Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Release Date: October 16

Series: Crewel Word (bk. 1)

Genera: Sci-fi Dystopian

Subjects: Utopias, fate, abilities, resistance to government, love

Age/Grade Level:

Length: 357 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Macmillan (FSG)

Summary/ product description: “Incapable. Awkward. Artless.
That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.
Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.
Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.
Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.
Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.”

My Rating: êêêêê

My Review: Ever read a book that was so good, and filled with so many surprises, that you’re not sure how to express your love without spoiling the whole thing? That’s how I feel reviewing this book. I feel like gushing about all of the wonderful thing that I found out in the last 100 pages of this very creative, unique novel. I’ll try not to spoil it till I’m reviewing book 2 next year.

Okay, so, the world of Arras may seem confusing at first. You may keep wondering if it’s set in the USA in the future, and what’s witch “sectors” and “metros” and “spinsters.” My advice it to take it easy, go with it, or you won’t enjoy the book as much as I did. I had my predictions to what was going on, and I held on to them, hoping the truth was even more surprising. The world building is extremely creative. In fact, I would never ever come up with a dystopian story like this. And don’t even get me started on the spinster abilities and Crewelers. This is not steam punk or fantasy. This is just an amazing dystopian/utopian, and that’s all I can say about that.

I love the characters. They’re so well done. Adelice is very sarcastic, and I like sarcastic lead characters. They make light of the bad situations they get into. She’s not exactly a Katniss, but she reminds me a bit of America Singer from The Selection by Kiera Cass (If you liked that book, this book is even better!). And Jost and Erik, so similar to each other, but different in some ways. I like Jost better (TEAM JOST!!!!) because he’s funnier. I like a great sense of humor. I underlined so many things he and Adelice said in conversations. Erik is sexy, but he’s harder to trust. And Maela, that lady is the b-word. She does the most horrible thing to Pryana that turns her against Adelice. That’s true manipulation, right there. No spinsters or looms needed. Cormac’s the egocentric guild member that just pisses Adelice off.

Check out this Fierce Read, coming out on October 16! If you like the following books, you should check this out: The Selection by Kiera Cass, Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Incarnate by Jodi Meadows, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, Glitch by Heather Anastasiu, Insignia by S.J. Kincaid, or any other dystopian, or semi-fantasy dystopian.

Cover Art Review: This cover is absolutely beautiful. It’s swirly and looks like spinning energy. I guess that’s because the Spinster thing. Maybe the next book’s cover will have a hand? Why the face and not a hand? The title’s nice, and the C symbol too. I love the bright neon colors, though. Can’t wait to see a finished hardcover copy.

 

~Haley G