Publisher The Fiction Studio (March 16, 2011)
Paperback 336 Pages
Series: The Verona Trilogy # 1
Genre: YA Post-Dystopian/ Time Travel
Book from: Publisher*
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THERE'S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE,
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PAST?
It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.
In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.
These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.
Review by Jessica
THE LENS AND THE LOOKER, by Lory Kaufman brings you to the perfect world, post-dystopian where nothing bad can happen. Trouble making kids don't get detention, they get History Camp, a place from the past with all the details included. The three trouble-making kids make too much trouble in History Camp and end up in the past, for real. I was engaged the whole time waiting to see what was going to happen! This was a great read!
I loved the idea of time-travel. That is what caught my eye when I was offered this book. I love history and usually it isn't Italian, lower class history but I was just as interested. The kids were smart mouths and rude and being in high school, I thought Kaufman really captured the kids personalities wonderfully.
I was really excited for the romance of this, just because I knew it was going to be incredibly difficult with one from the future and one from the past, and I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! The romance was mild, but it was there and it kept me gushing...yes gushing. The novel wasn't dominated by romance so any little bit made me smiling like a little girl.
Lory Kaufman did such a wonderful job with this novel and I really recommend this to anyone who is even remotely interested in history, time travel, post-dystopian or just a really good book! I am excited for the next in this series!
*FTC Disclosure: I received this finished copy from the publisher. I do not receive payment of any kind in exchange for a review. I do not receive monetary compensation from any book links in my review.