Renegade (Elysium Chronicles, #1)

by J A Souders

[Angie]

I’ve read a few Dystopians set in a dome, but Renegade is the first one with the dome being underwater! Evelyn is the Daughter of the People, essentially a princess in this underwater dome. She spends most of her time tending her garden and meeting with suitors, but she’s also forgetful. At least, she thinks she’s forgetful until a Surface Dweller comes to Elysium and points out some odd things about her. Evelyn realizes that her perfect life isn’t so perfect, so it’s time to escape with Gavin to the Surface. If Mother doesn’t catch them first.

I was really enjoying Renegade until I got to some questionable and offensive world-building. This underwater kingdom was created as an escape from the war happening on the Surface. But only people with “perfect” genetics were allowed in: blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, no mental, physical or intellectual disabilities. Clearly we can see how this is a problematic? When Evie tells Mother that she wants to Couple with Gavin, her response is that he’s too dark! But Evie explains that he’s only dark from the Sun! Dark skin is bad, whether its genetic or temporary. And when there’s an alert put out for Gavin being loose in the dome, the citizens are basically told to look out for a boy with dark skin. Also, Surface Dwellers are (mistakenly) thought to be “animal skin-wearing savages.” Not even joking. How is this acceptable?

I can immediately think of other ways that this underwater society could be exclusive without being racist and ablist. How about if only those who are experts in needed skills (and their families) were allowed in? That would make more sense, because you need people to get everything set up and get it running. Having all types of people with solid skill sets as the first generation is a much better decision than choosing people with desirable physical characteristics. And just because those blonde haired, blue eyed, white people don’t have any mental disabilities doesn’t mean that they’re smart or useful for what would be needed to get something like this established. I’m just completely baffled.

Other than the awful basis for the world, I really did enjoy the plot of Renegade. Those first few chapters were super weird, because they start out exactly the same so we can see just how off things are with Evelyn. Then there’s exciting escapes and forbidden romance! Yes, it’s insta-love, and I was into it, so who cares? Most of the book takes place over just a few hours, so it was really nonstop fun and danger! I love stuff like this.

Sadly, I can’t look past the “perfect genetics” and this negativity toward brown skin. I mean, I know the character who supposedly started all of this did it for a reason, but really? A society dominated by one person, and only people with blonde hair and blue eyes are allowed? Doesn’t that sound scarily familiar? Renegade could have been really great if it weren’t for that.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.