1985/Gyorgy Dalos/120 pp.

1985: What Happens after Big Brother Dies is meant as a sort-of follow-up to George Orwell's classic 1949 novel 1984. While the original was a warning about the dangers of unchecked government control and historic revisionism, and a prescient look at the Soviet Union of the mid- to late-20th century, the sequel by Dalos, written in Hungary in 1983, is a look at what might happen when such a totalitarian regime begins to crumble. A good knowledge of Orwell's book is absolutely necessary, as Dalos makes reference to "past events" and characters from the book constantly. There is also a series of rather unfortunate footnotes that start out adding information useful to the reader, but end up becoming rants by the narrator against his superiors.

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Inside Out / Maria V. Snyder / 315 p.

For me, Inside Out was a book that really had a little bit of everything: a likeable heroine, attractive boys, rebellion, romance, tragedy...everything!  I know that I am a major sucker for dystopian novels but this one was seriously awesome. I can't believe I didn't read it before!


In the world of Inside, the "Uppers" and "scrubs" live separate lives--dependent on each other but not really knowing what life is really like for the other half.  The world (and all information that flows within it) is controlled by the Travas and the "Pop Cops." When a "prophet" from the Upper levels shows up talking about the Gateway, Trella is determined to put a stop to such dreaming.  To prove him wrong, she goes after his "proof" and along the way starts a rebellion the likes of which Inside has never seen...



Trella is a scrub, destined to spend her life in the lower levels as one among many doing the 'dirty work.' From the beginning, she presents herself as someone who doesn't want you to like her.  She keeps her head low and doesn't make friends. She has an attitude that doesn't allow her to get close to anyone--the only exception being Cog, a boy she grew up with who everyone likes.  However, I found it hard not to like her, despite her attitude--or make "like isn't the right word: RESPECT.  She's definitely a tough chick with her head and her heart in the right place when it counts.  She may be standoffish in the beginning, but she definitely grows throughout the book and it's fantastic to watch her personality develop and her attitude shift (slowly but surely).

We've got a couple of awesome male characters alongside Trella throughout as well.  First, there's Cogon (or Cog, as everyone calls him).  Cog is Trella's only friend. They were birth mates and he's always been there for her, even as she tries to push everyone away.  I loved Cog (like everyone else I suppose!).  He was so genuine that I think you couldn't help but love him! And then there's Riley, the Upper who Trella meets by accident when she's (illegally) exploring the upper levels.  The two of them are quite the pair! I loved it as they try to get to know one another and uncover the myths that each side has been fed about the other. Trella is so untrusting of people and Riley has to work so hard to earn her trust.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was a great addition to all the dystopias that I've read lately and I thought that the society was developed superbly.

Wither / Lauren DeStefano / 358p.

Society has advanced to the point where senseless diseases (like cancer) no longer exist among the world's remaining population.  The problem: men only live to 25 and women to 20--then "the virus" takes hold. Young girls are being sold into prostitution or as wives to young men in hopes of procreation--just to keep the human race going until a cure is found. Rhine and her twin brother, Rowan, were careful to avoid the Gatherers--to keep Rhine safe.  Until one day she answers a job ad...a trap.  Rhine is sold as a wife to a wealthy young man whose father is determined that he will find a cure for the virus.  Rhine is determined to escape.

DeStefano's writing is beautiful.  I felt like the story pulled you in right away with the description of riding in the van with all the other girls, not knowing your destination or your fate.  Rhine is one of the lucky three chosen to become a wife to a wealthy "house governor" while the unlucky girls are dragged back to the van and shot---one-by-one.  Rhine is such a complex character and you really watch her struggle with her situation--feelings for Gabriel, feelings for/about Linden, fear for her brother. 

Linden, Rhine's husband, is such an intriguing character to me as well. Rhine is tricking him into loving her and making her "first wife," but along the way, you start to wonder if little bits are real.  He's a likeable character despite the situation, especially as his ignorance comes to light.  I found myself rooting for him here and there and almost hoping Rhine would stay with him.  I was so torn between him and Gabriel.

Overall--wow. 

The Giver / Lois Lowry / 180p.

It's been such a long time since I read this (as in, I don't actually remember WHEN I read it...I just know that I did...at some point...I think), and I felt compelled, with my current interest in dystopian novels, to read (or re-read, I suppose) this one (partially because so many comparisons have been drawn to another novel I've read this year).

In this dystopian novel, Lowry presents us with a world that seems so much like our own...on the surface.  As we are introduced to the cast of characters and their world, the reader is drawn in to the intricacies that don't appear on the surface and the realization of just how different the world is (or has become).  What does "release" actually mean? What place, if any, does love have in such a society, where spouses and children are chosen for you? What is the real danger in memories?  Is there something better?  In Lowry's fictive world, Sameness rules.

I know that most people have read this so I won't dive into too much.  Suffice it to say that I would consider this really the ultimate in dystopian writings, especially for young adults.  If you enjoy reading dystopian fiction and you haven't read this, the only thing I can say is this: why not?  Lowry's writing is phenomenal and her world really does become real to the author.

Birthmarked / Caragh O'Brien / 361 p.

Read this. Now.  (Unless, of course, you don't enjoy dystopian novels or you have a grudge against YA lit.)  I think I say that about many books these days, but I've been reading a lot of good ones!

In the post-apocalyptic world created by O'Briend, the Enclave holds the power.  It's a very Hunger Games-type of world, if that reference means anything to you.  Outside the walls of the Enclave, the people struggle to survive, giving up the first three babies each month to the Enclave.  This is a novel that you will start and not put down until you have read the last page.  The main character, Gaia, is a sympathetic character from the beginning.  The scar on her face sets her apart, even in the world outside of the Enclave.  She's a strong-willed character with quite the determination when it comes to her family.  When her parents are arrested by the Enclave, Gaia, scorning the advice of those around her, insists upon find a way into the Enclave to rescue her parents.  Her determination, quick-thinking, and (ultimately) love drive her to impossible lengths to save those she loves.  The cast of characters that she meets along the way will surprise the reader.  I don't want to spoil any plot points here, so I'll suffice it to say that O'Brien's debut novel is well-written, suspenseful, and moving.  The world and characters that she has created will leave your mind reeling.  Don't despair: the second book in a three book deal is slated to appear later this fall.