Tag: dystopian fiction

Flawed – Cecilia Ahern

This was a YA with an interesting premise. In a world where thanks to social media, perfection is an ever popular goal, it’s feasible that anything less is indeed flawed. The book takes this notion one-step into the future and a stride further with leaders outcasting anyone who is flawed. The flawed are tried, convicted, branded and ostracised.

When perfect seventeen year old, Celestine makes a judgement call, it costs her everything and as she navigates through her new life, she uncovers lies and secrets about their ‘perfect’ society.

I really enjoyed this story and found whilst it was light on action, it echoed some elements of The Handmaid’s Tale or Vox. It was thoroughly engaging and I’ll definitely buy the sequel.

Genre: YA
Rating: 4/5⭐️

The Power – Naomi Alderman

The Power explores a world where the common patriarchy is overthrown within a decade when women evolve and develop an electrifying superpower. Thus we have a matriarchal culture.

Initially, ‘the power’ brings protection to women in volatile situations but as more and more women develop it, the collective women seek dominance and control.

The concept is intriguing and raises many questions about society, dominance and power and Alderman proves a clever, well-researched and knowledgeable author.

I didn’t necessarily ‘enjoy’ the book. Parts were uncomfortable to read and whilst the early and late chapters are fairly gripping, the middle was a bit of a slog with lots of ‘telling’ rather than ‘showing’ I also thought the ending was a little rushed. The emails back and forth at the start and end of the book added an interesting dimension but because the MS was presented almost as historical ‘fact’ it did sometimes read a little like an essay.

All in all this book is well written and interesting and it’s the sort of book that will be an instant classic. It would be great to study or discuss in a book club setting but for me it wasn’t a story to talk about rather than to get lost in.

Genre: science fiction / dystopian fiction

Rating: 3.5

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