Paradigm

Paradigm is a better than average YA dystopian novel in which the world is ravaged by severe storms and the only people (we are told) who are left are those who managed to find shelter inside an underground facility that was a company but which slowly becomes a new world order. So, where have we heard this before? Oh, yes! Wool. There are so many shades of Wool here.
As in every book I read when the story is told by multiple characters, I seem to pick a favorite and suffer through the other (why do you do that, brain?) Here I liked Alice's story very much and Carter's not so much. It could be because Carter is very full of himself, but so is Alice in a way. The difference is that Alice is a survivor and Carter is a good student. Comparisons in talent go flat. I almost wish book one was all Alice and book two was Carter.
Side characters are very one dimensional here, with few surprises. Alice has a major change of heart at one point that I didn't understand, but I chalked up to reconditioning (aka brainwashing) even though I didn't buy it.
Paradigm held my interest because it had a scrappy, new vibe to it. But it never gets its hands wet or gets painful. Where are all of the horrors? The society is too perfect, even from the get go. I wanted something a bit more raw emotionally. Perhaps in the second book.
Did I like it enough to want to read the sequel? Maybe.
A note on the cover, I almost never comment on a cover, but everyone is right this is WAY too close to Divergent. Also, it makes no sense (unless it's the company logo? Or later Alice will shoot fire and Carter will shoot ice? I would change it.