ARC Review: Middle Ground by Katie Kacvinsky

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: November 20th, 2012

In this provocative cautionary tale for teens, the sequel to Awaken, seventeen-year-old Maddie’s rebellion against the digital-only life grows dangerous. Maddie is in Los Angeles, trying to stay out of trouble. But one night, a seemingly small act of defiance lands her in the place she fears the most: a detention center. Here, patients are reprogrammed to accept a digital existence. Maddie is now fighting for her mind, her soul, and her very life. Once again, Katie Kacvinsky paints a disturbing picture of our increasingly technology-based society.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

When I first began reading this book, I wasn't really sure how I was going to feel about it.  I absolutely LOVED its predecessor, Katie Kacvinsky's debut, Awaken (read my full review HERE), and I had high hopes for this one.  I couldn't wait to see what direction Maddie's life would take, and whether her relationship with and feelings for Justin were real.  Well, Middle Ground started out a bit shaky for me.  Not to get spoilery, but during the first few chapters I felt like Maddie was being needlessly reckless, given the situation she was in, and I didn't see anything working out at all like I was hoping it was going to.  I started to feel a sense of dread and pending disappointment, and I was not liking it one bit.  THEN... The story made this crazy turn in a direction that I never imagined it would go in, and I was beyond impressed.  I don't want to give anything away, because I want you to feel those same feelings I felt when I was reading this.  I stopped trying to predict what was going to happen next, and just went with it, and it was brilliant.

I loved the characters and dialogue in Awaken, and I thought those elements were even better in Middle Ground.  I also loved how inside Maddie's head we were in Middle Ground.  I felt like she was really detached in Awaken, and in Middle Ground her soul is laid bare through the horrors she endured for her cause.  It was captivating.  I found the story original, well-paced, action-packed, and intellectually stimulating; Not an easy combo to come by.  As with its predecessor, the social commentary was amazingly subtle, yet absolutely compelling.  Finally, I really enjoyed how the romantic element worked out.  I had some misgivings about the relationship between Maddie and Justin after book one, and while things didn't play out the way that I expected them to in this book, I was happy nonetheless.  My only disappointment with this book was that I had hoped to see more of Maddie's mother, as I had grown to really like her in Awaken.  Perhaps there will be a book #3...

If you haven't read Awaken yet, do yourself a favor and pick it up.  It is a plausible, well-drawn dystopia, that really keeps you thinking long after it is over.  That, and you need to read it before you can begin reading its even more brilliant sequel...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Grade Level Recommendation:  I stand by my recommendation for Awaken; 5th grade and up (ages 10+).  There is some romance, but nothing graphic.

Review: First Comes Love by Katie Kacvinsky

Publisher:  Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt BYR
Publication Date:  May 8th, 2012

Like his name, Gray is dark and stormy. Dylan, a girl always searching for what’s next, seemingly unable to settle down, is the exact opposite: full of light and life. On the outside, they seem like an unlikely couple. But looks can be deceiving and besides, opposites attract.

What starts as friendship, turns into admiration, respect and caring, until finally these two lone souls find they are truly in love with each other.

But staying in love is not as easy as falling in love. If Dylan and Gray want their love to last, they’re going to have to work at it. And learn that sometimes love means having to say you’re sorry.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I really enjoyed Katie Kacvinsky's 2011 debut, Awaken.  I thought it was a smart, thought-provoking Dystopia that had valid social commentary, without being preachy.  When I saw First Comes Love in the HMH catalog, I assumed that it was the sequel to Awaken, which is also due out this year.  When I found out it wasn't, I was a little disappointed.  THEN I found out it was a Contemporary Romance, and I was both repulsed and intrigued.  I'm not a big fan of Contemporary Romance (although I will admit that I have come across a few really great ones of late), but I liked the author's writing in Awaken well enough, that I decided to give it a shot.   When I received it in the mail, I immediately had a negative impression; the cover just did not grab me.  I know it was an ARC, but the cover was the final cover, and it just seemed really cheap to me.  Now that I've read the book, I feel that way even more strongly; they could have done better.  That said, this book is kind of the epitome of the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover!", because the book was quite good.

When I started reading First Comes Love, I wasn't sure I was going to like it.  My first impression was that it was going to be a been-there-done-that, opposites-attract, YA love story.  It wasn't.  It was deeply touching, full of raw hurt and emotion.  The characters were beautifully rendered to the point where though I wasn't sure I liked them at first, I learned to love them as I got to know them.  At first I thought Dylan was the type of girl who is really insecure, but tries a little too hard to project a carefree, quirky image.  Well, she turns out to be the real deal, and I kind of feel like an ass for judging her so as quickly as I did... As for Gray? Well he always came off to me as the sexy damaged guy, and while it was annoying to me, the length of time it took to find out why he was so damaged, I always felt like it was legit.  He was kind of a jerk at the beginning, but I guess he maybe had the same first impression of Dylan as I did... As for the romance?  It moved slowly, in an honest, imperfect, and entirely believable way.  Katie Kacvinsky did a wonderful job capturing the ups and downs of young love. I think it is really difficult to get a handle on the swirl of feelings, innocence, desire, uncertainty, and apprehension that go along with first love, and I think she nailed it because she recognizes that it isn't ONLY about the romance.  Dylan and Gray had lives before and apart from each other, and it was really interesting to find out, bit by bit, who they were as individuals, through their emerging feelings for one another.

In the end, this book exceeded my expectations.  I was happy with the story and was satisfied with the ending.  The only complaint I have is that the story is over.

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  This book has some swears, sex, and tough issues.  Also, the characters are college age kids, more mature than most.  I think this book is best suited  for grades 9 and up (ages 14+).

Review: Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication Date: May 23rd, 2011

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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

Oh. Wow. Hands down, the most believable dystopian premise yet. An entire digitalized society? One where most people rarely leave home because just about everything can be done form their computers? Where even when they are out and about with other people, "interacting", they are still plugged in to their cell phones, laptops, iPods, etc., not even listening to or looking at other people? A society where you have hundreds, if not thousands of "friends", who you have never met face-to-face (and never intend to)? Sounds a lot like we're more than halfway there, doesn't it? This book is more than a fictional dystopia. It is a social commentary on where we are headed as a society, and it is scary.  It makes me want to disable my Facebook, Twitter, and blog (which of course, I won't) and go live in the woods for awhile...

I thought this book was really, REALLY good, and not just because it wasn't far-fetched. The writing was excellent, and I was dumbfounded when I found out that this was Katie Kacvinsky's debut novel. The way she uses words makes you feel like it's real. I felt Maddie's hopelessness, then her growing hope. Her helplessness, then sense of empowerment. Her longing and need. Her happiness and fear. They were Maddie's emotions, but Kacvinsky, through her writing, made them mine. As for the characters? Well, they are now my friends. Friends that I can't wait to catch up with in book number two, Middle Ground (which was just optioned). I thought Maddie was a great character. She wasn't entirely sure of herself, but managed to be a strong heroine anyway. She was totally human, which when you read the book, you will find ironic.  As for Justin? *swoon* Could he be more perfect? Selfless, gorgeous, principled... Sure, he's kind of emotionally detached, but that's what feminine wiles are for, right? Clare was great as someone who could relate to Maddie, and though we saw very little of her, Maddie's mom was a wonderful character as well (who I think/hope will play a larger role as the story plays out).

Anyway, I loved this book. One of my favorite reads of 2011. Middle Ground has already been written, so I expect it's release won't be years and years off (although a date has not been announced). I will definitely be looking out for it because I plan to read it on the day it drops (unless someone is kind enough to send me an ARC *wink, wink*).

Oh, and isn't the cover eerily gorgeous? Having read the book, I totally get it now, and it is PERFECT!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ +

Grade Level Recommendation: There is definitely romance in this book, and the feelings are intense, but there is no sex or physicality beyond making out. There is a curse word here and there, but I can count on one hand the number. Violence is very minimal, and for a dystopia, practically non-existent. I think this book is fine for 5th grade+ (ages 10+). Even a mature 4th grader could read this if the parents were okay with the romantic parts (I would have encouraged my rising 5th grader to read it last year, and I am MAKING her read it now.). I think that kids today NEED to read this book. They are so plugged-in that this WILL be their reality if they don't get some kind of wake-up call.  Honestly, I plan to suggest this to a 6th grade teacher I know, who is looking for classroom-read options.  It would be a FANTASTIC class discussion book that the kids could relate to.