Incarceron - Book Review

Incarceron (Incarceron #1)
by Catherine Fisher

What is it about:
Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here.

In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...

What did I think of it:
I missed out on the hype back when this was released, but I got hold of book two for just 50 cents last year, so when I received a gift card from a Dutch online bookstore, I decided to get Incarceron and give it a try.

And it's a nice read.

I'm not blown away, but it is an interesting setting and story. I especially liked the prison and the inmates. The prison is creepy and with a mind of its own. To survive the inmates have to choose between working together or use violence to get what they want. I must say I wanted to know more about the life in the prison. I wouldn't have minded if it had taken longer for Finn to go on his road to discovery/escape.

The parts about Claudia were less interesting, but still nice. I didn't really get the society she lives in, I will confess. And I didn't really like Claudia either, so I was less invested in her story line.

Towards the end of the book there are some interesting developments and reveals that make me curious about book two. Good thing that's already in my TBR pile.

Why should you read it:
It's a really nice Dystopian YA read.