XVI

First Dystopian of 2011

Dystopian lovers rejoice: Julia Karr's XVI marks the start of a wave of 2011 releases in the genre. Her debut novel is reminiscent of the classic novels 1984 by George Orwell and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. XVI features a strong feminist viewpoint and a look at where our society could be headed.

The novel takes place in Chicago during the year 2150. On their sixteenth birthday when they become "legal," (Get it? "XVI?"), the government requires girls to get a special tattoo on their wrists. Sadly, women's rights are no longer protected and once they have their tattoo, many fall victim to the whims of men. The media advocates sexuality and teaches young girls how to appeal to men, making them want to turn "sex-teen" as soon as possible.

Nina, the protagonist of the novel, was raised by her mother Ginnie, an outspoken woman who dislikes the rules enforced by government officials. After she's murdered, Nina and her younger sister, Dee, move in with their grandparents and begin attending a new school. Nina makes friends with Wei and Sal, who conveniently both have parents who were friends with her own mother and father before they passed away. Nina is dreading her sixteenth birthday: Unlike her childhood best friend Sandy, who wants nothing more than to be a sex-teen, she dreads the fact that a man may decide to take advantage of her once she's legal. She feels no need to have a guy in her life, especially after seeing the way her mother's boyfriend Ed abused her over the years. When she realizes she's attracted to Sal, she fights her feelings and becomes conflicted.

Upon Ginnie's deathbed, Nina discovers that her mother believes her father to be alive despite the fact that he died several years ago. Digging into her past, she discovers that he may be a leader for NonCon, a group of people against the government and media. As she learns more about the secrets the government is hiding from society, she finds herself in increasing danger and must learn all she can before it's too late.

At times, it's clear that this is Karr's first published novel. She falls into some writing traps such as "telling" over "showing." The first portion of the novel suffers from this. The characters talk to one another about all the "modern-day" jargon being thrown around that 2011 readers have no concept of. At times, it felt overwhelming. Sometimes, I wished I could just physically see what a trannie car looked like. There were also a couple of times when Karr didn't explain the lingo until further into the novel, so I was lost and had to infer what the characters might be talking about. I also wish Nina was a little more emotional after her mother's violent death, though I do realize she was trying to be strong for her little sister. I would have at least liked to see a bit more reflection internally. From time to time, situations felt a little too convenient, though such crutches are necessary in order for Nina to discover all that she does on her own.

That being said, the second half of the novel really picks up speed and I became invested in Nina's plight. I wanted her to figure things out and succeed. Characters that were previously one-dimensional were fleshed out more and I found myself caring about what happened to them. XVI has moments that are tragically sad, full of fran

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I would recommend this book to people who dig the dystopian trend in YA books. This is one of the better ones!

This time last year I was reading my first dystopian YA novel. Something about Christmas break makes me want to read about the end of civilation as we know it. :) Just kidding. I liked this book. It didn't blow my hair back but there were several parts of this book that appealed to my political science heart. I definitely could feel how the author felt about the sexualization of young girls, health insurance companies, and over bearing governments as a whole. The interesting thing about this book, that other dystopian books lacked, was how real the main character is. Nina is the average girl who is put into some serious and terrible circumstances. She handles what she can and fails when she can't handle them. I am looking forward to the follow up.

I would also say that I liked that Nina was not only loyal to her family like all or most dystopian books, but Nina also valued her friends as family. I liked that Nina had strong female friendships with two very distinctly different girls. I can relate to that. Even now my two closest female friends couldn't be more different.

Interesting Read

The Setup:

So, Nina and her friends are living in a world where women are pretty much whores the minute they turn sixteen (either willingly or not) and the masses are living in an 15th century caste system.

Given the instant sexual availability that comes with turning sixteen (or "sex-teen" as it's called in the novel), it's no wonder that Nina is dreading her birthday and the "XVI" wrist tattoo that comes with it. Karr attributes the over-sexed behaviour to "verts" (in your face advertising campaigns) and "Media" (the government run media) and I can go there with her, given that we have sex slammed at us every day in every way now.

The Peeps:

Of course for the boys the legal age is eighteen (not sure why, we do mature faster than them, maybe that's it) and we are given several examples from the gate of horny dudes looking to hookup or rape and girl with an XVI tattoo. I'd really like more backstory about how this society went from women in power (a Fems ruling period was briefly mentioned) to this open-legged situation.

Nina's love interest, Sal, starts out as a (LBD) Lightening Bolt of Destiny situation, but he eventually grew on me and I hope we learn more about him and his family in the sequel. Nina has two BFF's: one who is annoying from the first page (Sandy) and a super-cool one that I wish had more page-time (Wei).

I also liked that Nina had two male friends and neither of them was relegated to the role as third point of a love triangle. Although it did surprise me that she had male friends at all with guys running around raping people everywhere willy-nilly.

Her cast of friends are interesting supporting characters and not just props for exposition.

Parental figures play a huge role throughout (which I always appreciate). I wish the villain had been a little more two-dimensional and not so obviously insidious. XVI goes where any good dystopian tale should: with the little people trying to figure out how to bring down The Man.

Lingering Thoughts:

I do question some of Karr's choices, like I couldn't get past the fact the cars are now called "trannies" and some of the technology was not fully explained. However, overall, I really liked XVI and I am so happy that I read it just in time for the release of its sequel Truth on January 19th. I found it to be a quick and interesting read.

One of the best books and soon, one of the best series, I hope.

Loved this book so much. I would have recommended it to all my friends because they love this stuff and they love a hint of romance as well. But they are also so sensitive about this kind of topic. Oh well. I read this book about 5 times and know everything. THEN once I saw a SECOND BOOK WAS COMING OUT, I nearly fainted and alarmed everyone who read it. I can't wait!

Disappointing

The idea behind this book is quite a clever one, with your typical Dystopian themes - different classes of people, called 'Tiers', a controlling Government, a Resistance rebelling against the Government and right in the middle of it all is the main character, getting caught up in the politics of her World whilst falling in love and dealing with that.

This story should be perfect for me, I am a Dystopian junkie after all. But I just couldn't connect with the story at all. The writing was okay but I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters exept for Wei and I couldn't picture the world at all.

The back of the book is quite misleading, the XVI tatto and all that it means is pushed to one side (at the same time as being brought up often) in favour of playing Fathers For Justice. Indeed, most of the book is about Nina keeping her little sister, Dee, away from her Mother's crazy ex, Ed. Which bored me to death. I thought the book was slow going when I started it but once it stuck itself in the rut of Nina narrowly escaping Ed, it really stuck itself there.

Sex was the side dish of this book. Nina is terrified of becoming sixteen because she expects that as soon as she does she'll get gang raped. She decides she never wants sex due to watching Ed's Sex-Teen tapes when she was younger, the details of which aren't really mentioned. Actually, for a book so heavily centred on sex, the Author does a great job not mentioning it. Anyway, as soon as Nina meets Sal for around the third time she immediately notices how hot he is and spends a lot of time wanting to hump him. But she can't hump him, she's too traumatised! But she wants him! Oh dear.

Characters wise, I have no idea why Nina and Sal are together, I have no idea what Sal looks like or what his personalities like, I couldn't care less about him. Wei was the only character I cared about as she actually had a personality.

Strangely enough, the thing that annoyed me the most (apart from the trannies) was the constant reminder that Nina takes the 33 bus. I think it must have been mentioned at least 10 times.

XVI

from Murphy's Library - rated 2 and a half there

Looks like dystopian futures are a tendency on new releases lately. Nina Oberon lives in one of them: one that looks quite like our reality, but there society makes sure everyone knows when the girls are ready to have sex, once they reach 16 years old. But while Nina's best friend Sandy can't wait to turn 16, Nina's not that thrilled with the idea.

Nina lives with her mom and her half-sister Dee. One day she helps a guy who's been beaten up on the streets-he looks like a homeless guy and she has no idea why she decides to help him-and you can figure out what happens later on the story between the two of them. Actually, you can figure out a lot on this book, which's a bummer.

When Nina's mom dies, she asks Nina to take care of Dee and do not let Dee's dad get any closer to the girl. She also reveals some shocking information about Nina's dad, and Nina spends the rest of the book trying to keep the promises she's made to her mom.

I was so excited to read this book-I won it on a giveaway hosted by Annette's Book Spot-but it did not reach my expectations at all, I finished reading the book and felt like there was something missed. Maybe more explanations about that future, how they've got to that point. This book was shallow and the plot could have been way much better explored. The "sex is a bad thing" message all the time kinda bothered me, because we don't really understand what happened to the Media start controling them that much and reinforcing the idea that after 16 you're "ready" and because of that you can be a slut. It looks like there's going to be a sequel, maybe Karr explains it better on it, but I'm not sure I'm going to read it to find out.

Really enjoyed this dystopian!

Overall, I really enjoyed XVI! I had read many comments about the first half of the book being slow and readers not being able to get into it until chapters in. Well, for me it was great from the start. I was thoroughly interested and couldn't wait to read more.

Nina Oberon is not ready to be sixteen and become an 'adult'. She's afraid of what that means, which is that sex is okay and happens all the time, according to the sex-teen giddy girls. But Nina's is not okay with that! Just when she needs help with boys the most, her mom is murdered and Nina's past is revealed in her mom's last words. Nina is sent on a whirlwind of finding out who her father is and fending off her mother's killer.

Nina's grandparents take her and her little sister under their wing and Nina discovers that there are secrets her family hasn't told her and she's determined to find out. Nina meets a few new kids at school and not just friends, but people who can help her. Everything she discovers has its dangers and ones she may not be able to be saved from.

Nina's best friend Sandy has joined the sex-teen bandwagon and although Nina dislikes it, she's torn, because after all Sandy is her best girl friend. I thought Sandy was really annoying. I just wanted her to shut up and NOT act like a sex-crazed girl. I do, however, feel that Sandy brought meaning to what its like to be forced to basically be 'branded for sex' and if you go against everything it would make things more dangerous and I truly felt that she was just as brainwashed as the rest of the world. That's why Nina stood out so much to me, she wasn't just another brainwashed girl. She had feelings and thoughts of her own.

Mike and Derek, two of Nina's closest friends, I felt weren't a huge addition to the story, but I enjoyed their presence. Now, Sal is Mr. Hot Stuff, haha. Nina thinks she doesn't like Sal, but I feel that it was always her being afraid. I loved that XVI didn't have any steamy relationships, considering the overall concept of the book I thought it was just right.

This was one of my first dystopian novels and I'm glad I got into them, because this book has proven to me they are just as interesting, mysterious, and exciting as paranormal novels! XVI is a must read, so go pick it up!!

It was ok

The concept of the book was interesting they could have taken it in so many directions. The writing was a little lacking though. The characters weren't very developed well or realistic. I found myself not really caring so much about what happened to them. All in all it was an ok book but you can definitely tell it was a first book.

good book

XVI is set in 2150 where life is different and a lot more dangerous for young girls. At sixteen girls are considered adults and the government and media encourages them to become ready for sex at sixteen often called sex-teen. Nina is raised by Ginnie, a single mother who instills in her never to become one of those girls and Nina listens. Sandy, Nina's best friend buys the hype and believes that the only way out of the lower tiers of society is to become a sex-teen. Sandy dresses the part and watches the government videos about how to better attract a man and is over the top. Nina would prefer not to turn sixteen and fears the idea of what will happen when faced with being eligible.

Life takes an even more complicated turn when Ginnie is killed and on her deathbed revealed that Nina's father isn't dead and she has to deliver a secret book to him. Ginnie also pleads with Nina to keep Dee, her younger half-sister away, from Dee's abusive father Ed. Nina's world spins out of control with the news of her father and the responsibility to keep her younger sister safe. Ed knew that Ginnie had secrets and will stop at nothing to get them from Nina.

Nina has a great circle of friends who help keep her sane and Dee safe. She even finds love when she stumbles on a group of guys beating up a homeless teen. Only Sal isn't homeless. He is rebellious, hard to read, and protective of Nina. Sal is so wonderful and nothing like the guys who want over sexed teen girls. So very dreamy!

Unfortunately Ed has no problem killing to get to Nina and will stop at nothing to get to her. The suspense and mystery will keep you hooked until the last page. This book is great for teens to read because while this book is fiction it's not far off from teens growing up to fast and influenced by media. I think the story could have done without some of the futuristic slang that seemed to get in the way of the story but I also get that's dystopia. I found this to be a great debut book and look forward to more books from Julia Karr.

Well-written dystopia but doesn't stand out

I enjoyed the concept of the XVI tattoo immensely. I couldn't help but think to myself: What would happen if girls were required to get a tattoo on their sixteenth birthday making it okay for them to have sex? I felt like it definitely made girls a much easier target for men. The tattooed XVIIIs on the other hand, the newly tattooed 'adult' males, reminded me of the rowdy bunch of teens in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. Very prone to violence and sexual assault.

As much as I loved the dystopian concept of XVI, I also could not help feeling a bit disconnected from the characters. If I was keeping my facts straight, the novel is set in the 22nd century and so many things have changed. It took me a long time to get into the slang they used and even figure out exactly what they were talking about. It was interesting to see how Karr thought our culture would evolve, but I couldn't fully immerse myself into the world she created.

I wanted to like the relationship between Nina/Sal, but I just didn't feel the chemistry between them. It wasn't necessarily disappointing since I wasn't reading for romance, but it would have added a bigger conflict on my part as a reader if I did feel the sexual tension between them.

Well Nina's birthday was inevitable so there was no surprise when it finally came around. Overall, I thought that the ending fell flat. I thought to myself, That's it? There were definitely a lot of things that were left unresolved which leaves some opening for a sequel. Julia Karr's website indicates that she is working on Truth, the sequel, but I am not sure if that is in the works to be published yet.

If you enjoy reading dystopia, this is definitely for you. If you're new to the genre, this is not what I'd pick to introduce you to dystopia.

Awesome story!

This story was amazing! It grabbed me on the very first page and wouldn't let go. I LOVE it when that happens!!!

The main character, Nina, is fifteen and not looking forward to her sixteenth birthday. All girls are required to get a tattoo when they turn sixteen, letting the world know that they are no longer jail bait. Really? A tattoo basically marking you as ready & willing to have sex? At sixteen??? *shudder*

Nina lives with her mother and half-sister, and has a hard time understanding why her mother stays with her married boyfriend, who sounds like a total sleaze. Aside from the fact that he's a married man, the creep also beats her. Not a nice guy. Her best friend Sandy lives next door and, unlike Nina, is actually looking forward to becoming a "sex-teen". I liked Sandy, as I felt that she was a little naive and had bought into the media hype of how wonderful turning sixteen would be. She was a nice girl at heart, but practically brainwashed by the media. Luckily, Nina was raised by a mother who taught her to think for herself, despite the danger.

Nina's mother is brutally attacked one night and doesn't survive. Poor Nina must now deal with trying to protect her little sister from evil-scumbag-dad, while struggling with her fears of turning sixteen, and dealing with the earth-shattering revelation from her mother. Nina has to grow up fast, but she has loving grandparents and good friends to help her along the way. I really liked her friends, both old and new. In fact, the only character I didn't like was the evil-scumbag-dad.

Have I mentioned how amazing this story was? Great characters, incredible writing, well paced, and kept me up much too late as I just couldn't put the book down! The story simply grabbed hold of me and I couldn't wait to see what happened next! The very thought of the mandatory XVI tattoo on a girl's sixteenth birthday was chilling, and I loved the description of how pervasive media had become, where you couldn't even walk down the street without being bombarded by ads. Her descriptions of everyday life with what sounded like Big Brother gone mad was both intriguing and terrifying. The scenes really came alive for me, and what was scary was that they didn't sound too far-fetched, as media influence is already out of control.

I think that this book is definitely a must read for anyone who appreciates a good story, no matter your preferred genre!

love love love!!!!!

i love the distopia feel of the book and how it is sort of a wake up call to peolle tday dfonatly worthh all the mkney

satisfying yet dissapointing

I loved the plot of this book. It was something unique and fairly new. There aren't alot of dystopia novels in YA so I was glad to see a new one.Julia Karr did a great job in my opinion on character development. You really hate some characters and you love others. The dissapointing part to me was there were alot of things opened up for you to question but not alot was answered. Will there be a book 2? I hope so just so I can get some closure from XVI.

XVI

This book had a lot of promise for me. After reading the synopsis, I wanted to read this book immediately. The premise sounded great and new and it sounded like something I would definitely remember and love. But, I held off reading it for a few days 'good things come for those who wait' and all, but the book, in conclusion, wasn't something I would want to read again. It goes slow, and some chapters/pages could definitely have been canceled from the script.
Being XVI (16) means that girls in this novel are marked-or more accurately, inked-with their age on display for anyone who cares. The teens are led to believe that they will be more respected and adored with this age, but really it just lets people know that you are the age at which they can have their way with you.
The main character, Nina, has very strong views, and I did feel that she was a stable character. But, she was also whiney and slightly annoying with her 'OMG-I-can't-turn-sixteen-because-my-life-will-end!' outlook that really made me roll my eyes and wonder where the book was going.
Sandy, Nina's best friend, was nice at the beginning, but then she turned into a hormone-raving-mad teenager that really makes me snort with laughter. So, that was nice, to have something to laugh at since the entire book is so damn serious. Even when Nina was hanging out with Sal, every moment was plagued by the constant thought of what was to come.
Even after the death of her mother, Nina really didn't seem to be so emotional. I get that she was trying to be strong for her little sister, but hey, we all have to grieve, and I just felt that Nina accepted it too easily. True, she spends nearly the entire book trying to catch her mother's killer, but a good cry now and then may've helped loosen up this high-strung character.
I won't lie, I liked the book; key word being 'liked'. I didn't find it memorable, I didn't connect with the characters, and I didn't feel the need to even finish it. But I did, and I must say the ending was nice. I liked what happened, and it definitely left me wondering if there will be a second one or not. The author definitely left room for more story, but I don't think that this reader will be reading it.

Courtesy of Readergirl Reviews a Teen Book

I was surprised by how much I liked this book, even though there were a couple things I couldn't explain well enough to myself and I wasn't sure they were really believable. I did, however, love the characters. Nina is a smart girl who is dedicated to protecting her sister after hearing the truths that her dying mother revealed to her. These truths are the driving force behind all her actions throughout the rest of the book.

Although I loved Sal, I would have liked to have seen inside his head a little more instead of just seeing him reacting to Nina's issues. I did love how protective he was of her though. These two characters interacted well together.

I absolutely adored Pops! He was one of my favorite characters in the story, despite the fact that his role is very minimal. He was just so cute! I could so picture him as a cantankerous but funny old man. He was great.

The only person I never really warmed up to was Sandy. I just had a really hard time liking her because she was so superficial. Even though I understand that their society had sort of influenced teens to think like Sandy does, I felt it was taken to such an extreme with her that her behavior just looked stupid to me. But perhaps that's because I had a hard time with the premise of 16 year olds being branded and announced to the world as being ready for sex. Although the whole sex angle did play into the major issue in the story, it was never really explained why their society had instituted this rule. What would cause a society to say, "hey, I know... let's start branding our 16 year olds as being 16 so that any guy on the street who sees their mark can take them out back and force sex on them?"

This part wasn't really the major issue in the plot though... although the major issue did involve sex...but in another way. So that was really the only issue I had with the story. I actually really enjoyed it. It was a fast read with excellent pacing and great characters. It ended in such a way that I'm wondering if there's going to be a sequel. If so, I would definitely want to read it.

Review taken from One Book At A Time

liked and disliked different aspects of this book which is really hard when those things clash throughout the whole entire story.

My main problem was with Nina and the whole aspect of "sex-teens". I didn't like the idea of teens being branded as ready for sex for the whole world to know at the age of 16. And to top it off the Media releases how to videos to attract men (or predators). It just really didn't sit well with me. I originally liked Nina's attitude about how she didn't want to give into the hype. But, then she meets Sal. And since she's never been given a proper idea of sex or love, she doesn't know that there can be a middle. She constantly battling with herself about becoming a sex-teens or completely cutting herself off from Sal and the emotions he makes her feel. Since this is really such an intricate part of the story, it was a real turn off for me.

Despite that I liked the characters (when Nina wasn't think about sex-teens). Nina really shows heart and dedication, plus she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. I think she could really change whatever is really going on. I loved Sal, Wei, Mike, and Derek. They seemed like a well rounded group of friends. And even her little sister really brought the story to life. I thought the rest of the futuristic society was interesting. I liked the mystery of figuring out who really killed Nina's mother (which I had pegged but for different reasons). Add it the fact that there seems to be something going on with the government (The Media) leading the society that leaves a doom and gloom feel to the entire story. The only thing was I almost felt like I need a glossary of terms. I didn't think some of them were really well explained.

There's not a huge cliff hanger at the end, but enough that you get the feeling that there will at least be a sequel. If the author doesn't place so much emphasis on "sex-teens", I might read the next one.

This Book Speaks Volumes.

XVI is about the important roll that chastity plays in the preservation and defence of human dignity. I highly recommend this book, though I add this warning: There is a bit of swearing, the F word is used a few times by one of the most frightening villains I've ever encountered; there is talk of horrid things being done to people, though not explicitly. All in all, Karr handled her topic with class, never describing anything in detail that wasn't all together needed, and never describing in detail the act.

Great book!

I liked this book and the way the world was portrayed. There were so many emotions and so many....changes in the world that it was easy to see with Ms. Karr writing.

This book is awesome. I like how Ms. Karr used the future of the world and what is going on today to formulate a wonderful story. Never have I heard or read anything like it. The rules of her world are easy to see and how our world today is progressing. In XVI girls have to dress easy and be all sexed up by the time they turn 16. They are told how to act, what to wear, and to do stuff that is beyond disgusting.

The world of XVI is scary and one that some girls and women could relate today. Nina is a strong character with strong morals. She knows what she wants and what is right. In searching for her mom's killer, Nina learns new secrets and is not bitter. She takes everything in stride, knowing that they were secrets for a reason. Nina is mature. Very mature and has learned things the hard way.

My only gripe about the book is that its slow. It takes a while to get into things and for things to start coming out. Of course I do understand because there is a lot of explaining of what the future is like in this book. if you like to read dyspotian and something of what this world s today, read this book. It will open your eyes like no other book has ever done.

Black Fingernailed Reviews

Dystopian novels are really becoming a trend lately huh? XVI is the first debut novel I've read this year, and I have to say that I'm impressed.


This is a book that has a lot to do with government and feminism and sex. I don't think I've read many YA books on the subjects so I was intrigued when I started reading this one; its set in the future where the world is run by government and media, at sixteen girls are required to get an 'XVI' tattoo on their wrist and are expected to become 'sex-teens'.

The first half of the book is a bit slow, and then somewhere around the half mark a lot of action starts to happen and the pace picks up.

I'm not going to put an age I think is 'appropriate' for readers on this one. I think today sex is talked about by teenagers everywhere no matter the age, and that this book is an important one for them to read. This is an important novel, behind the mystery behind the pain of the characters, there is a story that is important and different and screaming to be heard.

I really liked the characters in this book. Nina is one tough cookie and Wei is definitely a favorite. I really liked how even though everything the characters are dealing with in the story is complicated you can still relate to them.

My only complaint is that the ending seemed a little rushed and i would have preferred it having another chapter where the ending was more fleshed out.

If you're looking for a book that's a little different and a little edgy and a lot emotional, you should definitely check this one out! XVI is an ultra debut, and I can't wait to read more from Julia.

Not quite...

A somewhat shallow YA dystopian novel. I was hooked by the premise awhile back, but it didn't deliver as much as I would have liked. I felt like she did a good job of showing the dangers of being a "sex-teen" and the ending was pretty sad. But it all felt weak to me. I felt like Karr's dystopia was vague; she tried to build another world but wasn't completely successful. Just creating a giant government machine, and changing a few words doesn't make it a dystopia. Maybe if went in deeper about FeLs and the tiers and how people get into them, it would have made the story stronger. I feel like she should have built the world a lot more. And speaking of word choice, her editor should have nipped using the word "trannies" for transportation in the bud. It was a laughable attempt at sounding futuristic. Now, I'm guessing she is writing a sequel because though Nina's story is somewhat wrapped up, there is still a lot of things left unfinished, which irked me. Maybe I'm just annoyed because it seems the young adult books I have been reading lately have no real endings, but really I just think it could have been better