I have loved all of Cecelia Ahern’s adult books and have done since I first read ‘P.S. I Love You’ many years ago. When I found out she was writing a YA dystopian I was excited to say the least. I have read a few (though not many) dystopian books and have loved them all, well apart from ‘Insurgent’, the second book in the divergent series (one of my few DNF books). My expectations were high, and they were not disappointed.

The book was a really interesting premise, anyone found to be flawed in a moral or ethical dilemma (though not necessarily an illegal act, there is still prison) is branded on one of five body parts, each with a relation to your flaw. For example, if you’ve lied your tongue is branded, if you’ve overstepped the line then your right foot sole is branded. Everyone who isn’t flawed looks down on the flawed, and ignore the injustices that the flawed system has. It imposes sets of rules on the flawed, making them wear armbands, only allowing basic food (bar one luxury a week), not allowing travel abroad are among the few mentioned, and every perfect person isn’t allowed to aide the flawed.  

This clearly draws parallels with Nazi Germany and it’s not hard to see the ‘flaws’ and injustice in their system. This is ever more apparent as we read Celestine’s point of view. At first we see her struggle with how she feels knowing that a flawed person lives on her street, even though she doesn’t think the reason she was found flawed was just, and knows the woman and her daughter well. At one point she was conflicted about whether to say hi to her friend, would it be seen as helping her ‘flawed’ mother? It was slightly tough to read, but over the first part of the book you see her being conflicted a lot. She is a very logical person, and often sees things as black and white, but when she breaks the rule and gets into trouble, you find yourself cheering, seeing some brightness, despite what happens after.  

The supporting cast were for the most part great. I loved Celestine’s parents. Judge Crevan was domineering and imposing as you’d expect. I was also surprised by one character in particular, Art. He wasn’t what I expected. I will be really interested to read what happens to him.  

While I wish there was more lore telling in this book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I was very surprised that this book got to me emotionally, I felt a mixture of emotions, something I didn’t expect. I felt angry, shocked, a few glimpses of warmth, and there were even a few moments where I teared up. I cannot wait till book 2, it will be on my ‘buy immediately’ list for sure.      

Published by: Harper Collins Children’s
Gratefully received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  

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