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A review by drjoannehill
The Union by Leah Vernon
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2 to 3 points... Interesting idea, could be better executed.
It's maybe some time past the year 3000? Not stated. In a vaguely described part of what was once the USA (that at least is stated), the governing family and surrounding ruling families (the Elites) are all Black. Upper Residents are all Black. "Europes" or Lower Residents are the workers or are outcasts, in an authoritarian system that denies freedom, education, sufficient food, etc etc. to them. Harsh punishment is meted out. It's understood that the country (called the Union of Civilization) is run like this as pay back for the centuries of enslavement of Black people by White. The USA was overthrown 1000 years previously. That's a long grudge and a massive effort to maintain an unequal authoritarian rule. I suppose to ponder this, just imagine the period of enslavement and how enslaved people were treated, how much effort was put into maintaining the system. But in the future with so many technological, educational, and cultural developments, you just expect better I think?
There are many many plot holes in this. A few:
Anyone who is not Black or White in this nation? Not a mention. No idea.
Also no idea if the Union is the whole of the USA. If so, some of the characters walk/run over vast areas rather quickly. There are times when there's a hovercraft journey described as taking a while, but someone walking gets there quite quickly and moves over big areas of the place with ease. 🤷🏻♀️
There's a lot crammed in here, when it would be better to take time and explore in more depth a few of the plot threads. Viruses have been developed by the government to kill Whites but no one else; right so kill all the White workers and then replace them with droids; a rebel plot to fight back; an Elite gets involved in the rebellion; one of the rebels/workers is telekinetic ....and more and more. Cool it!
It's maybe some time past the year 3000? Not stated. In a vaguely described part of what was once the USA (that at least is stated), the governing family and surrounding ruling families (the Elites) are all Black. Upper Residents are all Black. "Europes" or Lower Residents are the workers or are outcasts, in an authoritarian system that denies freedom, education, sufficient food, etc etc. to them. Harsh punishment is meted out. It's understood that the country (called the Union of Civilization) is run like this as pay back for the centuries of enslavement of Black people by White. The USA was overthrown 1000 years previously. That's a long grudge and a massive effort to maintain an unequal authoritarian rule. I suppose to ponder this, just imagine the period of enslavement and how enslaved people were treated, how much effort was put into maintaining the system. But in the future with so many technological, educational, and cultural developments, you just expect better I think?
There are many many plot holes in this. A few:
Anyone who is not Black or White in this nation? Not a mention. No idea.
Also no idea if the Union is the whole of the USA. If so, some of the characters walk/run over vast areas rather quickly. There are times when there's a hovercraft journey described as taking a while, but someone walking gets there quite quickly and moves over big areas of the place with ease. 🤷🏻♀️
There's a lot crammed in here, when it would be better to take time and explore in more depth a few of the plot threads. Viruses have been developed by the government to kill Whites but no one else; right so kill all the White workers and then replace them with droids; a rebel plot to fight back; an Elite gets involved in the rebellion; one of the rebels/workers is telekinetic ....and more and more. Cool it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Classism