A review by bluekaren
Spark Rising, by Kate Corcino
4.0
This was such a fun read. Spark Rising was full of adventure, love, family and female power. Although this is part of a series, this book was complete and did not leave me hanging. I loved Lena and her take-no-sh*t attitude. She is a woman who relies on herself and a bit of dust to get by.
This book was set in a post-apocalyptic future where some people, known as sparks, are born with ability to generate electrical charges. The sparks use Dust to generate electricity to power their world. These sparks are what control the population and the most powerful sparks are coveted by the council. Most females are taken at age five and controlled before they reach their full potential. Strong female sparks don’t exist, according to the council. Male sparks rule this world. Female sparks carry the spark genes, so they are under government control. Lena is a female spark, thought to be the most powerful female the world has ever known. Her death was staged at the age of five by her parents so she wouldn’t be taken. This story starts off with her being discovered living outside of the city. Her talent for Dust control, her spark, makes her a very wanted woman. Once she is found the chase is on.
The good: I found Lena to be a very likeable and relateable character. She is independent and in control, even of her sexuality. I felt bad for Lena in that she has to make some major changes to survive and looses a lot. In exchange, Lena also evolves and really comes into her own in this story. She finds something she can get behind, everyone else just better watch out when she sets her mind to something. I liked the world building in this book and all the travel that takes place. I loved that even the really good guys have flaws.
I loved the sci-fi aspect of this book. The spark part of this world was really cool and very unique. Basically, sparks control dust to generate charges and create electricity. They can also manipulate dust within people to create havoc or heal. Not all sparks can, but Lena is really special. I enjoyed her trying to teach other sparks how to do what she does. It helped me to understand this concept. There is dust everywhere in abundant amounts here on this world and in the one the author created. The sparks in this book were well written. Even in adolescence, these characters were well written. The sparks were very cool.
The bad: I didn’t like that the book just jumped into the action. I like a bit more characters building before everything falls apart. People die in this book and we don’t really have a chance to get to know them first. I find it hard to mourn people when no back-story is given, it was not really given later enough in my opinion. The relationship that Lena gets into with Reyes was bit like denial. They want each other but they don’t want to admit it. I don’t like love angst. Just get to, or don’t.
In conclusion: I found this to be a really unique dystopian book. I know dystopian fans are gonna love this book. I am looking forward to the follow books. Despite my critiques, this was a good read that I enjoyed.
This book was set in a post-apocalyptic future where some people, known as sparks, are born with ability to generate electrical charges. The sparks use Dust to generate electricity to power their world. These sparks are what control the population and the most powerful sparks are coveted by the council. Most females are taken at age five and controlled before they reach their full potential. Strong female sparks don’t exist, according to the council. Male sparks rule this world. Female sparks carry the spark genes, so they are under government control. Lena is a female spark, thought to be the most powerful female the world has ever known. Her death was staged at the age of five by her parents so she wouldn’t be taken. This story starts off with her being discovered living outside of the city. Her talent for Dust control, her spark, makes her a very wanted woman. Once she is found the chase is on.
The good: I found Lena to be a very likeable and relateable character. She is independent and in control, even of her sexuality. I felt bad for Lena in that she has to make some major changes to survive and looses a lot. In exchange, Lena also evolves and really comes into her own in this story. She finds something she can get behind, everyone else just better watch out when she sets her mind to something. I liked the world building in this book and all the travel that takes place. I loved that even the really good guys have flaws.
I loved the sci-fi aspect of this book. The spark part of this world was really cool and very unique. Basically, sparks control dust to generate charges and create electricity. They can also manipulate dust within people to create havoc or heal. Not all sparks can, but Lena is really special. I enjoyed her trying to teach other sparks how to do what she does. It helped me to understand this concept. There is dust everywhere in abundant amounts here on this world and in the one the author created. The sparks in this book were well written. Even in adolescence, these characters were well written. The sparks were very cool.
The bad: I didn’t like that the book just jumped into the action. I like a bit more characters building before everything falls apart. People die in this book and we don’t really have a chance to get to know them first. I find it hard to mourn people when no back-story is given, it was not really given later enough in my opinion. The relationship that Lena gets into with Reyes was bit like denial. They want each other but they don’t want to admit it. I don’t like love angst. Just get to, or don’t.
In conclusion: I found this to be a really unique dystopian book. I know dystopian fans are gonna love this book. I am looking forward to the follow books. Despite my critiques, this was a good read that I enjoyed.