Parched by Georgia Clark, published by Holiday House this year. This is the author’s second novel.
I like a book that makes you think. Parched took me on a journey of reflection for a while and that is good. As with many dystopian novel, we have a futuristic society that takes advantage of a class of humans for the sake of another. Analogous to class systems that exist today, the author shows us one group of people who scramble in the dust and grime, their only existence bent on survival while another more fortunate group sits in a bubble of a society, enjoying their comfortable homes, healthy food and abundance of water at the expense of the less fortunate.
Thoughtful consideration puts human tendencies into perspective. Without wanting to turn a book review into a political rant, a story like Parched can open our eyes as human beings just a little wider. More and more the borders that would case the elite into their glass habitat become thicker, blinding inhabitants to the suffering of those outside. In that respect, Parched touched on a continual dilemma that faces mankind.
From robots to cloning, Georgia Clark has plenty of science in the story, enough technical jargon to please any science buff.
I must admit though I had a difficult time relating to most of the characters. I’m not sure if it’s because the book is written in first person present that I found Tess somewhat selfish and difficult to like, or if that’s just what the author intended. Unfortunately, I did not see a huge character arc from the beginning of the story to the end. That’s all well indeed. Some people learn little from the lessons life tries to teach, but it seems that the story could have had more of an impact if our main character had come to some sort of revelation about who she was or what she’s done.
I did however feel for Hunter and mourn over what had happened to him.
The action scenes in the story are certainly exciting and paced well. I would have liked a few more breathers in the last third of the book and the fighting seemed to go on and on. But that’s just me. All in all this is a wholesome read.
The hardback has a nice feel to it and is well worth the money. I like a real book in my hands!
Georgia Clark is a young adult author currently living in New York City. You can read more about her on her blog!
