The Limit
Kristen Landon
ISBN: 9781442402713
Read January 3, 2014
Middle-grade dystopia: 13-year old Matt is the scapegoat for his family's lack of money savvy - he's off to the workhouse to earn enough money to get them back under the federally-mandated family debt limit. Fortunately, Matt is a genius, and assigned to work in the Top Level, a world short school days, even shorter work days, indoor pools, gyms, and unlimited spending accounts. Unfortunately for Matt, something extra despicable seems to be happening in his workhouse, and his family's money woes are suddenly the least of his problems, while his cushy life up Top may be adding to them.
Not an amazing read, but not shabby either. It suffered a bit from the juvenile/middle-grade/YA trap that makes adults into imbeciles in order to ease plotting concerns, but not overly so (and to be honest, I know lots of people who are either in denial or incapable regarding their finances).
The kids in focus are super-genius, but they still act like kids - goofing off, playing around, working out boundaries between teasing and bullying, but all of that stays in the background in service of straightforward furthering of the plot. That's somewhat to the detriment of the story, actually, especially in the neglect of the female characters, and of the villainess and her motivations and background.
Matt's motivations seem organic and realistic, as do his rebellions. I'm only left wondering why on earth the villainess didn't seem to have had any experience with any other hormonal and rebellious teens before this, as she seemed totally unable to comprehend the concept of continuing defiance.
The book sorts itself out quickly, the denouement skips effortlessly over some really interesting questions (why and how did a workhouse concept actually come to pass) and moves blithely onward to a slightly-less-dystopic endpoint. The whole plotline really felt like a stripped-down and much less world-built version of Ready Player One.
Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label computer. Show all posts
Friday, January 3, 2014
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Saving Thanehaven, Catherine Jinks
Saving Thanehaven, Catherine Jinks.
ISBN: 9781606842744
Read November 4, 2013
Juv-YA: TRON-like world of programs come to life inside computers.
Noble is a knight, sworn to save the princess from the evil wizard, but he's never really thought much further than that. When he meets Rufus on the way in, he's introduced to the concept of free will, and from that moment on, he's pretty much screwed.
Readers will catch on to Rufus much more quickly than the programs will, but even knowing what he's up to - he's pretty impressive. Like a human sociopath, Rufus changes his tone and watches what he says and pretends to care, before moving on to the next target.
Speaking of that, the title and bookends are a little misleading - the beginning of the story is set in Thanehaven, and Noble is very much a man, er, program, of his time, er, game. The action doesn't stay there very long, however, and in no time flat, we've moved through a couple more games, and been introduced to the weird world of visualized computing hardware and software.
If you watched the TRON reboot and wondered what the other programs did in their daily lives, this one is for you. If you got a little huffy about how there could be a world inside of programs and algorithms, I would suggest you steer clear. As far as I could tell, the analogies are apt, and the information is correct, but I can easily see computer-geeks getting very bent out of shape by the implications of the locations as they are envisioned.
My major quibble surrounds the lives in the real world - naturally we aren't able to see much, but the real Rufus in particular seems unaware that bricking his friend's computer for a perceived slight is a smidge of an overreaction. I would have liked to have a bit more attention given to that situation.
Overall, an enjoyable short read that is surprisingly funny, with a metaphysical twist at the end for a punchy garnish.
(also published on Amazon.com)
ISBN: 9781606842744
Read November 4, 2013
Juv-YA: TRON-like world of programs come to life inside computers.
Noble is a knight, sworn to save the princess from the evil wizard, but he's never really thought much further than that. When he meets Rufus on the way in, he's introduced to the concept of free will, and from that moment on, he's pretty much screwed.
Readers will catch on to Rufus much more quickly than the programs will, but even knowing what he's up to - he's pretty impressive. Like a human sociopath, Rufus changes his tone and watches what he says and pretends to care, before moving on to the next target.
Speaking of that, the title and bookends are a little misleading - the beginning of the story is set in Thanehaven, and Noble is very much a man, er, program, of his time, er, game. The action doesn't stay there very long, however, and in no time flat, we've moved through a couple more games, and been introduced to the weird world of visualized computing hardware and software.
If you watched the TRON reboot and wondered what the other programs did in their daily lives, this one is for you. If you got a little huffy about how there could be a world inside of programs and algorithms, I would suggest you steer clear. As far as I could tell, the analogies are apt, and the information is correct, but I can easily see computer-geeks getting very bent out of shape by the implications of the locations as they are envisioned.
My major quibble surrounds the lives in the real world - naturally we aren't able to see much, but the real Rufus in particular seems unaware that bricking his friend's computer for a perceived slight is a smidge of an overreaction. I would have liked to have a bit more attention given to that situation.
Overall, an enjoyable short read that is surprisingly funny, with a metaphysical twist at the end for a punchy garnish.
(also published on Amazon.com)
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