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A review by savage_book_review
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Anna lives her life believing that she and her cohorts are Surplus to requirements, taking up valuable resources that rightly belong to Legal people. Because when it's possible to pop a pill and live forever, who needs children?
This is advertised as a YA book, but I would say it leans slightly more towards the middle grade end of the spectrum. The writing is fairly simplistic and reads very much like it's aimed more towards that audience. That being said, the book does deal with some quite dark themes throughout and, although they are written in an appropriate way, it might not be suitable for young readers without your being prepared to have conversations about the events. This 34 year old big kid thoroughly enjoyed it though!
The story is fast-paced; again, it's definitely written to keep a younger reader's attention, so once the plot kicks in it doesn't really stop. There are threads that appear to lead into the next book, but there are also a good number of resolutions and payoffs to make a perfectly good standalone. The downside to this pacing is that there are various plot points that feel under-developed, somewhat formulaic and/or predictable, but I appreciate that's looking at it with an adult's perspective. Indeed, I'd be intrigued to see this developed into a 'grown up' book; it absolutely has the potential to make for a thrilling full length novel.
The relationship between Anna and Peter is very sweet, and although the development is a little bit rushed (IMO this is one of the elements that feels more middle grade), it's got that familiar dynamic of the rule-maker and the rule-breaker which allows the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps. While I do like the 'young love' element and can accept that it's a fairly standard part of this sort of story, I don't think it was entirely necessary in this case - the story would have worked just as well with there being only a solid bond of friendship between the two.
I would 100% be an Opt Out - the idea of living forever is more terrifying to me than what comes 'after'. It makes you think about the issues that the world would face if people stopped dying, and is quite frankly a terrifying prospect to consider, especially when it's children who become 'the enemy'.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes next!
This is advertised as a YA book, but I would say it leans slightly more towards the middle grade end of the spectrum. The writing is fairly simplistic and reads very much like it's aimed more towards that audience. That being said, the book does deal with some quite dark themes throughout and, although they are written in an appropriate way, it might not be suitable for young readers without your being prepared to have conversations about the events. This 34 year old big kid thoroughly enjoyed it though!
The story is fast-paced; again, it's definitely written to keep a younger reader's attention, so once the plot kicks in it doesn't really stop. There are threads that appear to lead into the next book, but there are also a good number of resolutions and payoffs to make a perfectly good standalone. The downside to this pacing is that there are various plot points that feel under-developed, somewhat formulaic and/or predictable, but I appreciate that's looking at it with an adult's perspective. Indeed, I'd be intrigued to see this developed into a 'grown up' book; it absolutely has the potential to make for a thrilling full length novel.
The relationship between Anna and Peter is very sweet, and although the development is a little bit rushed (IMO this is one of the elements that feels more middle grade), it's got that familiar dynamic of the rule-maker and the rule-breaker which allows the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps. While I do like the 'young love' element and can accept that it's a fairly standard part of this sort of story, I don't think it was entirely necessary in this case - the story would have worked just as well with there being only a solid bond of friendship between the two.
I would 100% be an Opt Out - the idea of living forever is more terrifying to me than what comes 'after'. It makes you think about the issues that the world would face if people stopped dying, and is quite frankly a terrifying prospect to consider, especially when it's children who become 'the enemy'.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Child death, Slavery, Excrement, Pregnancy, Classism, and Deportation