Let me preface this review by first complaining about the YA world these days. Sorry but I have to complain about something! Dystopian fiction is today’s it genre when it comes to YA literature. Many dystopian and science fiction have become so formulated when it comes to the plot. So as you can tell, when I laud a dystopian novel, it’s really a book to be read. Because my opinion is just so sought after…. or not. Either way, Free to Fall is a book you will fall in love with. Feel free to kill me because of that failed pun.
Okay, now for the summary. Rory Vaughn is just your typical girl- hardworking, happy, healthy, and did I mention controlled by a decision making device called Lux? Apparently not. Life changes when she gets accepted to Theden Academy- think Harvard but as a high school. There she meets North, an incredibly hot outsider who’s more than what he seems. Soon Rory’s changing too, and she’s realizing that Lux isn’t what it seems. Lux just got way sketchier and shadier, and Rory’s going to get to the bottom of it all.
If there’s one word that describes the novel, it would be smart. And sharp and incredibly well-written and interesting and intriguing and astonishing and exceptional and… I think you get the point. But most of all smart. I don’t know how Lauren Miller does it, but she makes Free to Fall so much more than just a regular, contrived dystopian novel. Not only does she include classical knowledge, but she also includes the Fibonacci sequence. MATH. Lauren Miller, you are amazing, and I respect you for believing that teenagers can and will be interested in math and a smart book.
As for the plot, don’t even get me started. Free to Fall is everything a dystopian novel should be. Lauren Miller includes many subplots while still clearly identifying the overall overlying plot. It’s so crazy; I didn’t see any of the plots coming, yet everything made total sense when Rory figured them out. This is single-handedly one of the best plots I’ve ever come across, and I never give praise lightly.
As for the characters, three words: Oh. My. God. I’m speechless, but not at a loss for words (cause I can type of course)! Every character is incredibly well developed and unique. Take Rory, for instance. While she does have flaws, I still love her. She’s smart, friendly, interesting, strong, and did I mention smart? Honestly, she’s a great protagonist.
Then we have North. He works at a coffee shop, but he’s so much more than that. When I found out his secret, I loved him even more. I really wish I could spoil something, but I can’t. Here’s what I will say: he’s complements Rory perfectly. And he’s good-looking too, so everything’s good, haha.
Free to Fall is definitely the best read I’ve read in a while. Do pick it up when it comes out on the 13th of May. I’M SERIOUS. YOU WON’T REGRET IT. THIS IS AN ORDER.
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Rating: 11 out of 10. In all seriousness though, 10 out of 10.
Publisher: HarperTeen (May 13th, 2014)
Source: ARC from the Publisher
Length: 469 pages (Hardcover)
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Genre: Science Fiction, YA, Dystopian, Romance
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