XVI by Julia Karr.
Synopsis:
First Sentence: ""Nina, look." Sandy jabbed me in the ribs." An okay way to start with dialogue. It's the first page that really chapters your attention, because you are immediately plunged into the dualities between Nina and Sandy--the girl who acts like a sex-teen, and the girl who abhors the practice."In the year 2150, being a girl isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when your sixteenth (read sex-teenth) birthday is fast approaching. That in itself would be enough to make anyone more than a little nuts, what with the tattoo and all – but Nina Oberon’s life has taken a definite turn for the worse. Her mother is brutally stabbed and left for dead. Before dying, she entrusts a secret book to Nina, telling her to deliver it to Nina's father. But, first Nina has to find him; since for fifteen years he's been officially dead. Complications arise when she rescues Sal, a mysterious, and ultra hot guy. He seems to like Nina, but also seems to know more about her father than he’s letting on. Then there’s that murderous ex-government agent who’s stalking her, and just happens to be her little sister’s dad."
Beefs: While the World Building was mostly fantastic, we never learned why the world is the way it is. What happened to make people think objectifying women like that is ok? The fact that the media now controls the government explains a little, but not enough. There were also some terms that weren't clearly explained. Maybe I missed it, but I don't know what PAV stands for, or what exactly a rapido is (some sort of pencil), or that their vehicles fly (I got that a few chapters in, but not right away when they are first mentioned).
Brownie Points: Plot and concept. 'nough said.
Ending: Open enough to leave you wanting more.
Recommendation: Read it if you like the genre/concept. It's a good read, definitely not a waste of time.
Would I represent it? Probably based on the concept alone, haha.
Happy reading!
