★★★★ // it’s been a while since i enjoyed a young-adult dystopian genre. part of that is because this one feels a little close to what was happening in the world now, with the pandemic and all. but mostly i find that i resonate with its political commentaries: about how governments control the news and media to manipulate people into believing that everything is okay and under control. how it paints subversiveness and dissent as some sort of anarchist propaganda, instead of acknowledging that there must be something wrong with the system which causes people to start revolutions. understanding what is right and wrong, especially in the political landscape, can be tricky. just like June in this story, you can get lost in the system and not see reason. but it’s not too late to see the light.
”Finally, when the sunset bathes my apartment in orange and gold, I break out of my trance. I clean up the shards of broken glass. I dress in my full uniform. I make sure my hair is pulled back flawlessly, that my face is clean and calm and devoid of emotion. In the mirror, I look the same. But I am a different person inside. I’m a prodigy who knows the truth, and I know exactly what I’m going to do.”
perhaps the only thing that i did not quite like is the romance. i did not think it was necessary, and when it pops up every now and then, i really find myself cringing, heh. but i suppose since it’s a young-adult genre, it needs that to still keep its target readers interested. but i hope the kids who read this picks up its more important messages about freedom and identity.
excited to read the read of the trilogy when i get my hands on them.