“Slated” by Teri
Terry
Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: YA,
science fiction, dystopian literature
Teri Terry
really brings the thrills in the start of this new series. In a futuristic
dystopian U.K, the government has a way of dealing with young criminals: giving
them a fresh start. In other words, they slate them. Kyla has recently been
slated, all memories of her past life—and past crimes—have been erased. After
an entirely new family adopts her, Kyla is faced with the challenge of
reintegrating into society, while Lorders (the new U.K. police), her new
family, and other government agents watch her closely for any signs of relapse.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Kyla is also forced to wear a Levo, a bracelet
connected to a chip in her brain that will stun or even kill her if her anger
or violence levels rise too high. However, Kyla is not like other slateds. She
has the capacity to dream; she’s simply unsure as to whether these are her real
memories or merely fantasy. She is forced to face loaded questions such as,
“Why are innocent people vanishing?” and, “Who are the AGT (anti-government
terrorists), exactly and what do they want?” With only she and her fellow
slated Ben to rely upon, Kyla begins to peel back layers upon layers of
mystery, endangering her own life, and the lives of those she has come to love.
This story has
several strengths, the first being it’s world building. This is one terrible
future that is frighteningly plausible. Teri Terry has created a stifling and
repressed dystopia that is reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984. Simply saying the wrong thing against the new Coalition can
be cause enough for disappearance. Although the exact ways in which this dystopia
came about are not fully explained, they are alluded to enough to make it
convincing.
Although the
setting and writing are good, what most impressed me about this novel was the
protagonist, Kyla. Her struggle to know herself is very believable and very
familiar. In so many ways, Kyla is just like any other teenager—trying to deal
with school, bullies, family, love, and identity. Her determination and good
heart make her instantly likeable. I think that Kyla’s relationship with her
family—especially her new mom, as well as the mysterious Dr. Lysander-- is
interesting and multifaceted enough to captivate readers. I think that Teri
Terry is a rare author who has actually created a cast of secondary characters
just as interesting as Kyla herself. No one is who they seem to be, and
everyone appears to have a hidden motive or agenda, which adds both intrigue
and depth to the novel.
My only
criticism is that the ending seemed a bit abrupt. Although cliffhangers can be
effective plot devices, it is important to leave the reader with sufficient
closure. Unfortunately, I didn’t find this to be the case with this particular
book. However, even though the ending of the novel is a bit abrupt, I am still
interested in knowing what happens next. The pacing of the plot was good and
the story never dragged on, or became too boring, even in the moments when it
was simply Kyla mulling things over. Moreover, the heightened air of tension
and suspense that prevails throughout the story, mainly because of the dark and
twisted nature of this dystopia, will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The underlying themes of second chances, identity, and whether good intentions
justify bad actions will sit with readers long after the final page is read.
Overall, a
great start for an interesting new YA dystopia series, Slated is well worth the read.
By: Daniel Lyerly
