Glitch

Glitch
Author: Heather Anastasiu
Release Date: August 7, 2012

     In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

    When Zoe starts to malfunction (or "glitch"), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

    As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they're caught and deactivated, or worse.

    In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

   This book had some awesome ideas in it. A society where all the ugliness of human nature is removed and everyone lives in peace? What would that be like? True there would be peace, but as Zoe experiences, there would also be no color, no emotion, no appreciation for anything. In Zoe's world, the human race has been reduced to mindless drones whose purpose is to serve the community and then die. When Zoe begins to glitch, she experiences everything for the first time at 17. She sees colors, she gets embarrassed, she feels fear, and then there's love.... Love the most powerful emotion humans are capable of. Love is completely illogical, and is surely taboo within the community.

    On her journey of self and world discovery, Zoe comes across others like her. There's Max, her classmate and first "friend". For all of the light and love in Zoe, Max answers with darkness. He sees what he wants and plunges after it without worrying about the consequences his actions may hold for others. Next, there is Adrien, the strange boy with aquamarine eyes who seems to watch Zoe a little too closely to be just another drone. What secrets is he hiding, what does he know? And why does he make Zoe's heart monitor go of with a single glance? Adrien is a dangerous one for sure.

     Overall though, this book was a miss for me. The author did a wonderful job displaying the cold logic of Zoe's world for the readers. I think I am just too sensitive and bubble for all of the detachment. Funnily enough, I still want to see what the next book brings. Who knows, maybe the newfound color in Zoe's life with liven up the interactions in the book, and the series will live up to the wonderful potential I see in it's beginnings. I am grateful for the chance to have met Zoe, and to see that a person can be as genuinely loving and caring as she is, in spite of her environment.