This was the February 2013 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
Maddie and Justin live in the year 2060, when the United States has become a digi-topia. Fear drove society behind closed doors and people communicate primarily via technology; face-to-face interaction is minimal.
Justin's parents are out-law revolutionaries, fighting against digi-topia to get people back to natural human interactions, while Maddie's father is the driving force behind Digital Schools and digital world-dominance...
Not hard to figure out the plot from there.
As a thirty-something, I think I'm just easily bored with the inexperienced, first-love romances of these YA novels. They're so predictable (he loves me, he loves me not) and shallow...and basically go nowhere.
So although well-written, I think this book will go over better with its target audience of young adults with limited to no romantic experience.
The world-building aspect was pretty weak, there was never a strong establishment of the future setting - but the idea that people will become dependent on technology as the primary line of communication is a timely one....but a stronger writer might've executed it a bit better. I give this one a C.
Maddie and Justin live in the year 2060, when the United States has become a digi-topia. Fear drove society behind closed doors and people communicate primarily via technology; face-to-face interaction is minimal.
Justin's parents are out-law revolutionaries, fighting against digi-topia to get people back to natural human interactions, while Maddie's father is the driving force behind Digital Schools and digital world-dominance...
Not hard to figure out the plot from there.
As a thirty-something, I think I'm just easily bored with the inexperienced, first-love romances of these YA novels. They're so predictable (he loves me, he loves me not) and shallow...and basically go nowhere.
So although well-written, I think this book will go over better with its target audience of young adults with limited to no romantic experience.
The world-building aspect was pretty weak, there was never a strong establishment of the future setting - but the idea that people will become dependent on technology as the primary line of communication is a timely one....but a stronger writer might've executed it a bit better. I give this one a C.
Awaken takes us to a place that is very likely. Everything is digital. There is digital school (mandated, with no drop outs allowed), digital work, digital dating, even digital dancing. There is no teenage pregnancy, crime is virtually eliminated, and people rarely come out of their homes. Maddie, the protagonist of the story, is the daughter of the inventor of DS (digital school). She has had some trouble in the past, so she is on probation in her home. She is rarely allowed out, except to go to soccer practice. Her dad does not trust her, but her mom wants her to experience some of the old life. Maddie seems unhappy, but she doesn't really do anything other than chat through her flip screen anyways. What is she missing out on? Everything is normal and hooked in, until she agrees to meet someone in a real life study group. She is uncomfortable with the idea, but agrees to go. This simple choice changes everything. When Maddie meets this boy, her clean, locked up world is not good enough for her anymore. It's time for Maddie to remember what human interaction is really like.
I usually enjoy dystopian novels, so I was looking forward to reading this immediately. Even though it is set in 2060, I feel like it could be just around the corner. The book doesn't focus on a perfect governmental structure like most dystopians do. It doesn't give people the exact amount of food they need, the right kinds of clothing, etc. It is still our type of government. DS seems like any major corporation that has just been allowed to be a monopoly. My high school students are already attached to their technology. When was the last time anyone saw a teenager without an ear bud in their ears, or a phone in their hand? I think one of my students would start crying if I made her let go of her phone. Their entire lives are being controlled through these devices, and they feel like they are more connected to people than ever. This book really touched me because it is pointing out the dangers of living like this. I can't Kacvinsky enough for pointing this out. Why take everything real out of life?
The only reason I gave this a four instead of a five is because it took me awhile to read it. I was able to put the book down between chapters. There were definite stopping points where I felt like I could close the book and think of something else. Excellent books don't let you do that. I'm not even sure how to change the novel to make it more gripping. There are definitely chapters that make me want to read more right then and there, but that's not how the whole book is. Perhaps, more action in the in-between chapters could have helped me, or maybe stepping outside of Maddie and learning what is happening in other parts of the world could have pulled me in deeper. All in all, I would highly recommend this to my high school students. There is very little bad language, and only some kissing scenes, so it is relatively tame compared to a lot of young adult literature. I just think more people need to read this to focus on the message of not allowing our digital lives to take over everything worthwhile.
I usually enjoy dystopian novels, so I was looking forward to reading this immediately. Even though it is set in 2060, I feel like it could be just around the corner. The book doesn't focus on a perfect governmental structure like most dystopians do. It doesn't give people the exact amount of food they need, the right kinds of clothing, etc. It is still our type of government. DS seems like any major corporation that has just been allowed to be a monopoly. My high school students are already attached to their technology. When was the last time anyone saw a teenager without an ear bud in their ears, or a phone in their hand? I think one of my students would start crying if I made her let go of her phone. Their entire lives are being controlled through these devices, and they feel like they are more connected to people than ever. This book really touched me because it is pointing out the dangers of living like this. I can't Kacvinsky enough for pointing this out. Why take everything real out of life?
The only reason I gave this a four instead of a five is because it took me awhile to read it. I was able to put the book down between chapters. There were definite stopping points where I felt like I could close the book and think of something else. Excellent books don't let you do that. I'm not even sure how to change the novel to make it more gripping. There are definitely chapters that make me want to read more right then and there, but that's not how the whole book is. Perhaps, more action in the in-between chapters could have helped me, or maybe stepping outside of Maddie and learning what is happening in other parts of the world could have pulled me in deeper. All in all, I would highly recommend this to my high school students. There is very little bad language, and only some kissing scenes, so it is relatively tame compared to a lot of young adult literature. I just think more people need to read this to focus on the message of not allowing our digital lives to take over everything worthwhile.
This was the February 2013 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
Maddie and Justin live in the year 2060, when the United States has become a digi-topia. Fear drove society behind closed doors and people communicate primarily via technology; face-to-face interaction is minimal.
Justin's parents are out-law revolutionaries, fighting against digi-topia to get people back to natural human interactions, while Maddie's father is the driving force behind Digital Schools and digital world-dominance...
Not hard to figure out the plot from there.
As a thirty-something, I think I'm just easily bored with the inexperienced, first-love romances of these YA novels. They're so predictable (he loves me, he loves me not) and shallow...and basically go nowhere.
So although well-written, I think this book will go over better with its target audience of young adults with limited to no romantic experience.
The world-building aspect was pretty weak, there was never a strong establishment of the future setting - but the idea that people will become dependent on technology as the primary line of communication is a timely one....but a stronger writer might've executed it a bit better. I give this one a C.
Maddie and Justin live in the year 2060, when the United States has become a digi-topia. Fear drove society behind closed doors and people communicate primarily via technology; face-to-face interaction is minimal.
Justin's parents are out-law revolutionaries, fighting against digi-topia to get people back to natural human interactions, while Maddie's father is the driving force behind Digital Schools and digital world-dominance...
Not hard to figure out the plot from there.
As a thirty-something, I think I'm just easily bored with the inexperienced, first-love romances of these YA novels. They're so predictable (he loves me, he loves me not) and shallow...and basically go nowhere.
So although well-written, I think this book will go over better with its target audience of young adults with limited to no romantic experience.
The world-building aspect was pretty weak, there was never a strong establishment of the future setting - but the idea that people will become dependent on technology as the primary line of communication is a timely one....but a stronger writer might've executed it a bit better. I give this one a C.
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
AMAZING! Thats what went through my mind as I turned the final page of AWAKEN. AWAKEN is one of a slew of dystopian novels that are flooding the market, but this one definitely stands out in front of the pack.
Maddie has grown up in a society where there is little need to leave the house. Shopping can be done online and delivered. School is done from the computer, as well. Maddie has many friends, but they are all on line. So shes hesitant when one of her online friends invites her to a study group one night. Not only is she not used to being around people, she has to ask permission to leave the house.
Maddie meets Justin at the group. Justin has done his research and knows Maddies father is behind the founding of Digitial School. And he has learned that someone had previously hacked into the system in an attempt to sabotage it. Justin is actually surprised to find out that Maddie is a girl.
Justin introduces Maddie to a world that involves actual face-to-face social interaction. Its a world Maddie is unfamiliar with, but now that shes had a taste of it, she wants more. But her father doesnt want her to see Justin again.
As the story unfolds, Maddies history comes out, and the reader learns about her being on house arrest for her computer hacking attempt. Its just that ability and her close connection to her father that Justin and his group of rebels want access to.
All of the characters in AWAKEN were wonderful and easy to relate to. Even Maddies father, though the villain in the story (or so you are led to believe), has his reasons and beliefs for what he does. Outside of Maddie and Justin, I have to say that my favorite character was Maddies mom. Though she is a quiet person and supportive of her husband, she does little rebellious things all the way through that make you want to go, Yeah, mom! It culminates when she hands Maddie her sneakers. (Read the story, youll know what Im talking about!)
There is so much action in AWAKEN that I found my heart racing at different points in the story. The tension between Maddie and Justin is palpable, but just enough out of reach to keep the reader hungering for more. I dont know that a sequel is planned, but the story ends leaving you wanting that continuation.
AMAZING! Thats what went through my mind as I turned the final page of AWAKEN. AWAKEN is one of a slew of dystopian novels that are flooding the market, but this one definitely stands out in front of the pack.
Maddie has grown up in a society where there is little need to leave the house. Shopping can be done online and delivered. School is done from the computer, as well. Maddie has many friends, but they are all on line. So shes hesitant when one of her online friends invites her to a study group one night. Not only is she not used to being around people, she has to ask permission to leave the house.
Maddie meets Justin at the group. Justin has done his research and knows Maddies father is behind the founding of Digitial School. And he has learned that someone had previously hacked into the system in an attempt to sabotage it. Justin is actually surprised to find out that Maddie is a girl.
Justin introduces Maddie to a world that involves actual face-to-face social interaction. Its a world Maddie is unfamiliar with, but now that shes had a taste of it, she wants more. But her father doesnt want her to see Justin again.
As the story unfolds, Maddies history comes out, and the reader learns about her being on house arrest for her computer hacking attempt. Its just that ability and her close connection to her father that Justin and his group of rebels want access to.
All of the characters in AWAKEN were wonderful and easy to relate to. Even Maddies father, though the villain in the story (or so you are led to believe), has his reasons and beliefs for what he does. Outside of Maddie and Justin, I have to say that my favorite character was Maddies mom. Though she is a quiet person and supportive of her husband, she does little rebellious things all the way through that make you want to go, Yeah, mom! It culminates when she hands Maddie her sneakers. (Read the story, youll know what Im talking about!)
There is so much action in AWAKEN that I found my heart racing at different points in the story. The tension between Maddie and Justin is palpable, but just enough out of reach to keep the reader hungering for more. I dont know that a sequel is planned, but the story ends leaving you wanting that continuation.
