Dystopian

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451

Author
Bradbury, Ray
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury is about a fireman named Guy Montag whose job is to, ironically, start fires. Everything was going great for Guy, I mean he had money, a “loving” wife, and had an exhilarating job of burning books. That all changes when he meets a teenage girl who completely changes his view on the corrupt world and when he opens a book, which is illegal, he realizes why reading them is forbidden. Guy realizes he must escape this awful place, but where would he go? How would he get there? And who can he trust? Fahrenheit 451 is one of many dystopian society novels that catch my attention because it makes me wonder what would happen if this WAS our world. It is very boring in the beginning and is confusing at some parts, but overall it’s an amazing book and had me reading 20 pages within 10 minutes towards the end. I chose this book because I love dystopian society books and also the cover looked intriguing. I wonder what would happen if books were illegal and people were forbidden to read them?

Reviewer Grade: 10

Reviewer's Name
Joe T.

Book Review: Mockingjay

Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

District 13 has finally stepped out of the shadows and joined the rebellion. Unknowingly, Katniss has been a central part of their revolution for a while. Now, she must decide whether or not she'll collaborate with them. The success of the rebellion and the future of Panem depends on it.

This was my least favorite book of the series. I felt as if it dragged a lot because not much happened for a while. The end felt really rushed and thrown together, which I found disappointing. It's an okay book, but I didn't find it very satisfying.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Catching Fire

Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

After Katniss and Peeta win The Hunger Games, the Capital is upset. Katniss' defiance that allowed the both of them to win has inspired the Districts to rebel. The Capital, desperate to stay in control, must find a way to stop the rebellion before it actually becomes a force to be reckoned with. To do this, they must destroy the rebellion's figurehead in the right way. Just when Katniss finally thinks that she's safe, her world is turned upside down and she finds herself in more danger than ever before.

This book was good. While I enjoyed it more than the first one, it's a bit repetitive. Part of the plot was the same as the first book, just with different circumstances. Otherwise, I loved it.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: The Hunger Games

Author
Collins, Suzanne
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

The nation of Panem resides in a place that was once known as North America. It is a Capital surrounded by 12 districts. Once, the districts rebelled against the Capital and were defeated. Thus, The Hunger Games were born. Every year, each district must send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 to fight to the death in The Hunger Games, which is broadcasted across national television. When Katniss' sister is chosen, she volunteers to go in her place, knowing that to go means certain death.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be very interesting. It's scary to think that anybody would allow an event such as The Hunger Games to occur. Power in the wrong hands can lead to terrible things.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Animal Farm

Author
Orwell, George
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

In Animal Farm a group of animals are faced with some problems with the owner of their farm. Through these problems the animals form an alliance in order to try and get rid of their owner. It's full of action and controversy making it more fun to want to read. There are also some sad parts which also add a spark of emotions to the book. I believe this can also relate to actual human things that go on in the world, which makes it able to be relatable to the reader.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Dominique R.

Book Review: Undivided

Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Proactive Citizenry has been hiding a way to create new body parts that would make unwinding completely unnecessary. If this information can be revealed, unwinding may finally come to an end, but nothing's as easy as it seems.

Starkey and his brigade of storks are growing more powerful every day. Instead of helping anything, the attacks made by the brigade are only convincing people that the new laws that allow teenagers (without parental consent) and convicts to be unwound must be passed. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

Between people's fear of feral teenagers and their belief that unwinding is the only way to provide them with a substantial amount of body parts, unwinding may never end.

I enjoyed this book. It really goes to show how fear can drive people to do drastic things. The only thing that I didn't like a lot was the ending. While the fate of the future was implied, it didn't feel very concrete. I personally didn't find it satisfying, but that's just my opinion.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Fahrenheit 451

Author
Bradbury, Ray
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

This book has been given more credit than it probably deserves. However, it is still a great novel. Bradbury has such beautiful writing, it grabs you from the first sentence. The story is about a man, Montag, who lives in the future as a fireman. Unlike today’s firemen, though, Montag is a fire-starter. He burns houses that have a single book in them, since books are illegal in this future. Montag meets a young girl, though, that changes his perspective on his previous perception of why books are so bad. If you are itching to read something quick, good, and that will make you think, this is a book for you!

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Madison H.

Book Review UnSouled

Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

After discovering the identity of a woman that Proactive Citizenry has attempted to erase from history, Connor and Lev set out on a search to find her, believing that she may have answers that could help them to finally end unwinding.

Meanwhile, Cam tries to find a way to destroy Proactive Citizenry from the inside. He figures that if he can do that, Risa will finally see how he feels about her. After all, she's the only one who makes him feel whole.

Together, the four of them just might be able to change the world and put a stop to unwinding, once and for all.

This book was pretty good. The previous books were about survival and trying to come up with a plan to end unwinding, so it was nice to see the characters actually have one. After so long of just trying to survive, hope is finally in sight. It's funny how some kids that the world considered to be useless have actually impacted it so much.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: UnWholly

Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

After the revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people are starting to question how ethical unwinding is. However, many big companies are making a profit off of it, and refuse to let the business collapse. In fact, they want it to grow.

One of these companies, Proactive Citizenry, has created a being made entirely out of unwinded body parts. Camus Comprix, a futuristic Frankenstein, struggles to find a sense of identity and belonging in a world that sees him as an abomination. In a twist of events, he finds his fate tied with Connor, Risa, and Lev. Together, they struggle to survive and find a way to put a stop to unwinding.

I liked this book. It made me question life a lot. It's sad how some companies will try to do anything to keep making money. Also, I liked how the concept of Cam was explored. It was nice to see inside his mind. It helped to make the reader understand that as terrible as his existence might be, he didn't choose this life and was a victim as well.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Unwind

Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

After a civil war somewhere in the near future is fought over abortion, a compromise is made. Parents could sign an order to "unwind" their children between ages of 13 and 18. 100% of their body parts would be used, so they wouldn't die; their individual body parts would live on.

The book follows three runaways as they travel across the country, trying to stay whole. If they survive until their eighteenth birthday, they can't be harmed - but when every piece of them is wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away.

I enjoyed this book. It was fun to watch as the characters grew and fought to survive in a world that didn't want them. It also made me think a lot. I know that it's fiction, but it's still scary to think that anybody would agree to unwinding. This book was a real eye-opener.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.