Book Blog #157: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Title: Landry Park
Author: Bethany Hagen
# of Pages: 400 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Madeline Landry is practically Gentry royalty. Her ancestor developed the nuclear energy that has replaced electricity, and her parents exemplify the glamour of the upper class. As for Madeline, she would much rather read a book than attend yet another debutante ball. But when she learns about the devastating impact the Gentry lifestyle—her lifestyle—is having on those less fortunate, her whole world is turned upside down. As Madeline begins to question everything she has been told, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana, who seems to be hiding secrets of his own. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty—her family and the estate she loves dearly—and desire.
Review: "I dug out an old book from my bag and held it over my head, but the rain was falling in sheets and curtains" (104).

WHAT?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

DON'T USE BOOKS AS UMBRELLAS!

~~~

When I began reading this book, my first instinct was to hate it. Everything – the dialogue, the setting, the people – seemed so fake. I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a world that had been developed two-hundred years ago. Instead, it felt as if everyone was as unfamiliar with the world as I was. 

I thought the society Hagen’s created was a bit peculiar. I love reading books with the components of the Regency era, and I love books from the science fiction/dystopian genre. But putting those two together? I’m not exactly sure if they mixed well.

The characters are hard to relate to. Madeline, (without giving too much away), makes choices that I can’t really understand. I can’t understand most of the characters’ way of thinking; I can’t relate to them and their problems (and not just because they’re freakin’ rich either). 

Nevertheless, this book was addictive, and the fact that I finished it in a matter of days showed me that (somehow) I actually liked something about this book. Perhaps Hagen’s writing style improved as the book progressed (after all, as I just noticed, this book is her debut novel). 

If the synopsis sounds interesting to you, then you might enjoy reading this book. But don't overestimate it.