Uneven but ultimately satisfying.
A university freshman straddles the line between two worlds in a futuristic dystopian Beijing.
It’s 2124. In the Asian Federation’s New Beijing Metropolis, a post–Genetic Revolution world sees those who can afford it living genetically engineered lives as the Enhanced, with modified attributes that determine their high social status. Seventeen-year-old Lee Urban was born a Natural in the dangerous Outskirts, without any genetic modifications, adopted by an affluent Enhanced family from the Metropolis, and forced to hide the truth about her DNA her whole life. Now, her dream to become an Artisan is predicated on her gaining a high enough social credit score and surviving unscathed the perils of attending Peking University without revealing that she is faking being an Enhanced. But as a mysterious hacker threatens to reveal her secret, Urban’s lies start to unravel, risking herself, her family, and her relationship with her Natural boyfriend, Everest, the only person who accepts her for who she is. The novel excels in its portrayal of an unequal, divided society obsessed with social status and genetic modifications, with technology present in every aspect of life. This premise sets the scene for Urban’s slow journey toward identity and agency. Despite some abrupt transitions, a vaguely defined political setting, and uneven pacing, Urban’s story flourishes in twists and turns that intrigue and engage. Most characters are assumed to be of Chinese descent.
Uneven but ultimately satisfying. (Science fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 9798886050349
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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