The Polaris Uprisingby Jennifer Ibarra
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Published by: Tiwala Books October 30, 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopia
Pages: 328
Source: Pinoy Book Tours
My Rating: 4/5
In less than seven years, eighteen-year-old Ryla Jensen will succeed her father as the president of Neress, a nation where all citizens are cared for from the moment they’re born. Fed, sheltered, even educated—every need of theirs is met.
The only price they pay is their free will.
Groomed since childhood to take on a role she’s not even sure she wants, Ryla’s only escape from the pressures of duty is her sister, Alanna. But when her eyes are opened to the oppressive regime her father built, she begins to question everything she’s set to inherit—and finds herself at odds with her sister’s blind allegiance to their father.
Torn between loyalty to her family and the fight for freedom, Ryla must decide just how far she’s willing to go to make a stand and risk losing the person she loves most in the world: Alanna.
The Polaris Uprising is basically about this government wherein your life, or simply everything depends on the government. You can't pick a job of your own, you can't marry the person you love unless you genetically matched, and you can't complain. No freedom at all if you sum it up. This book is definitely Divergent-alike. Based from the movie, at least. They never really get to pick, it is based on this test that you take. (Sorry Divergent fans! Don't know what it's called!)
But Ryla sees through the glamour (Hi Shadowhunters). What I mean is, she can see the anomalies, the problems etc. her eyes are wide open to these things. Why, you might be asking. Simple. She's the president's daughter. And what's worse is, she's bound to be the next president. She will be taking over her father's position. More of her theories were proven by Tyson. The son of her tutor that is involved with the Polaris Movement who strongly disagrees with the government. She joined their group only to find out that everything that has been happening lately was sabotage. And it was his father who planned to do it in order to blame it all on the Polaris Movement.
Well enough of that, I might spoil you if I continue.
If you guys can't tell from the books that I reviewed, never in my life have I read any book related to Politics or Government. It was just difficult to uncerstand. I thought it would be hard for me to read this book 'til ts end. But I was proven wrong. Jen made the whole complicated-thing-about-the-government simple. Well, I still get confused with the terms or position in the government but that doesn't really matter. It was the story itself that got me. And the characters as well.
The characters possess different personalities that I loved, hated and was simply annoyed with. I especially love Tyson. I don't know why, but he seems too good, too handsome of a guy. I love his cheeky and straight forward personality. He's soo charming! I also like Ryla's role. She was like the climax of every chapter. I always watch out for her actions, what she will do next and what more will she discover. And lastly, I was quite annoyed with Owen. He can be a very sweet guy at times, but he can also be dumb. Sorry! I just hate it when he always tries to disagree with Ryla just because he cares too much for Alanna. I mean, C'mon! Ryla has her own life! It is Alanna who always tries to get involved with her life.
Moving on, the story itself was very nice. Though it was a bit cliche. Bad things happen in the country, they blame a rebellious group for it, but they don't know it was the President's doings. It was always like that. Government officials become the bad guys. Hahaha. But we can't help it can we? It comes with their image. The thing that I liked most about this, is that the President didn't try to hide anything from Ryla. In fact, he was encouraging her to do the same when the time comes. Which of course, Ryla strongly disagrees with.
I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end, especially the romance and the Ryla-Alanna part. Both of these were sweet and just nice. And I loved it.
“So what happens now?”
“I can’t let him take the fall for this,” Ryla said, looking up at
her. “I have to get him out, and I need your help.”
Gates’s eyes widened, blinked back at her.
“That detention center has the highest level of security—even under
ordinary circumstances. And now it’s guarding the country’s most notorious
prisoner… Ryla, what you’re planning is sheer insanity.”
“So you won’t help me?”
Gates was quiet for a long time. She issued no denial but offered no
confirmation, either. Finally, she turned back to Ryla.
“You want my help? Here’s how I’ll help: I’m going to give you some
advice, and if I were you, I’d listen very carefully. Go back. Go back to your
comfortable life, where you’re safe and you’re oblivious and you can pretend
you never got involved with us. Too many things have already been set into
motion, and this is bigger than any rescue mission you could possibly stage.”
“You mean there’s a war coming. A genuine uprising.”
Gates didn’t look at her this time. But Ryla knew the answer was yes.
It had all led to this moment, even if no one had said it out loud until now.
“You’re asking me to sacrifice him, then. He’ll be a casualty while
Polaris gears up for the real battle—is that it?”
“There will always be casualties, Ryla. Remember that.”
“Maybe so. But if I have it in my power to save someone from becoming
collateral damage, I’m not going to pass up the chance.”
“So you’re going through with this? Whether I help you or not?”
Up ahead, the camera ticked by.
Ten…eleven…twelve…
“Yes.”
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