Atlantia by Ally Condie

Atlantia by Ally Condie

Atlantia

Author: Ally Condie

Length: 318 pages

Release Date: October 28, 2014

Content notes: YA                        

“I am protected, shaped and built by what is outside, what they made of me, but also by what is inside, what I made of myself.”

I usually hate to hear how people read a book because of the art on the front cover. AND, then I do the same thing. The art on the cover intrigued me, caught my eye, and I read the story. 

Brief Synopsis:

This book takes place in a dystopian-like or maybe an alternate reality world with people living in an under the ocean city, named Atlantia. Atlantia is a city dependent on the “Above” people who supply them with basic supplies like food, and was created generations before the book opens as an attempt to save human-kind from the pollution filled planet. Young adults in Atlantia make a once-in-a-lifetime decision to either remain in Atlantia or go “Above” to live the rest of their ives. Rio, the main character, really wants to go Above but when her mother dies she promises her sister, Bay, that she will remain in Atlantia with her. Then right after Rio commits herself to Atlantia, Bay’s decision is to go to the Above leaving Rio alone and very confused.

My thoughts:

This book has a great idea for a plot and the potential for a fabulous setting. However, I kept wanting to know more about this underworld city. I love a great setting and I wanted more. Also, this great plot idea seemed to drag at times. I like Rio and I like the way she is honest with herself and her life but she is surrounded by lack-luster characters. She has an aunt named Maire who is interesting, but we do not get enough of her even though she is a very important character. 

Then, the characters have a strange religion including idols, miracles, and many “gods.” We catch a glimpse of how this came about when a character named True says that the “gods” are actually relics saved from great buildings from “the Above,” but then when the “Above” apparently engages in the same religion, I was confused. I was sure that Atlantia had probably developed this religion because of their isolation. 

Then, the characters seem to blindly accept their lack of freedom/choices, and are easily controlled by “peace-keepers.” The Atlantians almost seem like children instead of a society.

I said earlier that this story might take place in an alternate reality instead of a dystopian future because of the religion and the secret Rio has kept all her life. That secret is part of one of the miracles that has occurred in their society. Rio is different and only her family knows, but I have to say that this secret is interesting but not fully explained. Again, I wanted more.

This story, in my opinion, should have been much more interestingly complex. It just did not give me much to think about.