REVIEW: Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

Title: Glitch (Glitch #1)
Author: Heather Anastasiu - Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
Format: Netgalley eARC*, 371 pages
Rating: 3.5-4/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

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. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. 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.

My thoughts, feelings and reactions.

Glitch by Heather Anastasiu was a unique book with an interesting story that drew me in and left me wanting more in the end.


What I liked:



1. The dystopian world was executed well. 


• Anastasiu does a great job of explaining the Community (which is what the whole underground city is called). The city’s ways are described from the point of air regulation, food regulation, emotional control, sense control, marital control, procreation control and so much more. Anastasiu also gave extensive detailed background how the Community came to be, describing the Old World to the readers. I understood the transition from when people lived on the Surface to resorting to underground cities.


2. Zoe was an intriguing character.


• I liked Zoe a lot. She was different, literally. Zoe was full of wonder. Her innocence to regular human interaction and nearly everything around her was endearing. I enjoyed seeing her slowly open her eyes to how wrong the Community was. And I absolutely loved how she ended up being such a strong and brave character by the end of the book. Her telekineses was also amazing.

3. The ending plot twists in this book are shocking.


• Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen, I’m surprised by a character or revelation in the story. I never saw anything coming, nor did I expect anything like that ending to happen either. I felt like I was put on the edge of my seat more than once.

What I didn’t like:



1. The romance was really fast

• 
I love when the relationship has a nice build-up between the main character and the love interest where I can get the feel of their chemistry and connection. Zoe and Adrian didn’t have that for me. There was no development within their relationship and although I can understand that this is all new to Zoe and even to Adrian, I cannot seem to justify their love for one another in such a short amount of time that was given. They basically fall for each other in a day and most of their conversation is about the injustice of the Community.

All in all, I believe that this series has great potential in the long run. I’m still intrigued by how Heather Anastasiu plans to take Zoe along and continue her journey with Adrian. And I can see potential growth in the overall storyline, the characters and even in the romance. What I’m looking forward to most is how Zoe plans to handle the Community in the next book to come! 
 

*Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read this book!