A fairly adequate teen sci-fi, dystopian novel, Tabula
Rasa starts with the old—they’re erasing your
memory trope in the big scary hospital and no one, including you, knows
why. Been there, done that, and the plot
has several contrived elements that will earn eye-rolling from the experienced
reader. For example, don’t you love it
when the protagonist has some really weird talent that just happens to save her
life at some point in the book? That SO
happens in real life. I cannot tell you
how many times my talent for blowing big bubbles with my gum has saved my life.
That aside, dystopia is hot right now, and this one is serviceable if not
inspired. Plenty of explosions, a villain
you will love to hate (Why are all villainous women portrayed as Southern
belles? No really, I want to know, it
bothers me.), and a fledgling romance. And
of course, it wouldn’t be a “suspense” novel without the requisite “shocking”
revelations at the end, which will shock no one who has been paying attention
whilst reading or who has ever read a thriller before. Not a bad first novel, and students who are
looking for a quick dystopia fix will most likely enjoy it. Another point in its favor, not a lot of bad
language ( a rarity in YA titles).
June’s Rating System:
Language—PG; Nudity—G; Sexual
Content—PG; GLBT Content—G; Violence—PG13, it is a dystopian novel and
the good guys have to fight the bad guys.
Not graphic, but there is blood, etc.
Substance Abuse—G; Adult Themes—some
discussion of mental illness as relates to the story, also organized crime and
general villainy.
Robin’s Comments:
Like I said, not really intended for a sophisticated audience, but it
will do the trick for the kid who needs something to read while waiting for the
next blockbuster. I would feel
comfortable giving this to grades 7-10—older students are likely to see the
flaws in the plot.
This title will be published on September 23, 2014.
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