Brennan, Sarah Rees. Tell the Wind and Fire.

Brennan, Sarah Rees.  Tell the Wind and Fire.  Houghton

Mifflin/Clarion   2016  360p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-544-31817-5  ms/hs  Fantasy  VG-BN

In a future world, New York City is divided into the Dark and the Light.  Of course, the people of the Light have everything, whereas the populace of the Dark struggles, reflecting the tragic period of slavery in American history.  The two groups need each other: when members of the Light use too much magic, they pollute their blood, and it must be cleansed by a member of the Dark in order to restore balance. Lucie came from the Dark, but she has a new life in the Light as the girlfriend of the ruler’s son, Ethan.  How did she make her way to the Light?  She showed extreme courage when her father was arrested and locked in a cage.  As the plot moves forward, she calls on her inner strength often. 

The story begins when Lucie and Ethan are re-entering the Light after a wonderful vacation and guards attempt to arrest Ethan.  However, it was not Ethan who passed information to the sans-merci, as the revolutionaries are known. Instead, it was the rebellious doppelganger (about whom Lucie knew nothing), Ethan’s look-alike who was created to save Ethan as an infant.  This incident sets the tone for a novel that is full of intrigue, a new way of looking at prejudice, and convoluted relationships between the lead characters.  Teen readers will particularly enjoy the easy repartee between Carwyn (the doppelganger) and Lucie when they are together.  They will also compare this new “take” on dystopian societies (which author Sarah Rees Brennan attributes to Dickens in his Tale of Two Cities) with other novels they have read.  All in all, Rees Brennan has created an interesting fantasy with just the right mix of drama, turmoil and captivating characters to allure her audience to continue with a sequel, even though Tell the Wind and Fire came to a rather complete resolution.       

Summary: Lucie lives with the threat of the Dark despite her new alliance with young Ethan, the son of a ruler of the Light.  When the threat of revolution puts her in harm’s way, she uses everything she knows to protect those she loves and to find a resolution to the conflicts that separate the City of New York.

Dystopian novels                                --Martha Squaresky

Pfeffer, Susan Beth. The Shade of the Moon.

Pfeffer, Susan Beth.  The Shade of the Moon.    Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace  2013     288p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-547-81337-0  ms/hs    Science fiction  VG-BN 

Jon and his extended family have struggled to survive ever since they left Pennsylvania.  The family settled in Sexton, which is where the Clavers (the “Haves”) live.  The Grubs are the “Have-Nots.”  Jon, his stepmother, and his half-brother Gabe were lucky enough to have slips to enter and live in Sexton, while everyone else in the family lives in White Birch as a Grub.

Jon must constantly balance what he thinks is right against the wrongs he sees inflicted on the Grubs in White Birch.  When he meets Sarah Goldman (who disagrees with the practices of the current enclave), Jon begins to understand and disagree with the unfair practices of the town’s leaders.  However, everything comes apart for him after his sister Miranda (a Grub) is told by the hospital that her baby was born deformed and died, only to discover later that the child was sold to a “favored” couple in Sexton.

Readers will find this a fast-paced, nerve-tingling, and constantly twisting read.  Just as soon as the reader figures out one plot-line, another one twists into the equation.  Readers will not wait patiently for the next book in the series. 

Summary: Life is a struggle in a world of limited resources.  Jon Evans relies on his soccer prowess to help him keep his family safe.  His life is endangered when Jon has to make some serious moral choices.  survival-fiction    

Survival-Fiction, Dystopian fiction                         --Linda McNeil

Farmer, Nancy. The Lord of Opium.

Farmer, Nancy.  The Lord of Opium.  Simon & Schuster/ Atheneum    2013 411p ISBN 978-1-4424-8254-8   ms/hs  E-BN  Fantasy     

In this sequel to Farmer’s House of the Scorpion, Matteo, the worthless 14-year-old clone of El Patron, becomes the very human El Patron.  Finding himself in charge of the country of Opium, and overseer of the mind-controlled populace, Matt decides to change the order of things.  As with her other books, Nancy Farmer has created an exceptional YA page turner. The relationships between Matteo and leaders of the other drug countries, as well as his relationships with his most trusted employees and advisors, are truly the pivot points of this book. The story is another of the dystopian variety, with the well-meaning Matt struggling to find answers to the many ills of Opium, and is very well plotted. But it is the storylines involving friends and enemies that truly make this such a fantastic read.  This reader could not find a single negative point to highlight in this review.  While this book is classed as YA, as with so many YA titles, adults will enjoy reading it as well, as did this reviewer.  

Summary: In this sequel to Farmer’s House of the Scorpion, Matteo, the worthless 14-year-old clone of El Patron, becomes the very human El Patron.  Finding himself in charge of the country of Opium, and overseer of the mind-controlled populace, Matt decides to change the order of things. 

Dystopian novels                                            --Lynn Fisher

Karp, Jesse. What We Become.

Karp, Jesse.  What We Become.  Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Brace    2013 424p ISBN 978-0-547-55500-3   hs  Hardback  VG  Science fiction  

Yet again, in this companion book to Those That Wake, the main characters of Mal and Laura are battling the ills of technology and its role in the downfall of their society.  The book’s pace is quick.  New characters are introduced who support Mal and Laura as they fight, literally and figuratively, against The Old Man and his dreams of world dominion through mind control.  Mal comes across as physically very strong and quick-witted.  The character of Laura is less well drawn, although her loss of memory and her relationships with family may be the reason why.  All in all, a good dystopian read.  This book will find a built-in readership with YAs that enjoy dystopian stories.  Strong language and situations would keep this from being included in a middle-school library.  High-school libraries and public libraries are sure to find readers for this title.

Summary: The dystopian companion to Those That Wake finds Mal and Laura fighting the “Old Man” and his desire to rule the minds of everyone on earth through technology.

Science fiction, Dystopian literature                             --Lynn Fisher

Kessler, Jackie Morse. Breath. (Riders of the Apocalypse.)

Kessler, Jackie Morse.  Breath. (Riders of the Apocalypse.)  Houghton Mifflin/ Graphia  2013  321p  ISBN 978-0-547-97043-1  hs  Paperback  E-BN  Fantasy 

When Xander discovers Death’s plan to end it all, he approaches Death and reminds him of the gift he gave him many years ago.  Without revealing too much and making this review a spoiler, I will reveal that Xander uses the gift to convince Death to reconsider his decision to end his existence and ponder the ramifications that would result from throwing the balance of the cycle of life off.
    

This excitingly suspenseful novel engages the reader in the debacle that Death is experiencing.  He has ruled and led for many years and is just tired of being the dreaded harbinger of doom.  Ironically, the reader will begin to feel sorry for Death.  The fast-paced plot leaves the reader feeling an urgency to stop Death from carrying out his plan and root for Xander to successfully convince Death not to end it all.

Kessler has mastered another success in adding the thrilling book Breath to this exciting series.  Once again, the use of symbolism gives the reader pause and evokes further thought.  It is a fabulous addition to the series but should not be read alone or as the first book, because the reader needs some background knowledge to fully grasp and enjoy this novel.  This is the fourth book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series. Other titles include Hunger, Rage, and Loss. This fast-paced, exciting, and thrilling series will have readers on the edge of their seats and thirsting for the next book.      Breath is a very well written book that will engage young adult readers.  It is rich in symbolism and will appeal to those who embrace a novel requiring further thought or discussion.     

Summary: Death decides to end his existence until Xander, who gave Death a gift years ago, convinces him to reconsider his plan in order to preserve balance in the universe.  In this latest addition to the popular Riders of the Apocalypse series, suspense abounds as in the three previous books.  Death decides he has had enough as leader and creator of the Riders, as he is a well-known deliverer of doom.

Dystopian fiction, Fantasy                                  --Virginia McGarvey