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 heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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