Reviews

Zákon jednoho by Leslie Saunders, Ashley Saunders

christinawegner's review against another edition

2.0

The concept of this book sounded.. maybe interesting? Unfortunately there is literally nothing unique about this book. The twins’ alternating chapters are indistinguishable from eachother. The “big twist” that other reviewers mention just sets up the sequel and increases the similarity to all the other dystopian YA.

The pacing was good, I’ll give it that.

mfumarolo's review against another edition

4.0

In a future United States existing on a planet where climate change has destroyed the food supply and a large population cannot be supported, a law has been enacted across the land for several generations: The Rule of One. One child per family. Every state has its politicians and leaders to enforce the rule, but in Texas the head of the Family Planning Division has a secret: identical twin daughters. For their entire lives, Ava has been the name that goes out into the world, the one with the government-mandated microchip, the only one who legally exists. But every night, she and Mira fill each other in on what happened out in the real world before they switch places. One goes to school while the other stays home, sticking to their carefully constructed routines so no one will suspect they are actually two different people taking turns. But the plan isn't foolproof, and when their secret is exposed, the girls go on the run across the country seeking answers, safety, and a sense of an independent self that neither of them have ever been allowed to have before.

This was a fast-paced dystopian adventure, one that contains themes hitting close to home with topics such as bodily autonomy, climate change, and the increasing rate at which the US government seeks to control individual citizens. Aspects of this world-building clearly harken back to George Orwell's 1984, others to Octavia Butler's legendary The Parable of the Sower. I think it's also important to note that this book was written by a pair of identical twins, which added an interesting and authentic layer to our protagonists' relationship. I have this book in my middle school library where it has been consistently read ever since it came out, particularly popular with my 8th-grade students after they do their annual dystopian unit. There are some elements, however, that may make younger readers want to wait until they are a bit older to read this. It is correctly classified as a young adult novel - there is some swearing, there are allusions to mature situations, and at two points in the book, there are attempts of sexual assault, one more obvious than the other. If you have read Veronica Roth's Divergent, it is on par with an event that takes place in that book. The ending of the book clearly sets up for the sequels that follow, and I hope to pick those up down the road as well.

bookloversofi's review against another edition

4.0

I want to thank Skyscape and NetGalley for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review

It's been a while since I don't read Dystopic worlds, so I was kind of worried about how I was going to feel about it, but at the same time I was excited because guys, this book sounds sensational. And I enjoyed it!, fills me with nostalgic feelings, and I remembered why I used to enjoy this genre so much



3.7/5 Stars

You can find more of my reviews on my blog A Book. A Thought.


In this dystopian world, society is going through a critical moment because resources are very limited and only those of the upper class can enjoy some privilege. With United States on the verge of collapse, the government imposed the Rule of One, which doesn't allow couples to have more than one child and in this way is expected to reduce the growth of the population. This rule has been followed for decades, but the head of the Texas Family Planning Division himself has broken it, and now he must keep his twin daughters safe by teaching them how to live as one. Until one day everything comes to light


As I said before, I really enjoyed the plot of this book, I feel that it captures very well the essence of a world that is on the verge of collapse and of that struggle to survive and to take care of those you love no matter what. I really like how the authors combined the sci-fi aspects of the story with the dystopian and created a world that felt very real, from my point of view. I usually have difficulties when reading about technology in books, because honestly it's a point of sci-fi with which I find it difficult to get into, but in this occasion I really enjoyed that aspect, I think it's very well thought out and I was able to see it very clearly in my head.

One of the things that I enjoyed most was the relation between the sisters, it's very special that this book is also write by twin sisters, I feel that it's very unique and I loved that, besides they captured the relationship in a unique way, obviously. It also seemed to me a very good idea to divide the books alternated between the points of view of Ava and Mira, who are the twin sisters protagonists of this story, since it was very interesting to know their individual thoughts and desires, so it was much easier for me to get to know them. My personal favorite was Mira, I felt a bigger connection with her, I felt really bad for everything that she had to happen, I know it wasn't easy for any of the girls to have to live 18 years of their lives hidden and going out one at a time to the surface, but Mira, besides, has never had an identity as such herself.


Another thing that I liked a lot and I think that adds an original point to the story, is the fact that the girls belong to a privileged social position, where they have never lacked anything, so see how they then manage to surviving is even more interesting because of this. The dialogues are generally very good too, I feel that they contain a thread of reality that was great to read.

On the other hand, I would have liked a greater explanation or go a little deeper with respect to the world building, I would have liked to know better what was happening in the world, with more details. I feel that the idea is great and I really like it, but I still have questions about it, which is why I would have liked it more. Maybe we have it in the next book, or at least I hope so.


It was quite fast and easy to read, but it has moments when the plot becomes somewhat slow since there's a lot of travel, walking and searching, and this makes that not much happens for a period of time. In the end, I feel that they tryed to give the plot a unique and unexpected turn and although it was good, I don't feel that it makes much sense, even so I think that many of you could find it brilliant, and leaving that aside, I can see a clear potential for the next book and I'm interested in finding that out


I recommend it if you like dystopia with a touch of sci-fi, it's quite light to read and the plot, although it can be slowed down from time to time, doesn't become boring and I haven't lost interest at any time. If you also like good and real relationships between sisters and survival, this is a book you can't miss.

zionsully's review against another edition

adventurous medium-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

3.25

creedmk's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this book,though I may be have an affinity for the story because it is written by identical twin girls about identical twin girls. As a mom of identical twin girls I could relate to many parts of the story. That said I thought the writing was solid and the action continued well throughout the whole story. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

chxrlie111's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

i’ve had this book on my shelves for a while and i hate to say but it was quite average. the world building was really good and gave the plot a life-like feel. however the characters weren’t too complex in terms of how much we get to learn about them - which makes it harder to empathise with them at certain points. i do think it had a decent plot and a good ending to lead into another book but it didn’t exactly keep me hooked the entire time. but overall i think if you’re a fan of these kind of apocalyptic books - it’s a great choice.

michaela16180's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

katie34442's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. Average characters. Interesting plot but not fleshed out. Felt very very rushed at the end. Overall was vaguely interested but not overly engaged.

librarianlinda82's review against another edition

5.0

My YA readers that enjoyed Masterminds and The Hunger Games are going to love this book and crave the sequel. The book begins in a future United States where one child per family is the Rule of One. However a government official has been hiding that he has twin daughters who share an identity. I’m not stating any more without spoiling this book, but I know that this will be popular among my students. Adults probably will pick it apart, but if you are a librarian or teach junior High and high school, you will have students that will be excited by this book.

kaybee0515's review against another edition

2.0

Started off GREAT, got very slow very copy cat of the hunger games world. Had to force myself to finish