I just finished reading Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien. This is a wonderful novel about Gaia, the sixteen-year-old, scarred, daughter of a midwife in a dystopian future world, where something like global warming has caused a serious change in the climate. The only civilization she knows is "the enclave", but when her parents are arrested as traitors, she begins to understand that all is not right in her world. As she struggles to define her own concept of right and wrong, she must take actions that will affect many lives; her own, her parents', and even the unborn children of her society.
This book is written in an honest, forthright tone; Gaia is likeable and understandable. Her fears and joys are very real. The decisions she makes are not always the best ones, but they're HER decisions, and the reader will root for her each time. The secondary characters are mostly well-drawn, with rational motivations and distinct personalities. Even the villain has a sort of "right" on his side, and Gaia can see what he believes in, even if she disagrees.
If you enjoyed "The Maze-runner" or "Uglies", you will probably enjoy "Birthmarked" as well.
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