Reviews written by Jess

The dystopian novel is one of the most popular subgenres in YA literature. I recently had the opportunity to read the novel "Revealing Eden" written by author Victoria Foyt. This book was an unexpected surprise, given the variety of issues that emerge during the reading.

Eden is a pearl in a world where the coals are the ruling class. Pearl and Coal are racial epithets used by people in this society. She lives in a society where human beings are valued according to their phenotype and how pigmentation makes them fit to survive the environmental conditions. In this society where Eden lives, each individual seeks a mate to ensure the survival of the species. When people are knowing each other, before asking questions like what is your favorite music? or What colors you like? they prefer to know their genetic analysis and if they possess features that could improve an offspring.

Eden is a pearl, a person with caucasian pigmentation. A caucasian can hardly survive the onslaught of the sun on their skin and the temperatures. The pearls are kept sheltered in a facility without receiving contact with sunlight. For their 18 birthday they must have a partner chosen to procreate and continue the species, so they can continue receiving those things that need to continue living. Eden is close to its 18 years, and although she is brilliant, his genetic analysis gives her only 15% of aptitude as a mate. She is yet to found a partner that complements her. She has only received interest from a young coal who works in charge of security at the site where Eden and his father, a scientist, works. Blinded by this opportunity and desire to find a mate, Eden reveals her father’s work without even realizing it, detonating a drastic change in their lives.

Eden was forced to leave her life behind and start learning to survive in another environment and other circumstances. Her life is going to be impacted by a quasi-supernatural and fantastic creature, born of a genius scientist, who will redefine her preconceptions about herself, about her feelings and about about what is beauty.

About the book
The cover of this book is interesting and intriguing, gives a clue to the theme of the story, but never gives it away. The image in front is striking and captures the reader's interest. The plot developed in this post-apocalyptic totalitarian society book is characterized by interesting plot twists, and the discussion of a variety of issues.

The novel provokes reflection on several issues of current importance:

A caste society- individuals are classified into groups according to their value in society. This value is assigned according to the pigmentation of the person and how fit they are in order to survive. These groups are named based on racial slang.
Racial equality - society is governed by rules that seek to maintain order subjecting the less fit for survival in obedience by developing low self-esteem in people.
Ethics in science: Genetic manipulation - To what extent might be acceptable or even necessary genetic manipulation? Or is it unacceptable?
Resource conservation- conservation of resources to provide adequately for a population of individuals who prove to be useful in that society. The utility in this case lies in reproductive potential to produce individuals capable of surviving.
Environmental impact- damage to the environment /atmosphere caused social change.

The world where these characters interact is one that clearly shows a racial divide. The beads have lived for generations indoctrinated to think that they are less than the ruling class, the coals. For much part of the book, Eden sees herself as ugly and worthless. Only when she abandons society, she begins to know herself and show others her genuine self.

What do I think about Eden?
Eden initially underestimates herself. She is brilliant, but in turn, completely naive. Only wanting to find a partner to survive and not be released outside and die because of the temperature. True her ordeals she finds herself.


Source: Received from Bookmasters and Sand Dollar Press Inc. via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

The Lightning Thief is the first book of Percy Jackson and The Olympians series.
Percy is a young boy trying to find his way in the world while discovering his best friend is a satyr and his father is a god. When he discovers his true nature everything changes for Percy. He embarks in a difficult quest to stop war and redeem himself after been wrongly accused of thievery. The quest becomes a metamorphosis for Percy; he discovers a new inner force, new abilities and affinities, stronger friendships and finds a new kind of empowerment to change his life and his mother’s. At the end of this hero’s quest we find a different Percy. His experiences have changed him but also all those around him.
This young adult fantasy draws from Greek mythology in an innovative way. It proofs an excellent choice for readers of all ages. Riordan made a great job creating this world of adventure for Percy. The book is surprising, entertaining and well written. We will see what else brings this hero’s saga.

I just finished reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone and I feel as if the book had exploded in my head and every part of the story was engraved on my mind. The story contains a fascinating intrinsic dynamism.

The story revolves around a young art student in Prague. Here name is Karou. She does not have human ties. The only link she has with humanity is her relationship with her best friend, because the only thing that she has ever known is growing with creatures called chimeras. Karou dedicates to running errands for Brimstone, one of the chimeras. In one of his usual errands(unusual pick ups), Karou has a violent encounter with an angel, who are the enemies of the chimeras. From this event, starts a chain of events in which Kaoru and this angel called Akiva, will be the protagonists. The actions of both will affect the future of many and will lead to the secrets of the past to emerge.

This book is a creation of author Laini Taylor and was published by "Little Brown and Company. I can say, this book is so different to everything I have read to this day. Simple yet so powerful. One of the things I appreciate most about this book is the effort the author puts in recounting the events from different perspectives according to the character. Also, the author makes an interesting choice of vocabulary in the story. The wording reflects security and a beautiful use of language by including figurative language with the use of similes and metaphors.

Another important detail is the ease with which history the story is presenting its own mythology of a world of angels and chimeras. The book has two stories that dominate: Akiva / Karou and Akiva / Madrigal. The part of the story dedicated to explain in detail the interactions between angels and chimeras, and their beliefs and legends, is the one dedicated to Akiva / Madrigal.

Several themes emerge from the story:
-Hope is a theme always present in the story and always embodied in Karou.
-War is the catalyst to dictate the fate of the characters. It is what makes of angels disposable machines for war and of the chimeras, beings who see the physical body as secondary, for them the soul is essential. One of the characters expresses: "Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?” The reality is this, we are all products of the reality of our everyday life, and if everyday we see war we become warlike beings.
-The struggle between classes is defined by the caste system. Both groups used this system to define their society.
-Using modifications in the skin (tattoos) to establish the reality of each character. Tattoos are a way to communicate and are used to show the journey of a person. On this case the journey of Akiva as a soldier and of Kaoru (she has Hamsas*) as a child growing up with the chimera.
* palm shaped amulet for defense against the evil eye.

Karou is the heroine of the story and is the engine that generates action. This character - in all her incarnations-has caused events and changes. Karou is a character certainly well built and well thought out by Taylor. Karou demonstrates skills, talents (drawing) and is also, shows flaws. The thing that strikes me the most is how, despite the secrecy surrounding her world, she is able to be normal. Karou is brave, she faces her circumstances and when she discovers the benefits of her hamsas she is not afraid, she seems empowered. What is even better about karou is that I could see many of her scenes easily translated into action sequences on a film.
Finally, Karou is great. And she flyes, so that’s points for swag.

Team Karou!