Prized by Caragh M. O’Brien
The set-up: Gaia has run away from the Enclave (the story of Book 1 in the series, Birthmarked – for that review, click here) and now finds herself in another community, Sylum, which is just as twisted as the place she escaped. Twisted in different ways, of course, and plagued by mysterious reproductive problems. (Translation … Read more
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The set-up: Aria comes from an enclosed city, protected from the Aether and harsh environments (and people) on the outside. Perry’s had to fight for survival his whole life. Main characters’ goals: Aria’s goal is to find her mother (even if it means lying to her ally); Perry’s goal is to find his nephew. Their … Read more
NiFtY Author Caragh O’Brien
A few weeks ago, I read this excellent book. The first couple of chapters, though, were pure torture, and not for the reasons you might think. The eerie coincidences between the first chapter of this book, Birthmarked, and the first chapter of my own manuscript were so similar it was sickening. (To read my review, … Read more
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien
The set-up: Many years in the future, sixteen-year-old Gaia is a midwife to mothers in the sectors outside the Enclave, which is a city of privileged people. The first three babies delivered each month must be given to the Enclave, families of which adopt the babies. Main character’s goals: Gaia’s parents are arrested by authorities … Read more
Feed by M. T. Anderson
That’s the problem with literary fiction. It makes you feel. And that’s what Feed did to me, and I actually sort of hate it for that. I don’t like sad stuff. I don’t like it when the dog dies, and I don’t like waves of hopelessness crashing into the beaches of my brain. So, thanks … Read more
