Author: Kristen Simmons
Genre(s): YA, Dystopia
Publisher: Tor Teen
Date published: January 31, 2012
Source: eARC from publisher, Thanks!
Get a copy: Amazon | B&N | TBD
Rating: 2.5/5 stars!
New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.
My Thoughts:
When I was scanning for reviews of Article 5 in Goodreads I have observed that most comprised an average of 4-star-rating. I'm glad the readers liked it but on the other side I'm sad that I'm not one of them. Article 5 could have been better if more action, story and character development was added and improved. I don't hate the book but I didn't like it either.
Ember was a strong-willed character. She'll do anything for the safety of her mother. Along the course of the story she constantly makes terrible decisions, which I liked and at the same time didn't. I understand why she commits mistakes it was because of her current situation. I know she's trying her best to do the right thing for her mother. Onto the things I despised about her is how she sometimes act without even considering the consequences she'll face or the troubles she'll bestow to the people around her.
Chase on the other side was a vague character. He's indecisive, cold and confusing. I can't see his real self. Just like Ember I was confused of his actions. But in the end, after the secret was painfully revealed, I understood his motives.
Article 5 is fast-paced but there were moments that nothing important is happening. 60% of the book was devoted to running and escaping from the MM. That was the problem about this book there was nothing that enchanted me to like the story. Nevertheless, I can say that the world-building was greatly executed. It was vivid and intriguing.
I like the style of writing. It flows smoothly without making the readers confuse.
The flashbacks were a plus for me! It was a window to the past. To know the characters better and to understand the decisions they made.
The romance is good. It was sweet and endearing but only during flashbacks. I didn't see the spark between Ember and Chase when they were on the run. But during the flashbacks I can see that these two are a perfect match.
Overall I have seen potential from Article 5. Like what I said earlier it was fast-paced, intriguing and thrilling. With those elements if added with a great adventure, a great heroine and a great story-line this book will be a great dystopian novel!
