Review: Control by Lydia Kang

Control
by Lydia Kang

Hardcover, 400 pages
Expected publication: December 26th 2013
by Dial Books for Young Readers

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An un-putdownable thriller for fans of Uglies

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn't even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

I still laugh when I think about this book because it’s one of those that I really enjoyed, but most of it I did not understand. So now I am sitting here trying to understand why I enjoyed it so much when I did not understand the way the world that Zel lives in, works.

One character has two heads? Did I read that correctly? Yes, I did.

Eventually I was able to understand a little bit of how it works and I think it’s like x-men… sort of. They are born with this gene… maybe? I kept on reading, though, and I am glad that I did.

Despite the creepiness of some of the characters, I actually really liked them. I think they are the reason I read Control from beginning to end. They were funny and treated each other like family. I knew I was going to love every single character from the scene when Zel enters their home for the first time. I actually burst out laughing. I was on a train home and laughed so loud the woman in front of me actually asked me what I was reading.

That is one of the great things about Control. It will make you laugh and totally creep you out at the same time, as well as frustrate you. The romance was one of my favorites, but it’s also what sort of ruined the ending for me. I cannot get to into detail because it’s a spoiler, but it left me feeling a bit angry. I wish things would have turned out different. It became a bit predictable and felt almost like it was for nothing.

I am curious to see how the next book plays out, though. I will definitely be continuing the series despite all my little issues. I still think it's a really good story and lots of readers are going to eat this one up. I recommend it. :)