Departures

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E.J. Wenstrom: Departures

ISBN:
979-8-5292-6515-4
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ASIN:
B097JN8Z4V
3 stars (1 review)

1 edition

reviewed Departures by E.J. Wenstrom

Maybe I just don't like YA dystopias

3 stars

Departures is a novel about an apparently pleasant world where everything is controlled by the Directorate, a near-omnipotent government. Everyone gets the date of their departure (i.e. death) tattooed on their arm when they're young. This is apparently based on when that individual ceases to live a full and productive life. The novel follows two sisters, one of whose departure date is the day the novel opens. It's not much of a spoiler to say that things don't go to plan.

I didn't realise this was a YA book when I started it. I don't know where I got the recommendation from. So maybe I should cut it some slack for that, but... are all YA books so heavy-handed with their social commentary? Don't teens feel patronised by this level of clumsy signposting? Yes, the Directorate's allegedly benevolent plan is stifling, we get it, you don't need to hammer home …