Release Date: June 7th, 2012
Finished Date: June 6th, 2012
Publishers: Faber and Faber
Source: ARC for Review
Format: Paperback
In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell. Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears. Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.
The Review: I’m going to start of by saying I really liked this book. I’m always a bit unsure about dystopias because they usually have a complexed world, and sometimes it becomes too complicated but Claire Merle has created something unique, exciting and thrilling with The Glimpse and I thought it was a great debut novel.
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The book is told in a third person narrative. We mostly see Ana’s story but get small chapters from other characters too. I loved Ana; she’s a strong girl who has lead a tough life. Her father is the problem to all her problems but she still manages to look on the bright side and try to do the right thing. Claire Merle also easies you into the story with adding flashbacks so you always feel like you know what’s going on and she also takes the time for us to get to know most of the characters – which I loved. The only character we don’t really get to know all that much is Jasper because he’s missing for most of the book, which really, isn’t a great loss. I have to say I have mixed feelings on him because from the blurb you're lead to believe that Jasper is the love interest but that isn’t entirely true. There’s Cole (who I love), and while I know what you’re thinking – there isn’t a love triangle in this book. You need to read it yourself to see what I mean but the author did a fantastic job of creating the right relationships for this book and did an awesome job by not creating a love triangle. There are far too many of them around at the moment so I'm glad she went down this route.
Now, Ana’s father….grrrrr! I hate him, hate him, and hate him. Honestly, I wanted to slap him. He’s the bad guy in the story but he’s just so frustrating. I hope he gets his comeuppence in the end.
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What I found interesting about this book was how Ana’s world was separated by Puree’s and Crazies. The crazies all suffer from mental illnesses like depression and showing emotions and are treated with no respect. Their thrown into mental institutes and treated badly while the Puree’s live the high life. I loved exploring both worlds and seeing the good and bad points of both, but me personally I know where I’d live and that’s with the crazies.
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The book itself was fast paced, interesting and thrilling. It’s full of emotion and by the end I really wanted more. It’s left on a slight cliff-hanger so be prepared but it’s so it good. Overall, I loved The Glimpse and I can’t wait to see more from this author.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book.
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7 comments:
This book sounds so different and interesting! I really want to read this! :)
I've heard loads of mixed things about this book - but I like the idea of it, so I think I'm going to have to give it a go! Great review!
While I struggled 'a little' with this book at the beginning but I really enjoyed the last half of the book. Anyway great review!
I have this on my kindle to read - really need to get to it!
Great review! :)
Dani x
Amazing review Donna :) When I first read about this book I thought the pures & crazies idea was bonkers lol. I am so glad you enjoyed this one, I have it for review too so I should get round to it soon. :)
this book sounds amazing and i cannot wait until i can get it. love your review :)
Oooo!! I'll be reading this book soon!!! It sounds awesome!!! And you gave it four stars!!!! I like that this book starts right off it seems with the fact that the protagonist is different from the rest of society. Instead of dragging it out like most dystopias do nowadays (NOT necessarily a bad thing), Ms. Merle has the "weakness" exposed quickly. And I like how the girl goes to look for the guy, instead of the two of them meeting and falling in love and blah blah blah like most dystopias (again, not necessarily a bad thing. Just repetitive). It kind of remids me of Legend by Marie Lu in that sense, except Ana's not looking for a criminal and Jasper's not wanted for murder (I hope not!). So, I am pumped to read this book. I'm getting it soon!!!! Yay. Thanks for the review!!!!
Alyssa <3
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