XVI

Synopsis

                                              




For ages 13 and Up

  Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

XVI by Julia Karr 
Released: 1/6/2011
Published by:Puffin/Speak

Pages:325

Format:paperback

Review

                                               

Plot: Reading this book I got a strong sense of what it feels to be  in a police state. To have to watch your words carefully,fear rules. Free will, and independent thought novelties. Ms Karr weaves a world of the evil media now the ruling party that governs and basically tells everyone what to do. And if you step out of line then you have to answer to the B.O.S.S agents, checkers (police),and receive rehabilitation.This is the world Nina navigates through.The concept of this book was new and refreshing,and scary because its not impossible to believe a future like this could actually happen. 
 

The characters: Are defined and tangible, even the secondary characters have substance. The dialogue between these characters is realistic, and doesn't sound forced or faked.

Writing: As I said before you get a sense of the tension, and the underline fear in this society through Ms Karr's words. The pace of the story is not too slow with good doses of action sprinkled through out.
Setting:The world of  XVI  is described in detail however the  description is not overly ornate , but its stripped down without losing the imagery.
Summary: After everything Nina goes through the ending fizzles. All the plot points are tied up in a somewhat messy bow. You get the sense of a deadline looming. And it shows in the diffrence in quality from the body of the book to the last three chapters.
Recommendations:I would have liked a better ending for this book, having said that I would still recommend XVI because the journey is still worth the read, it's a buy.