2.5 stars
Meimi’s mom has been comatose since her sister ran away. On the morning of her birthday, her mother wakes up and her Meimi accidentally send their building into a two-dimensional drift, which is a felony in their totalitarian government, the Authority, after calling on an alien to help find her sister. Now Meimi, is on a mission to save her skin and get rid of the evidence of this drift being opened before the government can get their hands on her. I haven’t read Bauer before, but I always associated her with fluffy writing. This writing style is definitely fluffy and fun. It’s geared more towards younger audiences and uses a lot of diction that is just ridiculous. However, the concept is much more on the older side of the YA audience, so there’s a weird dichotomy of appealing to younger and older readers that I think works pretty well. Although some older readers may completely dismiss and move on, I have feeling that many will greatly enjoy this. As an adult reader who loves dystopian, it is harder to suspend belief in certain scenarios. For instance, I don’t ever see a totalitarian government that runs off the fear it incites and the absolute reverence it receives to name a school for (re)education Learning Squirrel High School and have a professor who acts like a chipper camp counselor, but contradicts the narrative with, “Today we’re going to learn about what makes people like you pathetic. Who can tell me why you’re inferior?” (Actual quote) It just doesn’t mesh well with the overall threat or what’s actually being conveyed. However, from a young adult perspective I probably would have been enthralled by this (I’m talking eleven-year-old range).
Whimsical Writing Scale: 3
The main female character is Meimi. She isn’t a bad character, but there isn’t all that much there. She is pretty one dimensional at times and all of a sudden, I’m being told by her hot new alien crush that she is special and I’m just not buying it. This girl is obviously smart, but her family all seem to be geniuses so that doesn’t seem abnormal to me. She is just kind of there and I liked her well enough, but I’m not running around screaming her awesomeness either.
Kick-Butt Heroine Scale: 2.5
The main male character is Thorne. Oh, yes. The stereotypical object name on that of an alien. Makes a lot sense. Also, this guy has some great one liners that had me laughing and rolling my eyes.
“Never be frightened of me, Rosa Meimifloria Archer.” (what a name)
“No, because, you’ve a true heart, stellar mind, and fighting spirit. Because you’re all I think about. I’d tear apart any number of universes for you.”
That last one kills me especially because he hasn’t even known for more than 48 hours. I just can’t. This guy was the worst part of this novel, mainly because I felt like he was a distraction from the actual plot.
Swoon Worthy Scale: 1.25
The Villain- Not a big bad and not that scary. I’m always told I should fear this government, but I didn’t see anything that should make me fear it.
Villain Scale: 2
Overall, this story isn’t all that bad. It’s a fun romp and it’s a quick read. If you are looking for something light and fun that doesn’t require much thought, then this is a novel I’d definitely recommend. I do think this story and the first novel as a whole have a lot of promise and I’m sure it will garner some attention and loyal fans.
Plotastic Scale: 3
Cover Thoughts: It’s nice… I guess.
Thank you, Netgalley and Monster House Books, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Have you read Dimension Drift? What are some your favorite dytstopian novels? Do you prefer classic dystopian or YA dystopian? Let me know down below in the comments!
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