Joel Ohman

This was a Goodreads-First Reads-Giveaway for me.

Meritropolis is, hopefully, a short introduction to a longer, more detailed Post-Apocalyptic story. The story centers around Charley, a teenager with an unusually high "score" and Commander Orsen, the person in charge of keeping only 50,000 people within the city walls.

Rather than go into a synopsis, however, this will contain no spoilers, just constructive criticism.

This is definitely a YA novel, though not of the ilk that many YA novelists are currently cranking out. There is blood and gore, but this doesn't seem to change the way anyone feels about themselves or the people around them--nor is that addressed at all within the story. Charley is very naive, but that is certainly understandable considering his background--but he doesn't seem to be able to put two and two together.

These are just a couple of things that suggest the need for more detail regarding what life is like in Meritropolis. People there appear to be doing nothing other than walking around aimlessly, being assaulted by guards if they so much as breathed in the wrong direction. Add in the seemingly random current political rants and you have a book that smacks of unsubtle political leanings.

Not that the book is bad. Far from it! I truly enjoyed the author's writing style--easily read and understood, and vivid enough when doling out the details that it kept my attention. I just needed more! If this is an introduction to a larger body of work, then I view this as a success. However, if further books are written without a little more emotion (other than anger, which I didn't really get a sense of), then I believe this to be mediocre. Regardless, a great read when you need something to take your mind off real life!… (mere)

This second book in the Meritropolis series does not disappoint.

Charley, with the help of his friends, continues to right the wrongs deemed necessary by The System. Each step he takes towards success leads him to a new lesson to learn.

I am enjoying this series. I love the imagination involved in creating the various animal combinations and plant mutations. The storyline has kept my curiosity and anxiety at an all-time high. My favorite aspect, however, is watching the growth of Charley. He is constantly questioning himself. What makes his choices different from those he despises? Who determines the definition of monster? Many times, Charley is given mere moments to make life-altering choices.

The Venatio is the visual representation of humanity at its lowest. High Score prejudice against Low Scores. Women striving for equality. Slaughtering of animals merely for the entertainment. Three days of killing. Three days of greed-driven murders. The final battle on the final day decides the fate of those who remain alive. This final battle unfolded perfectly.

The book ended with a lesson found throughout the story, you are the culmination of your actions. Who is the real monster?… (mere)