Luke Garner is an illegal third child who lives in a society where the goverment regulations only allow two children per family. Luke whose very existence is forbidden, lives his life hidden from the outside world for fear of the Population Police - a shadow child.
Unable to live a life, go outside, watch tv, do chores or even join the family meals (for fear that he might be seen through the windows) Luke spends much of his time in the attic - looking out of a small vent where he can see the world outside.
One day, he notices one of his new neighbors has a shadow child, named Jen Talbot. Jen lives a privileged life as the third child of a Baron, one of the social elite. Educated and dedicated, she intends to organize a rally of all the shadow children in the country, to be staged outside of the president's house, to prove to the world that what the government is enforcing is wrong.
Luke refuses, realizing weeks later that Jen has not returned. After being caught sneaking into Jen's house by her father, he discovers Jen and the other 40 people at the rally were shot and killed by the population police. Mr. Talbot, hoping to help Luke, gives him a fake ID and sends him to a private school to help him live free and maybe find freedom for the rest of the shadow children
Verdict : 7.2
Additional review by kuro-hime
REVIEW :
I like the premise of the story. However, I feel that the story has some plot holes. For an example :
1. Does the whole world practice the population law?
2. If not, why can't the people with a 3rd child run to another country?
So, I'm not too sure if the population law is practiced by the whole world or not. The author didn't say. However, I like the characters in the book. They felt quite real and believable. Seriously, you will care for the characters and pray for their safety.
I like the simple writing style of the author. That's pretty cool and interesting. This book isn't thick and I'm surprised by the way author wrote it. Eventhough it's a short book, there were many dramatic and emotional scenes.
It's a good book and I like the simplicity in the way the author wrote it. Not bad for a book that I thought will suck.
My verdict says 3 out of 5 stars. Not bad, not good. Pretty average. I've read better books.
