Gr 9 Up—In the Orwellian world of the 22nd century, turning 16 or "sex-teen" marks a girl's entrance into adulthood and freedom, literally, with an "XVI" tattoo on her wrist. Nina Oberon, 15, dreads coming of age because it also marks a lack of safety in a world where men can basically have their way with women without consequences. Nina's concerns are compounded when her mother is attacked and mortally wounded; on her death bed she tells Nina that the father she thought was dead is actually alive and that she must find him and deliver her little sister's baby book containing coded messages to him. Now living with her grandparents, Nina juggles her new life of old and new friends; a budding romance; finding her maybe alive, maybe underground radical father; and keeping her mother's powerful and abusive lover away from her family and the book. Karr manages to tackle big topics of the darker side of sex, media influence, government control, and women's equality. Teens will enjoy the romantic melodrama, and fans of dystopian novels will be drawn to the plot. While the future universe that Karr creates is imaginative, the writing often falls short, and the characters are one-dimensional. However, the strengths of this book and its quick pacing will likely pull readers through its flaws. With an ending that hints at a sequel, newer fans of dystopian fiction might want to read M.T. Anderson Feed (Candlewick, 2002) or Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" trilogy (S &S/Pulse) while they wait for its arrival.—Adrienne L. Strock, Maricopa County Library District, AZ
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!