Finn cannot remember his childhood. He cannot remember his life before Incarceron–a prison that has been sealed for centuries, where inmates live in cells, dilapidated cities, and unbound wilderness. No one has ever escaped. But then he finds a crystal key and a girl named Claudia.
Claudia’s father is the Warden of Incarceron. And Claudia is about to become a kind of prisoner herself, doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn in his escape, she will need his help in return.
But they don’t realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know…because Incarceron is alive.
Because Incarceron is alive–that’s the line on the book jacket that hooked me.
Catherine Fisher does an amazing job of creating this alternate reality where metal forests and half-men live. It’s a bit of steampunk and dystopia, all rolled into one edgy, tech tale. At times you’re with Finn, in the dark confines of Incarceron, where red eyes watch and record every move. Other times, you’re with Claudia, in a Victorian era world.
I loved the ideas, the world building, and the characterizations. I give this one 4.5 out of 5