Title: Pure
Author: Julianna Baggott
Genre: YA - Dystopian
Publication Date: February 8th, 2012
"We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.
"We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.
Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again." ~Goodreads
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Pure was a very
unique and imaginative book. While the story was fascinating, it was a bit slow
for me in the beginning but once I got further into the book I really started
enjoying it. The writing is a bit different; the descriptions put me in mind of
Tim Burton’s style. The world building was probably one of my favorite parts of
the book, the author created such an interesting post-apocalyptic, dystopian
world that was believable and well developed. The characters came up a bit
short for me; I just seemed to have a hard time becoming emotionally connected to
any of them.
Another thing I found interesting is the fact that this book
doesn’t center around a lot of romance, whereas a lot of other YA books these
days do focus more on that. And while I do like romance if it’s written well, I
think it’s refreshing to see a book that has more focus on the actual world
building and storyline. I think this would appeal to a wide range of readers, I
think it would be a good recommendation for male and female readers alike.
This book really had me thinking after I finished reading it;
I mean what would it be like if a major crisis event similar to the one in this
book happened? To be quite honest, the thought of something like that happening
in real life really freaks me out! Haha. I also really liked the little poem
that Ms. Baggott wrote as part of this story, it was kind of like a children’s
rhyme and I think that (other than the words and the meaning itself) is what
made it even creepier…
“Burn a Pure and breath the ash.
Take his guts and
make a sash.
Twist his hair and
make a rope.
Use his bones to
make Pure soap.”
See what I mean? Definitely creepy. But it adds so much to
the story by showing the dark side of things.
Overall I enjoyed this book, and I’m looking forward to
continuing on with the series.
4 Stars!
ikr the world building is phenomenal
ReplyDeletelookking 4ward 2 book2 /a year's wait
tnx 4 reviewing