On a world called Gabriel, the descendants of the human colonists live two vastly different lives. The Citizens, small, brown people scavenge the ruins of a destroyed city for ancient artifacts while facing frequent outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever epidemics. The Citizens trade the artifacts for food from the larger, stronger, and healthier, but diverse Curadores who wear isolation suits when leaving their high tech dome. Leica, an outcast from the Citizens, becomes a concubine in the Dome after meeting a Edison, a Curadore, when she finds a radio that seems to be getting a transmission from Earth while in exile in the desert.
I loved the Hispanic and Korean bits incorporated into the background of the characters. The world building made me think of books such as Dune by Frank Herbert, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, and Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson.
It has great teen appeal with lots to think about but adults will enjoy it as well. The science fiction aspects make sense (even though not necessarily at first). The genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, technology, and nanotechnology, are integral to the story. The interpersonal relationships, kickass shero, echoes of a fairy tale, social and religious commentary, and political machinations combine to make this a great read.
No comments:
Post a Comment