snjluc's review against another edition
4.0
16 year old Gaia discovers that her parents have disappeared, and she is expected to take over her mother's midwife duties. As a part of those duties, Gaia must "advance" the first 3 babies born each month, by sending them inside the Enclave that she lives outside of. Gaia decides that she needs to save her parents, and after sneaking into the Enclave, she learns shocking truths about her society that cause her to rebel.
I really enjoyed this book - it put a new spin on the common theme of "teenager saves dying futuristic world". There are complicated societal issues uncovered as Gaia works to save her parents, which made it more interesting to read for an adult. Gaia did often act older than 16, which I did not like, but so did all of the other characters, so I wrote it off to being an aspect of their society. I enjoy reading about a strong female character, and I also enjoyed that Gaia did not spend her time quietly wondering about her feelings for others, but brought them up and discussed them openly - a great role model for teenage girls!
I really enjoyed this book - it put a new spin on the common theme of "teenager saves dying futuristic world". There are complicated societal issues uncovered as Gaia works to save her parents, which made it more interesting to read for an adult. Gaia did often act older than 16, which I did not like, but so did all of the other characters, so I wrote it off to being an aspect of their society. I enjoy reading about a strong female character, and I also enjoyed that Gaia did not spend her time quietly wondering about her feelings for others, but brought them up and discussed them openly - a great role model for teenage girls!
stygianvixen's review against another edition
5.0
Really wonderful story that is original and compelling.
carrieat's review against another edition
4.0
A well written, gripping story. Refreshing after some having read a few books lately that have been quite immature.
A strong female lead and the midwifery references had been researched well.
Look forward to finding out what happens.
A strong female lead and the midwifery references had been researched well.
Look forward to finding out what happens.
serith_'s review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
hannchilada's review against another edition
5.0
***********************************Contains Spoilers*********************************
Omigoodness it was gorgeous! It was amazing. The love interest is so much like Tobias in Divergent and I loved his strength and also, to a lesser extent, sarcasm. But it was awesome! I loved the way that Gaia wasn't perfect like heroines and was more relatable. I was so sad when it said Leon died. I can't wait to read the next book to see if he really did!!
Omigoodness it was gorgeous! It was amazing. The love interest is so much like Tobias in Divergent and I loved his strength and also, to a lesser extent, sarcasm. But it was awesome! I loved the way that Gaia wasn't perfect like heroines and was more relatable. I was so sad when it said Leon died. I can't wait to read the next book to see if he really did!!
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting return to YA dystopia for me. In this future, those inside the “enclave” get deliveries of babies born on the outside. A monthly quota system (of sorts) that means some mothers keep their babies, and others barely get to say hello.
Gaia learned midwifery from her mother, and is more surprised than anyone when both her parents are arrested for keeping secret records. Of what? And why?
Gaia learned midwifery from her mother, and is more surprised than anyone when both her parents are arrested for keeping secret records. Of what? And why?
koalathebear's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard about this book and just read it simply because I saw a throwaway reference in the blogosphere. It's actually excellent. Very well-written and exciting, O'Brien paints a very vivid image of a world that has been irreversibly affected by climate-change.
There is a very interesting contrast between Wharfton, a small town full of poverty that exists next to The Enclave, a walled-in city. The contrast between those in the Enclave and those outside the wall is very marked. Inside is a life of apparent privilege and affluence, outside, there is poverty and backwardness. Added to this is the almost barbaric tradition of 'Advancing' children to the Enclave, never to be seen of again. Thus, there is a strangeness in the fact that the seemingly wealthy Enclave 'needs' the lowly citizens of Wharfton.
Gaia Stone is not an average young adult heroine. She's solid and plucky, smart but not nauseatingly sassy and she definitely isn't a Mary Sue. It's interesting to see the world through her eyes as she gradually unravels the mystery behind the Enclave and the rationale for the Advancing of children.
Apparently the book was intended to be a standalone book but the author was persuaded to make it a trilogy. I think the book reminds me a lot of the novels I used to read in high-school (well before these never-ending series) that pulled me in and left me hanging for days and days and days as I wondered what would happen next. This was the days before fan fiction and the days before authors didn't know when to stop.
Nonetheless, while the book works very well as a standalone novel, I am looking forward to the next novel. The characters of Gaia and Leon have become very fascinating to me and O'Brien's a gifted writer who doesn't over-describe or patronise.
Anyway, the book is good! Young adult fiction is a broad and rich category of fiction but there are many duds and copycats - I liked this novel for its freshness and originality and the fact that it reminded me of my high school days of being permanently cliffhangered
There is a very interesting contrast between Wharfton, a small town full of poverty that exists next to The Enclave, a walled-in city. The contrast between those in the Enclave and those outside the wall is very marked. Inside is a life of apparent privilege and affluence, outside, there is poverty and backwardness. Added to this is the almost barbaric tradition of 'Advancing' children to the Enclave, never to be seen of again. Thus, there is a strangeness in the fact that the seemingly wealthy Enclave 'needs' the lowly citizens of Wharfton.
Gaia Stone is not an average young adult heroine. She's solid and plucky, smart but not nauseatingly sassy and she definitely isn't a Mary Sue. It's interesting to see the world through her eyes as she gradually unravels the mystery behind the Enclave and the rationale for the Advancing of children.
Apparently the book was intended to be a standalone book but the author was persuaded to make it a trilogy. I think the book reminds me a lot of the novels I used to read in high-school (well before these never-ending series) that pulled me in and left me hanging for days and days and days as I wondered what would happen next. This was the days before fan fiction and the days before authors didn't know when to stop.
Nonetheless, while the book works very well as a standalone novel, I am looking forward to the next novel. The characters of Gaia and Leon have become very fascinating to me and O'Brien's a gifted writer who doesn't over-describe or patronise.
Anyway, the book is good! Young adult fiction is a broad and rich category of fiction but there are many duds and copycats - I liked this novel for its freshness and originality and the fact that it reminded me of my high school days of being permanently cliffhangered
lyndsaymw's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put it down - can't wait to get the next one!
clarksamanthab's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5