American War - Omar El Akkad

American War

Title: American War

Author: Omar El Akkad

Publication Date: 4/4/17

Pages: 352

Genre: Dystopian / Fiction

How I Found It: I can't remember

Date Completed: 5/8/18

Summary: The United States has ceased to be united. Facing increasing environmental disaster, disputes over consequential policy decisions led the South to secede once again, launching a new Civil War. The novel follows the story of how one girl's live intertwines with the events of that conflict.

What I Thought: I really wanted to like this book. The premise is fascinating to me. As we currently stand at such a fraught point in our history, the idea of another civil war doesn't always seem so crazy. Particularly since El Akkad wisely had the country split over environmental concerns and scaling back the use of fossil fuels. If and when America does ever get to that point, the fight will likely be enormous. 

The book is set up as a decades-long story following the path of one southern girl in particular. Sarat Chestnut and her family end up at a camp for refugees after the war breaks out in 2074. It is there that her fighting instinct is ignited and nurtured. She goes on to be a key player in the war itself. 

The Last Policeman - Ben H. Winters

The Last Policeman

Title: The Last Policeman

Author: Ben H. Winters

Publication Date: 7/10/2012

Pages: 288

Genre: Dystopian / Thriller / Fiction

How I Found It: I heard about it on On the Media. 

Date Completed: 10/1/17

Summary: An asteroid is speeding toward Earth and will decimate the human race in a matter of months. So, how does law enforcement function in the increasing chaos? 

What I Thought: This is such a fascinating concept. Often, we talk about immediate disasters. The world as we know it destroyed in moments or days. We rarely think about a slow-motion disaster, as least not in this sense. 

Winters has created a unique story. Here, people know their lives will end on a specific day, at a specific time - or, at least, within months of that time if the asteroid hits on the other side of the globe. Society unravels. Not all at once, but with exponential speed. With an increase in suicide, does murder still matter? Should it still be investigated and punished?

That's the premise of this book. A detective in New England finds himself one of a shrinking group of law enforcement officers who care about enforcing the law. Or at least about investigating crimes.  So, when his gut tells him an apparent suicide isn't what it seems, he faces a lot of resistance as he looks into it further.

Take Tuesday: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

Some books are just so good, you have to read them again. And some books deserve a second chance. And some books I think about and change my opinion or have more to say. Take Tuesday is a chance to do just that. 

Title: The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Publication Date: 1985

Pages: 311

Genre: Classic / Dystopian / Literary Fiction / Political / Fiction

Previous Readings: May 2012

Date Completed This Time: 8/30/17

Summary: In a dystopian future, women are seen as little more than vessels for procreation. The protagonist, Offred, has been ripped from her family and forced into service as a Handmaid, a nicer name for Gilead's system of sexual slavery. 

What I Thought Before: When I read this book five years ago, I struggled to put my thoughts into words. I commented specifically on the way the leaders of Gilead twist Scripture to achieve their desired results. I marveled at Atwood's writing skill. I mentioned how much more valuable it felt to read the book as a woman in her twenties because I felt I could better understand what Offred had lost and the gravity of the situation. I rated it five stars.

What I Think Now: This book has really stuck with me. I've thought a lot about its story and messages over the intervening five years. I watched the Hulu adaptation this summer (I should probably do a separate post about that some time). I have been meaning to pick it up again, so I was glad when my book club selected it for one of our fall reads.

Captive - Aimée Carter

Captive

Title: Captive

Author: Aimée Carter

Publication Date: 11/25/2014

Pages: 304

Genre: Dystopian / Young Adult / Fiction

How I Found It: I read the first book in the series, Pawn.

Date Completed: 7/10/17

Summary: Kitty's position posing as the Prime Minister's niece remains precarious. As she attempts to get increasingly involved in the rebellion against him, she finds herself trapped.

What I Thought: For some reason, I cannot figure out where I stand on this series. I think it boils down to this: I love the plot, I hate the characters.

The setup and plot of these books are really interesting. I think the premise is great, if a little boilerplate for the dystopian genre these days. Still, I think Carter has some great ideas and she keeps me guessing, which is always a feat.

The Wild Shore - Kim Stanley Robinson

The Wild Shore

Title: The Wild Shore

Author: Kim Stanley Robinson

Publication Date: 1984

Pages: 384

Genre: Dystopian / Literary Fiction / Fiction

How I Found It: I can't remember, but it's been on my list a while.

Date Completed: 6/11/17

Summary: Set in an apocalyptic future California, Hank Fletcher is a young man who dreams of bigger things than those in his small fishing village. When men mysteriously arrive via railroad from San Diego, he finds himself on an unimaginable adventure.

What I Thought: This book was really interesting. Really...unique. Reading dystopian/apocalyptic books from several decades ago is always an interesting experience. The dystopia genre is so flooded now, mostly with books that fit into a very specific template. 

I didn't realize this book was from the early 80s when I picked it up, so it caught me off guard a bit. The style is different than what is mainstream in this genre now. It's not as flashy or formulaic. Rather, this book moved slower and was more character driven. The romantic relationships were not centralized. Instead, one of the strongest relationships explored in the book is between Hank and the oldest man in the village, who serves as sort of a secondary father and teacher to the young man. 

Pawn - Aimée Carter

Pawn

Title: Pawn

Author: Aimée Carter

Publication Date: 11/26/13

Pages: 347

Genre: Dystopian / Young Adult / Fiction

How I Found It: It's been on my TBR since somewhere around when I started this blog.

Date Completed: 5/21/17

Summary: In a world where every person carries a rank between I and VII, equality is an illusion of the system. It's nearly impossible to rise above your station and you certainly have no hope of reaching the upper echelons of power. So, when Kitty Doe, a III, finds herself swept into the world of the VIIs, she must adapt quickly or face deadly consequences.

What I Thought: Over the years, I have read a lot of dystopian YA novels. It's such a huge subgenre within the world of young adult literature. For goodness sake, I even did my masters thesis on The Hunger Games. Nevertheless, I have a really high standard for these books. It's so easy for them to go badly for me. It takes a lot for me to really fall for a series. I enter each new series with trepidation and hope for the best.

I have had Pawn on my TBR for literally years. I think it was one of the very first books I added to my list when I started this blog over five years ago. Somehow, though, every time it has come available through my library's digital collection, it hasn't seemed right for the moment. I'm trying to do a better job lately, though, of reading intentionally through my list, even if something doesn't feel ideal for that moment. So, here we are. Years since adding it, I've finally completed it.

It was good. It was. But not great. 

Morning Star - Pierce Brown

Morning Star

Title: Morning Star

Author: Pierce Brown

Publication Date: 2/9/16

Pages: 524

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction 

How I Found It: I read the first two books of the series. 

Date Completed: 5/14/17

Summary: System-wide war erupts as Darrow and those loyal to him attempt to end the dictatorial rule of the Golds. 

What I Thought: I've had an interesting journey with this series. I've liked it, overall, but I've also felt really bored with it at times. The first book was easily my favorite of the series. I struggle some with book two. This one felt so far removed from book one, I'm not even fully sure how I feel about it. 

First off, let me say how thankful I am that Brown included a "Previously On..." type intro. He summarizes the story of each of the first books in a couple paragraphs. Man, did I need that. If you remember when I read Golden Son, you remember me complaining that it had been too long since I read Red Rising and I was hopelessly lost for a while. Including this summary of previous books did not completely eliminate that feeling for me here, but it definitely helped a lot. 

Gold Fame Citrus - Claire Vaye Watkins

Gold Fame Citrus

Title: Gold Fame Citrus

Author: Claire Vaye Watkins

Publication Date: 9/29/15

Pages: 339

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

How I Found It: I feel like a lot of people were reading this last year

Date Completed: 2/20/17

Summary: Luz and Ray are trying to survive in the barren climate that was once California. The West has become a wasteland from which there are few escapes. When a child enters their life, they decide they must find one of those escapes.

What I Thought: This book really was not what I was expecting in a lot of ways. I didn't hate it, but I also did not really enjoy it very much. I found Luz to be an unsympathetic character. She clearly had major issues she was working through, but I struggled to care about them. I liked Ray's character but there simply was not enough of him. 

I think the concept of this book is really interesting. I like the idea, but the execution was not up my alley. I can see why so many people like this book, but it just wasn't really for me. For one thing, there was a good amount of fairly graphic sexual content in the second half. I've made my stance on this well known. I don't mind it being there, but I want it to be serving a purpose. While I can understand some of what was there, most of it felt unnecessarily gratuitous to me. 

Gilded Cage - Vic James

Gilded Cage

Title: Gilded Cage

Author: Vic James

Publication Date: 2/14/17

Pages: 368

Genre: Dystopian / Fantasy / Fiction

How I Found It: NetGalley graciously provided me a copy in exchange for a review.

Date Completed: 1/19/17

Summary: Sometime in the future, a certain sect of the population has developed special powers. These "Equals" rule over the rest of the people and, in England at least, demand ten years service as a slave from each normal citizen. Gilded Cage explores the ramifications of a society like this through the lens of one powerful Equal family and the "normal" family who signs up to complete their slave years in their service.

What I Thought: I liked this book. It took some very familiar concepts - dystopian world, a sect of the population having special powers, class warfare - and wove them together into a good story. It's easy to see that this is James' first novel - and I say that as someone who is eternally trying to write her first novel. There's some polish and panache that is missing here. The bones of the thing, however, are really strong. She's got good characters and a good plot. 

Golden Son - Pierce Brown

Golden Son

Title: Golden Son

Author: Pierce Brown

Publication Date: 2015

Pages: 430

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

How I Found It: I read the first book, Red Rising

Date Completed: 1/17/17

Summary: Set several years after the first book, Golden Son finds Darrow fighting space battles and trying desperately to regain some of the acclaim that he had at "graduation." His friends are scattered across the solar system and he hasn't heard from rebel leader Ares since the beginning of his dangerous quest. Over time, he re-positions himself, reforges relationships, and refocuses his journey to overthrow the Society and its brutal caste system.

What I Thought: I liked the first book in this series and was very nervous to pick up the second one. When an original story is so self-contained (as was Darrow's experience at the Academy), it can be difficult for an author to replicate the same feelings and engagement for readers later in the series. It's why Suzanne Collins sent Katniss back to the arena in Catching Fire and why, despite Collins' attempt to cast the Capitol as a new arena, so many people saw Mockingjay as a disappointing end to the series (I'm not one of those people, btw). It's why the Divergent series was an utter disaster by the time Veronica Roth got to Allegiant. So, I get nervous.

Take Tuesday: Dust

Dust

Some books are just so good, you have to read them again. And some books deserve a second chance. And some books I think about and change my opinion or have more to say. Take Tuesday is a chance to do just that. 

Title: Dust

Author: Hugh Howey

Publication Date: 8/17/13

Pages: 458

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

Previous Readings: 2013

Date Completed This Time: 11/8/16

Summary: In the trilogy conclusion, work must be done across silos in order to save humanity. Characters from Silos 1, 17, and 18 join forces and defy expectations, hoping they can outwit the men who brought down the world. 

What I Thought Before: My original post about Dust is the most popular post ever on the blog. That makes me happy. Howey is still a relative unknown author and I'm glad to sing the praises of this series.

When I originally reviewed the book, I commented on how drawn out things seemed to be in this finale. I did not notice that as much this time, but maybe that's because I knew all the pieces that had to be put into place before the real ending. Overall, though, I raved about the book and encouraged everyone to go out and get a copy.

Red Rising - Pierce Brown

Red Rising

Title: Red Rising

Author: Pierce Brown

Publication Date: 1/28/14

Pages: 382

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Thriller / Fiction

How I Found It: I've seen it quite a few places lately.

Date Completed: 10/6/16

Summary: Darrow lives deep under the surface of Mars. He is a Red, a member of the lowest working class, sent to prepare the planet for human life. The oppressive ruling class leaves him with nothing and he starts on a journey of vengeance. To defeat the Golds, he must first rise to their level.

What I Thought: This book was so interesting and unique. I really enjoyed it. Brown has a fairly unique premise here - or at least a fairly unique setup. The later portion of the book felt a bit Hunger Games, but definitely with some different elements. Brown has taken many classic plot elements - Cinderella included - and brought them together into something fresh and interesting.

Darrow, a young, successful newlywed, lives under the thumb of an oppressive regime. He slaves away under the red earth of Mars, mining the resources needed to make the planet habitable - or so the Reds have been told. After a series of tragic and troubling circumstances, Darrow comes to find out that Mars was long ago settled by the higher classes. He and his fellow Reds are kept enslaved for the profit and advancement of others. This realization is the push Darrow needs to join the resistance. He agrees to pose as a Gold, the highest caste in the solar system, in order to bring down the system which lies to and subjugates his family and friends.

1984 - George Orwell

1984

Title: 1984

Author: George Orwell

Publication Date: 1949

Pages: 268

Genre: Classic / Dystopian / Political / Fiction

How I Found It: 100 Best Novels

Date Completed: 8/1/16

Summary: The year is 1984 and civilization has descended into a dystopian state. Big Brother is watching everything.

What I Thought: I had read this before. Back in high school, I believe. I liked it then and I really liked it now. Particularly after enduring so much bland British literature on this 100 book march, this was a nice diversion.

Plus, I like dystopian literature and this is basically the original. I mean, it's not really if you look strictly at literary history, but it definitely had a big role in kicking off the influx of dystopian literature we see in the modern market.

Reading it this time around, I had much more of an understanding and appreciation for the genre. I was able to follow Orwell's technique and recognize his skill more so than I could have as a young student. Another enhancement in the experience also comes with age: I now understand how truly terrifying Big Brother is. Certainly as a teenager, I grasped the basic concept of eradication of privacy and government control. As an adult, however, I know a lot more about the realities of the world and how tangible this fiction could be with just a few small steps - at least in some countries.

Take Tuesday: Shift

Shift

Some books are just so good, you have to read them again. And some books deserve a second chance. And some books I think about and change my opinion or have more to say. Take Tuesday is a chance to do just that. 

Title: Shift

Author: Hugh Howey

Publication Date: 1/28/13

Pages: 520

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

Previous Readings: 2013

Date Completed This Time: 8/19/16

Summary: Donald is a new congressman working in Washington with formidable Senator Thurman. The Senator has some strange projects to share. Troy wakes from his cryonic state to work a shift in an underground silo with few memories of the world before and little understanding of how he got into his position. In other silos, fear pushes people to extreme reactions. This all, of course, eventually ties together and in with the story of Juliette from the first novel, Wool. 

What I Thought Before: My first post about this book includes a wonderful summary, so if you're looking for that, make sure you head back to that 2013 post. The post itself is mostly summary, thought it's clear I was head over heels for the series. I mentioned several times how I could not put it down. I missed Juliette back then, but I was excited to see the puzzles pieces of fictional history coming together.

What I Think Now: This reading was a lot different. So much of what propelled me through Shift the first time was the urgent need to know what happens next. To Juliette. To Silo 18. To Solo. To Donald. To Troy. To everyone. I pushed through as fast as I possibly could with an insatiable desire for information, which Howey delivers well. I barely came up for air that last time, much less to ponder the literary technique or character development.

The City of Mirrors - Justin Cronin

The City of Mirrors

Title: The City of Mirrors

Author: Justin Cronin

Publication Date: 5/24/16

Pages: 598

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Thriller / Fiction

How I Found It: We read the first two

Date Completed: 6/1/16

Summary: The dramatic, extensive, apocalyptic journey comes to a close.

What I Thought: Whew. We did it. 

Cronin is one of the most loquacious authors I have encountered. This book could be about 4 books. I have rarely come across a writer who feels the need to put in so much detail about so many characters and so many storylines. It's exhausting at times. Back when I read the first book, I addressed this:

Another conflict of thought came from Cronin's extremely detailed storytelling. Again, on one hand, I liked that he was so thorough. He explores so many angles of the story and the perspective of so many characters. On the other hand, it gets long and some characters are really unnecessary. At points, the cast list starts to feel cluttered and hard to keep track of. He jumps from character to character and then, sometimes randomly, he jumps to an almost news-like report of what's happening. I have never seen a style quite like his and I am just really torn on how I feel about it. I do know, however, that there were some stretches where I just had no clue what in the world was going on. I mean, no idea. That was frustrating. I got it eventually, but I don't like being confused when I am reading.

I felt the same about both sequels. I felt on the fence after the first book, ready to quit after the second, and only picked up this one because Kevin has really enjoyed this series and wanted to finish it. When he actually is repeatedly asking about something, I know I need to get my hands on it for the both of us. Thankfully, in this case, Netgalley had my back.

Take Tuesday: Wool - Hugh Howey

Wool

Some books are just so good, you have to read them again. And some books deserve a second chance. And some books I think about and change my opinion or have more to say. Take Tuesday is a chance to do just that. 

Title: Wool

Author: Hugh Howey

Publication Date: 1/25/12

Pages: 509

Genre: Dystopian / Fiction

Previous Readings: June 2013

Date Completed This Time: 5/19/16

Summary: Generations of people have lived underground in the silo. The gray, dusty world above ground is toxic and forbidden. Only criminals sentenced to clean the cameras leave the silo - and they don't return.

What I Thought Before: I've been raving about this book for three years now. Loved it then, loved it now.

What I Think Now: I was almost apprehensive to pick up this book again. I enjoyed it so much the first time around; I was afraid I had overhyped it in my mind and would be disappointed. I was so delighted to be proven wrong.

The Dead Lands - Benjamin Percy

The Dead Lands

Title: The Dead Lands

Author: Benjamin Percy

Publication Date: 4/4/15

Pages: 416

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

How I Found It: Uncertain

Date Completed: 11/29/15

Summary: Decades after a pandemic swept the country and nuclear attacks attempted to contain it, a city of around 40,000 struggles to survive in the desert of what was once Missouri. They think they are the only ones left, until a rider appears at their gates.

What I Thought: Kevin and I listened to this book as we traveled to and from Michigan over the Thanksgiving holiday. 24 hours in the car gave us plenty of time to both finish and pontificate about the book. Verdict? We liked it, but didn't love it. 

While Kevin complained that Percy resorted to so many dystopian and literary clichés, I was continually impressed with his writing. He did use clichés at times, but he kept the story unique enough that you remained engaged. Plus, Kevin's predictions did not all pan out the way he expected, which is always such sweet vindication for me. I hate when he guesses things in advance. In the midst of using some clichéd (or classic, depending on your perspective) plot techniques, Percy used beautiful prose, particularly in describing the remnants of middle America.

Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood

Oryx and Crake

Title: Oryx and Crake

Author: Margaret Atwood

Publication Date: 05/03

Pages: 374

Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopian / Fiction

How I Found It: I've been wanting to read more Atwood

Date Completed: 8/26/15

Summary: In a futuristic landscape far different than our own, Jimmy, who goes by "Snowman" these days, wonders if he's the last real human left on Earth. He wanders mentally and physically into his past as he searches for the answer to that question.

What I Thought: In my mind, I have this great desire to be a Margaret Atwood fan. In my mind, I am one of those fans who picks up everything she publishes and devours it. In my mind, I have read every Atwood work.

I'm not sure why I feel this way. In fact, this book, Oryx and Crake, is only the second Atwood novel I have ever read. I think The Handmaid's Tale made such an impact on me, though, I find myself believing I am a more ardent fan than I actually am. 

Coming from Atwood's most popular work and with some weird sort of faux-fan complex, I picked up Oryx and Crake. I am not really sure why I chose this one with which to venture further into Atwood's world. In retrospect, I think there would have been a lot of other, better choices. 

Coda - Emma Trevayne

Coda

Title: Coda

Author: Emma Trevayne

Publication Date: 5/7/13

Pages: 320

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Fiction

How I Found It: It's been on my TBR for quite a while.

Date Completed: 9/17/15

Summary: In Trevayne's future, music has been encoded with addictive properties and the corrupt government uses it to control the population. Any unauthorized music is illegal and every citizen is monitored to ensure their need for the hallucinogenic melodies.

What I Thought: I love the broad concept of this book. I think Trevayne has hit on a plot idea here that has yet to be exploited by the mass migration to the dystopian genre. The integration of music into the future is a concept that few have broached. Suzanne Collins touches on it a bit in The Hunger Games series as Katniss sings to her sister and the mockingjay birds repeat back short melodies. Yet, I have not seen another author fully explore what a dystopian future centered around music would look like.

The 5th Wave - Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave

Title: The 5th Wave

Author: Rick Yancey

Publication Date: 5/7/13

Pages: 457

Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Fiction

How I Found It: If I remember correctly, a coworker recommended it to me a while back.

Date Completed: 7/16/15

Summary: The alien attack is in its fourth wave, although humans have yet to see any of the extra-terrestrial invaders in the flesh. Most of humanity has been exterminated. Cassie, a teenager girl among the few remaining, works for survival on her own. She can trust no one if she wants to survive, but can she survive if she trusts no one? 

What I Thought: This book turned out to be pretty much just what I expected, which is really a rare experience if you think about it. How often does a book honestly and truly meet your expectations - for better or worse? This is particularly surprising since I actually knew very little about the story before starting it. 

Cassie runs around southwestern Ohio (a regional choice which made it fun for me as I recognize so much, down to specific highway intersections mentioned) trying to decide who, if anyone she can trust. The story of the initial approach and attacks from the aliens is documented in flashbacks interspersed throughout the story. This works nicely juxtaposed against Cassie's loneliness and fears.