Saturday, 17 September 2011

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher **Review**


Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Series: Incarceron #1
Pages: 464
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release date: 3rd May 2007
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones

Goodreads synopsis:
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 ...


I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book; when I read the synopsis, I thought the premise for the novel was interesting, but when I discovered that it was sold as a Children's book (in the 9-12 age range), I admit that I didn't hold much hope for it gripping an adult reader - thankfully I was wrong. I am surprised however that this novel is categorised as a 9-12, and feel that perhaps it would be more at home in the teenage fiction section.

Incarceron is a novel that grips its reader from the very beginning - we are thrown straight into action from the very first page, simultaneously being introduced to one of the two protagonists, Finn, and the world he has to fight to survive in. The reader is immediately asking questions of the novel and in this is immediately gripped.
I particularly enjoyed the alternation between Finn's narrative and Claudia's, providing not only a wonderful contrast between their two different worlds, but also allowing the reader to see both sides of the story of Incarceron, before the narratives finally meet as the two characters begin to make contact from their separate worlds.
Although parts of the novel were predictable to an adult reader, there was still enough to keep an older reader interested in the story, and to leave an interest in reading the next book in the series. Definitely one I will be recommending to other readers, and a book I will also be passing on to my 12-year-old brother to enjoy!


45 comments:

Cassandra (The Book and Movie Dimension blogger) said...

Wow, this sounds good. Catherine Fisher is actually listed as a young adult writer and have heard of this before. Sounds good, your reviews was more in-depth than others I have read.

Definitely will try to read. Hope your brother likes it too.

Voguedotcom said...

It was very good Cassandra! Definitely worth a read :)
Let me know if you read it, and how you get on!

Dani @ Pen to Paper :)

Suz said...

Great review! I was curious about this book and after reading your review, I am definitely adding it to my TBR list! Such an interesting story idea...

Cayce said...

Thanks for the review. It sounds good, abd I love the prison-escaping theme.

Pen to Paper said...

I have since found out that this is going to be turned into a movie, with Taylor Lautner playing Finn :) I can't remember who's playing Claudia though. I think it's going to be released next year.

personaldeath said...

This book have been mentioned in so many lists I've seen and I've read so many reviews - positive ones - and now yours is added to the lots of them telling me to read that ... so, I think I am more than convinced to give it a try already xD

xoxo
Ana Death Duarte

kimscarecrow said...

I keep looking at this book and the sequel when I go to the bookstore. I might have to pick it up eventually. Great review!

Christina Fiorelli said...

Thanks for this review! There are so many good things blogged about this:)

Inessa said...

Oh, it's in my TBR list for a while now! I really need to find the time to read it! It sounds very interesting!

FirestarBooks said...

I LOVEEEE Cath! I read the Relic Master series and it was AMAZING!!

яªтнªиªк said...

when i started to read Incarceron by Catherine Fisher it took me long before i actually got into the book .. the first couple of chapters was confusing and i didn't know what to think of it ...i actually was about to stop reading the book but my friends was telling just read a bit more and so i did and i really enjoy it

Rica said...

great review!i love the cover and it looks interesting.. :)

Diana said...

I was curious about Incarceron but I had hesitation about age range but I liked your review and I think I would give it a try.

IdentitySeeker said...

Wonderful review! I had no idea it was published as a children's novel. I've heard that it's been picked up for movie production. Can't wait!

Sarah Bibi Setar

FireStarBooks said...

Hi Dani! <3333 Can't wait to read this book! By the way, I just got Delirium in my mailbox today! :D thannk you so so much! <3 Hope you will have a fun time meeting your friend <3

Pen to Paper said...

I'm glad to hear that you received it okay! I hope you enjoy it. I received the sequel, Pandemonium, from the publishers today, so I'm excited too :)

Dani

Dark_Calling said...

I remember reading this book and highly enjoying it. Your review is great. Glad we both liked it :)

Tricia Copeland said...

I read this book last year, but I had to read it twice before I actually nderstood what was going on. I hate it when a book does that to me.

Amy S. said...

I read Incarceron this summer and really liked it. I thought the prison was described so well that I could "picture" it while reading. The sequel Sapphique is already out. I didn't like Sapphique as much as Incarceron. Like your other commenters, I had no idea Incarceron was meant for ages 9-12. I definitely think that older teens to adults would enjoy it best.

Maidenveil said...

I've been hearing good raves about this one. But I never managed to really have that vibe to read it. But hopefully I get passed that and read this! It's good to know that you liked it.

Nicole@The More the Merrier said...

I have this one but I haven't had the chance to read it yet. I do like that we as readers are able to see both sides of the story by way of Finn and Claudia's POV. Sounds like a good read, thanks for the review!

Katrina said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this, but I really wasn't sure I liked it at first. I think the beginning was really slow and even as I got further in I wasn't that impressed. But that's just me. :)

Nikki Finn said...

When Ircarceron was released in my country I had to buy it. I was really longing to read it as it has an original synopsis and I was curious. I was overwhelmed, I really liked it a lot. Finally the Sapphique was translated and released as well some couple of weeks ago and I will read it as soon as possible. I!m glad you liked it as well :) I loved both Claudia and Finn... I couldn't stop reading.

Lauren said...

I read this via my school library and was intrigued and surprised when I read it... I am not too thrilled with the relationship drama it has going on and I was very happy that the second book was already out! Great review

Rica said...

I've been hearing good reviews about this one. But I never managed to read it.

shorevalerie said...

I've read this book and i have to say that even though its not my favorite its definitely a good read!

Christina said...

Sometimes I think I'm the only person who didn't like this book! I thought the characters were really frustrating. Of course, I think it hurt me that I had such high hopes for it.

Linda Henderson said...

Thank you for the honest review. I'm still up in the air on this one. I can't make up my mind whether or not to read it. Maybe I'll try for a library copy as opposed to buying it.

PuttPutt1198Eve said...

I, too, enjoyed the play off of narratives in the story. There was difficulty in both their lives, altho quite different, brought about by the world of Incarceron. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of the reader!

Eva Yewke said...

I've had this book for months now but I haven't finished it yet. I can't get past the first few chapters. Thanks for the review. I needed something to motivate me into finishing this. :)

Sierra Abrams said...

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I, too, enjoy Claudia/Finn's alternating narratives. The world(s) they live in are so complicated and brilliant. Thanks for the review and for recommending what I believe is one of the best books ever written! :)

kristiana said...

i just finished the book last march.
for the first time i read Catherine Fisher's book, and i think i'm really enjoy the book. The story is too slow for me, and the ending make me upset. but however, i still want to read the second book.
And for sure, i would watch the movie when it on theater, it's nly because Taylor Lautner. lol!

black-rose999 said...

Oh I really like this one!
I thought it was a tad confusing at first but it all fell into place.
Now all I need is the sequel :)

Great review, I hope you review Saphique too.

Ro.

Stephanie said...

I think the premise of this book is very interesting and different from other things that I have read! It is good to hear that it is appealing for adults as well, thanks for the review!

Anindita! said...

I am still reading this book. Thought so far: great book! Loving it!

Shelby said...

Thanks for the review! I absolutely loved Incarceron when I read it. Truly well written and intricately woven.
~Shelby
http://gobsandgobsofbooks.blogspot.com/

lexiechan said...

I have read the first page of this book and I said to myself that I would read it some other time. It's kind of hard for me to really grasp what the author wants to say and so it leaves me confused. But when I read your review, I might try reading it once more. Thank you! :)

Kim said...

Sounds very interesting! Definitely, definitely will be reading this one soon! (:

Bookie Bee said...

Sounds great! and the cover is OH SO GORGEOUS!!

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Thanks for reminding me why I wanted to read this. Need to dig it out.

Lisa Marie @ The Young Adult Connection said...

I've had this book on my shelf forever! I need to read it.

:).

Dovile said...

I've heard there's going to be a movie based on this book, I hope it's going to be good.

Isa said...

Initially I really wanted to read this book based on its synopsis, it sounded interesting. Then I read some negative reviews and my desire to own this book diminished. I'm didn't know it was marketed for that age group though. I think I'll still read it, only when my 'to be read' pile decreases a bit.

I like the alternating of narrative, I think it provides a better understanding of the character and its good to see things from different perspectives. Since you mentioned this, I may buy this book later in the year. :)

Lollibean.net

orybun said...

i've read this book. and i am waiting the next series. :D

I reviewed it in my blog too, http://orybooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/incarceron.html :)

Holly said...

I agree. It was a really good book, but every now and then Keiro and Attia would get on my nerves.

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