Thursday, May 26, 2011

Book Review: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder



Summary:

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

My thoughts:
Finally - a YA dystopian novel without a sappy love story! The setting of Inside Out might be a little confusing at first, with Inside's complicated layout and their special way of telling days and weeks in multiples by ten, but it is all very well described, and once I got into it I really enjoyed this book.

What I liked the most is that even if the concept of Inside is so far from the way we live, it is really easy to relate to. If I lived like a scrub, like the main character Trella, I'd jump at the first possibility of a rebellion, because even with the risk of punishment, the hope of something different would make it all worth it. Inside Out is a well written, original novel with a very compelling female lead. I was a little disappointed by the ending, but it really just made me want to read the sequel, Outside In, that much more. 

The cover:
Inside Out has two different covers, but the one on my version is very fitting, and once you've read the whole novel you'll see why.

My rating of this book:
4 stars out of 5


Want a second opinion? Check out these reviews written by some of my book blogging friends:
Want to know more?
Add Inside Out to your Goodreads wish list.
Visit Maria V. Snyder's website 

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
Published: April 1st 2010
Pages (paperback): 320
Publisher: Harlequin
ISBN: 037321006X (ISBN13: 9780373210060)
Full disclosure: Checked out at my local library

This book can be purchased from a number of local retailers and on-line book stores such as Amazon or The Book Depository (I'm not an affiliate of either). The latter store does by the way have free shipping to about 100 countries.

9 comments:

  1. I've had this to read and now I definitely will - thanks for the great review!

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  2. I loved Inside Out! I actually just read it in one day. I found it very hard to let go of this once I was sucked in the story. I'm glad you liked it too!

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  3. I am glad you liked it! I am a big fan of Maria V. Snyder, and love all her books so far!

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  4. Thanks for the great review...this sounds like one that both boys & girls would enjoy.

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  5. This looks so different to Maria V. Snyder's other work - I'd never have thought to pick it up before reading your review.

    I agree with you that the lack of sappy love story is a plus, it annoys me how so many YA authors think they have to shove in a badly-written pointless relationship to make their book work!

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  6. Excellent review, Nina :) I haven't read anything by Maria V. Snyder but I do want to.

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  7. I'd read it :) Even if I have only like 1 out of 3 of her books ;)

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  8. I am reading Storm Glass by Snyder now, and I almost think I like it more than Inside Out. Hard to tell until I know how it ends!:)

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  9. I have seen this one around blogland, but have yet to pick it up. Thinkin' I need to soon. Just can't get enough Dystopian lately. Thanks for the review! :0)

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts =)