I loved the premise of this book. In the dystopic future country of Ludania, social classes are defined by the language they speak; you are not only not allowed to learn the languages of classes above you, but you must maintain a downcast gaze when languages from above your class are spoken. (“Englaise” is the universal language used when classes are forced to interact.)
This class system was first imposed in order to discourage future uprisings, so that ideas of rebellion could not be communicated. It also became a way to exert power and control over members of the lower classes.
Charlaina Hart, 17, and her little sister Angelina, 4, are of the vendor class, and are supposed to speak only Parshon (the vendors’ language) and Englaise. But the two girls share secret skills which they must never reveal at the cost of their lives. Charlaina (called “Charlie” by her friends), can understand any language. Moreover, her ability is not restricted to words; she can decipher any type of communication, including those that are visual or tactile. Angelina, on the other hand, is mute, but she too has secret abilities that no one else has.
Ludania is ruled only by queens, and the current one, Queen Sabara, is solidly evil. Although Sabara is getting too old to keep going, no female heir has been produced, and she is starting to panic. It is not the kingdom she cares for as much as her immortality; if she has a legitimate heir, she can transfer her “essence” into the heir, displacing the persona occupying the body. She then is ensured of at least another whole lifetime of existence and rule.
Her grandsons are not only no help, but one of them, Max, seems to have fallen for a girl (Charlie), and thus is not as diligent as he should be in helping with her nefarious plans. Besides that, rebel forces are making headway against the queen. She is running out of time.
Discussion: In spite of this book’s great premise, there were a couple of aspects to the story I didn’t think worked too well. The overly evil queen with her magical “essence” transfer ability muddied up the genre waters for me.
Then there’s Max. He is suddenly and inexplicably smitten with a girl below his class, and we are never given any reason for it whatsoever. (Even though Max tells Charlie several times that she is “beautiful,” it is made clear in the book that Charlie may be nice looking but is not above average.) She is rude to Max, which could have appeal for a guy who probably only gets pandering, but he never reveals that this is a source of attraction. In fact, we never know what he’s thinking at all. Max is just a good-looking guy who is suddenly after Charlie.
On the other hand, some of the characters are drawn better than others, such as Charlie’s little sister Angelina, and the rebel leader Xander, and they are quite endearing. But the only heads we ever get into are Charlie’s and the Queen’s.
This book has some very creative aspects but can’t seem to decide if it wants to be a dystopia or a fantasy or a YA coming of age story. As a dystopia, the idea of mandating that power be delineated by language is a great plot organizing principle. Characters being named for “ancient” cities (such as Charlie’s friend “Brooklynn”) is also a nice touch. But world-building aspects are practically nonexistent. As a coming of age story, the YA tropes are somewhat hackneyed, such as the guy who has been the heroine’s best friend forever but he is not the guy she falls for; the sidekick who is always getting the heroine into trouble; and the incredible naivety of the heroine. It is as a fantasy though that I think the story suffers the most. The Queen is like the Snow White queen on steroids – she is just too evil to be real. And yet her magical powers were not enough to have prevented someone from killing her in the night, which surely would have happened at some point over the years.
Evaluation: This blend of dystopia, fantasy, and coming-of-age novel has some inventive aspects to it. It will be interesting to see how subsequent volumes (yes, it has been signed to become a trilogy!) manage the world-changing necessitated by the conclusion of this book.
Rating: 3/5
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2011
Filed under: Book Review Tagged: | Book Review
OK no snarky comment about dystopias and trilogies. I take all that back. Still, I’m not sure I’m interested in this book or not. Parts of it sound interesting, but I am a relative novice with this genre and not sure this is one for me to read. I consider you The Queen of dystopias!
So, if someone has an ear for languages, how do they prevent them from learning those of the classes above them?
Actually there is some sort of evolved situation whereby you just can’t understand. And anyway, you wouldn’t want to – if you pay that much attention of you’re in big trouble! LOL
Sounds like a really interesting premise as far as the languages go, but I have to admit the essence transfer thing sort of threw me for a loop.
I have to agree with Sandy that parts of this one sound really interesting! I am less enamored of the love story aspect, but the principal elements of the dystopia seem strange and interesting, and I love strange and weird stuff. I may need to read this one and see where I fall when it comes to my opinions. I of course will want to talk to you about it. Off to see if the library has it!
My husband is reading this now and he seems to be enjoying it so far. Probably won’t be happy when I tell him it’s going to be a trilogy.
It is such a shame when there is such a promising premise (say THAT 5x fast!) and it isn’t fully developed as it could be. This seems to happen a lot with YA. Perhaps it needed to “cook” a little longer.
I don’t know. I’m on the fence with this one. It sounds good but I’m not sure good enough to really get my attention.
This sounds like a really creative premise anyway. But things like the queen being too evil to seem real would bother me for sure.
Another trilogy? For some reason I’m really burned out on trilogy books…and I’m not sure that this one is for me. I’m sure they would put me out of their society!!!
A trilogy — no way. It seems like almost every YA dystopian novel is part of a trilogy. That’s a big investment for readers!
While I had almost no connection to the characters, I devoured this book because the writing just pulled me in. I did not like the genre mixing of dystopia/fantasy as neither was very strong but I’m still curious to read the next installment.
I loved this book for the fun experience of reading it, but I had many of the same issues you did. It really was a mix of genres and the lack of world building left me with so many questions. I really had to just let those go and just enjoy it for what it was (and rarely do I enjoy a book as much as I did this one if it has these issues).
AHHHHH…. too bad – when you started describing it I was really intrigued!
This is one of the books Anna’s husband had mentioned that he might nominate for our new book club, but he decided against it. I thought this was an interesting premise. I might give it a try at a later date.
Totally not the book for me, but the not speaking the language above your class is an intersting twist.