sixxed's reviews
2017 reviews

This book was particularly difficult to read due to one reason...the terminology. The NASDAT language of these renegade teens is very difficult to comprehend (I had trouble due to seeing a word and having to go to the very back of the novel and look up the word's meaning and then document it so the next time I came across it I could look over and then familiarize myself with the term(s)). The book was clearly ahead of its time.

Burgess' story is of a time period that is full of chaos and lack of order. These teens beat up preachers, as well as rape their wives, and basically do anything that please. Morality is not one of the group's virtues as the reader learns within the first 5 pages. The protagonist/antagonist is a clever catalyst to the story. He is the leader of misfits of whom he calls "droogs," which means friends. This group loves to spike their drink with alcohol and drugs and no one gives them a fuss or otherwise they face a real bloody horrorshow (NASDAT for a really good beating). The leader, Alex, is chosen to be experimented upon as the group is caught and his "conditioning" is very explicit, as well as emotional. He is basically strapped to a chair and has to witness bad events and withstand them and if he becomes too irate, then he is injected. Every time he sees the event, he is released and the doctors subject him to aversion therapy. This proves successful and Alex is transformed.

Upon returning to society, Alex is horrified at the actions he once considered good and fun. His pals have been transformed as well and one of his drones has become a member of law enforcement. He comes to greet his previously employed drone when Alex is held by his former comrades and beaten to a pulp. His friends are now against him and Alex has no one left but himself for comfort. The book ends on a very sad and gloomy note.

I liked the book, though the terminology presented a mild challenge. The book became easier and easier and I finished it within the afternoon. Anyone who has a weak stomach or cannot stand violence might want to abstain from reading this apocalyptic novel.

Charlaine Harris - pure brilliance. I enjoyed this book more than the other two (despite rating differences). Bill and his "secret" assignment - the perfect male excuse for an affair. Need to know more? Then follow along, this review is quite the trip...

Sookie starts the book in love with one man - Bill Compton. She makes constant sexual innuendos and references to the "fun" they shared. At the end of the book, however, she finds she now has two - Eric & Alcide. She doesn't come out and say, "OMG! I love you Eric!" Her hints are much more subtle than you would expect, especially since Bill turned Sookie into a nymphomaniac. Harris has some sort of obsession with bisexuals, because this book is CHALK-FULL of bisexual vampires (e.g. Pam (we don't know yet, but I read the 7th book so sue me), Bernard, Russell, and members of Russell's inner sanctum).

She turns Bill away and chastises him for his infidelity. As my mom would say, "You go girl!" It was a funny book at times, sad, and just downright graphic. The scene in which Sookie is raped by Bill was just wayyy too graphic for me. I mean, I can handle the content, but just picturing it is just, wow, ya know? Alcide is like the perfect match for her! Eric seems alright, but is a tad egotistical, as well as a bit of a pervert.

Overall, a 3 1/2 star effort. I really need to get the 2nd book...