Exodus by Julie Bertagna
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.26, 2008, under Science Fiction, Staff Reviews
- Submitted by Mr. Cantwell; read all of Mr. Cantwell’s reviews at http://web4j1.lane.edu/%7Ecantwell/bookblog.htm
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Genre: YA Science Fiction
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Summary: One hundred years from now, most of the land on earth is disappearing beneath the oceans, the planet overcome by global warming. Mara knows her primitive island community doesn’t have much time, and after finding a sign of hope on the ancient cyberspace “Weave” she convinces her people to leave in search of one of the fabled new sky cities rising from the waves. The voyage is dangerous, but the destination turns out to be even more of a challenge.
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Opinion: This book is awesome. There are three parts, each focused on a different setting, and Bertagna does a brilliant job making these futuristic glimpses of a very different earth seem very realistic. Just when I thought the story might be starting to lag (which Bertagna may have been doing for realistic effect) the final third of the book explodes with fantastic descriptions and riveting action. With the setting and plot being so strong, the characterization has a lot to live up to, and occasionally it seems a little forced. Mara is very admirable but not always authentic. Though the book stands well on its own, Bertagna wrote a sequel called Zenith, which I’m sure I will read.
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Grade: A
- The details: 345 p. 2008
