Review of Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside. (Publisher's Summary from Goodreads)

When I was approached by Sarah at St. Martin's Press about Glow I was immediately drawn to her passionate description of the book's merits and the rave reviews from other bloggers. Since I love dystopian novels, I was intrigued, especially with science fiction aspect of the book.

Glow is unlike any dystopian novel I have read! It grabs you, spins you around, and keeps the adrenaline pumping non-stop. The plot and setting are the strongest aspects of the novel and definitely what make it unique among the plethora of YA dystopia currently on hand. Not only are many questions raised and explored about leadership, religion, and reproductive rights, these issues are all central to the conflict for all the characters and especially the protagonists. The setting also plays an important role in the story's conflicts with the action taking place on two separate ships whose missions were to recolonized a nearly extinct Earth. Unfortunately,  one ship, the New Horizon,  has failed to produce children and their Captain and religious leader blames the Empyrean. 

Ryan carefully sets the main conflict up quickly in the first few chapters and subtly foreshadows things to come. When the New Horizon successfully steal all the female children aboard the Empyrean killing many adults including the ship's captain, Kieran and Waverly, the novel's protagonists are thrust into leadership roles and separately fight for their survival as well as the survival of those around them. Through their alternating points of view the reader experiences Kieran and Waverly struggles and watch as their individual ordeals strip them both of their innocence. By the end, each are transformed and their transformations leave the reader anticipating and predicting how things will play out in a second book.

Although I found Glow unique and exciting, I did have some ambiguity towards Kieran and Waverly. Part of the uncertainty stemmed in part from the relationship Ryan puts in place early on. I also never felt truly connected emotionally to either character. However, I was still able to appreciate and even admire Ryan’s characterization of them separately and in the end began to appreciate and even understand their individual changes.

Glow more than holds its own as a novel that brings together all of the elements I enjoy in a dystopian read. It provides suspense and sustains tension between characters throughout, and the ending left me anxious to see where the story will take me next.  

Source: Received copy for review from St Martin's Press
 

ReviewEnclave by Ann Aguirre

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.(Publisher's summary from Goodreads)

Although I came to Enclave by Ann Aguirre a bit late, I have to say that better late than never. To be sure, Enclave is a riveting example of just how gripping apocalyptic fiction can be if done right. From the devastated world building, which greatly affects the setting and atmosphere of the book to the sensational characterization that breathes life into the story, Enclave compels the reader to deal with life that is fraught with dangers, and survival trumps love and compassion.

Certainly in any post-apocalyptic tale, the world built must set the scene for what is to come and Aguirre does just that. Like the Enclave living in dark tunnels, Aguirre keeps her readers in dark about what has occurred to force this underground society. Instead, we learn about the harsh realities of life, where twenty-five is as old as it gets, only breeders are allowed to propagate, and children or brats are named only if they survive long enough to become useful members of the Enclave. As we adjust to this new reality we also begin to see that a lack of compassion has worn away much of the essences of humanity, and like Deuce and Fade we begin to question the status quo.

Deuce is an exceptional character and it is through her first person narrative that the story unfolds.  Born and raised in the Enclave the tunnels are her only reality. While she has learned that being a hunter required strength and courage, and for the most part has accepted the wisdom of the elders, we are also given glimpses into her ability to question that wisdom. I loved Deuces ability to kick-ass, but was seriously drawn to her vulnerabilities, which made her stand out in such an unforgiving world of the Enclave and Topside.

Fade, Deuce’s hunting partner, and an outcast despite his expert hunting ability was the ideal counterpoint to Deuce and the other members of the Enclave. Allowed to become a member of the Enclave when he is found in the tunnels, his experiences Topside keeps him from embracing the blind rules set forth by the elders and his fierce sense of right and wrong greatly influences Deuce’s actions. As Deuce learns more about Fade, she begins to trust not only his incredible instincts, but his distrust of the Enclave, and when Deuce stands up for one of her friends and is banished from the Enclave Fade does not hesitate to join her.

Deuce and Fade are spectacular together. As they fight to survive, I found myself on edge rejoicing at their successes and cringing at their desperate plight. I also greatly enjoyed Deuce's Topside education, learning about the sun and stars, and libraries. While the Deuce and Fade find comfort with each other, I was happy that Aguirre held back from allowing their feelings for each other to become overly romantic, which would have negated the harsh realities of the world the perils they face daily. What few  tender moments they did share ended up being very powerful.


Enclave is a fantastic story and while the ending was satisfying, it left me wanting more. I will be looking forward the book two and finding out whether Deuce and Fade's feeling for each other will grow, and whether the world around them will change for the better. I am also intrigued to find out whether some of the secondary character will end up will greater roles. If you are a an of post-apocalyptic fiction then don't miss this one.

  

Review Flawless Ruin by Kieryn Nicolas

In 2238, life in America is finally perfect. The Wars are over and the CommWall is in place, blocking communication with what remains of other continents. The women are content to have great education, choice careers, and glamorous hair. Best of all, when every girl turns seventeen she’s given her Like; an adorable, perfect spouse tailor-made just for her.

Everyone looks forward to the day she gets her Like, and Morgan Waters is no exception—until she accidentally stays out past curfew and stumbles across someone who appears to be a Like but claims to be a man. Morgan’s perfect world crumbles down around her in the midst of a forbidden romance, forcing her to deal with the realization that her life may not be so flawless after all.

In her dystopian novel Flawless Ruins, Kieryn Nicolas cleverly reveals that even perfection has flaws and what is one person’s utopia is another’s nightmare.

I found Nicolas’ world building nearly flawless. Unlike some dystopian novels where it takes time to assimilate the differences, Nicolas eases us into life in 2238 America through her use of alternating points of view.  Morgan’s POV allows the reader to experience what it is like to be a seventeen year-old girl in a world run entirely by women, and like Morgan, we experience a world that seems idyllic. However, unlike Morgan we also understand that there is no such thing as perfection and when Morgan meets Neil we begin to see just how flawed this world truly is.

In addition to strong world building Nicolas also did a terrific job building characters who were quite believable. Morgan is a fairly typical seventeen year-old strongly committed to becoming a doctor just like her mother. She is excited about her best friend’s upcoming Amore and like all seventeen year-olds is looking forward to her own. But what I liked most about Morgan was her gumption. When the world she knows begins to fray around the edges, instead of turning a blind eye to it she investigates without hesitation. Neil on the other hand was a bit more difficult to like at first. He is moody, and suspicious of Morgan and remains guarded through most of the book. However, as we learn more about Neil’s life these traits are completely understandable. Besides the two main characters, I loved Hans, Neil’s roommate.  He is funny, supportive and very pragmatic and was a excellent addition to the story.

Flawless Ruins is also very well paced. There is not a lot of action, but this only helps solidify the extraordinary world in which Nicolas has created. The pacing also was perfect for the romance that builds between Neil and Morgan. Anything faster would been unrealistic. The ending, although, a bit rushed still left me quite satisfied.

Flawless Ruins is a fantastic dystopian novel with a believable and substantial world.  Nicolas takes a close look at how even good intentions can go terribly wrong. Through her strong characterization, readers will take away a powerful message: perfection cannot be manipulated and it is our flaws that make us individuals. 

 Source: Received copy for review from author