WendigoLove
I am a bit burned out on Teenager In Dystopia novels, but this was still pretty fun! There were a few points that threw me out of the story where all of the ‘rules' of this society were ignored to move plot points along.
Potential Spoiler
Throughout the beginning of the book it was stressed that Factions come before Blood (family) and there was no mingling. It was also stressed that the Transfers could only see their family once on the visiting day and there are no stories of anyone visiting another Faction- even if becoming Factionless. Yet, Tris just walks into the other faction, visits her brother, and heads home and there are no Faction related consequences- just related to running into the Bad Guys.
Frustrating, but not enough to ruin the enjoyment of the book. I liked the idea of trying to live up to ideals and really liked the character of Tris. Very different than the other novels where the girls start passive and learn to be more assertive.
Planning to read the next in the series soon!
I almost put this book back because of how many different plot devices in just the prologue and initial chapter:
Coming of age teenager and distant Mother
And your Father/ Husband is a legendary villain but your Grandfather /Father is a legendary Hero
And in an alternative history set in Civil War Era Seattle so there are dirigibles
And the city is now a devestated, isolated town due to
Poison gas released by the Villainous Father/Husband
And the gas creates Zombies.
The writing and Mother character were interesting enough to overcome my initial concerns. A fun story with some interesting characters and scenes though a bit scattered for my tastes. I would read more from the author.
Most anthropomorphisms end up being too human or too alien for me. This one hit an excellent balance of bee-like behaviors but still enough ‘human' characteristics like curtsy and religion to make it accessible and understandable. This is a book following a bee through the natural life cycle of a hive and bee's life. Includes overcoming birth castes, foraging adventures, and politics of an aging divine ruler.
I was listening to the audio book and could not skip to the end. Really good job with the alternating voices and how they changed through the story. Felt believable even though they were unpleasant characters. Ending does feel a bit of a let down, but it is true to the book's characters with the planning years ahead and picking priorities. We always hope karma willl play out but that isn't true.
I will end up keeping this book and force others to read it. Anyone who grew up in the 80's playing video games and watching TV will find many forgotten treasured moments (Monty Python!) These are perfectly set in a game and world very similar to what we have today with Facebook, internet, and rapidly improving immersive gaming. I do not know anyone who hasn't enjoyed this book (though the concept is a bit self-selective.
Jim Butcher is one of the very few authors writing actual consequences into their characters. If Dresden gets burned with fire, he deals with the scars emotionally and physically from there on. It adds a unique depth and interest to the books.
This book is all about consequences of decisions and the impacts on friends and families. Usually a soul searching book in a series is to be skipped, but this only adds to this one. Dresden finds himself as a ghost tasked with finding his killer. This takes him through all his friends and family and their damaged psyches.
Would recommend it for any fan of the series.