4/5 StarsGlitch by Heather Anastasiu
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Expected Publication: August 7th 2012
Review:
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to review an advanced readers copy of this novel.
Glitch takes place in a futuristic world where a nuclear war has already occurred forcing humans underground where they are integrated into “The Community”. Basically everyone in the community has a USB port in their neck which connects them to one another and no one feels any type of emotion. That is until Zoel begins glitching and she can finally feel. She even cultivates a love for drawing during her glitched out moments.
I actually liked Zoel or Zoe as she begins calling herself as her glitched moments became her reality, rather then the link. Zoe was a sympathetic character who was trying to navigate a hugely complex world full of lies and deception. She was so realistic and human in her reactions to situations, even after being hooked to a network for almost her entire life. I especially like how much Zoe cared for her younger brother and those around her. During her glitched moments Zoe would just watch her brother and long for that close relationship that they were unable to have because of the link. Her emotions really resonated with me and reminded me how much I love my own sister, and that bond that forms just because you are siblings.
I also loved Zoe’s relationship with Adrien, a boy who is *gasp* from the surface. While it was kind of an insta-love, I was not complaining. The connection between Zoe and the boy who rescues her seems natural and it didn’t feel forced to me even though it did happen quickly. I was really rooting for these two to be together and after that major plot twist part way through (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you read) I was double rooting for them! Adrien really reminded me a lot of Alex from Delirium and after all my #TeamAlex craziness you should know that is a real compliment!
The only character I really didn’t like was Max. Actually the interactions between Max and Zoe are the reason I was unable to give this book 5 stars. Max was so abusive and creepy that he really scared me and took away from the story. I don’t want to give too many spoilers because I try and keep my reviews 100% spoiler free but Max’s actions toward Zoe really bothered me and when he comes up in the story just watch out!
Anasatsiu does a wonderful job of world building in this dystopian/sci-fi novel. There were not huge sections of info-dumping that I felt like skipping, instead everything was integrated into the story and I understood how a world like this could have come into existence. I also liked all of the secrets that were slowly unveiled, it was fun to discover things right along with Zoe.
Needless to say I am crazy excited for the next novel in this series, Override. I have high hopes that Anastasiu will build upon the amazing world she has created in book 1 and I can not wait to see what happens to and between Zoe and Adrian.
Wow, don't you just love it when a book slowly unravels all the secrets to the intriguing mysteries?! It's SO cool when it's like that, and this book sounds really great <3 I'm not one to go for sci-fi much, but this dystopian soudns quite good... Will check this one out! Fantastic review, Emily! <3
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I didn't like this as much as you did, but I'm still glad you enjoyed this.:) I can't wait for Override either!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you enjoyed this so much, although Max sounds awful, what a creep!
ReplyDeleteI didn't think this was for me but a friend has let me borrow their copy, so I might try it!
I didn't like it quite as much but it did hold my attention to the end, and I feel like it has great potential as a series. It kind of feels like the sort of story that will just keep getting better as it progresses. "The only character I really didn’t like was Max. Actually the interactions between Max and Zoe are the reason I was unable to give this book 5 stars." Yup, that sure was a creepy, toxic relationship.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Emily. I'm looking forward to the next in the series too. I think it will be better than this one tbh.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I've heard mixed things about this book and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Glitch too, Ajoop! The concept and premise actually sounds really interesting but it's hard to enjoy reading a book when the characters did not make an impact, like you said!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the awesome and honest review.