REVIEW: BREATHE

Author: Sarah Crossan
Series: Yes, #1
UK Publisher: Bloomsbury
UK Release date: 11th October 2012
Genre: Dystopian
Kindly given by the publisher for an honest review

Inhale. Exhale. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe . . . The world is dead.
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air. And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to? (Goodreads)

Oxygen and breathing is something we take completely for granted despite how essential it is to our survival. In Breathe, oxygen is a luxury only the rich Premiums can afford. The poor have their lives' controlled by the amount of oxygen they use, and for them energetic lovemaking and exercise isn't something they can enjoy freely. Their world within the Pod seems so barren, without trees or greenery, and with so many restrictions on how they can live. But the reality of a world where trees have been cut down and oxygen levels have been depleted doesn't seem that far-fetched, which makes the Pod seem scarily realistic and all too possible. I almost wish everyone would read this, so that they can start appreciating nature a little bit more and the vital role trees play in our lives.

In Breathe, the story is told from the perspective of Alina, Bea and Quinn. Each has a very different background and belief system. Quinn for example is a premium and used to have a life of luxury with as much oxygen as he wants. I often found him to be childish and naive, which is probably normal for someone of his upbringing. It was only towards the end that he started to show some real backbone and gain a bit of favour with me. However the two girls really stood out for me. Although Bea was more quiet, reserved and obedient, like would be expected of an auxiliary, I really liked her. She had strenth and courage when it was needed, but she was also caring and compassionate. And because I liked Bea, I was automatically hesitant to like Alina because she was unwittingly a rival for Quinn's attention and affections. At first glance she seemed very forthright, passionate, brave and a little dangerous. But as I started reading from her perspective, I saw her in a totally different light. She would sometimes put on a brave face and a bit of a front to create a certain image, so it was really interesting to hear her thoughts and see the real her.

The plot is packed with fast paced scenes, tension, and nervous energy, especially when Alina, Bea and Quinn are in the wastelands and facing a whole host of dangers from a lack of oxygen to drifters. There were some unexpected moments I had expected the Hub to be some idyllic place, filled with hippy types. But as the home to the resistance, they could be ruthless and cruel too especially their leader and her strange rather creepy pet. But their ideals were very honourable - if I was Alina or Bea I would be right behind saving and growing trees.

Breathe is dystopian with a scarily real feel to it. This could be our future.

Rating: 5*

Here is the trailer for Breathe:

REVIEW: GLOW

Glow

Author: Amy Kathleen Ryan
Series: Yes, #1 Sky Chasers
UK Publisher: Macmillan
UK Release date: October 2011
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian
Kindly given by the publisher for an honest review

When earth is no longer sustainable to live on spaceships set off for a New Earth. For Waverly and the other children born on the Empyrean, life in space is normal and happy. At least until their twin spaceship, the New Horizon, docks next to them when it should be years ahead of them.

Review: To grow up in space, never seeing a sunset, waves hitting the beach or mountains seems odd and slightly sad to me, but for Empyrean’s children space is their home. I imagined it might be quite cool to travel through space, with normal gravity and views of the cosmos, but the reality seems more sterile. Whilst they are in the nebula they see no stars, and really the view doesn’t change that much (just more black space out the window!) Leaving the confines of the spaceship is virtually impossible, and must drive some people to suffer from ‘cabin-fever’ after so many years, and for the New Horizon it must be even worse, and in some ways explains why some characters acted the way they did. This setting was different and interesting, and I’m really intrigued to find out whether they ever reach their new planet!

Glow touches on what it takes to be a good person and a leader. It doesn’t matter if you are female, male, religious or secular, you can still fail your people. Anne Mather’s use of religion uplifted the crew and made them believe they were working towards a higher power and bigger goal, however her deception and willingness to commit crimes to ensure the survival of their crew was deceitful and heinous. I didn’t like the way she twisted religion, blending lies and truth, to make people follow her. In contrast Seth used fear to lead and control the other boys. Whilst he was a bully, he was upfront about what he was doing. In neither situation was it a black or white answer as to whether they were right or wrong.

As I’m not particularly religious I don’t like being preached to, and at one point I almost thought that’s what Glow was trying to do with its sermons. Thankfully however, Amy Kathleen Ryan doesn’t just present one point of view, but through a third person perspective is able to show a variety of views and opinions, each justified by different characters. I guess this is quite good because depending on your own opinion as a reader you can then relate more to a particular character that shares your outlook. But the problem with this for me is that I sympathised with almost everyone despite their conflicting viewpoints and morally wrong actions, because you could see their justification and reasoning. Although I liked Waverly the most I didn’t have an overwhelming sense of connection with any one character. I’m hoping that in the next book, we get to see even more of Waverly so that I can build on the connection I do have with her.

Glow was intriguing and definitely thought-provoking. I knew what might happen on New Horizon, but I couldn’t help feeling a horrible sense of dread and fearful anticipation all the same. Amy Kathleen Ryan really makes you think how far you would be willing to go to save humanity. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Sky Chasers series.

Rating: 4*