The more I read the greater the pull the book had over me. I was told this is a YA novel. This seems to be very much the case at the start of the book. But the ending is very adult.

Cat swipes away utopia and brings a raw reality to fantasy that speaks greatly of human nature and the underbelly of revolution. There are no saints. The is no absolute Right even in the face of obvious injustice.

I was also impressed how Cat refused to allow the old fashioned setting determine the story's politics. There is a dichotomy of repression and progression ... From who people are allowed to love whom they actually love, to the gender of the repressor.

This book is a great addition to the likes of 1984, Handmaid's Tale with a touch of Judy Blume's Forever (without the explicate descriptions). A perfect book for a YA reader: does not preach, does not kiddie-fy but leaves the reader to fill in the blanks where more detail could upset some parents. That said, I hope this book is read by many adults. They will not be stooping to pick up a such a read, but searching themselves up a thought provoking treat.

Lastly, I actually bought this copy for my friend at the CTBF. I was going to read it and pass it on. But now I will have to buy my friend her own copy. I am not giving mine up.

WARMING - THIS NEXT BIT DOES ALLUDE TO THE ENDING:

I have read reviews that are dismayed at the lack of fairytale ending. I don't understand how whimsy has a place in such a story. I was pleased that friendship, partnership and quiet affection won over manipulative passion.