Review: Awaken

Author: Katie Kacvinsky
Pages: 320
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Source: Library
Synopsis: Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. 


 Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. 


 In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space

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Awaken was nothing like I expected. It was a great story with the most amazing concept.

This is the kind of book where I say to myself "I'll read just to the end of the chapter," but then I end up finishing the book. It's so easy to get into the story. Madeline's life pulls you right in and again there's the "readability" factor.

The premise is wicked cool and plausible. Humans are starting to use technology more than ever so not having anymore face to face interactions because of newer technology allowing everything to be done alone is a future that may happen. The conflict, though, is there. Technology is so useful, but when does it become too much? That was the idea in Awaken. People barely talked to each other or left their houses because they were always using a screen of some sort.

Madeline is one of those people. She's actually the daughter of the man who created Digital School which is this program where you do school alone at home instead of doing it face to face. I don't want to say too much without spoiling but Madeline was a very interesting character whom I liked. What happened to her made sense and I rooted for her. I loved her stubbornness. Her love interest was also a great character, I enjoyed reading of their romance.

The plot was so unexpected in some ways as it wasn't conventional. Usually the MC breaks away from the society near the end and we're left with a cliffhanger. The fact that things were different was refreshing. I liked the plot and thought is was decently paced. Enough action, suspense, mystery and danger to keep me happy.

All in all, Awaken was a great book about the importance of interacting. The simple conversations we have every day make such a difference. 4 stars,

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