XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

(from Goodreads)



OK, I sense a theme coming on...every book lately that I was hesitant on buying I ended up really liking. This one, for example...

This is a debut novel from Julia Karr who moved to Chicago when she was 15, thus where the book takes place. I grew up in suburbs of Chicago so I was able to visual everything in this book so much more. It is always a plus when you are familiar with places or things in books.

Anyway, this book was so good! I read this book in one sitting and was up til 1AM reading it. I was determined to finish it before I went to sleep and it definitely wasn't hard to do because I didn't want to put it down.

For anyone that has heard of this book I am sure that you have heard the word "sex" when the book was talked about. Teens and sex to be more precise; and this was the reason why I was hesitant to pick it up. I didn't want to read a book that was all about teens and sex regardless what the story was actually about, but let me say that this book about more then that.

This book is basically about how the government controls everything we do. They can hear what we say when we are in the privacy of our own homes and if they don't like what we are talking about they can come and arrest you. They can see what you do and they can track where you are. (unless you chose at the age of 16 to get the GPS tracking device removed...yes, the GPS tracking device...)

This story follows Nina while she navigates her life the months before turning 16. When girls turn 16 they receive a "XVI" tattoo on their wrist telling everyone that they are legal and that they can have sex. Most girls and parents are excited about this. They even have magazines and classes in school teaching girls the ways to act and dress to get boys attention. That is one thing that I couldn't get my brain around though since now we teach our girls the opposite.

Other then just highlighting that this book is all about government control and about a group of people called the "Non cons" who are against government control...and what ensues is action, suspense and drama.

If you haven't, you need to pick up this book. It will be definitely worth it!!

View all my reviews
Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.