The Diseased Ones by Danielle Harrington
Series: The Hollis Timewire Series Book 1
Genre: YA dystopian
Have you ever wondered what the future holds for humankind? Of course, who hasn’t! Welp, author Danielle Harrington has generously provided her readers with a clever fictional perspective of the year 2647 in her debut novel, The Diseased Ones.
Plot:
The Diseased Ones takes place in a dystopian future (2647) in which an entire society lives under an oppressive government forcing the people to follow strict rules, show zero emotion at all times, and believe that the Diseased Ones are dangerous murderers. After discovering that she was born with the power-bearing biomarker of a Diseased One, sixteen-year-old Hollis Timewire is forced to leave behind her family and all that is familiar to her to live with the enemy. The Diseased Ones urge Hollis to break free of her brainwashed reality and see the truth of their tragic history. In a staggering journey, Hollis struggles with the desire to return home and to find the truth of their collective history while battling her fear of her new mind-control powers.
Review: 4.4 / 5.0
I love the author’s twist on the dystopian genre in which a percentage of the population possesses abilities and that the government deems these people as diseased. The main character, Hollis Timewire, wrestles between two internal conflicts: the desire to return home and the urge to uncover the truth of history. Most people can relate to this inner struggle between holding on to the familiar and lifting the veil to expose the truth. I really like the variety of the characters’ personalities and the different types of powers. As someone who wholly enjoys stories that involve magical gifts, I am intrigued and excited by the originality of the abilities shown among the Diseased Ones. The authenticity of each power is truly amazing to read.
As engaging as the characters are, I am not satisfied with the main character and her growth throughout the story. Her inner struggle gives me a bit of whiplash as there is too much internal conflict without any action to drive growth. I also find myself bored by her repetitive and unyielding nature, which results in the lack of a character arc by the end of the story.
Though I can’t connect with the main character, I really did enjoy reading the book. The author knows how to maintain a spirited tone and write an engaging story–I was hooked and excited since page one. Danielle has a stellar talent for writing a well-written and well-paced story with enjoyable characters and a creative plotline. I thank my lucky stars that I also own the second book in the series, The Unseen Ones, because–MY OH MY–that ending was an intense cliff-hanger!
Comparables:
I find this novel comparable to two others: the expressionless and history-altering society found in 1984 by George Orwell and the search for self and truth by a female heroine as in the Divergent series by Veronica Roth.
Purchase:
Amazon
