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One of my favorite parts of dystopian/utopian literature is reading what writers think food will be like in the future – which familiar items will stand the test of time and which will disappear from our palates. In the future Nina Oberon’s living in, one of the “evolutions” of civilization (as we commonly see in this genre) is the loss of free will. So much so, in fact, that, for Nina, turning 16 means the loss of personal freedom rather than the gaining of it, because the milestone birthday now comes with a mandatory XVI tattoo declaring her age…and sexual availability.
Of course, as readers we cry (perhaps even out loud) What?! Whose red-headed, step-brainchild was that?! Yet, this is just one theoretical manifestation of an almost accepted view of a future where people will exist under complete government control.
But we are too smart and self-aware to become sheep! you declare. Well, the media messages expressed by the “verts” and the “zines” of 2150 are so strong that they eclipse all else, including critical thinking. It’s a slippery slope, and, sadly, perhaps one we’ve already begun sliding down. Our 2011 society is already too media-focused, as well as over-accelerated; we want the things that TV tells us we want, and we want them now. You may still say that that’s miles away from brainwashing, but is it? I can’t lie – I get sucked into a good infomercial like everyone else. I had to have the gazelle the minute I saw Tony what’s-his-face demonstrate it (which I actually do love and works fabulously, so that may not be the best example).
Anyway, as a reader, I know that the 2150 regime is wicked even if the characters don’t. I know that I can’t believe a word they say and that they do not have everyone’s best interests at heart. Yet, even though I don’t even like soda, every time one of the XVI characters grabs a Sparkle! I kind of want one, too...
Julia Karr
recently revealed the cover art for
Truth, the sequel to her 2011 YA dystopian debut
XVI. Check it out:
Coming January 19, 2012!
***Contails Spoilers for XVI***
Nina Oberon’s life has changed enormously in the last few months. When her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council–ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all sixteen-year-old girls have. The one that announces to the world that she is easy prey to predators. But Nina won’t be anyone’s stereotype. And when she joins an organization of girls working within the Resistance, she knows that they can put an end to one of the most terrifying secret programs the GC has ever conceived. Because the truth always comes out . . . and the consequences can be deadly.
I loved
XVI, so I'm really excited for
Truth! The word cut-out covers for the series really work, I think. I especially loved the first one, because the sharp angles of "XVI" looked like they were cutting into Nina -- which is a great metaphor for the book. The only thing I'm not sure about with this cover is her expression -- is she smug? Wary? It just doesn't seem quite right, considering how dark the series is. All the white kind of reminds me of the
new Uglies series covers too.
Here's the
XVI cover for comparison:
What do you think? Have you read XVI?
Very interesting, I like your work :-) Good job.
I do believe you are the first blogger who's mentioned the Sparkles! :)
@Julia - Ha! I absolutely buy Sparkle as the drink of the future, and, as I sadly admitted to above, I probably would physically buy it if I saw it in the store. I hope your fiction reaches enough future society rulers to keep it from becoming fact. ;)