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A review by lanikei
XVI by Julia Karr
3.0
Picked this up on a whim after a recommendation from a librarian blog that updates sporadically (http://libraryalchemy.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/one-to-watch-julia-karrs-xvi/). The description mentioned it being a YA book that addresses a wide range of social/cultural issues including female sexuality. Having read the book, I don't entirely agree with the description of it 'putting sexuality back in young women's hands', but that was part of what hooked me in the review.
I wasn't quite as hyped about this as the Library Alchemy reviewer, though it certainly wasn't bad. I did enjoy the scifi futuristic aspect (but in a not entirely unrecognizable future), and the societal changes presented some interesting quirks that kept a fairly generic plot interesting.
I can't say it's a brilliant book, but it isn't bad. The approach to teen sexuality raises some interesting issues, and it IS a book that I think could provoke some great conversations, particularly with young women. Karr doesn't just deal with sexuality, she also targets class issues and advertising in unique ways that seem like they might be particularly relevant to her audience.
I wasn't quite as hyped about this as the Library Alchemy reviewer, though it certainly wasn't bad. I did enjoy the scifi futuristic aspect (but in a not entirely unrecognizable future), and the societal changes presented some interesting quirks that kept a fairly generic plot interesting.
I can't say it's a brilliant book, but it isn't bad. The approach to teen sexuality raises some interesting issues, and it IS a book that I think could provoke some great conversations, particularly with young women. Karr doesn't just deal with sexuality, she also targets class issues and advertising in unique ways that seem like they might be particularly relevant to her audience.