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blackngoldgirlsbookspot's review against another edition
2.0
Generally I'm a fan of dystopian fiction and I'm usually always a fan of a story with a different than usual take. When I saw this book with its awesome cover of a world turned upside down and back cover blurb of an America covered in ice, I jumped. I was thinking that America Pacifica would be a cool young adult story of a teen overcoming a world of poverty, disease, and violence but this book had a tone that was a lot darker and seedier than I expected. America Pacifica is indeed a world full of tyranny, violence, and dark deeds, the experiences that Darcy faces throughout this book are hard to imagine. That said due to the violence, graphic language, drug use, and sexual content I'd recommend this only for mature audiences.
Aside from the cover I must say however that I didn't really care for this story. Why? I didn't like Darcy at all. She was entirely too bitter and negative about everything. Granted she did live on an island that was pretty much hell on earth but up until the very end I felt like Darcy didn't really care about anyone but herself. The ending itself was rather rushed and didn't really answer my questions about the fate of the residents of America Pacifica and Darcy. I think that the conclusion that we do get leaves this book open for a sequel. I will say this, Ms. North definitely knows how to build a world. If she can make me, a small-town girl, feel like I was in the world's darkest, dirtiest, most violent alleyway, that's saying something.
All in all it was a decent story and probably a story that fans of dystopian fiction without the feel of a YA book will enjoy. It was a rather quick read so if you see it in the library you might want to check it out.
*I received my complimentary ARC from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest opinion of the book.*
Aside from the cover I must say however that I didn't really care for this story. Why? I didn't like Darcy at all. She was entirely too bitter and negative about everything. Granted she did live on an island that was pretty much hell on earth but up until the very end I felt like Darcy didn't really care about anyone but herself. The ending itself was rather rushed and didn't really answer my questions about the fate of the residents of America Pacifica and Darcy. I think that the conclusion that we do get leaves this book open for a sequel. I will say this, Ms. North definitely knows how to build a world. If she can make me, a small-town girl, feel like I was in the world's darkest, dirtiest, most violent alleyway, that's saying something.
All in all it was a decent story and probably a story that fans of dystopian fiction without the feel of a YA book will enjoy. It was a rather quick read so if you see it in the library you might want to check it out.
*I received my complimentary ARC from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest opinion of the book.*
asholson's review against another edition
2.0
I just.... (Sigh) had such high hopes because I loved "Sophie Stark" so very much. This book just wasn't original to me. Maybe because during the period of time when this book came out (2011) I devoured dystopian books and now.... I've read everything there is. I just kept hearing other books inside this one. It was too much world-building and not enough character building. And I just feel like I already know this world.
2 stars for the book, 5 for Anna North because I know she can do it. I know she's got it! Read "Sophie stark."
2 stars for the book, 5 for Anna North because I know she can do it. I know she's got it! Read "Sophie stark."
addicusmarie's review against another edition
4.0
I could tell the author of this book was a young female writer. The cadence of the book, the pattern of character dialogue and the fierceness of the female characters...it all fit together in a way that I liked.
I was engrossed in this story, which was a relief because I have been kinda disappointed with the last few novels I've read. The story follows a young girl named Darcy as she searches America Pacifica (a colonized island that is overcrowded as North America succumbs to a second Ice Age) for her missing mother. I liked Darcy. She is scrappy, but vulnerable.
A lot of novels like this do not explain the back story enough for me and I was afraid the narrative would not give a whole lot of details about the "Mainland" and what it was like before everyone came to the island. I think most writers can't find a way to do this gracefully, but North did a great job. I was very pleased when a couple of secondary characters filled that part in a way that was not clumsy at all.
I really liked this book, but then again, I love post-apocalyptic, dystopian stories. If you do too, definitely give this novel a try.
I was engrossed in this story, which was a relief because I have been kinda disappointed with the last few novels I've read. The story follows a young girl named Darcy as she searches America Pacifica (a colonized island that is overcrowded as North America succumbs to a second Ice Age) for her missing mother. I liked Darcy. She is scrappy, but vulnerable.
A lot of novels like this do not explain the back story enough for me and I was afraid the narrative would not give a whole lot of details about the "Mainland" and what it was like before everyone came to the island. I think most writers can't find a way to do this gracefully, but North did a great job. I was very pleased when a couple of secondary characters filled that part in a way that was not clumsy at all.
I really liked this book, but then again, I love post-apocalyptic, dystopian stories. If you do too, definitely give this novel a try.
kirsten_snakes6's review against another edition
2.0
This book is well written. I enjoyed the way the author described the world and the images were very clear. However, I never connected with the main character. She felt a little one dimensional to me. The story was interesting, but in the end, not very satisfying.
mermaidx's review against another edition
4.0
I feel torn about this book. I would hesitate to recommend it to most people. At the same time, I would read a sequel if there were one.
timshel's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
christinalepre's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe the problem with this book is that I read it t0o soon after [b:Catching Fire|6148028|Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)|Suzanne Collins|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1268805322s/6148028.jpg|6171458], which shone a light on how poorly drawn the protagonist was and how little I cared for her compared to my feelings for Ms. Katniss Everdeen. Overall, I think the premise of this book was good, and I thought many of the details of what it was like in America Pacifica were well done, but I never felt like Darcy was fully developed as a character, and **SPOILER** I didn't understand how she suddenly became a hero to everyone on the island. She didn't even do anything! It just didn't come together for me.
My other problem was the the writing, which improved through the course of the book, but was pretty terrible to start. The first chapter, especially the first few pages, were full of really cringe-worthy sentences, so if you can get through that there is a decent story to follow. If you cannot abide cutesy prose like "her hands shook like dreaming dogs" (it makes my brain hurt just to type that), then this book is not for you.
My other problem was the the writing, which improved through the course of the book, but was pretty terrible to start. The first chapter, especially the first few pages, were full of really cringe-worthy sentences, so if you can get through that there is a decent story to follow. If you cannot abide cutesy prose like "her hands shook like dreaming dogs" (it makes my brain hurt just to type that), then this book is not for you.
eculatta's review against another edition
3.0
Good, overall, if not my favorite book ever. Couple really redeeming points - mostly excellent writing and a totally plausible end to life as we know it now in North America. Lots of the book made me feel anxious and dirty (like in the physical grime kind of way, not in the sexy or sleazy kind of way) which was uncomfortable but spoke to the strength of the writing. Though sometimes the author would mention something (like how strong the main character was) that I wouldn't totally buy. Parts of the dystopia stuck firmly with me as completely believable and realistic which is cool.
kmcbee's review against another edition
1.0
The book is not engaging. The main character isn't compelling, and it's unclear why things happen or why they are the way they are. I also don't know what makes her a hero, and the ending is confusing and vague. I had to push myself through this one. I wanted to read it because I'm looking forward to Anna North's newest novel, which I am still going to read, hopeful she got the hang of things after this.