Dark Parties - Book Review

Title ~ Dark Parties
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Sara Grant
Release Date ~ August 3, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Source ~ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Sixteen-year-old Neva has been trapped since birth. She was born and raised under the Protectosphere, in an isolated nation ruled by fear, lies, and xenophobia. A shield "protects" them from the outside world, but also locks the citizens inside. But there's nothing left on the outside, ever since the world collapsed from violent warfare. Or so the government says...

Neva and her best friend Sanna believe the government is lying and stage a "dark party" to recruit members for their underground rebellion. But as Neva begins to uncover the truth, she realizes she must question everything she's ever known, including the people she loves the most.

REVIEW

Neva lives under the Protectosphere, where everyone is like a clone of everyone else. The government wants everyone to live, behave, and look the same. The government warns of dangers outside of the Protectosphre and disapproves of citizen revolts. You know what was so scary about this? I could picture it actually happening! Really, I could totally see some crazy people in power doing this.

The story begins at a dark party, which really is held in the pitch black. Neva and her friend Sanna are planning the unthinkable. They are staging a revolt! While Neva and Sanna get their recruits, it is not long before some of these recruits go missing. I was right there with Neva as she fought for answers and led her team.

I loved that Neva was not one to back down and I liked that about her. I wish she had taken advice from others when they offered it though. Maybe it was just part of her personality as a leader. Oh, and what about this? When Neva finds herself attracted to Sanna’s boyfriend, Braydon, she seems to forget that he is already taken. Not cool Neva.

It’s a good thing Neva was strong though, because the government turned out to be waaaay creepier than I originally expected and Neva’s mission becomes more desperate.

Sara Grant uses symbolism in her story including Neva’s name and her snowflake pendant. She creates a world that I hope never exists. The ending is open-ending so that there could possibly be a sequel. I wonder what the government would cook up next?

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

I love that the symbolic snowflake is on the cover. Oh, and did you notice the face with the hands over the eyes in the background. Well done!