Review by Shellie: Inside Out by Maria Snyder

Basic Set Up Info: 

Set somewhere in the future, within an enclosed world which has advanced technology, Trella lives in a crowded space where she is one of two factions - Uppers and Lowers. Trella is a Lower and because of this “lower” status she is required to clean the complex pipe systems of this metallic world and is designated a “scrub.” Trella is strong teen, slightly damaged, and prefers to keep to herself. As the story progresses and we become introduced to its dystopian society and its apparent class structure imbalance, drama and light romance ensue.

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful introduction to science fiction and dystopian society for young adults and especially girls. I would have loved this as a “tween” in the 1970s. We had the Nancy Drew series, and authors like Laura Ingalls Wilder and Zilpha Keatley Snyder giving us mystery, historical fiction, and paranormal. Sadly, I remember no role models for girls within science fiction; goodness knows, I tried devouring the boy’s preteen section on science fiction from our local library. 

Another  positive element in this book is that Maria Snyder includes some basic concepts around political dystopian concepts for a younger reader. This I feel is important, since it can be then be a basis for understanding more complex worlds, as well as world history and current events. Highly recommended for adults interested in a light read, but especially for intrigued and intelligent girls (and boys too, since it is light on the romance). I give it a 4 star rating and am also excited that it is a first in a series. I believe the next is called Outside In and will be released at the beginning of 2011.

Triple Book Review by Shellie: Life As We Knew It, The Dead and The Gone, and (ARC)This World We Live In by Susanne Beth Pfeffer

Mini Synopsis:

(Basic set up and setting information included but no spoilers.)

This is a young adult series with the latest book This World We Live In being the last of the trilogy (I think.) It is set within the present day where an apocalyptic event has occurred. The moon has been knocked off its orbit causing a plethora of environmental disasters all over the planet. Tsunamis destroy coastal cities and that is just the beginning. As all normal life deteriorates the 17 year old main character, Miranda, in the first book tells us through her diary the events and her feelings as her life completely changes. It occurs within a Pennsylvania suburb setting. The second book is a parallel book where the main character, Alex, lives in New York City. In the third book the two main characters’ lives come together.

The last in the series – This World We Live In, has just been released on April 1, 2010.

My Thoughts:

The books all have a realistic feeling for what could happen if the world’s food, communication services, and other vital systems were to break down and gradually collapse and disappear. The author does a nice job of giving the reader a feel for this type of event and doesn’t skirt painful happenings such as death, which she does tastefully for a younger audience.

It’s a page turning series for young men and women which I would “safely” recommend for my nieces, grandchildren, and/or students. The behaviors of the main characters in the books show strong character; I would almost say an unrealistic sense of self and behavior (I think I would have gone bonkers under the circumstances). Nevertheless, it’s what I believe to be exemplary behavior for young adults, which I support. I also liked the fact that the two character’s belief systems, atheism and Catholicism, are non-judgmentally contrasted.

Susanne Beth Pfeffer has a strong and easy to follow writing style, which sucks you in and keeps you reading while caring about the characters. I completely devoured this series. I would rate the first two books in the series as 3.5 stars. I would say I liked the latest book the best due to its incredible and heartbreaking ending. This, I think, takes the book over the 4 star edge with its deeper internal conflict. Highly recommended for adults and teens alike. I  also recommend that they are read in order, don’t be tempted to skip the second book – I almost did.

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Other books that I have read and reviewed which are similar but written for adults are:

• The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy

*I do want to note, that after thinking about The Road, over the past several months I have come to feel that I did not rate this book as highly as I should have. I now think that the esoteric babbling by the main character (which I complained about) is in fact his semi loss of sanity - a natural occurrence in a situation such as depicted by the author, and an important aspect of the book.

Review by Shellie: The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley (Apocalyptic Novel)

(US and Canadian cover left, UK cover and title right)

Synopsys and Review:

*includes basic set up information to entice but does not disclose middle or ending of book*

Ann and Peter are separated and going through the process of getting a divorce. Peter has instigated the separation. It’s the “I love you but not in love with you” scenario. Ann is suffering from the inevitable repercussions of this, yet is mostly reconciled with the fact.

They have two healthy girls, one 8 and the other 13, to whom they are devoted. Ann dotes on them while teaching at a local elementary school. Peter is a veterinarian, turned head research professor at the local university. He is studying viral activity between humans and animals – mainly the avian flu.

Several massive bird die outs are reported locally and Peter is sent to investigate. The sites are visually devastating with thousands of dead birds. Shortly thereafter the US and the entire world go on alert for the virus H5N1. What was once a potential epidemic turns pandemic. People are told to isolate themselves and their families to prevent to spread of this deadly flu.

Due to some bad luck regarding logistics Peter is reluctantly welcomed to stay at Ann’s home with his gorgeous graduate assistant. As the pandemic develops and the local area is quarantined, the story progresses and we see the psychological aspects of each individual as the taken-for-granted social structures meltdown, and everyone struggles to survive psychologically and physically. As they are pushed to their limits, we see their “humanness”, as they are forced to deal with horrific events.

My Personal Thoughts:

This apocalyptic novel is an absolute page turner. It is something which could potentially happen, which makes the story poignant. I thought the characters felt real. I did not guess how it would end. It has just enough technical information to keep it feeling intellectual and enough emotional insight to make it heart wrenching; all the while considering what it means to be imperfect and human when faced with questionable survival.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in realistic apocalyptic scenarios and for readers who like a bit of science as well as internal conflict in their reading. I would define this as a woman’s science fiction book, not to say men would not enjoy it. I give The Things That Keep Us Here -  4 stars, perhaps more since the ARC copy I read understandably felt unfinished in parts.

I am excitedly looking forward to Carla’s next novel coming out in 2011. I believe the title is Invisible.

For more information regarding this book, the author Carla Buckley, and pre-purchasing information please link to the Preview of The Things That Keep us Here.

Shellie’s List for The Basics Challenge – Exploring Speculative Fiction

My Goal:

To attempt to read 100 books within a 5 year span, less 25% forgiveness rate, which is a total of 75 books. Divided down it’s 15 books per year. Which ultimately translates to a little over 1 book per month.

This challenge will be an overlap with The Fill in the Gaps Challenge listed here.

I have chosen to use a “reading pool” method. All the books are within the Speculative Fiction Genre – Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.

Overlapping Challenge Books

Science Fiction:

1. Dune - Frank Herbert
2. Children of Dune - Frank Herbert
3. Dune Messiah - Frank Herbert
4. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
5. Foundation - Isaac Asimov
6. Foundation Empire - Isaac Asimov
7. Second Foundation - Isaac Asimov
8. Do Androids Dream of Sleep - Phillip K. Dick
9. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
10. 1984 - George Orwell
11. Animal Farm - George Orwell
12. Rendezvous with Rama - Arthur C. Clark
13. Ringworld - Harry Niven
14. Time Machine - H. G. Wells
15. The War of the Worlds - H. G. Wells
16. The Island of Doctor Moreau - H. G Wells
17. The World Treasury of Science Fiction - David G. Hartwell
18. The Day After Tomorrow - Robert Heinlein
19. Day of the Triffids - John Wyndham
20. Midwich Cuckoos - John Wyndham
21. Trouble with Lichen - John Wyndham
22. Chrysalids - John Wyndham
23. The Godmakers - Don Pendleton
24. I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream - Harllan Ellison

Feminist Science Fiction:

1. Herland - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
2. New Eves - ed Janrae Frank
3. The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
4. The Robber Bride - Margaret Atwood

Horror:

1. Interview with a Vampire - Anne Rice
2. The Vampire Lestat - Anne Rice
3. The Queen of the Damned - Anne Rice
4. Cry to Heaven - Anne Rice
5. The Locus Awards - ed Charles N. Brown - should be included in all catagories
6. Great Tales of Horror - Edgar Allen Poe
7. The Hunter of the Dark - H. P. Lovecraft
8. Dracula - Bram Stoker (read but need review)
9. The Inferno - Dante
10. The Metamorphosis - Frank Kafka (read)
11. The Historian - Elizabeth Kostava

Fantasy:

1. The Middle Window - Elizabeth Goudge
2. The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
3. Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - J. R. R. Tolkien
4. Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - J. R. R. Tolkien
5. Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - J. R. R. Tolkien
6. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
7. Dragon Flight - Anne McCaffrey
8. The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart
9. The Last Enchantment - Mary Stewart
10. The Hollow Hills - Mary Stewart
11. Dandelion Wine - Ray Bradbury
12. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone - J. K. Rowling
13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J. K. Rowling
14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Ascaban - J. K. Rowling
15. Green Mansions - William Henry Hudson

Reviews link to Layers of Thought:

1. The Things That Keep Us Here - Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
2. The Magic Warble – Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
3. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
4. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
6. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
7. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
   - needs to be posted.
8. Life As We Knew It
9. The Dead and The Gone
10. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
12. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)

12 completed, 63 more to go.