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From The Bathtub Reader
2.5 stars but I round up so 3 ^_^
I'm really conflicted about this book. It started rough for me. I downloaded the audio and it messed up many times. After the first time it skipped 20 or so pages I checked the book out and read it when the audio skipped. After the fourth time having to go to the book I just started reading it because the narrator was bugging the crap out of me.
But the writing is pretty strong. Not amazing but Oliver plays wit words and the craft.
Lana had to grow on me. The reader of the audio makes her sound somewhat vapid and makes her easier to dismiss than when I read the book. Lana is a fairly typical high school girl in a distopian society. She is concerned with the government, where her life is going, boys (in an a-typical way), and family. You know, the classic - where do I fit into society? There is also a bit of a Cinderella twist in it - the girl who isn't a daughter, rather a surviving child of another family member situation. Lana is like the cinder girl who trips onto another path. (I think Oliver actually wanted a Romeo and Juliet parallel because that is another strong under tone but I dislike that play enough to not discuss that element...especially since Lana and Alex are not that silly) .
So I love romance but don't feel like it needs to be the focus of every story. Too often stories will morph from adventures of strong females to how girl and boy get together. This was a bit of both. The love wasn't enough to really get on my nerves but it was more than a story of just dealing with a damaged society.
For the most part the characters are strong and endearing. Lana's younger, orphaned cousin made me want to cry almost every time she was mentioned. The story of her character was heart-wrenching and I hope we see more of her in the next books.
Oliver has a way with the craft. She writes some beautiful images and crafts interesting moments. Every now and then I felt as though the metaphor use was a big heavy handed - there is a time when she sounds very un-teenagery.
The writing and story are compelling enough that I will probably read the next book - everyone says the third book is a disaster. It's not high on my list though as this was more a so-so read for me.
2.5 stars but I round up so 3 ^_^
I'm really conflicted about this book. It started rough for me. I downloaded the audio and it messed up many times. After the first time it skipped 20 or so pages I checked the book out and read it when the audio skipped. After the fourth time having to go to the book I just started reading it because the narrator was bugging the crap out of me.
But the writing is pretty strong. Not amazing but Oliver plays wit words and the craft.
Lana had to grow on me. The reader of the audio makes her sound somewhat vapid and makes her easier to dismiss than when I read the book. Lana is a fairly typical high school girl in a distopian society. She is concerned with the government, where her life is going, boys (in an a-typical way), and family. You know, the classic - where do I fit into society? There is also a bit of a Cinderella twist in it - the girl who isn't a daughter, rather a surviving child of another family member situation. Lana is like the cinder girl who trips onto another path. (I think Oliver actually wanted a Romeo and Juliet parallel because that is another strong under tone but I dislike that play enough to not discuss that element...especially since Lana and Alex are not that silly) .
So I love romance but don't feel like it needs to be the focus of every story. Too often stories will morph from adventures of strong females to how girl and boy get together. This was a bit of both. The love wasn't enough to really get on my nerves but it was more than a story of just dealing with a damaged society.
For the most part the characters are strong and endearing. Lana's younger, orphaned cousin made me want to cry almost every time she was mentioned. The story of her character was heart-wrenching and I hope we see more of her in the next books.
Oliver has a way with the craft. She writes some beautiful images and crafts interesting moments. Every now and then I felt as though the metaphor use was a big heavy handed - there is a time when she sounds very un-teenagery.
The writing and story are compelling enough that I will probably read the next book - everyone says the third book is a disaster. It's not high on my list though as this was more a so-so read for me.