obssessivereader reviewed on
Helpful Score: 1
I can't say this book is particularly well-written, but I found myself strangely captivated. A very loose twist on Nathaniel Hawthorne's "A Scarlet Letter," this book has a more futuristic tone. Rather than imprison criminals, "When She Woke" takes place in a time where conviction takes on the form of melachroming. Human skins are tinted based on the severity of the crime they committed. For example, green skin means the person is an arsonist or a burglar, and red skin means the person committed murder.
Hannah Payne was impregnated by a public figure, but does not want the man to be known. So she has a secret abortion, is caught, and therefore chromed as a red.
What annoys me about Jordan's style of writing in this novel is the fact that the majority of the story is supposed to have a futuristic tone. However, there are random tidbits of what seems like her wanting to be Hawthorne. It's as if she is still trying to find her own style and voice, and the result is this book seeming to be more like a first novel.
The ending left me feeling like there were small holes in the plot, and Jordan threw some lines in just to throw them in.
With that said, I couldn't help but root for Hannah Payne to become the strong, independent woman she needed to be. Jordan throws in A LOT of religious quotes and questioning, but surprisingly, I didn't find it overpowering.
"When She Woke" starts off a little slow and strange, but as you get into it, it becomes strange, creepy and captivating. You will be creeped out; you will raise your eyebrows and say: "Really?"; you will wonder why you really just can't put it down.
Hannah Payne was impregnated by a public figure, but does not want the man to be known. So she has a secret abortion, is caught, and therefore chromed as a red.
What annoys me about Jordan's style of writing in this novel is the fact that the majority of the story is supposed to have a futuristic tone. However, there are random tidbits of what seems like her wanting to be Hawthorne. It's as if she is still trying to find her own style and voice, and the result is this book seeming to be more like a first novel.
The ending left me feeling like there were small holes in the plot, and Jordan threw some lines in just to throw them in.
With that said, I couldn't help but root for Hannah Payne to become the strong, independent woman she needed to be. Jordan throws in A LOT of religious quotes and questioning, but surprisingly, I didn't find it overpowering.
"When She Woke" starts off a little slow and strange, but as you get into it, it becomes strange, creepy and captivating. You will be creeped out; you will raise your eyebrows and say: "Really?"; you will wonder why you really just can't put it down.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
