Booksaur: Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Awaken 
by Kat Kacvinsky
Pages: 320

Released: May 23, 2011
Awaken
Summary: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.

My Thoughts: I like how this book parallels our world.

What I liked: The book started out showing us Maddie's 'techie' lifestyle and I was hooked within the first few pages. It was interesting to see what the year 2060 was like and how technology was taking over people's lives. When they say everything is done online, they do mean everything. Kacvinsky does a superb job showing readers why we should not let technology control us and remind us that we are humans, not machines. This book really made me think a lot about society and more specifically how I am affected by technology. Like the book says, it's a drug and we're all becoming addicts. My favorite part of this book was Justin, he had a troubling past, he's very likable, and was an awesome love interest. I've seen GoodReads reviews and some say the book was slow, but it didn't seem that way to me--I couldn't put it down, the writing style was lovely too.

What I disliked: Argh, I was about to give this book a 5 star rating but then came the last ~15 pages of the book. the author did such a great job telling pulling us into this huge debate and I thought the ending was going to be a huge finale, but it was anticlimactic. It seemed a bit rushed and an arbitrary way to end things.

Conclusion: Despite the, ending I still enjoyed this book and would read it again because the author does a great job analyzing technology and our increasing consumption of it.

Cover translated: The Rebellion of Maddie Freeman
4/5 stars

Source: Library.

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Check out the German book cover (right). I never would have thought they were for the same book, very cool. ----->
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I had no idea this was a series, it didn't say so on Goodreads, might have to reevaluate my rating. For now it'll be fluctuating between a 4 and 5.

13 comments:

  1. I've heard mixed reviews about this one, but I still want to read it. And wow, the covers are very different. I like them both though.

    Christy
    Love of Books

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  2. @Christy
    You should read it :) The book had really great 'pros' and makes you think :)

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  3. Hi! Just stopped by from Book Blogs and am now following ya! This one is on my TBR list, but it keeps getting pushed further and further back. Great review, I think I'll have to pull this one back to the top!
    Courtney
    Fuzzy.Coffee.Books
    Oh, today is the last day my GIVEAWAY is open, stop by and check it out!!

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  4. Sounds like an interesting book - great premise.

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  5. @BookJunkie Cool :) it's definitely worth checking out! And thanks I'll check out your giveaway ^^

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  6. @Dana
    It sure is :) reminds me a bit of "Feed" and "Candor" because of the technology/dystopian aspect.

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  7. Wow this seems like a lovely novel! I've passed this one and never knew what it was really about! Great review, and the fact that it's a series makes me smile! Loving dystopian lit!

    <3 Britta
    http://novelday.blogspot.com

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  8. I love your little picture at the top - so so so so cute. And I also love that you give recommendations at the bottom of a review, "you might also like..."

    I will check back again soon!

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  9. @Britta Kirk
    Thanks :D haha yup I can't get enough dystopian either ^^

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  10. Man the German book cover looks better then I realized.

    But I also loved this book. I do agree with you that the ending was a little =P, but I think the sequel will be awesome!

    I hope Justin returns, I cried.

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  11. I've had this on my tbr list for ages. I'm so glad to hear you liked it. Makes me want to read it that much more. I had no idea it was a series either! Good to know :D

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  12. @T.V and Book Addict
    Yes please do :) it'll make you think and question our own society... it's a unique reading experience :D

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I love comments! And will respond to all of them :) Thanks!