Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Release Date: 9/27/2011
Genera: Sci-fi/dystopian
Subjects: Space travel, space ships, love, futuristic, spiritualism vs. atheism
Length: 307 pgs.
HC/PB: Hard Cover










Summary/ product description: “What if you were fifteen, 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. Glow is the most riveting series debut since The Hunger Games, and promises to thrill and challenge readers of all ages.” (from Shelfari)

My Rating: ê ê ê ê

My Review:

When I first heard what the book was about, I thought it was going to be very similar to Across the Universe. And it does have similarities-the ships do at least. I really thought the book had a unique plot, though. I like the Waverly parts the best. It was in 3^rd person, and perspective only switches in different parts, not chapters. Waverly was stuck on the other ship, and there was mystery there. The Kieran parts had more action, but I had a hard time following it. I wish that Waverly and Kieran were together more, but I overall liked it. There were also some spiritual elements in it. That religion can both help and hurt, truthful or deceptive. Cult-like, of a way to over come tribulations. I’m sure these philosophical themes will continue through the rest of the series. I can’t wait until the next one come out! If you like dystopian fiction, I highly recommend this.

Cover Art Review:

I got the ARC copy, which is basically the same but paperback. I think the vertical title is cool, and the port-hole O is cool. The text is very unified. It works for a sci-fi book.

~Haley G