Paperback, 325 pages Published January 6th 2011 by Puffin/Speak ISBN 0142417718 (ISBN13: 9780142417713)
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world-even the most predatory of men-that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past-one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.
My Thoughts:
I absolutely loved loved loved this book. I'm just mad that I waited this long to read it when I had the book on my shelf for a few months. With so many reviews, I had to put it on hold. But once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It seems like the Dystopian genre is taken the book world by storm. And I have to be honest, I can not resist a book Dystopian book.
In this dystopian society, all young girls have to get tattoos on their wrists when they turn 16 years old. She was not happy at all about branding herself with this government issued tattoo. This tattoo is to prove that the girls are legal and they can have sex. Rather then sixteen, they consider they call it "sex-teen". But Nina isn't like other girls. She does not accept that idea of the government telling her when she can have sex.
As if getting a tattoo and branding herself isn't bad enough. Nina loses the most important person in her life. Her mom. So now with her mom gone, Nina and her little sister has to move with Nina's grandparents. But staying with them is definitely not keeping them away from danger. Nina's little sister Dee, well her dad is coming after Nina by full force. Nina has information that he wants and he'll take whatever measures to get it. Lucky for Nina that her new friends, and their family, goes the extra mile to help keep her and her little sister safe. This book is full of suspense and action.
So here's my thoughts. I had one problem with this book. She trust her new friends way too soon. She didn't know them well enough to trust them. And at times when Nina would tell them a secret, I was just waiting for their betrayal. But lucky for her, they were loyal and kept their word about helping her. This book had a bit of everything. There was a bit of romance, some action, and shock. I loved it. Completely loved it. 5/5 stars for XVI. The next book in series is called "Truth" and it comes out in January 2012. I can't wait!! This is a must buy and a definite Good Choice for Reading!!
Great review! I'm really intrigued by this one. I love dystopians and this seems to be a less popular novel. I'll def. be reading it though it sounds great!
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
Giselle, she keeps ranting about this book lol. I think I am going to have to borrow it from her and eventually read it lol
ReplyDeleteGiselle, this book is amazing! I absolutely loved it. And Damaris, you need to read it! I can't wait to get my hands on "Truth".
ReplyDeleteIt's odd. I was so looking forward to this book when I first bought it in May but when I got around to reading it, I couldn't even get half way through. I'll have to give it another try. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, I have a copy of this book and I still need to read it >_<.
ReplyDeleteWanda, you made this book sound so good! I might have to steal it before Damaris!
ReplyDeleteChey- you should give it another chance. Maybe @ the moment you picked it up, you weren't in the mood for it. It's so good.
ReplyDeleteMichelle- PICK IT UP!! LOL
Maria- Definitely! Let me know. I'm off tomorrow, could probably meet up with you to give it to you.