Genre: YA FantasyCopyright: 2007
Pages: 461
Rating: 4/5
Synopsis: Incarceron – a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology – a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber – chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here.
In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison – a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device – a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn’s escape is born ...
Review: The story is shifted between two point of views, Finn and Claudia. One inside, one outside. There are mini cliffhangers at the end of each POV, and after a while they lose their impact, because obviously not every cliffhanger is a cliffhanger. However, I was pleasantly surprised when things finally came to a head. The climax of the story was possible and quite likely to happen, but Catherine Fisher masterfully crafted it such that it came not at the worst of times (which seems to be when everything happens).
Each chapter starts off with a play on long known legends, one of which gave me the laughs. Catherine Fisher gave a whole new perspective to the long known legend of Eve falling from Paradise after consuming the apple.
I enjoyed INCARCERON thoroughly. Readers can really see how Claudia learns to be more responsible, more accepting of her position as daughter of the Warden of Incarceron with her loyal tutor Jared by her side. Finn didn't grow as much as Claudia did. He is ever the eternal optimist when it comes to the Outside, but quite a pessimist when it comes to everything else. At times, his unswerving loyalty to his blood brother was astonishing yet understandable. Living in a place called Incarceron where the future literally merges with the past, the horrors are unlimitless.
This is a journey in story-telling readers should try. It has multiple twists and plots that make you wonder how Catherine Fisher managed to imagine all this at the age of 14. It just goes to show that age is no limit to creativity.
Thanks to Liyana for this fantastic review, visit her at her blog Liyanaland.
8 comments:
I loved your review Liyana and wow a story like this at 14 ... amazing! This is the first I've heard of Incarceron but I am definitely intrigued!
I'm very intrigued. sounds like a gripping read. Thanks for the review and recommendation.
Ah I have this on my wishlist, thanks Liyana!
Liyana, great review! I love fantasy and this one sounds like a book I'd enjoy!
It is a great book! First YA book I've ever read that was set in a prison.
I admit I am very curious about this book even though I'm always a little wary of the books written by youngsters because for me they've never lived up to the hype surrounding the persons age (ex: Eragon and Prophecy of the Stones). But this one looks like it's going to be good and actually unique.
Great review! I have this coming in the mail and can't wait to read it!
You weren't the only one! I was impressed with the depth of the story, even though I thought there could have have been something done more for us to love the characters, rather than just reading about them. The only character I really cared about was Claudia.
Post a Comment