Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Title: Anomaly
Genre: Christian, Young Adult, Dystopian, Fiction
Buy the Book: Amazon / Thomas Nelson
Find the Author Online: Blog / Facebook / Twitter
Blah! Another dystopian book...was my first thought when I received the book in the mail to review. These days, it's hard to find anything other than dystopian literature for young adults. Oh well, at least I could add it to our school's dystopian collection for the projects our tenth graders do each year with them.
W.O.W!! Is all I can say right now. Anomaly is one of THE best books I've read in a long time. (And I'm not just saying that because the author teaches almost across the street from me from me.) The story sucks you in and won't loosen its grip until the very last page. Even now I'm frustrated that I have to wait until January for book #2, Luminary, to come out.
I think what's so realistic about this society, is that I can see we're headed down this path--tampering with food to make sure it's "healthy" for us, genetically modifying/creating people to be more resilient, "big brother" watching our every move to monitor and maintain orderliness of conduct, virtual reality simulators and learning "pads"...all of these issues and technologies are prevalent in the society that our characters live in.
Obviously this takes place in the future--after we all decide to annihilate one another using nuclear bombs, but this story takes place in the underground laboratories/living pods that are created in case a national/world disaster does occur.
Thalli and Berk are part of the 3rd generation of humans to be created in this world. Every human has a place in society and everyone lives in harmony because pesky emotions do not get in the way. Any differences have been "bred" out of humans and any anomalies are annihilated to restore harmony to each pod.
Berk has been chosen to be one of THE scientists for their civilization and Thalli is just a musician that must play for her pod-mates so they will continue to be productive. The problem lies in the fact that Thalli has emotions so she must be annihilated--a process she does not (understandably) want to go through. Thankfully, Berk recognizes her and launches a plan that places them both in danger.
Along the way they meet many characters, one whose name is John, an older gentleman who introduces them to the Designer, the one who made all humans--even the scientists. Will Thalli be saved from annihilation by Berk, or will they both be cast out of society? Who is this Designer, and will He be able to help save them from the scientists? How did John meet the Designer and what roles do they play in the quest for Thalli's life? You'll have to read Anomaly to find out!!!!!!!!!
Overall Impression:
Rating: 5 out of 5
Let me know what you think! Happy Reading!!
