, everyone is happy. The oldest people, The Alphas are over 300 years old. You can live forever as they grow new organs. Babies are grown, not made. Sex is better had in "The Pretend". Everything is very logical, and clean.
Does this make it better, no. They live in their bubble ever since the world ended. Some people survived on the outside but those are being swiped tribe by tribe. They are so caught up in the philosophy and logical thinking that they do think their way is right. Their way of killing the tribes because they are suffering, they are hungry, always on the move, what kind of life is that? Not to mention they die fast. I did get this whole concept, yes everything is better in the safe haven, killing others are merciful. But also truly evil, just go out and invite them in and give them meds and be happy. But that would not be logical, that would mean less for those inside. There is where the conflict is. Natasha the lead character comes in contact with the tribes after a sweep and starts to think that this does seem pretty messed up.
I liked it because I understood their way of thinking, and I hated their way of thinking. It was an interesting world.
seifknits's review against another edition
4.0
http://blogs.slj.com/adult4teen/2013/02/25/weekly-reviews-speculative-fiction/
dorkily611's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
futurememory's review
2.0
Ah, I really wanted to like this more than I did. The plotting was all over the place and none of the characters were fully realized. There's a tremendous amount of info-dumping here, too much telling and not enough showing. And the romance... there was a creepy undertone to it that I just couldn't shake and reconcile within myself.
I did appreciate that the narrative took a couple of twists that I didn't anticipate, but there's nothing of substance by the end. It felt like a pale version of Brave New World.
I did appreciate that the narrative took a couple of twists that I didn't anticipate, but there's nothing of substance by the end. It felt like a pale version of Brave New World.
tboofy's review
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I did. I usually enjoy our library's Reader's Choice books, but this one was really slow through the first 1/3 of the book. I kept thinking that they should have made it a YA book (dystopian novels are really better when they're YA) and taken out about a fourth of the words. I found myself skipping parts of paragraphs because they were wordy. I actually put it down and read another book before picking it up again because I didn't have anything I wanted to read more.
The middle of the book was really good. I finally started getting into the plot and wondering what would happen next. I'd rank the middle of the book as a 4.
The ending, however...I don't know if this was meant to be a series or not, but if not, the ending didn't resolve anything and made me mad I suffered through the whole book. I couldn't see any indication that there is a second on in the works, so it just kinda ended without any closure for the two main characters. Overall, not my favorite book.
The middle of the book was really good. I finally started getting into the plot and wondering what would happen next. I'd rank the middle of the book as a 4.
The ending, however...I don't know if this was meant to be a series or not, but if not, the ending didn't resolve anything and made me mad I suffered through the whole book. I couldn't see any indication that there is a second on in the works, so it just kinda ended without any closure for the two main characters. Overall, not my favorite book.