Incarceron - Catherine FisherPages: 458
Publisher: Hodder
Release Date: 3rd May 2007
Other Titles in the Series: Sapphique
Imagine a prison so vast that it contains cells and corridors, forests, cities and seas. Imagine a prisoner with no memory, sure he came from Outside - though the prison has been sealed for centuries and only one man has ever escaped.
Imagine a girl in a manor house, in a society where time in forbidden, held in a 17th-century world run by computers, doomed to an arranged marriage, tangled in an assassination plots she dreads and desires.
One inside, one outside.
But both imprisoned.
Imagine Incarceron.
I was really disappointed with Inacrceron. I wanted it to be much better than it was.
I have to admit that I had to force myself to read Incarceron, and I gave up after 220 pages. This is the first time for a seriously long time that I haven’t been able to finish a book. I suppose I should give it some credit for that!
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what made me dislike it. I guess it’s a mixture of these things: I didn’t really feel a connection with either Claudia or Finn, the Era set as the 1600s in a world of amazingly advanced technology that was very strange and I really just didn’t get it. I mean, I’m usually good with weird, but this, it just didn’t make sense to me!
Although I didn’t like Incarceron, I think that lots of you will and I’m curious as to what you’ll think of it.
Sophie
This is interesting - the reviewer I gave this to didn't get on with it either. I'm sure there are people who love it, though! It's great to read your thoughts on it - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI thought this one sounded quite strange too. At least you gave it a good try, though!
ReplyDeleteI thought this sounded like a really interesting premise but I guess if you don't connect with the characters then you don't really "live" the story. I think I might loan this from the library rather than buy a copy (just in case I hate it).
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting, sorry you couldn't get into it. I hate when that happens! Maybe I'll give it a try to see what I think. Thanks for the review(:
ReplyDeleteSorry that you did not like it. It looks interesting, but sometimes looks aren't everything.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this now and enjoying it. I enjoy the chapter from Claudia's pov more though.
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ReplyDeleteI walked past this on my library's bookshelves for what feels like months. Everytime I go to pick it up, another book attracts my hand instead. I've even read the blurb of it a few times, trying to decide whether it was for me. So, I'm still terrribly undecided- you've (oddly, I know) made me more curious- I want to see whether I agree with you or not. But there are so many good books out there that I haven't read yet- why go for one where there's a good chance I'll hate it? Oh, what to do, what to do?
ReplyDeleteP.S Sorry to ramble. And I deleted the post above because of a spelling mistake (now corrected thank goodness). I know, I'm a perfectionist. Oops- I even ramble when apologising not to. I'll shut up now.
Intersting and disappointing because the premise sounds good. I've been getting a lot of these books lately...seem like they're going to be good and then, nope. Big zero. Thanks for the honest review. I know our tastes are subjective but I really appreciate getting your honest opinion along with an explanation as to why you felt that way.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Interesting review - I really enjoyed this book, but like you I didn't particularly connect with the characters. It was the mystery of the whole situation that kept me reading. It kind of reminded me of an episode of Doctor Who.
ReplyDeleteI liked it. It started oddly, but after a little bit, I thought it was a very good story. It was an odd setting, yes, but overall I really got into it.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to read such a different opinion. I can understand your lack of connection with the characters, but I'm reading Incarceron now, and it's one of those books I have a hard time putting down. I think the characters (even minor characters) are complex and interesting, and the world is a dark twist on human idealism. The setting isn't actually in the 1600s; the book is a steampunk novel, set in a technological future, but in a future where they have decided that progress and change is bad and have set a new "Protocol" in which the people are required to live as if they are living in the 1600s. The government believes living that way leads to a realization of the ideal perfect world.
ReplyDeleteI'm about 1/2 way through this book. I agree that it started slowly. I really liked Finn, right off. Claudia took some warming up to. But the ideas in it are really something quality for kids to be reading. I work at a bookstore, and I read Hunger Games the week it came out. I've been an advocate of it since day one, for the literary value it holds for young readers. Incarceron is the same kind of novel. I think, in an era when kids only want to read about sexual tension and teenage drama, this is really valuable literature to be on the shelves.
ReplyDeleteM.
I just finished Incarceron, literally minutes ago, and hopped online to search to see what others are saying about it. I didn't do any research before reading, the only reason I heard of it was that I heard someone mention they read it and that same person is who originally informed me of The Hunger Games (which I love, of course!). So I grabbed this and like others, felt that it started off a bit slow and bizarre. I was intrigued and curious about the story but confused on a lot of points and the characters didn't do much for me at first. But as I kept reading, it got a lot better, and for the 2nd half or so I had a hard time putting it down and couldn't wait until I had a chance to read again. I think the ending left us hanging quite a bit to set up for a sequel and I greatly look forward to finding out what happens next with the characters. I also agree with those that have said the underlying messages and themes are rich and challenging and definitely good reading for not only teens but also adults (I'm 31 but admit to being quite the fan of YA/Teen novels here lately!).
ReplyDeleteDo you mind me giving you a link to a friend's blog? Her blog doesn't have much traffic yet, and it has to do with books like yours...
ReplyDeleteI looked at this website before buying the books so i wasn't shure i would like it, the comments said it was strange .etc but its a cool book the characters personalities are well worked upon, but its true the girl and the boy don't realy have a strong connection... other than that its a very good book
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I just finished and i was rather disappointed. The plot got me but the ending was boring and nothing exciting happened and i cant really be bothered reading the sequel. The characters are interesting but not fully developed. To me the plot is for more older readers but the characters for younger readers. I still did enjoy reading it but the ending sucked.
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