"Sixteen's not everything the Media makes it out to be, hon."
Today we explore XVI, a thought-provoking YA novel by Julia Karr, who isn't afraid to turn today's problems into something big enough to fully grasp. In this chilling future, sixteen is an age most girls dream of--the day they're free to remove their GPS tracker and be with whoever they want. For Nina, her upcoming birthday is nothing to be excited about. She's seen the way the Media has inspired her best friend, Sandy, to dress and act, and wants no part in it. Then a shocking tragedy rocks her world, and for the first time she must depend on a boy to help her uncover the truth about her family's past. If she is to complete her mission, Nina will have to open herself to a life she's never considered with a boy she isn't sure she can trust. Because if she fails, her whole family is in danger of a fate far worse than death.
Nina and Sandy are complete opposites. While Sandy loves anything boy-, Media-, or clothing-related, her best friend prefers spending time at her grandparents' flat. And while Nina wants to earn a Creative degree, Sandy dreams of escaping her low social cast through FeLs, the Female Liaison Specialist service. Despite their differences, however, the two are incredibly close, a fact that shows through the way Karr paints their casual, lighthearted bickering and quick forgiveness. When they do get into a real argument, it is a major plot point that, like the other troubles in Nina's life, has ripple effects throughout the rest of the novel.
The worldbuilding in XVI is simultaneously fantastic and minimalistic. Though this 2150 Chicago is not given many moments to show off its appearance, characters use slang, neighborhood names, and unusual similes to provide all the necessary details. It isn't a beautiful future, with the "XVI" tattoo sixteen-year-old girls have to acquire and the sheer quantity of female itemization, but that seems to be the point. By expanding today's issues into something larger-than-life, Karr offers a clear warning about continuing down the paths she discusses. While this can go a little overboard at times, it's usually well-balanced by the overarching conflict.
There is plenty of controversial content in XVI. Girls aren't just itemized--they strive to be prettier, better-dressed, and more appealing than those around them in order to catch men's attention. This often ends poorly, with the unwitting taken advantage of in dark alleys with no hope of legal retribution. Characters curse fairly often, and at one point the romance grows rather heated. On the other hand, there isn't a whole lot of violence, though what does crop up is somewhat intense, if not gory.
I would recommend this book to older teens interested in an exciting dystopia with interesting characters, an intriguing plot, and a well-structured world. Nina may not be a black belt or otherwise kick-butt, but she has a big heart and a strong will that makes up for it. Julia Karr manages her themes quite nicely, with very few instances of preachiness. Parents beware: the romance escalates quickly on occasion, making XVI a little mature for young readers, no matter how advanced. It deserves four stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment