A Revisionary rewrites the rules.A Rogue breaks them.Which one is she?Nineteen-year-old Portia Abernathy plans to earn a Dome seat and rewrite the Codex rules to rescue her exiled brother. Her journey demands answers from the past civilization, but uncovering the truth means breaking the rules she set out to rewrite. Where will the world be in 2149? If citizens forget their past, they will be … past, they will be lost in an identity crisis. That’s exactly the state of the American Socialists United (ASU). This dystopian story opens in Cube 1519, a ghetto where the only use for obsolete cell phones is to throw them like rocks at mongrels. Portia and her father survive like many other citizens, with no electricity or technology and no expectation for a better life.
Yet Portia remembers her brother Darius—before he was taken from her. Now that’s she’s graduated, she determines to get him back. She thinks earning a Dome seat as a Revisionary candidate will be her ticket to rewriting the Codex and reversing his sentence. However, when she receives her draft and arrives at the Crystal Globe University for training, she discovers the world is very different outside her cube and that prisoners like Darius aren’t the only ones trapped by the system.
Written for young adults, THE REVISIONARY offers a suspenseful plot, flashbacks to America’s Revolutionary era, and rediscovery of the founding values needed to rebuild Portia’s unraveling world. “In school, teens hear that if they don’t learn from history’s lessons, they’re destined to repeat them,” author Kristen Hogrefe says. “Portia lives in a world where leaders wield ignorance to control citizens. Only when Portia sets out to rescue her brother does she realize the lie she’s been living and determines to break free.”
Blockbuster novels like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Giver popularized the dystopian YA genre. THE REVISIONARY builds a dystopia of a different kind—one that looks backward to find wisdom to move forward to offer an underlying message of heritage and hope.
more
The Revisionary is a sharply written dystopian tale with an interesting protagonist and supporting characters. The well-woven plot takes some interesting turns including journeys of a sort back into American history. The political and relational intrigues and subtle spirituality were captivating This is a book readers should look forward to reading.
Fans of dystopia novels such as the Divergent series will be drawn into the dismal but fascinating setting of Hogrefe’s A.S.U.–the ragged remains of the United States that runs on socialist ideals but features wildly unequal opportunities for citizens.
When rule-abiding Portia Abernathy discovers the sinister undercurrents that control her world, she launches herself into a dangerous quest for freedom of thought. What sets The Revisionary apart from many other dystopian novels is how that search for freedom is rooted in American history, retold in a vivid and accessible way.
I’d recommend The Revisionary and the rest of the Rogues trilogy for anyone who likes fast-paced, high-stakes plots with thought-provoking futuristic settings.
Here’s the thing with books that are sci-fi, futuristic, or even fantasy in feel and orientation: I have a hard time settling in. I’m basically plopped down into a different time/space/idea than what I already know and so I have to feel my way around in the dim glow a minute. An amazing author sets a compelling initial stage that gives you the basic understanding to get you started and then opens up more and more of the map. I mean let’s face it, nothing about this book screams ‘Fizzy needs to read this!’. However, I felt like I needed to read it, well actually the sequel which I’m reviewing on Thursday but still. And I’m super glad I listened to that other voice because I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Once I figured out the lay of the land, so to speak, I wasn’t often lost in translation. There were things that took time to really delve in and understand but the these were quickly overcome with explanations that helped me to understand things in this new context. One the other hand there were a few things I wish that have been explained better, such as more information about the Crystal Globe in relationship to the Dome (which, while not explained is obviously the seat of government) as I never fully understood the entire thing there. That being said I will say that this book is not overly Christian. In reality, faith has been obliterated. That’s not necessarily a negative about the book though because in context, it makes sense. The United States is gone, left in ruins that becomes the ASU (American Socialists United). While not a political story this book has some seriously subtle political undertones. Basically, even something that is considered utopian (by the masses) is endangered by the basis of human nature. Even in fairness we are unfair. The sacrifice of self for the good of all easily becomes for the good of some. It’s human nature. I’ve not read the wildly popular dystopian novels out there so I don’t have a point of reference but I have read ‘1984’ and ‘The Giver’ and see some parallels here. In a good way.
Portia drew me into her story, her world, her concerns, and her growth. I wish I could get my hands on the opening novella for this series ‘A Cord of Three Strands’ but have yet to be successful. I feel like I would better understand where her, and her family, is coming from. It is obviously not necessary as I was all in this book and invested in the intellectual awakening that Portia finds herself in. I was also invested in finding out more about The Rogues and their ultimate goal. I don’t know it all yet, but I’m about to embark on the journey with book two ‘The Revolutionary’ which I hope ties up a few ends. This book has me invested in it’s story. It has me invested in it’s journey. It may not be my normal reading fare but it definitely called to me to read it and I’m beyond glad I listened. Sometimes, I need to listen to those little gut feelings a little more.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
There are so many things to love about this book! Kristen Hogrefe is a new-to-me author. I have now subscribed to her newsletter and am waiting anxiously for the third book in this series. . .
Portia’s perspective is the only one given in this narrative, which is perfect for the story. She is stronger than she thinks, despite the scoliosis that limits her activities. She manages to get into trouble her first night at the Dome, despite having done nothing wrong. Things just go downhill for her as she questions the things she is being taught.
I love the subtle way that the author used things that were wrong in this society to highlight really good things in ours. There were also historical lessons that taught as Portia was studying ancient documents in her classes.
The names of some of the characters were clever. The giant peacekeeping officer was named Gath, perhaps a nod to the Goliath that David fought. Portia’s erstwhile neighbor and friend, the boy who called her “Cotton” and listened to her riddles, Luther, who as an idealistic young man desired to reform the society from within. I can’t help but think his name came from Martin Luther, a man who attempted to do the same thing in the church.
When you read this story, take note of the section dividers, because there will be a surprise for you at the end if you are looking carefully. I have never seen an author do this before and thought it was a unique touch.
I have set one of the genres for the book to “Christian Fiction”. This story only gives the slightest of hints that there is anything spiritual in it, but it is clear that as the series progresses, there will be more Christian doctrine coming. In addition, this is a series where each book builds on the previous one, so for those who want to know, this is clearly a Christian series.
This review was originally posted on Among the Reads
I would like to thank Celebrate Lit for giving me this item. My opinion and review were not influenced by this gift.