Early Critique: "The Custodian of Marvels (Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire #3)" by Rod Duncan

Disclaimer: I was given a free advance ecopy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinion remains as forthright as ever.

To Be Released: February 2nd

If you haven't read the first book in The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series, there may be spoilers in this review for you. My review of The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter is here.

You know the weird sense of satisfaction that comes with putting the final piece in a puzzle? Or when you finally polish off a crossword, without once resorting to frantic Googling? That's the only way to describe the feeling I had when I finished this book- way too early, as it happens, but I was unable to put it down. Everything came into focus- not the way I had predicted, but in a flawless manner nonetheless.

I'm one of those people who only grudgingly give a book five stars. It's difficult for me to rate something so highly, likely due to my perfectionistic tendencies. But when I was finished with this book, I knew there was simply no other rating for it- The Custodian of Marvels was simply the perfect book for me. Between a heroine I've admired from the first book and daring exploits that may involve some former characters I thought had been left behind, this book had my recipe for bookish success.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'You’d have to be mad to steal from the feared International Patent Office. But that’s what Elizabeth Barnabus is about to try. A one-time enemy from the circus has persuaded her to attempt a heist that will be the ultimate conjuring trick.
'Hidden in the vaults of the Patent Court in London lie secrets that could shake the very pillars of the Gas-Lit Empire. All that stands in Elizabeth’s way are the agents of the Patent Office, a Duke’s private army and the mysterious Custodian of Marvels.
'Rod Duncan returns with the climactic volume of the Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire, the breathtaking alternate history series that began with the Philip K Dick Award-nominated The Bullet-Catcher’s Daughter.'

Elizabeth Barnabus has managed to evade or escape any sticky situations she's fallen into before- but this will prove to be her most audacious yet. She may be eminently resourceful, but she will need help to pull off the scheme. Tinker, her young friend, comes to her aid again in this story, helping to set her on the right path. I never truly thought having a younger boy as a sidekick would work out as well as it did, but he fits perfectly into the storyline.

I had thought on the role of the International Patent Office, but dismissed them as a quirk of nature in the first book of this series. As a fan of excessive worldbuilding, I assumed they had to do with the plot, but not in a paramount manner. Suffice it to say, the organization has a lot to do with the storyline in this book, bringing about the return of yet another key character.

The Custodian of Marvels surpassed my expectations, and not in a minor way. Whereas I had anticipated an exceptional book, I instead was gifted a rather extraordinary one, filled with action, suspense, and returning characters that left me cheering. If you find yourself in dire need of a steampunk or alternate history series, I sincerely endorse the Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series for your next reads!

Rating: 5 of 5 Stars for an absolutely marvelous steampunk heist!

Content: Ages 16+ for violence, theft, and banned books.

Page Count: 368 pages

"Adulthood Rites (Xenogenesis #2)" by Octavia E. Butler

This review is of a book that is the 2nd in the Xenogenesis Trilogy. There may be *are* spoilers for those of you who haven't read Dawn. My review for the first book in the series, Dawn, is here.

I bemoaned that the first book in this trilogy was very clearly a series starter- but now that I've read this book, it feels more like a prequel. While I never felt I could fully connect with Lilith due to her strange (but explainable) behavior, this book offers a new perspective on the aliens vs. humanity argument via her son Akin (A-keen), a human alien hybrid (called a construct in this book).

Akin brings us a somewhat neutral perspective. While he is logical enough to understand the aliens' refusal to grant humans their fertility back, he also gets to see what it is like to be a human on Earth, which isn't all that peachy. Personally, I find Ms. Butler's interpretation of humanity's reaction on the milder end of things- but then again, the aliens/Oooloi had messed with their bodies, so who knows what else may have been tweaked?

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'In this sequel to Dawn, Lilith Iyapo has given birth to what looks like a normal human boy named Akin. But Akin actually has five parents: a male and female human, a male and female Oankali, and a sexless Ooloi. The Oankali and Ooloi are part of an alien race that rescued humanity from a devastating nuclear war, but the price they exact is a high one the aliens are compelled to genetically merge their species with other races, drastically altering both in the process.
'On a rehabilitated Earth, this "new" race is emerging through human/Oankali/Ooloi mating, but there are also "pure" humans who choose to resist the aliens and the salvation they offer.These resisters are sterilized by the Ooloi so that they cannot reproduce the genetic defect that drives humanity to destroy itself, but otherwise they are left alone (unless they become violent).
'When the resisters kidnap young Akin, the Oankali choose to leave the child with his captors, for he the most "human" of the Oankali children will decide whether the resisters should be given back their fertility and freedom, even though they will only destroy themselves again.'

As you may have guessed, due to his being a construct, Akin is a bit different from your average toddler. He is basically an adult in a toddler's body, but he has the physical limits of a toddler, making it hard to escape when he's kidnapped. He is also conscious enough to the ways of the human to know they'll be freaked out by a baby who's talking in full sentences to speak as little as possible when he's with the resisters.

I could write about the themes in this book all day long: it's really a great thinking book. Racial prejudice, consent (of the sexual variation), and pretty much everything to do with what it means to be human is covered. What makes it hard to fully hash out those themes is I am a loather of review spoilers (because I choose to spoil myself on books all the time) and so I'm left shrugging my shoulders on what to share. Needless to say, the logical construct Akin finds racism most puzzling.

Adulthood Rites is a clear improvement on Dawn, which felt largely unresolved and more like a prequel than an actual book. Although I was exceedingly impressed with the themes in the first book, Adulthood Rites took those themes and ran with them. If you like science fiction that makes you think on things while reading, without being overbearing in page count, I recommend Adulthood Rites for your next read- as long as you've read Dawn first.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent sci-fi sequel that outshone the previous book!

Content: Ages 18+ since you have to read Dawn first, which is more intense with its violence and sexual content.

Page Count: 277 pages

"Dawn (Xenogenesis #1)" by Octavia E. Butler

This is the first book I read in 2015, both because of #VintageSciFi (which entails reading a science fiction that is older than you during January) and because I've never read a book by Octavia Butler, and that was one of my goals for 2015.

My first impression of this book was that it would make a fairly simple read. I liked that it was easy to dive into: you only have a few characters to start with, and only one of those is human and therefore the one you're 'rooting for'. Lilith was a bit difficult to get to know, but I think it had something to do with the setting. You don't learn much about Lilith's former life other than her family, and because she is on board an alien vessel, she's more than a little withdrawn. As the book progresses, more of her personality emerges, but she also has some changes to her personality.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'Lilith lyapo awoke from a centuries-long sleep to find herself aboard the vast spaceship of the Oankali. Creatures covered in writhing tentacles, the Oankali had saved every surviving human from a dying, ruined Earth. They healed the planet, cured cancer, increased strength, and were now ready to help Lilith lead her people back to Earth--but for a price.'

Although Dawn is science fiction, it's clearly more about civilization as we know it. Themes like what it means to be human, basic human rights, and fighting for control over your own destiny surface throughout. In a way, the author's prose reminds me of Margaret Atwood's- sparse and simple, but it can cut into you in an instant.

The aliens of this book, the Oankali, have chosen Lilith to be a metaphorical 'mother' for a new era of humanity. She is to guide and teach other humans how to survive on what's left of Earth. The only problem? The Oankali have plans that Lilith vehemently disagrees with. She has little choice in this book, but what she does choose makes me alternate between cringing and cheering. Lilith is a pretty complicated heroine.

A favorite snippet:

She did not own herself any longer. Even her flesh could be cut and stitched without her consent or knowledge.

           ~Dawn by Octavia E. Butler, page 6 Kindle edition

Dawn is unabashedly the first book in a series. You aren't left with a cliffhanger, but if I didn't have the next books in the series, I'd be fuming now. Nonetheless, what I read intrigued me greatly and I'll be continuing to follow the series, perhaps even within the next few weeks. If you have all the books in this series and enjoy science fiction with a slice of new world order-ish themes, Dawn may be the book for you.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great, vintage sci-fi series starter!

Content: Ages 18+ for sexual misconduct, violence, and derogatory words.

Page Count: 248 pages

Early Critique: "The Heart Goes Last (Positron #0)" by Margaret Atwood

I was given a free advance e-copy of this book from Doubleday Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinion remains as forthright as ever.

I believe this is a pre-publication review for the US version (which is expected to be released September 29th), but other countries may have it already available.

One thing Margaret Atwood consistently does to the best of her abilities is give the reader the experience of being a voyeur, even if they don't want to see it all. In The Heart Goes Last's case, there are certainly many of those latter mentioned moments to be had- as the book is a dystopian exploring themes of desperation and desire. I wouldn't recommend reading this unless you are comfortable with sexual themes, because although the book isn't raunchy in my view, some other reviewers were put far from their comfort zones.

As much as I was led to believe this would be some sort of odd sex-fest of a book from other reviews, it really wasn't. Sure, you have characters with exploratory sex lives, but it's set in a dystopian compound where there is a 1950's era revival going on. It's almost a satire, but also an examination of the American obsession with sex- or at least that was my take on it. To live in a world as manicured and merciless as the Positron Project, you have to have guts.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'Living in their car, surviving on tips, Charmaine and Stan are in a desperate state. So, when they see an advertisement for Consilience, a ‘social experiment’ offering stable jobs and a home of their own, they sign up immediately. All they have to do in return for suburban paradise is give up their freedom every second month – swapping their home for a prison cell. At first, all is well. But then, unknown to each other, Stan and Charmaine develop passionate obsessions with their ‘Alternates,’ the couple that occupy their house when they are in prison. Soon the pressures of conformity, mistrust, guilt and sexual desire begin to take over.'

I still feel bad for Charmaine. Some characters are so misguided, you can't help but pity them, and in her case, that's a very apt description. When something sounds too good to be true, it often is, but if you happen to be desperate enough and in dire enough straits, you buy in, regardless of the eventual cost. Her husband Stan is another story- he was very hard to relate to for me.

Some parts of the story are a little too shocking for my taste, but Margaret Atwood always seems to push my buttons. I obviously won't be disclosing those shockers, because they would ruin the book, but it's safe to say if I'm surprised about something, I won't be the only one.

The Heart Goes Last is a dystopian of a kind I haven't seen before. Depending on the person, it can be a fearless narrative or just plain exacerbating to read, and I found myself leaning more toward the fearless narrative camp. I don't kid when I say this book won't be for everyone, so I only recommend it to those who love Margaret Atwood, or aren't afraid to read books that push the limits.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great fearless narrative that kept me on the edge.

Content: Ages 18+ the obvious sexual themes and the odd f-bomb, along with some more disturbing moments.

Page Count: 320 pages

"Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Caution: This review reads a little like a sex ed. manual- due to the large amount of genetic engineering going on in the book. If you have especially delicate sensibilities, scroll on.

If you've ever thought much about the various (and sometimes near miraculous) ways people can use to get pregnant in this modern world, it becomes amazing to know that when Brave New World was written, IVF and other modern means of conception weren't even invented. In fact, Robert Edwards, the man who developed In Vitro Fertilisation, was only seven years old when this book was published. I open with these factoids because most of the people of Brave New World were born without use of a female body- essentially, literal test tube babies developed only with use of sperm and eggs, but never ever know the people who those sperm and ovum came from. The word 'mother' in this book is used as a derogatory curse.

So imagine yourself starting out as a baby with no parents- trained in a government facilities to the dictates of your class (Alpha = Smarter, better educated to continue to rule the world, Epsilon = Stunted growth in the plastic womb, trained to be maintenence workers). You are taught to only socialize with your peers, and dislike any other class but your own, except to respect your betters- but how to cram that much social engineering in without the prospect of rebellion? You have machines dictating to you in your sleep. That is the basis of society in Brave New World.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'Far in the future, the World Controllers have created the ideal society. Through clever use of genetic engineering, brainwashing and recreational sex and drugs, all its members are happy consumers. Bernard Marx seems alone harbouring an ill-defined longing to break free. A visit to one of the few remaining Savage Reservations, where the old, imperfect life still continues, may be the cure for his distress...'

As you may be able to tell, I loved the ideas in this book. Some of them even have modern day correlations- the Epsilons were basically under-nurtured from the start, which reminded me of a recent report on the severe lead poisoning that is still impacting the people who lived in Freddie Gray's neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland. Luckily, there weren't many more dystopian parallels I found between our world and the one of Brave New World, but this book certainly makes you think about the ones you come across.

The great weaknesses of this book revolve around the fact that it's mostly an idea book. Although some characters are likable, some have a tendency to change their mind on things they'd previously held dear. Other characters are difficult to get to know due to the fact this is, in part at least, a satire. The female characters really aren't anything to celebrate, as they're all very similar- focused on work and changing up the men they're with because being monogamous is bad for you (there's the satire). There isn't much depth to the plot, but you usually don't notice it because your mind is busy taking in the upside down morals and before-its-time ideas.

One of many favorite quotations:

'"But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin."'

    ~Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 92% Kindle edition

Brave New World is filled with wondrous medical technology ideas. It also uses those ideas to fuel the plot of the book, rather than having much of a cohesive story progression. But, if you look beyond the lack of 'normal' storytelling and character development, it truly has a style all its own, that makes you read on, even when you aren't drooling over the characters. I recommend Brave New World to those who love science fiction, with an emphasis on the science.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent idea book that's a little short on the usual trappings of fiction.

Content: Ages 16+ for violence, as well as drug (Soma) and sexual references (Zip-Zip, Orgyporgy, you name it). Also, racial slurs.

Page Count: 268 pages

"Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven was one of the huge buzz books of 2014, and since it was a dystopian I picked it up, once it was adequately cheap, of course. My initial impressions were that the book might land among one of my favorites because the beginning was so promising. I tend to love books that enthrall you and keep you entertained, and although there were a few slow spots near the end, Station Eleven fits the bill for that type of book.

The book's title comes from a small-batch graphic novel one of the heroines created in the world before the Georgia Flu. In a way, the book mimics the themes of that graphic novel, even though the graphic novel is set on a space station known as Station Eleven. The reader is occasionally given glimpses of the text and scenes of the graphic novel, but the majority of it remains a mystery.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization's collapse, Station Eleven tells the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity.
'One snowy night Arthur Leander, a famous actor, has a heart attack onstage during a production of King Lear. Jeevan Chaudhary, a paparazzo-turned-EMT, is in the audience and leaps to his aid. A child actress named Kirsten Raymonde watches in horror as Jeevan performs CPR, pumping Arthur's chest as the curtain drops, but Arthur is dead. That same night, as Jeevan walks home from the theater, a terrible flu begins to spread. Hospitals are flooded and Jeevan and his brother barricade themselves inside an apartment, watching out the window as cars clog the highways, gunshots ring out, and life disintegrates around them.
'Fifteen years later, Kirsten is an actress with the Traveling Symphony. Together, this small troupe moves between the settlements of an altered world, performing Shakespeare and music for scattered communities of survivors. Written on their caravan, and tattooed on Kirsten's arm is a line from Star Trek: "Because survival is insufficient." But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who digs graves for anyone who dares to leave.
'Spanning decades, moving back and forth in time, and vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, this suspenseful, elegiac novel is rife with beauty. As Arthur falls in and out of love, as Jeevan watches the newscasters say their final good-byes, and as Kirsten finds herself caught in the crosshairs of the prophet, we see the strange twists of fate that connect them all. A novel of art, memory, and ambition, Station Eleven tells a story about the relationships that sustain us, the ephemeral nature of fame, and the beauty of the world as we know it.'

The strengths of this book are its writing and characterization: we get to see Kirsten grow up, Arthur live and die, and Jeevan try to keep it together. Unfortunately, most of the plot relies on connecting the characters and telling their stories, not necessarily including a dynamic plot you'd expect of a dystopian in the age of The Hunger Games and Divergent. It also reminded me in particular of a story I've read before (as a teen): How I Live Now, which is exactly as its title tells you it will be. So if you're expecting something completely different from the mainstream (which I was hoping for) Station Eleven isn't exactly it.

The book is, however, incredibly melodramatic with its narration. I'm the type of reader who loves that sort of thing (i.e. all of the people in this scene died within two weeks, etc.), but it might bug you if you don't like a little drama. If you plan on reading this, you also might benefit from loving Shakespeare or Star Trek, as there are references scattered throughout. I probably didn't catch all of them, but the main theme of the Traveling Symphony is based around the Star Trek: Voyager quote: "Survival is insufficient".

Station Eleven is a book I'd like to see the graphic novel version of... and I don't even really read graphic novels. I think I would've liked this book better had I not been expecting a flashy ending, but when you're brought into the book with such a solid, dramatic beginning, you expect the book not to end with a whisper. If you like character-driven storylines in a world where the ones who can remember the time before reminisce about emails, this might be the book for you.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a beautifully written book that's a little short on plot.

Content: Ages 16+ for occasional violence, camping beneath the stars, and sexual references.

Page Count: 352 pages

Early Critique: "Unseemly Science (The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire #2)" by Rod Duncan

Disclaimer: I was given a free advanced e-copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinion remains as forthright as ever.

To Be Released: May 5th

If you haven't read the first book in The Fall of the Gas-Lit Empire series, there are spoilers in this review for you (even just from the Plot summary). My review of The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter is here.

Unseemly Science doesn't begin with the bullet-like plot trajectory seen in The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter. There's more complexity to the story because of some of the events of the first book. Although it wasn't a slow beginning, it lacked the instantaneous hook the previous book had, and adds more grim moments when you wonder how much of the first book's joie de vivre was due in part to Elizabeth's outlook.

The cover of this book should tell you a lot about it- I haven't encountered a more fitting cover for the second installment of a series. After reading this book for an hour or so, it gives you that slightly sinister feeling of hairs being raised on the back of your neck. Who's out to get Elizabeth this time? Or should the question be, who's not out to get Elizabeth this time?

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'In the divided land of England, Elizabeth Barnabus has been living a double life - as both herself and as her brother, the private detective. Witnessing the hanging of Alice Carter, the false duchess, Elizabeth resolves to throw the Bullet Catcher’s Handbook into the fire, and forget her past. If only it were that easy!
'There is a new charitable organisation in town, run by some highly respectable women. But something doesn’t feel right to Elizabeth. Perhaps it is time for her fictional brother to come out of retirement for one last case…? Her unstoppable curiosity leads her to a dark world of body-snatching, unseemly experimentation, politics and scandal. Never was it harder for a woman in a man’s world…'

The political angles of this series continue to evolve. In the previous book, Elizabeth escapes what would amount to slavery by fleeing to the oh-so-sexist Anglo-Scottish Republic again. Because the influential person who was looking for her in the Kingdom has learned of her continued existence, tensions against immigrants in the Republic have risen. As a result, Elizabeth has to rely on more than her own finely honed instincts to survive in this book.

I had worried going in that this book might be too romantic compared with its only slightly romantic predecessor- and my fears were allayed when Elizabeth Barnabus continued to be her very independent self. Not that I don't like romance in a story, but certain stories have heroines who it would take a good deal of time to warm to the idea of 'loving' someone, and Elizabeth Barnabus is one of them. Although there are moments where you wonder if she screwed her head on right that morning, the only romance this book has to offer is epic slow-build, which I love.

One of my favorite parts of the book was one of the plot twists, which, as a science-fiction-minded junior high school student (and a fan of all things macabre) I had done a lot of research on. This element, which will not be named (because I hate spoilers and it happens late in the book) was well-executed and the perfect fit for a book that has a certain chill going on. It made me mentally tip my fedora to Mr. Duncan and declare, "Well played, sir".

I didn't predict the twists that Unseemly Science threw at me. Not only is this book much darker than its predecessor, it also keeps you in more suspense, which is a feat considering I compared The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter to a spy novel. All in all, this book met my expectations and left me wondering how long I have to wait before I get my hands on the next installment of the series. I recommend this to everyone who loves independent heroines and alternate history plots with some science fiction elements blended in.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for a sequel that takes a macabre turn!

Content: Ages 18+ for horror-esque themes (which I can't explain without spoiling), violence, and hair-raising moments.

Page Count: 368 pages 

"Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)" by Suzanne Collins

If you haven't read or seen The Hunger Games book or movie, there might be spoilers in this review for you. My review of The Hunger Games is here.

Personally, I don't think Catching Fire and Mockingjay add much to the excellence of the original book. If you really, really loved The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen, and her lovesick puppy Peeta, then you'll definitely want to read this book. This is a pretty great book, but compared with its predecessor, it lacks a certain something.

I think the biggest drawback for me of this book was the focus on what I'd call 'politics' and romance. Katniss must convince Panem that she's madly in love with Peeta, all while enduring flashbacks and what we'd label Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But then there's a twist that changes the course of the book, and we, the readers, are then sent off in another direction altogether.

The Plot:
Katniss and Peeta give their 'victory' tour, all while Katniss valiantly tries to convince the world she's in love with Peeta. But with an apparent rebellion beginning to heat up, will they be able to stifle it?

Because the synopsis doesn't mention it, I won't be discussing the major plot twist this book packs. What I will be discussing is although this book has a lot of plot points in it, it didn't strike a chord with me the way the first book did. Maybe because I never quite connected with the central characters, and without the one person I loved in the first book, Rue, I didn't feel all that sad when something bad happened to another character I didn't care about. The enigma that is Katniss Everdeen continues, and although I am *always* her when I take the book character quizzes, I still have no idea why. Perhaps because I don't feel anything for this book's characters?

Not that it matters that much now that the third book (and one of the third book's movies) is out, but the ending for this book is a cliffhanger. And I am of the opinion that this cliffhanger is not acceptable. It stops, I kid you not, in the middle of a conversation. Galling is the word I'd use to describe that lovely ending, and galling is not a lovely word.

Catching Fire is great, but has nothing on The Hunger Games. It's hard for a sequel to live up to its potential, and with this book, it had enormous shoes to fill and great expectations from me. I will admit, I'm a little hard to please with just about any book I read, and second books rarely seem to please me more than the first, but still. I recommend this one to those who love a good dystopian rebellion build-up, as long as you have Mockingjay on hand to finish the journey.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a sequel with a wince-worthy ending.

Content: Ages 14+ for the same reasons as its predecessor.

Page Count: 472 pages in my paperback edition.

"Anthem" by Ayn Rand

Going in to read this novel I was more than a bit worried. Ayn Rand is someone I've only known from inane political tv correspondents constantly fighting over her 'message'. I hate politics, so I had a right to be concerned. Also, there are more than a few highly liked one star reviews on Goodreads for this book, leading me to believe I might be wasting my time by reading this little 100-page novella.

I was fully prepared for my brains to turn to mush while I was bored into some sort of comatose state of uncaring. I was surprised, then, when I was able to finish this while I had a headache in less time then it took me to watch a movie. Although many one-star reviews would convince you otherwise, the basic story of this novella isn't boring. The world it's set in is interesting. And for a book published in 1938, it's fairly progressive.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'In Anthem, Rand examines a frightening future in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. Equality 7-2521 lives in the dark ages of the future where all decisions are made by committee, all people live in collectives, and all traces of individualism have been wiped out. Despite such a restrictive environment, the spark of individual thought and freedom still burns in him--a passion which he has been taught to call sinful. In a purely egalitarian world, Equality 7-2521 dares to stand apart from the herd--to think and choose for himself, to discover electricity, and to love the woman of his choice. Now he has been marked for death for committing the ultimate sin. In a world where the great "we" reign supreme, he has rediscovered the lost and holy word--"I."'

At first, having not read the blurb, I thought I was reading some sort of weird book about conjoined twins. 'We' is used in the place of 'I' in this book, leading to some initial confusion of the reader who chooses to dive right in without fully reading the blurb first.

This novella has purposeful similarities to many Biblical stories, and also has an overbearingly preachy feeling to the last few pages. Despite the preachiness, the story itself is somewhat mythical (and even has references to Greek mythology) which I enjoyed. The world it is set in harkens back to the Dark Ages, even without Feudalism and a central figure who has most of the power (although there is a group of people who have the most power). The class system of Anthem didn't make much sense to me, but I doubt it was supposed to- each group has its purpose, and people are put in each group for no particular reason (other than obedience to the group cause, maybe).

Although it has aged fairly well, Anthem does have some issues with outdated thinking. For one, Golden One (a female character Equality 7-2521 fancies) is about the meekest most sheep-like heroine I have ever met. At one point, she says something that would later become a sugary-sweet sixties song and I gave my poor, aching head a slap for posterity. Ayn Rand is a woman, so I don't know why her heroine's portrayal is so terrible, but it is, and it was probably the biggest con of the book for me.

Anthem is a classic dystopian that survives most tests of the times but fails miserably at others. Despite its cons, the tale this novella tells is undoubtedly a classic, packing a large punch for such a little book. If you'd rather read a classic dystopia than watch The Hunger Games movie for the umpteenth time, consider this novella in its place.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an excellent dystopian with a heavy handed ending.

Content: Ages 14+ for sexual references, vile dystopia, and violence.

Page Count: 105 pages

"Moxyland" by Lauren Beukes

In a land of ubiquitous jargon...

I picked up this ebook from my invisible-pile because I've been seriously slacking in my Sci-fi reviews. Also, the cover was cute and I thought it was pretty non-threatening to pick up.

By my ubiquitous jargon comment, I mean the words and slang can be fairly hard to decipher at first. Most of the complex ones are explained, but there are several words of which I still have no freaking idea what was meant by them, or what combo of words they were meant to be. Even though its frustrating to trudge through at first, a lot of the slang grows on you and becomes one of the signature and (dare I say it?) fun parts of the book to read.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
'A frighteningly persuasive, high-tech fable, this novel follows the lives of four narrators living in an alternative futuristic Cape Town, South Africa. Kendra, an art-school dropout, brands herself for a nanotech marketing program; Lerato, an ambitious AIDS baby, plots to defect from her corporate employers; Tendeka, a hot-headed activist, is becoming increasingly rabid; and Toby, a roguish blogger, discovers that the video games he plays for cash are much more than they seem. On a collision course that will rewire their lives, this story crackles with bold and infectious ideas, connecting a ruthless corporate-apartheid government with video games, biotech attack dogs, slippery online identities, a township soccer school, shocking cell phones, addictive branding, and genetically modified art. Taking hedonistic trends in society to their ultimate conclusions, this tale paints anything but a forecasted utopia, satirically undermining the reified idea of progress as society's white knight.'

The characters in this book were interesting, but slightly stereotypical. Most reminded me of exaggerated caricatures of people I knew: although the characters were realistic, they weren't fully fleshed out. My favorite by far was the artist-type and "sponsor baby" Kendra, who made several interesting observations about photography and life in general. However, she was a little bit of a drifter- not that she moved a lot or anything like that, but she's one of those people who sort of just drift through life making questionable choices and reaping those oh-so-lovely rewards.

The best (and most surprising) part of this book was the gaming aspects. As a gamer, I've taken offence to certain renditions of the future because the gaming tech they described is already in effect and is virtually no different from now. This book, while originally published in 2008, presented a more plausible gaming environment: barcades with 'game wombs', age-specific gaming worlds (Moxyland is for cutthroat kids, people), and real-life situational/immersive 'gaming' in which the game companies come up with real-life operations for gamers to fulfill (with paint guns instead of real guns).

A funny thing about this book is the dystopia parts sneak up on you. Most of the book, you knew Big Brother was watching all the characters but thought 'Hey, that's not too bad- no child murders are going down on the sideline'. Sure, it had hallmarks of dystopia, but it wasn't that bad. Then you read to about 70% and your opinions on the matter drastically change, while in a waiting room where you suddenly slump in your seat and try to hide your ereader screen from innocent bystanders who happened to sit beside you.

The ending, for me, was where it went wrong. Some books it seems like you're happily reading along, waiting to read a nice epilogue or extra chapter, but suddenly you run out of pages, and the last 3% of the book you thought was part of the story is actually acknowledgements and other filler. What made it almost okay with me was a section where she returned to write of the inventions similar to ones in her book that have been made (or suggested) in the years after it was published. Some of it was scary- I don't want 2018 to have police states like this!

Moxyland is a haunting glimpse at a possible dystopic near-future that you almost feel is possible. The key word is almost. I don't think we'll advance this far by 2018, but I will gladly eat my words and wear a BabyStrange (a jacket with screens/cameras embedded in it) while livestreaming an apology tour on my recently appropriated vlog if I am proven wrong. Nonetheless, this read was solid entertainment, even if the characters didn't really make their mark on me (other than dearest Kendra). If you're a fan of dystopia that sneaks up and smacks you in the face, filled with jargon that's a bit difficult to dive into at first, I recommend Moxyland for you.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great dystopia with a jarring ending.

Content: Ages 18+ for a rather scary dystopia (violence, swearing, drug and sexual content).

Page Count: 384 pages in the ebook version.

"How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

For some reason, during my purge of all my YA books, this was one of the few I chose to hold on to. Something about it was different from your mainstream books- the way it was written, the context of the plot, and the plot itself. In some ways, this is much better than The Hunger Games, because it's so much more real- I can see this happening.

This is a book I'm surprised I even picked up- the style it is written in isn't exactly my type. There are loads of run-on sentences, paragraphs that are only one sentence long due to that reason, random mid sentence capitalization of separate thoughts, and the girl who narrates it has problems with her weight- as in, she doesn't eat enough (not quite anorexia, but getting there). Somehow, the style grew on me, and made the book more raw and real-feeling than many other of the books I've read dealing with war.

The Plot (As Seen on Goodreads):
'“Every war has turning points and every person too.”
'Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.
'As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.'

I should also mention this book has incest- but it isn't as terrible as I felt the incest in City of Bones was. Daisy is Edmond's cousin, and they didn't even know each other until she was sent to England. In a way, this book provided the perfect recipe for this type of plot- because the teens were away in the countryside with no adults, it's feasible that might happen.

This is a book about the willpower to survive more than anything- at the end of the book, you get a glimpse of how some of the characters changed from who they were before the occupation. Even though they may have survived, they didn't survive intact. In a way, the lesson you take away from this book is summarized in my favorite quote:

"If you haven't been in a war and are wondering how long it takes to get used to losing everything you think you need or love, I can tell you the answer is No time at all."

            ~How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff, page 111

How I Live Now takes a hard look at the consequences and horrors of war, while somehow entertaining you with the snarky teenaged heroine who grows through her experience. It is heartbreaking, but much more real due to its grimness. If you want to have your heart shredded to mincemeat with no promise of a happily-ever-after and don't mind thinking about how bad things could really be, How I Live Now might be the book for you.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a great, if heartrending book about survival.

Content: Ages 16+ for graphic scenes of war, cousinly incest, tobacco use, and mentions of teen sex.

Page Count: 194 pages in my paperback edition.

"The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)" by Suzanne Collins

By the time I'd read this book, I had watched the movie, read the reviews, and been fed such HYPE that I was certain I'd give it two stars or less just because it bugged me. But I was also curious- who was this Katniss Everdeen? I'd taken many "Which book character are you?" quizzes, and always, always ended up with 'You are Katniss Everdeen'... when I really wanted Arya Stark.

I was also in need of quick reads to get my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2013 back on track, and picking up this trilogy was an easy choice.

The Plot: (From Goodreads)
'Winning will make you famous.
'Losing means certain death.
'The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.
'When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.'

My main issue with this book is the writing style, which no one else seems to object to. It was detached and made me feel 'blah', despite being in first person- or maybe because of it. I don't like many first person books, maybe because spelling out names makes sentences feel meatier and less like my second grade diary (or possibly, the first draft of my book).

Although the plot reminded me of previous books and short stories I've read, it was, in its own way, original- and probably the best part of the book. Even though many people have bemoaned the similarities to Ender's Game (a book with an MC I loathe), it didn't feel too derivative, probably because of the interesting details thrown in. The characters, besides Rue, fell a bit flat of my expectations, but really- if I lived in a dystopia, I'd be a little flat too. And not just in an emotional sense.

The Hunger Games wasn't what I'd thought it would be. Where I was warned on the news of 'extreme violence' that had supposedly induced nightmares in some teens, I found in reality it was tastefully done- I've read much more violent YA books in my time. Although Katniss may be a bit of an ice princess, her actions seem to speak louder than her words. If you're someone who hasn't read The Hunger Games, you may as well give it a try, because you'll never stop being asked "Have you read it, yet?" until you have.

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars for an unexpectedly excellent dystopian.

Content: Ages 14+ for violence and killing (I wouldn't call it murder).

Page Count: 454 pages in my paperback edition

Similar Reading:

First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung
A memoir I dubbed "The Real Hunger Games" because it perfectly describes it. Want to see real life dystopia through the eyes of a child? This is it.
"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson (A Short Story)
This is the story that I was constantly reminded of while reading The Hunger Games, and it's also something I read in school. It's been paired with "The Most Dangerous Game" for my Mini Macabre Review Monday feature, which also bears similarity to The Hunger Games.

O.o.O.C: "Nothing to Envy" by Barbara Demick

Out of Orbit Critiques (O.o.O.C.) are on books not in my usual genres that I review about once a month. This book is nonfiction.

As a child, I was constantly admonished: "Finish your plate Talitha, there are children starving in China." Little did I know at the time, that that particular honor is more suitable for the people of North Korea.

I heard about Nothing to Envy during the Travel the World in Books Readathon's Twitter chat, and was instantly intrigued. North Korea is probably one of the most mysterious places on Earth: what snippets of news that are leaked out often become headlines. What lies behind the fences and facades of the country. which often presents itself with massive choreographed performances?

The Plot:
Journalist Barbara Demick is assigned to cover the Koreas for the Los Angeles Times, a difficult proposition. Where South Korea is relatively easy to report on, North Korea only allows journalists accompanied by watchers to enter the country. It's clear she has little access to real stories of real people inside the country, so she turns instead to those few who have managed to leave. What follows the prologue are incredible feats of survival and life in a truly 'dystopian' society.

One of the most interesting parts of this book to me was the fact that North Korea actually does get news from the outside world- but only the bad news. The title for this book is so apt because of that- North Koreans are told they have "Nothing to envy" of the outside world. Journalism is also the most highly regarded field in North Korea, which is kind of ironic.

Another fascinating thing is that North Koreans regard their original 'Great Leader' as a god. When Kim Il-sung died, it was the equivalent of 9/11 in the American mind- everyone remembered where they were when they heard the news. Devastating would be an understatement- earth-shattering is more like it. Although they were expected to revere his son just as much, nothing and no one could compare to their 'Great Leader'.

When I finished the book, I realized I'd probably have to include some spoilers in my review, because some of the things boggled my mind that I have to blab about. I saw some other reviewers on Goodreads also used them without the spoiler brackets, so here goes:

***Mild Spoilers Within***

The dogs in China are better fed than the doctors in North Korea. True story.

My favorite person in the book, Jun-sang, was highly educated in North Korea and managed to get his hands on banned Western books. His favorite? Gone With the Wind. When he eventually got out, he said 1984 was very close to what life was actually like in North Korea. Hence I tagged this post 'Dystopia'.

***End Spoilers***

Nothing to Envy is a major wake-up call for those of us who think life isn't easy or fair and happen to live outside North Korea. Our lives in general are very easy compared with somewhere where color is used only for propaganda and if you don't starve to death, the cold winters may also kill you. If you've ever wondered what it's like to live in North Korea, this book is for you.

Rating: 4.5 of 5 Stars for a glimpses of daily life in mysterious North Korea.

Content: Ages 16+ for descriptions of extreme suffering and hunger.

Page Count: 296 pages in my paperback version.

Thanks again to Aloi of Guiltless Reader for hosting a giveaway that won me this book!

"The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" by Cory Doctorow

Full Disclosure: I knew this was a novella, but I thought it'd be 140 pages, as shown on Amazon. It's actually about 100 pages with unrelated essays and interviews tacked on to it. Don't buy it unless it's cheap.

You feel like you'd know the book from the provided plot, but really it goes into different tangent. 'Disney-dominated future' is the part of the plot synopsis I most object to- there were some elements of Disney, but most of the future I glimpsed through reading this book wouldn't warrant the combination 'Disney dominated'- it felt more dysfunctional dystopia with a smattering of Disney-esque elements.

The Plot: (As Seen on Goodreads)
In a Disney-dominated future, a transhuman teenager engages in high velocity adventures until he meets the “meat girl” of his dreams and is forced to choose between immortality and sex in one of Cory Doctorow's most daring novellas.

Due to its tiny page count, this wasn't a difficult read- it was something I picked up to help me push through with my stalled reading of The Broken Eye. The future presented was rather bleak, possibly due to the main character, Jimmy's predicament- he lives in the body of a prepubescent child despite being many years older. As a kind of experimental transhuman, he doesn't have any peers to relate to, save actual humans who look their actual age. This leads to problems for him further down the line, when Jimmy moves away.

Jimmy eventually settles with a commune of people he calls the Wireheads, due to the wire in their heads that moderates their emotions by connecting them with the rest of the Wireheads' wires. Because of the commune-type format, Jimmy is also required to be wired if he wants to stay, but remains curiously immune, possibly due to his transhumanity. I found it a fascinating concept- the Wireheads can feel and negate other Wireheads emotions so they're basically emotionally numb. As a person who's very in tune with my emotions, I can't imagine I'd like to have a wire negating my feelings- I'd be frustrated to not be able to express myself.

Because it's short, I also can't fully discuss other topics without being spoilery, but I fully enjoyed the concepts explored in this novella, and it reminded me of the recent Johnny Depp film, Transcendence.

The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow may not be as Disney dominated as advertised, but remains a great look at the world around us and how far may be too far in terms of technology. While it reminded me of many dystopias I've read before, it had some interesting insights that may have been previously overlooked. I recommend this to any reader looking for a great dystopia with many future tech elements.

Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars for a novella with lots of punch.

Content: Sex scenes and violence (some of which is mental). Ages 18+

Page Count: Actual Novella Page Count is 106 pages, ebook edition.

"Cipher (The Shadow Ravens #1)" by Aileen Erin

Disclaimer:
I received this ebook for free via NetGalley, but in no way did it affect my literary taste buds. This critique is my honest opinion.

Book One of The Shadow Ravens Series

To Be Published: October 14th, 2014

If you're looking for hard sci-fi, this book probably won't be your cup of coffee. Cipher puts more emphasis on the romance side of things than its technological side- and more emphasis on genes and DNA than anything techie. For that reason, I was a bit disappointed: the cover suggested technology would be more than a little advanced. Instead, it's more ten years to the future (or at least that's how I see it) with dystopia as a side piece.

What this book offers instead is a look at relationships of the future: will we be more or less connected by technology? How will we live in the future- what will our dwellings look like? Will trust suffer in a world where identity is king?

The Plot:
Cipher (AKA Emma) is a hacker who has never been caught because of the precautions she takes with her work. Because she has a Red Helix in her DNA, she is hunted by government goons bent on killing her- Red Helixes wreak havoc on electronics and the electrical systems, and are considered largely dangerous. But when she doesn't run away after her latest hack, which caused her to fry most of the electrical systems nearby, will the mistake cost her her life?

Let me begin by saying YA isn't my favorite genre (and I had no clue when I picked this up it was YA- which the people of Goodreads currently shelve this book to be), but I can still enjoy a well-crafted story regardless of the age of protagonists. While I found the characters and storyline quite interesting, the world-building fell under my questionable category. It wasn't that the world-building wasn't there or wasn't unique in some way, it was that nothing was explained. I still have many questions left after reading this book, which normally would be a good thing. In this case, it caused major annoyance.

One thing I found very odd as a gamer myself was the gamer's lounge Cipher hangs out at, Marx's. The screen is super-big, but only up to 5 players can play on it. Five players? My brothers have both had original Xbox parties where seven of their buddies (eight total players) would play on two tiny television screens (as in, smaller than your average computer monitor tv screens) with no internet connection required. On a huge screen described in the book, I would expect up to ten players would be able to play, no problem. And it was especially weird given we now have MMOGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Games) that that was the limit of players. Why wouldn't they hook up with other gamers lounges to play online with them? If you're going to game, it's the more the merrier in my humble opinion, and with technology the way it is now, things will only get more immersive in the coming years.

I also had some issues with Cipher herself- she comes across as majorly naive, despite hacking for big bucks for (most likely to be) nefarious people. In Marx's, the bartender tells her to see "Crackhead" if she wants a new processor, and Cipher thinks she says "a crackhead". If you've been online as much as I have (which isn't that much), you see a lot of people calling themselves some pretty odd names- not to mention gamers with pretty odd names/tags. Crackhead wouldn't be a stretch as far as a nickname goes.

Overall, Cipher left me with more nagging questions than answers. What are the Voids, and how did they come to be? Will the other Helix colors have more screen time in future books? Why only five players on one screen? Although I have many questions, I did like the basic story Cipher tells, and it was a very quick read. If you're a fan of Young Adult books and light sci-fi with a lot of romance, you'll probably like this book more than I do.

Note: The book I received was a review copy and this is a pre-release critique, so I have no idea what changes might take place in the published novel.

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars for a good story that left me with a few too many questions.

Content: Ages 16+ for cursing (a few f-bombs), violence, and sexual innuendo (no sex scenes).

Page Count: 210 pages (according to Amazon)

"Walking the Tree" by Kaaron Warren

This is one of the strangest books I've ever read, for many reasons. It blends fantasy and sci-fi with a touch of paranormal, and the society it portrays is somewhat dystopian. It suffers from mediocre ratings on Goodreads, but I generally liked it and found it unique- something I can't say for half the books I've read.

Imagine an island anchored around a giant tree. Now, make that tree enormous- so big you can't even see the top. That's the basic topography of Walking the Tree, and the Tree itself plays a critical part in the story and culture of the people who live in villages around it.

The Plot: (from the back of the book)
'Botanica is the island, but all of Botanica is taken up by the Tree.

'Lillah has come of age. She is now ready to leave her community and walk around the Tree for five years, learning all that Botanica has to teach her. Before setting off, Lillah is begged by the dying mother of a young boy to take him with her. But if anyone suspects he carries the disease himself, he and Lillah will be killed.'

Although the story is told in a style reminiscent of young adult novels (i.e. plainer prose), after the first few chapters it becomes clear this book is intended for adults. Lillah is somewhat shallow for a girl of nineteen because she wants to walk the Tree mainly to have sex, instead of finding a partner or a place in one of the villages, or even teaching the children, which is one of the main points of walking the Tree. This is an unusual book in that premarital sex is okay and even encouraged (outside of your village to stave off inbreeding), and it's the young women who leave the village- the men for the most part have to stay put. Another aspect that makes it different is if the women do settle and have a partner in another village, after they've raised their children it's okay for them to go back to their original village without their partners.

The publisher (Angry Robot) marks this as fantasy, but the origin story (which is revealed at the end of the novel) clearly shows this book has roots in science fiction. But this novel is a bit of a genre blend, like The Wolf Gift, that makes it nearly impossible to say it's one thing or another- it's many genres, adding to its originality. Another thing I should mention is this book has a tendency towards horror- some people may not enjoy this story due to its content. As an avid ASoIaF fan, nothing phases me as far as the capabilities of human nature, but other people may prefer to not read of things like murder and human sacrifice, even if they add to the story.

Walking the Tree is a compelling read that at times tests the boundaries of weird. It has been some time since I've read it, but the main story has stayed with me. The worldbuilding is excellent, but the story falls flat at times trying to construct it. If you're looking for something genre-blending that will remain in your memory due to its singularity, this book may be for you.

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars for a solid piece of unique science fiction.

Content: Ages 18+ for sexual content and violence (murder, mayhem, and sacrifice).

Page Count: 523 pages in my mass market paperback edition

"The House of the Scorpion (Matteo Alcran #1)" by Nancy Farmer

The Hook: Matteo Alacran wasn't born, he was harvested.

I received this book as a gift at a present exchange in junior high, and had relatively low expectations of the book, despite the prolific awards dotting its cover. This was my first brush with dystopia, and one of my first exposures to science fiction as well. I don't think I even knew to call it "dystopia" when I finished reading it, it wasn't until the Hunger Games were the rage that I knew this actually was one. That said, this dystopia is more sci-fi than the ones you usually find, as it deals mainly with clones and futuristic technology.

The subject of clones is both taboo and intriguing in our modern world, because we do have the capabilities to clone animals, and it has been shown that clones of mice live just as long as the originals. Much of the discussion is being made as to whether we should clone extinct animals and essentially resurrect them from the dead, though the chances are slim, and it hasn't yet been done. There have been claims that human clones have been made by a religious group called the Raelian Movement, but no proof has been offered. This book was published in 2002, and it's fascinating how far the science of cloning has evolved since then, and yet how little we hear about it now.

The Plot:
Matteo Alacran is a clone, one of the few that survived being incubated in a cow's womb, to be harvested and raised as spare parts for his master. Although his brain wasn't damaged, as they do to many other clones, he lives a sheltered life with Celia, a housekeeper, in a shack set in a field of poppies. Until one day, when kids stumble upon his shack, he decides he wants to play, and breaks free from his lonely shack.

I'd never considered how someone would treat a human clone until I read this book. I would've assumed a clone would be treated humanely, because it would be a human, but I suppose the treatment of Matteo in this book would be more realistic, as some people wouldn't consider him human. While skimming the book for this critique, one of the main questions that came to my mind was how would we define human, in a society where there are identical humans walking about? I would consider a clone like Matteo a human, because of the humanness of his emotions- he could feel lonely, angry, and content depending on his day. When he was in the shack alone during the days, he longed for company, and his wish was granted. With some of the other "human" characters, you kind of wish they weren't human beings.

When you read this book, you really wonder what the future holds. If human clones are made, will they be treated like animals or humans? While there is technology to clone specific organs, is it really ethical to do so, or for that matter, is it ethical to clone anything at all?

The House of the Scorpion is a book that continues to ask questions of its readers, despite it being more than a decade old sci-fi novel designed for young adults. The characters are ones you relate to, and though the setting is futuristic and foreign, it feels familiar. I read this many years ago, but I still remembered the tale of a clone named Matteo when I dusted my copy off to critique it, proving that among the many books I read as a teen, this one you won't forget.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars for a solid coming of age tale dealing with topics of justice and humanity.

Content: Mild violence and abuse, Scholastic suggests grade levels 6+, or roughly ages 12+

Page Count: 380 pages in my paperback edition