Archive for the ‘science fiction’ Category
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
The Declaration by Gemma Malley
Anna Covey is a ‘Surplus’. She should not have been born. In a society in which ageing is no longer feared, and death is no longer an inevitability, children are an abomination.
Like all Surpluses, Anna is living in a Surplus Hall and learning how to make amends for the selfish act her parents committed in having her. She is quietly accepting of her fate until, one day, a new inmate arrives. Anna’s life is thrown into chaos. But is she brave enough to believe this mysterious boy?
A tense and utterly compelling story about a society behind a wall, and the way in which two young people seize the chance to break free. [Summary from Gemma Malley's website]
I can’t believe that I haven’t read this book until now–and it has a sequel, The Resistance already out, and a third book to complete the trilogy, The Legacy, out this fall. Dystopian futuristic novels are my favorites, especially when elements of science fiction are involved. In The Declaration, adults take Longevity drugs to prolong their lives forever–and if they choose to take these drugs, they are not allowed to have any children. Thus, surpluses–these forbidden children are taught that they don’t belong in this world, and are brought into slavery to serve the “Legals.”
The Declaration had a grip on me from the very beginning, from disbelief that Anna could think that her parents were to blame for her being a Surplus, to surprise and suspense when Peter arrives and challenges all that she had ever held to be true. This book had quite a few twists to it that were unexpected, yet very intriguing, setting the stage for the next novels to come. Fans of Neal Schusterman’s Unwind or Collins’ The Hunger Games will be particularly drawn to this trilogy!
Borrowed from the library!
For More: Visit Gemma Malley’s website to check out her blog and other books!
Inside Out by Maria Snyder
Keep Your Head Down. Don’t Get Noticed. Or Else.
I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. One of thousands who work in the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. The Trava family who rules our world from their spacious Upper levels wants us to be docile and obedient, like sheep. To insure we behave, they send the Pop Cops to police us.
So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it’s all that dangerous–the only neck at risk is my own.
Until a lower level prophet claims a Gateway to Outside exists. And guess who he wants to steal into the Upper levels to get the proof? You’re right. Me. I alone know every single duct, pipe, corridor, shortcut, hole and ladder of Inside. It’s suicide plain and simple. But guess who can’t let a challenge like that go unanswered? Right again. Me.
I should have just said no…
Synopsis from Maria Snyder’s web site, release date April 1, 2010, Harlequin Teen
Inside Out is Maria Snyder’s first foray into true science fiction and I think many people will find it a success. The world of Inside Out is filled with mystery and complete otherness. The people of this world live in what they call “Inside,” a huge metal cube where they exist. On the lower levels, the people called “scrubs” maintain the systems of living, air, waste, water, etc. and in the upper levels, the “uppers” live in what the scrubs believe to be relative luxury. The scrubs are given very few rights, and live in crowded quarters, working long hours. The uppers have families and maintain more of what we would know to be careers. The scrubs have no choice in their every day living, while they uppers have more freedoms and privileges.
In Inside Out, Trella, a scrub known as “Queen of the Pipes,” gets by day-to-day, living out her life as a loner. She has few friends, and most of the scrubs regard her with resentment because of her skills. She’s content with her existence in Inside, until the day her friend Cogon brings her to hear a prophet called Broken Man. Broken Man tells Trella and Cogon there is a way to reach Outside, through something called Gateway, which is a sort of portal to Outside that most Insiders believe will be found someday. Trella isn’t a believer in Gateway, but Cogon is, and his belief convinces her to take on a task that will lead to an even greater, yet exceedingly dangerous, journey. The path she takes could lead to redemption for the scrubs, or utter destruction of all she’s ever known.
Inside Out is an interesting, complex sci-fi story with a world similar, but unique from, many other future worlds. Trella is a complex character that you’ll simultaneously love, but occasionally be annoyed by. For me, I find that a great skill in an author–it’s easy to make characters that you’ll love or hate, but not always so easy to make characters that are realistic, with the qualities of a real human being (despite being in a completely “other” world). Inside Out will make you laugh and make you feel. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Digital ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Waiting on Wednesday
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.
This Wednesday I am waiting on Inside Out by Maria Snyder. I’m a big fan of her Study series (Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study) and have started her Glass series (Storm Glass, Sea Glass). I’m very excited about Inside Out, and was actually lucky enough to have a galley to read on NetGalley, so I’ll be reviewing that title soon in the weeks to come!
Inside Out
Release date: April 2010
Summary (from Maria Snyder’s Website):
Keep Your Head Down. Don’t Get Noticed. Or Else.
I’m Trella. I’m a scrub. One of thousands who work in the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. The Trava family who rules our world from their spacious Upper levels wants us to be docile and obedient, like sheep. To insure we behave, they send the Pop Cops to police us.
So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? Not like it’s all that dangerous–the only neck at risk is my own.
Until a lower level prophet claims a Gateway to Outside exists. And guess who he wants to steal into the Upper levels to get the proof? You’re right. Me. I alone know every single duct, pipe, corridor, shortcut, hole and ladder of Inside. It’s suicide plain and simple. But guess who can’t let a challenge like that go unanswered? Right again. Me.
I should have just said no…
The Hunger Games #3: Mockingjay
Opened up my RSS reader and found this delightful news via The Compulsive Reader: The third Hunger Games novel will be called Mockingjay, and above you can see the lovely cover. This is one of the most highly anticipated books of the year–can’t wait!
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Fanboys and fangirls have been drooling over this novel ever since Scott Westerfeld released it’s super-shiny cover on his blog. As a huge fan of the Uglies books, his Peeps books, and almost all of his works, I had long anticipated this next venture.
Leviathan is the first book in a trilogy, telling the story of an alternate past–instead of World War I being a war fought by infantry, mine fields, and air raids, this Great War is fought by fabrications and machines. The War is between the Darwinists, nations that follow the teachings of Darwin (and in this alternate world, he has discovered how to “fabricate” many type of unique beings, including the Leviathan, a great airship composed of a whale and multitudes of other creatures), and the Clankers, the nations that fight using machinery and great metal Walkers that roam the land.
The story is told through the alternate stories of Deryn (also known as Dylan), a girl that pretended to be a boy to join the Darwinist air service, and Alek, heir to the Austria-Hungary (a Clanker nation) throne. As you can probably suspect, their stories become intertwined on the great ship of the Leviathan, which becomes in jeopardy of destruction.
Leviathan is a superb tale of adventure and suspense, a fantastically thrilling novel that is completely unique and refreshingly new. In a genre full of the paranormal and romance, a steampunk, warmongering novel is sure to rock the boat!
I recommend this novel for fans of Westerfeld, for young girls and boys, alike, and for anyone of any age that is intrigued by the story–it can be confusing at first, but by the end you are fully immersed in this alternate telling of one of the most famous stories of our world’s past.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Thomas wakes up in a metal box. He doesn’t remember anything but his name–his past, his family, his life, all forgotten. Outside of the box is the Glade, where a group of boys live, all working towards one goal: solve the Maze around the Glade and escape. After 2 years of being trapped there, you’d think they would have found a way out by now, right? But there are several problems:
The maze changes every night.
The doors to the maze close at dusk.
And during the night, mechanical beasts the boys call Grievers inhabit the maze, killing or stinging any boy they come across.
But Thomas is the catalyst for change, and his arrival at the Glade brings confusion and devastation the boys have yet to experience.
The Maze Runner, by James Dashner, is a thriller for teens–suspenseful, exciting, and terribly confusing (in a good way). A few of the many questions I had in mind throughout: How did the boys get in the maze? Who put them there? Is this an experiment? WHY?
A few questions are answered by the end of the book, but not nearly enough, which is why this is part of a trilogy. I wish some of the overlying questions had been answered further. I haven’t encountered many books in the YA genre that end on a cliff-hanger, even ones in a series, but this novel definitely leaves you wanting more. A great book for young boys and girls alike with a very unique story that will keep you intrigued.
For More: Check out James Dashner’s blog and visit here for a great trailer for the book!
