Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Series: Glitch (bk. 1)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi

Subjects: Technology, love, resistance to government

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 320 pgs.

HC/PB: Paperback

List Price: $9.99

Publisher: MacMillan (St. Martin’s Griffin)

Summary/ product description: “In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.
When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.
As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.
In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This book did not leave a good first impression. The dialogue was horrible, boringly formal. It wasn’t till Adrien came into the picture that things started to pick up, and then the dropped off when Zoe forgot everything. Despite the bad parts, the good parts made a really great impression that left me excited for the next book. The last 50 pages are the most action packed crazy-awesome ending that I’ve read in maybe months.

Zoe may seem clueless about everything at first. The drone-people world seemed depressingly boring. The lack of emotion really put a damper on the story, but when there was emotion, it was exciting. Sure, the character Max didn’t handle his emotions toward Zoe very well, but Zoe and Adrien’s romance was beautiful. I really liked Adrien’s slag/swears.

I wish they got more into the Resistance’s members and stuff, but that’s probably book 2. To wrap it up: Bad Start, Awesome End. Don’t get discouraged by the first 30-50 or so pages!

Books similar to this book: Possession by Elana Johnson: These books has a ton of stuff in common. Brainwashing, main guy love interest is part of the Resistance, characters with special abilities. Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi: characters with special abilities in a dystopian world. Insignia by S.J. Kincaid: Technology and programing on the human mind, main character adapts and gets special ability. So many dystopian books out there, there’s bound to be very similar story lines. The whole non-emotion thing also reminded me of The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda.

Cover Art Review: This cover’s awesome. I love the colors. The typography and tech-designs are amazing.

 

~Haley G

A Long Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan

Title: A Long Long Sleep

Author: Anna Sheehan

Genera: Dystopian Science Fiction

Subjects: future, biotechnology, robots, assassins, inheritance

Length: 342 pgs. Hardcover

Rating: ê ê ê ê

Rosalinda Fitzroy is awoken from her 62 year stasis slumber by a boy named Bren. Rose learns that she the heir to her father’s interplanetary corporation called UniCorp, and that her parents are now dead and her old boyfriend Xavier is probably dead too. She is swarmed with reporters, and gets a lot of (negative) attention. They try to put her back in school. She was never really good at school. She’s good at art, though. Her painting has improved since she went into the stasis tube. Little does she know that someone’s out to eliminate her.

Another great dystopian novel! I read it because its description reminded me of Across the Universe by Beth Revis. There are some similarities, but this book is different over all. A stasis tube is different from cryogenic freezing, but it still preserves and prevents aging.

Some of the supporting characters were cool, but Rose has a very wounded personality. She’s not very exciting, but her mysterious past of an abusive childhood definitely added interest. (I will not spoil this)

Once again, great world building. I’m always impressed at what these author come up with. Sometimes they have similar ideas, but the changes are always creative. Unicorn Estates, UniCorp. Unicorns to go with the Sleeping Beauty theme. Yes, this is basically a dystopian retelling Sleeping Beauty. I think it’s way better than the fairy tale. No faeries here, but robots? Advanced tech? Yes. I recommend this if you’re a fan of the dystopian genera.

Art Review: I love the roses on this cover! The edited the colors to make them a vibrant pink-red-purple with greenish yellow. The metallic blue text really stands out against the white and flowers. The cover artist did a great job of creating unity with variety in this cover picture.

~Haley G