Book Review: Riot by Sarah Mussi

This is why Scotland should do a runner. Well, if it was true.

Years of cuts have devastated Britain: banks are going under, businesses closing, prices soaring, unemployment rising, prisons overflowing. The authorities cannot cope. And the population has maxed out.

The solution: forced sterilisation of all school leavers without secure further education plans or guaranteed employment. The country is aghast, but the politicians are unshakeable. No more free housing for single parents, no more child benefit, no more free school meals, no more children in need.

It's time for the young to take to the streets. It's time for them to RIOT.

This book is set fours years from now in England. I think its bit too soon. For the events that happen in this novel a lot would have to happen, for one the UK would have to leave the EU. It's breaking a lot of Human Rights and the UK would have been pressured by their allies not to do it. Also it jumps to extremes too quickly. It's everyone that meant to sterilize if they don't have a job; not just people who already have kids or who are drug addicts. Prisoners to underprivileged teenagers. It just doesn't make sense that you'd be able to get that sort of law even close to passing.

It another issue is that the conspiracy isn't blamed on a political Party but a person whose not even a party leader. The climax is a little bit too nicely wrapped up, though the ending isn't that clean cut. Also motive isn't fully formed, a more developed answer would have been good.

Tia is alright. She bit flat, she has the necessary skills and background for the plot but we don't really learn anything about her that doesn't relate to the plot. We learn almost nothing about the deuteragonist. There is a romance, however it's feels a bit forced. It wasn't needed and the book would have been fine if had it just been friendship. It didn't take or add anything. 

This more action packed, I did get carried a long with the story. It didn't stop me from questioning the details.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stats for multiple phones. It's enjoyable read but there definitely some issues with it. If you really think about  the situation, then it's too unbelievable. Maybe not never, but fours year? A lot can happen, just not that much.

I got this book for review off Netgalley and is published by Hodder Children's Book on 1st May.

Book Review: The Fearless by Emma Pass

There are several songs that share this title. That is a fact

The Fearless. An army, powered by an incredible new serum that makes each soldier stronger, sharper, faster than their enemies. Intended as a force for good, the serum has a terrible side-effect – anyone who takes it is stripped of all humanity, empathy, love. And as the Fearless sweep through the country, forcing the serum on anyone in their path, society becomes a living nightmare.

Cass remembers the night they passed through her village. Her father was Altered. Her mother died soon after. All Cass has left is her little brother – and when Jory is snatched by the Fearless and taken to their hellish lair, Cass must risk everything to get him back.

 The invasion meant to happen roughly now and then 7 years in the future, in Britain.

The world building was interesting. The idea sort has been done a few different ways, but I like the combination of things that joined together.  There are certain minor things left unexplained that I would have liked answer. There are also aspects of the fearless serum I didn’t buy which would be going to spoiler area. There is a level of disbelieve that I had to put up with this novel, it was just minor stuff though. 

The story is told from the point of view of three different characters which I was not expecting. It’s in no proper format and mostly favours Cass’s POV. There is maps and stuff which I know some people love.

I feel like Cass is a tiny bit bland, she not really developed as character as much as she should have been. I also not all the relationships are fleshed out enough. I liked Myo.

I feel like this ends like a start of series, but I’m sure that it is meant to be a stand-alone. All the major things are resolved, but there could be another book though. No idea what would happen in a second book; maybe I read it as that as most YA Dystopia’s tend to be series.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for cloudy eyes. I enjoy this book, it not the best dystopia. I think Pass’s first book is stronger (which my review can be found here), I definitely look out for more Emma Pass in the future. If you like survival and war movements in your dystopia then I would recommend checking this novel out. Also it set in Britain, which is another plus.

I got this off Netgalley for a review. It’s being published by House Children’s Publishers UK on 24^th April 2014.