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The Engine Driver
Sixteen-year-old Brig has never been allowed to hear a sad song in her entire life.
Like everyone else in her community, the personal Playlist Treatment Plan that plays in her head is designed to control her emotions - from when she's happy or sad, to when she falls in love. But for Brig, who suffers from depression, a song in a minor key will never be played.
When her friend, Annaby, is chosen to go to Musician’s School and is given a Permit to Carry a musical instrument, Brig knows that she has just this one chance to hear a sad song, a love song – or a song that matches what her depression feels like, instead of what her feelings should be.
The Engine Driver is a YA dystopian short story of 21 pages. Also includes a sample of Effie At The Wedding.
Like everyone else in her community, the personal Playlist Treatment Plan that plays in her head is designed to control her emotions - from when she's happy or sad, to when she falls in love. But for Brig, who suffers from depression, a song in a minor key will never be played.
When her friend, Annaby, is chosen to go to Musician’s School and is given a Permit to Carry a musical instrument, Brig knows that she has just this one chance to hear a sad song, a love song – or a song that matches what her depression feels like, instead of what her feelings should be.
The Engine Driver is a YA dystopian short story of 21 pages. Also includes a sample of Effie At The Wedding.
- GenresDystopia
26 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2011
1 person is currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 20, 2015
READ THE REVIEW ON MY BLOG
http://thebookishangel.wordpress.com
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5
You all remember the YA Spring Fling Giveaway post here on my blog? Well I also joined the giveaway and this is one of the many e-books that I won! I was so excited to read The Engine Driver because out of the many e-books available in the YA Spring Fling giveaway this is the one that I’m so keen on winning. Winning the book does not affect my review. :)
This is a unique take on the dystopia genre. I have never read anything like this book before. Lately, I’ve been reading dystopian books that are just very similar to other books it annoyed me. But this book? Nope.
So everyone in the country has a Playlist Treatment Plan. It’s like there’s a song inside your head for your whole life but you cannot choose what song to play and you can only pause the song for two minutes. That is so cool but I cannot imagine watching my favorite t.v. series while being forced to listen to something. Another cool thing is that if you are in love that will be the only time you can hear a love song with your guy/girl. It’s like a confirmation you are both truly in love. Isn’t it beautiful? Aahhhh. Then there are Musicians, they’re like one of the highest and respected people in the society. They’re the only people who can make music and carry an instrument,
The writing lacks creativity and imagination though. It was like the scenes are told to me when it should be shown to me. I pity the main character Brig but I didn’t feel connected to her. You get what I’m saying, yeah? The plot is so good I wish it’s not a novella, that it’s an actual novel because I would like to explore the world more. I want to have more of the characters. So can I beg the lovely author to write more about this world? Hihi :)
Overall, I liked this book! I was not disappointed, my expectations were met. If you want a unique and a fast dystopian read then read this now! You can buy it on Smashwords.
And now I leave you with this sad song…
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBL4O...
http://thebookishangel.wordpress.com
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5
You all remember the YA Spring Fling Giveaway post here on my blog? Well I also joined the giveaway and this is one of the many e-books that I won! I was so excited to read The Engine Driver because out of the many e-books available in the YA Spring Fling giveaway this is the one that I’m so keen on winning. Winning the book does not affect my review. :)
This is a unique take on the dystopia genre. I have never read anything like this book before. Lately, I’ve been reading dystopian books that are just very similar to other books it annoyed me. But this book? Nope.
So everyone in the country has a Playlist Treatment Plan. It’s like there’s a song inside your head for your whole life but you cannot choose what song to play and you can only pause the song for two minutes. That is so cool but I cannot imagine watching my favorite t.v. series while being forced to listen to something. Another cool thing is that if you are in love that will be the only time you can hear a love song with your guy/girl. It’s like a confirmation you are both truly in love. Isn’t it beautiful? Aahhhh. Then there are Musicians, they’re like one of the highest and respected people in the society. They’re the only people who can make music and carry an instrument,
The writing lacks creativity and imagination though. It was like the scenes are told to me when it should be shown to me. I pity the main character Brig but I didn’t feel connected to her. You get what I’m saying, yeah? The plot is so good I wish it’s not a novella, that it’s an actual novel because I would like to explore the world more. I want to have more of the characters. So can I beg the lovely author to write more about this world? Hihi :)
Overall, I liked this book! I was not disappointed, my expectations were met. If you want a unique and a fast dystopian read then read this now! You can buy it on Smashwords.
And now I leave you with this sad song…
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBL4O...
April 19, 2013
I loved this short story. It was something fresh, and original. I think it would be horrible if you heard music in your head constantly that you hated and couldn't turn off. I will definitely read any more dystopian books that the author writes.
July 25, 2016
I won a copy of this from the YA Spring Fling, but this does not affect the honesty of my review.
The control of music in society is what makes this dystopic world interesting. Set in 2060, the world has changed to one where technological advancement has infiltrated into our daily lives as seen by the reliance on the ports in the characters' wrists to play music. Music is no longer played externally, and doing so is forbidden. The music played for the characters is regulated by a Playlist Treatment Plan, which one does not have control over.
As a music lover and musician myself, I can fully understand the impact music has on emotions. I think the portrayal of Bridget and her experience with music and how it affects her was well-written. Marchini brought me through a myriad of emotions through those short 21 pages and through her telling of what goes on in Bridget's head, makes the story very relatable. However, the length of the book did not allow for much character development or the explanation behind why our society would change to have such strict regulations on music. There was some hinting that music has the ability to shape emotions and is therefore dangerous, but I felt that explicitly mentioning it would have been better. The addition of Adamas into Bridget's storyline was rather abrupt, perhaps more about him could have been mentioned first, before his sudden interaction with Bridget. The ending of the story felt a bit squeezed and I wanted the story to continue afterwards. But, it is a short story after all.
Overall a short, but pleasant read.
The control of music in society is what makes this dystopic world interesting. Set in 2060, the world has changed to one where technological advancement has infiltrated into our daily lives as seen by the reliance on the ports in the characters' wrists to play music. Music is no longer played externally, and doing so is forbidden. The music played for the characters is regulated by a Playlist Treatment Plan, which one does not have control over.
As a music lover and musician myself, I can fully understand the impact music has on emotions. I think the portrayal of Bridget and her experience with music and how it affects her was well-written. Marchini brought me through a myriad of emotions through those short 21 pages and through her telling of what goes on in Bridget's head, makes the story very relatable. However, the length of the book did not allow for much character development or the explanation behind why our society would change to have such strict regulations on music. There was some hinting that music has the ability to shape emotions and is therefore dangerous, but I felt that explicitly mentioning it would have been better. The addition of Adamas into Bridget's storyline was rather abrupt, perhaps more about him could have been mentioned first, before his sudden interaction with Bridget. The ending of the story felt a bit squeezed and I wanted the story to continue afterwards. But, it is a short story after all.
Overall a short, but pleasant read.
February 24, 2012
The Engine Driver is a short story set in an unusual dystopian society, where music is strictly controlled for each individual to restrict their moods and keep them happy; Bridget feels depressed, so she is not allowed to hear any sad songs and wishes she could.
Ultimately I liked the story and it was well written but the ending didn't quite work for me.
See the in-depth review at Sift: http://www.siftreviews.com/2012/02/en...
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews
Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.
Ultimately I liked the story and it was well written but the ending didn't quite work for me.
See the in-depth review at Sift: http://www.siftreviews.com/2012/02/en...
Review by: Edward of Sift Book Reviews
Sift Book Reviews received a free copy for review from the author. This has, in no way, affected the reviewer's opinion.
March 22, 2012
This is a sad, but not dysfunctional, depressed but yet hopeful, story of one young girl’s striving for empowerment, in a dystopian society fifty years in the future. It is a world in which every human is electronically programmed by music; everyone must be charged; and the music is individualized and considered treatment. Bridget’s “Playlist Treatment Plan” has never worked for her; it never plays sad music, only upbeat pop with lots of bass and ridiculous lyrics. Finally, when her best friend receives her acceptance to Musicians School, events take a sudden, sharp turn and Bridget decides that empowering herself is the only way she can live.
November 16, 2012
Great YA dystopian story - highly recommended to fans of the genre!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews