I have mixed views on this book, but the more time I spend reflecting back, the positive these views become. As an early reviewer, I came across this book before I knew anything about it, and in this case it may not be the best approach.
Julianna throws you straight into her strange apocalyptic world, and it takes a while to work out exactly what has happened. I also think you need to be in a certain frame of mind.
To give that little bit of background which I think is needed, Pure is set in a world after the ‘detonations’, which appear to be dirty nuclear bombs. Those caught in these explosions have been fused with things they were near or holding. The main character, for example, has a doll’s head fused to the end of her arm, and others are much worse. Some have been fused with other people or animals, and some are fused with the earth.
I think it was this concept I had a hard time accepting, which stopped me becoming completely enveloped by the story.
A select few were selected to be protected in a large dome.. and because there was no fusion, these are known as Pure. Going a step further, they are also being ‘coded’ to make them stronger, more intelligent etc.
I believe this is being classed as Young Adult book, but it’s certainly not the fluffy romance teen books which seem all the range. It’s quite a dark book, which will make you think.. especially after reading the authors comments at the back.
For me, it didn’t have that special something I found in the Hunger Games, but I would still recommend it. I would say just be prepared to accept the world shown to you, enjoy the characters which will stay with you, and give it a try.
