Monday, June 18

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Freakling by Lana Krumwiede

In twelve-year-old Taemon’s city, everyone has a power called psi — the ability to move and manipulate objects with their minds. When Taemon loses his psi in a traumatic accident, he must hide his lack of power by any means possible. But a humiliating incident at a sports tournament exposes his disability, and Taemon is exiled to the powerless colony. The "dud farm" is not what Taemon expected, though: people are kind and open, and they actually seem to enjoy using their hands to work and play and even comfort their children. Taemon adjusts to his new life quickly, making friends and finding unconditional acceptance. But gradually he discovers that for all its openness, there are mysteries at the colony, too — dangerous secrets that would give unchecked power to psi wielders if discovered. When Taemon unwittingly leaks one of these secrets, will he have the courage to repair the damage — even if it means returning to the city and facing the very people who exiled him? 

Audio CD, Unabridged, 7 pages
Published October 9th 2012 by Candlewick on Brilliance Audio (first published July 1st 2012)
Psi Chronicles #1
Fantasy Middle Grade

My thoughts:
'Another MG one, but I was really surprised when I read that this one was MG. There was violence, death, threats of violence and even a hint of a threat of sexual violence (or am i to assume that the person just wanted to kill the other person for fun which is still horrific). I get that the main character is 13 so I guess that makes it more MG then, but, since it is labelled as MG some really young readers could read it. But maybe kids these days are more used to things. Still, I would say this one is more for younger YA readers. Cos no, there is not that much violence. YA has more, but I still feel like it was a bit to dark for MG. I mean an 8 year old could read this and they just kill a kid like that and torture people so...maybe I am the only one that feels like this. It was just such a change from the other MG I just listened to.

Speech over. 11 up absolutely. Not under that. But older YA would find it too simple so yes it lies there in the shadow land of upper MG, lowerYA

Is this a fantasy world? Is it our world? No idea. I do like when things are clearer cos I always wonder. Is it dystopia? Sci-fi? Interesting mix at least. A world where a group of fanatics (yes I will call them that) left and made a mountain (why no one come over the sea and takes a look I have no idea), and then they live there using psi powers they got. Which to me seems to exhausting. They can do NOTHING by hand. Not eat, not going to the toilet I assume. NO lifting. Nothing. I wonder how they make babies, I guess they can touch then...or? Cos the kid keeps saying that no one touch each other. You do not want to know what I am thinking now. Touch is a sense. Why take away that completely?

Anyway, this kid Taemon loses his powers and is sent away. I liked him, though he really should just have killed his psycho brother. That does make it MG, he was so damn nice.

There is an evil guy who is evil and Taemon will obvi save the world.

Interesting world and a nice story, even if, I mean come on people, touch is a sense!

Narrator Nick Podehl
I liked his voice and omg the voice for Tae's sociopath of a  brother, yes he sounded evil!

3 comments:

Carole Rae said...

The summary sounded good...but....mmmm

Blodeuedd said...

It was good, I enjoyed it, but...there is more, and I still feel that I am fine with leaving the world as it is now

Melliane said...

weird that it is MG