The children were playing while Holston climbed to his death; he could hear them squealing as only happy children do.
It didn’t even feel like I was reading separate stories, since Howey (and his editor, I imagine) managed to blend them together seamlessly. Wool starts out with a guy called Holston who is committing suicide by going outside, where the air is allegedly toxic. I was made to care about him, only to have him ripped away after being given a glimmer of hope, and that set the tone for the entire book. Of course, me being me, I didn’t actually give up on hoping that the second person we are introduced to would actually live this time. Alas. Once I was about a hundred and fifty pages in, my mindset was the same as the citizens of the silo: there’s no hope, and it’s pointless to even try.
Howey did a great job of introducing the cleaning, as well as the political structure and such, during the first couple of hundred pages. While the actual world was nothing unique, I loved the way Howey wrote about the politics and the people who were silenced by the arseholes upstairs (so to speak). I was very impressed by the time I met Juliette, and then she went on to blow my socks off.
Juliette is one of my new favourite characters. She’s strong, intelligent, and she doesn’t mindlessly follow orders. Even the other characters are impressed by and admire her. I love her so fucking much. You question that authority, you flawless woman *shakes pom poms*
There were some other characters, which didn’t impress me nearly as much as Juliette, but I loved them all anyway. Howey writes some great characters, and I even ended up in a love/hate relationship with the villains. But I guess that’s nothing new for me, right? You shouldn’t be shocked.
Yes, there were parts that made me cry. Any novel featuring oppressed people that start to question those who keep them in chains, and a brilliant main character who becomes the reason behind an uprising because people love and respect them… I can’t. Now I’m tearing up because I may have just described the basic plot of Spartacus. Bye.
I absolutely cannot wait to start reading Shift, which is currently staring at me from my TBR bookshelf. Soon, my beauty. I don’t know much about what Shift entails, just that we see some other stuff that’s in this post-apocalyptic world (I’m struggling to not spoil anyone right now), and that we also see how the world became this way. I think. Oh, and I don’t think Juliette is in Shift, which saddens me because I seem to have developed a girl crush on her.
Do I recommend Wool? Hell yeah, I do! I can’t get enough of the world and the characters, and Howey’s writing is addictive. My review totally doesn’t do this book justice, so you should all read Tatum’s when it’s posted. I’m sure it’ll be put together better than mine is!
Braiden says
Shift is the prequel. Dust, coming out soon, continues on from Wool. Great review ๐ (I still need to finish Wool.)
Amber (Books of Amber) says
How far through did you get? Why aren’t you hooked? TELL MEH.
yaescapefromreality says
I hadn’t heard of this before, but it sounds really good. Sort of reminds me of Enclave, where to go up top means almost certain death. I really loved Breathe, so if this is anything like that, sign me up! ~Pam
Amber (Books of Amber) says
Enclave is also a good comparison, although if you go up to the surface in the Enclave world, you at least stand a chance ;D Haha.
Sandra says
I hadn’t heard of this book before honestly. I thihnk I’ll add it too my TBR list. It sounds pretty good honestly :3
Amber (Books of Amber) says
YES, good decision!
Rita (Weaving Pages) says
I guess this is going to be me soon, when I read Wool!!
Amber (Books of Amber) says
I *will* be watching for your updates ๐
Tatum Turtle says
No pressure or anything, Ambifer >.>
I looooooved Wool and I’ll probably read Shift sometime this month or the next. I KNEW you’d love Jules :’D It was the first thought I had when she was introduced XD
Amber (Books of Amber) says
No pressure at all, since it’s probably not hard to beat this review :’)
Because we’re psychically connected. JULIETTE IS FLAW FREEEEE. I might read Shift in September *nods* Although with Rome, I just don’t know.