State of Grace

June 15, 2015
Lord of the Flies dances merrily with
disturbed dreams of a utopian society
in Badger’s beautifully macabre take on the perfect world. Wren lives an ideal life filled with laughter, few responsibilities, and a clear set of rules delineated in the Books of Dot. Days are spent swimming and playing with friends; nights are spent hooking up or relaxing. Every need is met, every whim indulged—as long as all worship is given to the almighty, benevolent creator, Dot, and the rules are followed. The positive is prized, the negative hidden away in shame. Slowly, cracks appear in the facade—a look here, an unkind word there, and fuzzy memories that start shouting to make themselves heard. Along with Blaze, a fellow “creation,” Wren begins to question all she’s ever known until all she can think of is escape. Masterfully subtle and detailed descriptions guide readers through a delightful, occasionally dark evaluation of the difference between real life and the lure of a promised ideal. A rushed cliffhanger ending is the only drawback to this entertaining and highly thought-provoking narrative. Ages 14–up.

July 1, 2015

Gr 10 Up-Wren lives in paradise, where every day is a perfect mix of swimming, relaxing, eating luscious fresh fruit, and hooking up with her latest love interest. There is no shame and body image is appreciated, with clothing being optional. Thanks to Dot, Wren's Creator, Wren believes that her world is perfect, and has no negative feelings. However, the teen begins to see cracks in her Creation as she experiences visions and conjures up memories, words, and images. These visions cause her to feel confusion and intense guilt. They occur more frequently when she meets Dennis, a regular boy who enters into Dot's Creation. Wren and her friends work together to keep Dennis hidden from others and to find out why he was sent, in the process finding out much more than they bargained for. Badger crafts a beautiful dystopian world in her YA debut. The author dives deep into the soul of a teenager, providing an up-close look at guilt, depression, and crime. Badger creates a thought-provoking work, complete with riveting suspense, a fast pace, and a touch of romance. The line between truth and reality is often blurred, leaving readers questioning themselves, the belief system they were raised in, and the power of choice and their own voice. This novel sheds light on realistic issues that impact teens. VERDICT An excellent addition to young adult collections.-Erin Holt, Williamson County Public Library, Franklin, TN

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2015
Would people truly be happy if they could return to the Garden of Eden before the Fall? A girl lives blissfully within such a world, convinced she and everything else was created by Dot, her beloved deity. Wren and her friends frolic exactly as they wish in their state of perfect innocence. They think nothing of going nude, and they enjoy themselves splashing in the beautiful lagoon and "hooking up" whenever and with whomever they wish. They live according to whim, plucking and eating the abundant fruit that grows everywhere. They follow the Books of Dot and strive to be "dotly." They don't even know unpleasant words, adding "pre" to a pleasant word instead: if someone is nervous, they call it "precalm." When a boy from an outside world that shouldn't exist breaks into theirs, Wren and her friend Blaze, an unbeliever, try to hide him. Meanwhile, Gil, a fanatic who claims to talk with Dot, begins a campaign against undotliness. As Wren learns more, she reluctantly begins to doubt her faith. Badger's religious satire is a gutsy one. Nominally a near-future science-fiction story, its examination of the effects of religion, both positive and negative, dominates the narrative. If the book's resolution seems a bit forced, the exploration of what constitutes bliss-and what does not-makes everything worth it. Most intriguing and provocative. (Science fiction. 14-18)

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July 11, 2014