About the Book
-
Author:
- Gregg Rosenblum
- Genres:
- Dystopia
- Science Fiction
- Voices:
- Cis Boy
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Big Face
BFF Charm: Sure, Yeah
Talky Talk: Drum Solo
Bonus Factors: Robots, Reeducation
Relationship Status: I Babysit This Book From Time to Time
Cover Story: Big Face
For a Big Face cover, this one isn’t too bad, and it kind of represents something that happens in the book.
The Deal:
In the year 2051, the robots we had created to fight our wars for us surprised the world by laying down their arms. We wondered what it could mean, and some hoped it would herald a new time of peace. That was before they picked up their weapons again. And aimed them at us.
Siblings Nick, Cass, and Kevin have lived their whole lives out in the wilderness, at a Freepost. They’ve heard the stories of the Bot’s uprising, but they were all too young when it happened to remember the terror, the destruction, the killing. So when their home is attacked, and everyone else in the community either captured or killed, the three siblings decide to make their way to the robot-controlled city. If their parents and friends are alive, they’ll be prisoners there, and the kids decide they’re willing to risk everything to try to save them.
BFF Charm: Sure, Yeah
I really liked both Nick and Cass, and it was interesting to see them try to adapt, once they reach the city and all is not what they expected. Kevin was a little annoying, but even he was okay for a 12-year old. However, this wasn’t the sort of book that had a lot of character development. Nick was brave. Cass was impetuous. Kevin tried.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
There’s some nice likey-likey tension for both Nick and Cass, (not together, obvs. Gross!) but not a lot of time for anything very swoony to develop.
Talky Talk: Drum Solo
The concept of this book had me really excited, but the execution felt rushed, and the dialogue seemed stilted. Everything happened at a super-fast rat-a-tat pace that didn’t allow for a lot of character development, which would have helped me care about what was going on. I do believe this might not be such a stumbling block for young readers, and would recommend this book for 9-12 year olds.
Bonus Factor: Robots
I’m the first to admit to being a bit of a technophobe. The worst thing about technology is that it’s supposed to make things faster, easier, but when it doesn’t work, and you spend two hours trying to load a page or download a book you’re supposed to review… let’s just say it makes Jennys very cranky. Of course, the second-worst thing about technology is robots. Who kill you.
Bonus Factor: Reeducation
To be captured by the enemy and tortured or brainwashed is as scary as killer robots!
Relationship Status: I babysit this book from time to time
This book’s parents are really cool, but the book itself is just way too young for us to be friends. Still, it’s got potential, so I don’t mind hanging out with it occasionally so its parents can have a date night.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my review copy from Harper Teen. I received neither money nor cocktails for writing this review (dammit!). Revolution 19 is available now.
