Book 25 - Across The Universe

Completed April 12th

I've been loving me some dystopian futures lately. Here is yet another novel set in a future filled with cover-ups and half-truths.

There is a spaceship leaving Earth for another planet (Centauri-Earth) 300 years away. Scientists, military personnel, and other specialists are cryogenically frozen and are set to be awoken once the ship (Godspeed) arrives on the new planet. As the journey progresses, a crew of farmers, biologists, etc run things aboard Godspeed and attempt to prepare for conditions they might encounter on Centauri-Earth.

Amy is one of the frozen people. She is woken by someone unknown 50 years before the set arrival date on Centauri-Earth. She is different and is viewed by the leader (Eldest) as a threat to his perfect society. This book takes us through Amy's adjustment to life aboard a shuttle where the language has altered and genetics have merged to the point where there is one race, leaving Amy to be considered a freak with her red hair, green eyes, and pale skin. The only people who seem to accept her are Elder (who is in line to be the next Eldest) and Harley (a patient in the mental Ward). There is also the mystery of her awakening. Who did it? And who is attempting to wake the other frozen ones? What is the connection between them all?

I've never read anything quite like this. Mystery, sci-fi, and romance genres are combined to form this tale. The writing is excellent. Revis flawlessly creates an entirely new society within the walls of a ship. The book unfolds through alternating chapters from Amy and Elder's points of view. The differences between people on present-day Earth and people aboard the shuttle are described beautifully...and the differences themselves are keys to even more mystery.

Also, I don't typically care much about cover art, but holy crap! The picture does it no justice at all.

Rating 8/10

Book 22-24: The Hunger Games trilogy

Completed April 11th

I'm going to attempt a major-spoiler-free summary/review of this beast, which means I can only really discuss the 1st book. Let me say up front that I freaking loved this series. It's brilliantly written and tugged at every emotion I have inside me.

These books are set in a dystopian future, where The United States has collapsed and a new country called Panem takes its place. Within Panem are 12 Districts and 1 Capitol spread across the land. People in the Capitol are spoiled by luxury and never want for anything. They are frivolous with their fashion, food, and bodies. Life in most of the Districts is very different. Each District specializes in a certain industry like mining, textiles, technology, or agriculture. Government control is total. People are starving. The Districts are surrounded with electrical fencing and there is no communication between them. Anyone who defies the government is killed and breaking even minor laws can result in whipping or other torture.

Every year something called the Hunger Games takes place to remind the Districts of a past revolt against the government. A male and female between ages 12-18 are selected from each District to participate. The participants, called tributes, are trained for a week before being sent to a massive wilderness to kill each other. Only one tribute can survive. The winner's District is given more food for one year and the winner him or herself is made wealthy for the duration of his or her life. The Games are televised and everyone is required to watch.

Enter Katniss. The Hunger Games is told from Katniss' point of view as she is thrown into a world of horror and nightmares.

Like I already mentioned, I loved this trilogy. Katniss' struggles were realistic and painful. There were occasions when I wanted to bop her upside the head, but I guess maybe I'm a bit more trusting. And when you think about where she came from - having to fight for every mouthful of food, watching people she cares for dying, being used as a pawn for a bigger plan - it's no wonder. Catching Fire was my favorite of the three, though they're all wonderful. I've heard that Mockingjay didn't live up to the expectations of a lot of people, but I thought the ending was perfect for this series.

Ratings:
The Hunger Games 9/10

Catching Fire 10/10

Mockingjay 9/10

Book 21 - Water For Elephants

Completed April 4th

This is one of the best books I've read all year. Top 3 easy. As soon as I finished the last paragraph I wanted to start it over again. A couple people had recommended it, but my expectations weren't high, to be honest. It didn't work out so well for the last suggestions. But I just dove in blindly, without even reading the back cover.

This novel is set in Depression-era America...mostly. The story is told by Jacob who is 90 (or 93) as he remembers his early 20s, spent working in the circus. [Now, I'm not a fan of circuses. At all. They freak me out. BUT I was fine reading this book.] Jacob was the veterinarian for the Benzini Brothers Greatest Show on Earth in the summer of one of the greatest circus disasters of all time. Some parts are disturbing. There are graphic descriptions of violence as well as animal abuse and death, but it's necessary. The reader needs to understand the conditions of day-to-day life among humans and animals in order for the story to grab him and shake him up inside.

I'm still processing this one. I may re-read it later on this year and do a proper review, but I want to make sure I finish the 50 books first.

Favorite passages:

• Age is a terrible thief. Just when you're getting the hang of life, it knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back. It makes you ache and muddies your head and silently spreads cancer throughout your spouse.
• Keeping up the appearance of having all your marbles is hard work but important. Anyway, I'm not really addled. I just have more facts to keep track of than other people.
• When you are five, you know your age down to the month. Even in your twenties, you know how old you are. I'm twenty-three you say, or maybe twenty-seven. But then in your thirties, something strange starts to happen. It is a mere hiccup at first, an instant of hesitation. How old are you? Oh, I'm--you start confidently, but then you stop. You were going to say thirty-three, but you are not. You're thirty-five. And then you're bothered, because you wonder if this is the beginning of the end. It is, of course, but it's decades before you admit it.
• The whole thing's illusion, Jacob, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's what people want from us. It's what they expect.
• With a secret like that, at some point the secret itself becomes irrelevant. The fact that you keep it does not.

Rating: 10/10