Monday, April 18, 2011

Broken - Susan Jane Bigelow - Blog Tour Review


In a post-war future world where First Contact has been made, humans are colonizing the stars, and the nations of Earth have been united under a central government, Extrahumans are required by law to belong to the Union. When a young man with visions of the future sets out on a mission to define the course of human history, he encounters a devastated former hero, a fascist dictatorship bent on world domination, and the realities of living in a society where affiliation is everything.
Synopsis taken from goodreads.

Title: Broken
Author: Susan Jane Bigelow
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction,
Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Format: E-book
Source: Received from Susan Jane Bigelow courtesy of Teen Book Scene. Many thanks goes to Susan Jane Bigelow, and Teen Book Scene for sending me a copy of this book for review. I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. 
Tour: Teen Book Scene. You can follow along with the tour here.
My rating: 4/5 

Michael has lived life on the edge, especially knowing that he can see the future through those around him. He can only see variables, and the threads of the future are ever-changing. He is on a mission though to alter the future for the better, he hopes. Michael's world is very much a dystopian one. Superhuman beings have to pledge allegiance to the Union. Government regimes rise up against each other as they battle for supremacy. Riots are erupting everywhere as the chaos deepens further, leaving everyone and everything devestated. When everything seems so overwhelmingly hopeless, it is up to Michael to bring about the seeds of peace and hope to the world. 
Michael is an industrious and brave fourteen year old tasked with a mission that is so much greater than him. He won't benefit from his actions, or see the effects of them for years to come, but his actions are needed if the world he lives in is going to change. I don't envy him his position as defeat surrounds him on all sides. Whether or not he completes his mission is the deciding factor. He is such a brave character, especially considering his prescient nature. Seeing the future of those around you, and yourself, must be hard especially when all looks bleak. However he finds the courage to keep motivated, and that is inspiring. Though he sets out on his mission alone, he also meets up with other characters who form the rag-tag team that will help him potentially complete his obstacle-laden journey. 
I especially enjoyed the fact that Broken is a superhero novel. I haven't read many superhero novels as I prefer watching them unfold on the screen, but Broken is a commendable and industrious addition to the genre.
All in all, a remarkable tale of strength and courage through even the toughest circumstances. The additional world-building adds to the overall feeling of tension within the regimes. The government upheavals also add to the precarious nature of the book where even a chance wrong word could get you killed. I think science fiction and dystopian fans will enjoy this addition to the genre. 

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