Julia Karr
Publisher: Puffin/Speak
Released: January 6, 2011
Rating: 3.5/5
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.
I thought XVI was very interesting. I wasn't so sure about this one when I started it, but I actually enjoyed it a lot. It isnt' my favorite dystopian novel, but I liked it. It's one of those books that make me think.
I enjoyed Nina's character. She was very defferent from all the other sex-teen girls in the story. With everything that was going on, I thought she was very brave. She felt like she needed to protect evveryone in her life, such as her sister and her friend Sandy.
This book had an almost depressing tone to it. Not that that's a bad thing. It fit the story.
I did get a little confused with some details in the story. I just had a little trouble imagining what all the technology looked like.
XVI is one of those novels that stay with you. I found myself thinking about it even after I finished. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I look forward to seeing more of Julia Karr's work.
Rating:
Great review! I've heard mixed things about this book, but I think I'll check it out. :)
ReplyDeleteReading this now.....it's my kind of book so I hope I love it.
ReplyDeleteJen
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ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading this book, too, for the DAC. My kindle says I'm 89% through. I heard this ends on a cliffhanger though. How disappointing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on all the technology stuff. It would have been a lot better if the author had found a way to portray these devices in a better to the reader. For example, I never did figure out what PAV stood for. It was halfway through the book before I caught on that "Transport" and "Trannie" were one in the same.