Title: State of Grace
Author: Hilary Badger
Publication: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Switch Press
Genre: YA Fiction
Pages: 304
Source: Netgalley
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
Ever since she was created, Wren has lived in an idyllic garden with her friends. Wren’s deity Dot ensures the trees are laden with fruit and the water in the lagoon is crystal clear. Wren and her friends have everything they could possibly need right there, in Dot’s Paradise.
If only Wren could stop the strange, disturbing visions she’s started having. Do these visions make her less worthy of Dot’s love? And what does Blaze, the most beautiful and mysterious of Dot’s creations, know about what’s going on in Wren’s head?
Wren is desperate to feel Dot’s love, just like everyone else. But that’s harder than ever when a creation she’s never met before arrives in the garden. He claims to be from outside and brings with him words and ideas that make Wren’s brain hurt.
Gradually Wren and Blaze uncover the truth: they’re part of a clinical trial of an ominous drug called Grace.
And as she deals with this disturbing knowledge, Wren confronts a horrific secret from her past. Now she must decide whether to return to the comforting delusion of faith or fight for the right to face the very ugly truth.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
This is a book very different than anything I have ever read. Think of a Utopian society, but one where everything is most definitely not as it appears. Hilary Badger’s “State of Grace” puts an all new spin big business versus perfect oblivion.
“State of Grace” follows Wren, a young woman/teenager who is living the perfect life. Perfect weather, swimming in crystal clear water, being happy all the time, serving a higher being that seems to give her the perfect life. Clearly that is not real life, and Wren finds this out with little glimpses of a world she is not familiar with.
Badger’s macabre take on the perfect life will leave you with chills thinking of what people and technology could really do. She makes mind control seem more scary than usual, yet beautiful at the same time. Wren is a character that is well developed and you get to watch grow throughout the story. I love being able to build with a character. You see her interact with others who play many different roles and guide her to be the person she is. It’s so true in comparison to real life. “State of Grace” is an edgy, twisted tale of growing up and learning to think for yourself when the temptations of an easier, carefree, relaxing life awaits. The only downfall would be the ending seemed to rush up when the rest of the book was stretched out perfectly. Otherwise this book is perfect.
If you are in the mood for a book that is different from others, has a great plot line, a good flow to the writing, and some great characters, then pick up “State of Grace”. It would be a great read for the beach or a rainy day in on the couch. Four out of five stars.
Pick up your copy on September 1st on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and add it to your TO READ list on Goodreads.
