State of Grace

by Hilary Badger

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/10/state-of-grace-by-hilary-badger.html
State of Grace has broken the mould of what could be considered a new genre in Utopian. Similar to a teen cult, the community believes in a high power that they thank each day for their creation, and for creating the world around them. They follow the Books according to the Messiah and only use positive words of affirmation, which is where I drew comparisons to a cult community. It was eerie, one hundred teens all living in harmony, being promiscuous and living life without responsibility. Their only chores are to pick one bag of New Fruit per day, the forbidden fruit in which they cannot eat and to visit the temple to speak to their creator, a God type figure that no one had ever seen. Their society is a playground, but those who doubt are punished accordingly through self appointed leader Gil.

I found the scenario disturbing. These teens were not only brainwashed, but completely delusional and it made for a compelling read. Blaze has always known that the Eden type community isn't genuine, and sees the same confusion in Wren's eyes. But they are taught that non believers won't be escorted to a heaven type afterlife, which keeps the weak and willing in line. It's deliciously frustrating, I found myself emotionally invested in this fraudulent Utopia, it's characters and was manically turning the pages eager to see where the storyline would take me.

I interpreted aspects of their man made society as similar to followers of religion, of course in varying degrees. Living and making life choices to that of the teachings of their respective Holy Book. Although these teens are fanatical, I found the similarities really interesting and worthy of discussion. The world building was incredible, it painted a vivid picture of the cultured oasis and at times and I almost felt like a voyeur intruding on their paradise. It did leave me with unanswered questions, as I found it difficult to believe that from the one hundred teens, only Wren and Blaze questioned their world. They never contemplated what could be beyond the Fringe.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was unique, not to mention incredibly creepy. If you want to read something out of the ordinary, you won't be disappointed.