Damselfly (Damselfly, #1)

by Jennie Bates Bozic

[Angie]

Virtual reality! Reality TV! And fairy tales! Oh my! Damselfly was really unique. It's 2081, the world has been devastated by civil wars and global climate change is taking its toll. But, there's the Lilliput Project, which has created Lina: a six inch tall girl with damselfly wings. Lina has lived under a dome in Denmark for her whole life, but she's turning sixteen and will finally be free. At least that's what she thinks, until her creator lets her know what the real plan is.

I loved the premise of Damselfly! I'm always a fan of dystopian societies caused by natural disasters, since they feel like the most likely to happen. However, I don't think the world-building was very strong, and I was left with a lot of questions. Of course, Lina doesn't know everything, and she's being lied to, so as a consequences we don't know everything either. But a few major things just didn't add up. For instance, the Lilliput Project was developed in response to growing rates of world hunger, and Lina tells us a few times that the project is self sustaining. But what is it sustaining if the project is creating tiny people? And as far she knows there's only seven of them. And wouldn't shrinking existing people make more sense than creating more if the goal is to save food and resources?

Aside from the questionable basis of the world, I really liked Damselfly. The reality TV twist was fun and messed up! Lina is actually in love with a human named Jack whom she met online, but he doesn't know that she's the world's first Thumbelina. Lina's creator tells her that she has to participate in a dating show with the six Toms that were created for her and choose one at the end. Obviously, Lina doesn't want that, but she has to or else. Then there's a twist! A really screwed up twist, and I felt so bad for Lina! But then there's another twist, and she might get her happy ending! But then there's a reveal! And I was like oh no! That cannot be good.

Despite the lack of world-building, Damselfly hooked me with its premise and quirky plot. I find myself totally rooting for Lina and Jack, even though their size difference will make any kind of relationship super awkward. And mad scientists! I must know what he's up to! Even though I do think Damselfly could have made a great standalone if it hadn't been for that epilogue, which showed some "behind the scenes" stuff that leaves the ending more open.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.