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Dissolution
What would you sell yourself for?
Madeline knows. She’s spent the last eighteen years impatiently waiting for her Auctioning so she can sell herself to MERCE Solutions Limited for a hundred thousand credits. But when the Auctioneer fails to call her and two suits show up at her doorstep, Madeline discovers there are far worse bargains to be made.
So when your loved ones are in danger, there’s a bounty on your head and your entire city might turn out to be a lie… what would you sell yourself for?
"An action-packed cyberpunk thriller in the vein of Phillip K. Dick."
- Kisa Whipkey, REUTS Publications
"Lee S. Hawke paints a vivid and sometimes terrifying dystopian picture of corporations ruling a city (and for all we know, the world)... The writing is crisp, the pace is fast, tensions are high, the descriptions vivid, and the characters crawl under your skin fast. There are quite a few twists that keeps things interesting and I cried at the end of the book. This author just got moved to my auto-buy list."
- Allison B, Amazon Reviewer
"Lee S. Hawke has achieved something amazing. Not many writers could pull off a social commentary and make it fun to read, but Hawke has nailed it."
- Ashleigh, The Literature Hub
Madeline knows. She’s spent the last eighteen years impatiently waiting for her Auctioning so she can sell herself to MERCE Solutions Limited for a hundred thousand credits. But when the Auctioneer fails to call her and two suits show up at her doorstep, Madeline discovers there are far worse bargains to be made.
So when your loved ones are in danger, there’s a bounty on your head and your entire city might turn out to be a lie… what would you sell yourself for?
"An action-packed cyberpunk thriller in the vein of Phillip K. Dick."
- Kisa Whipkey, REUTS Publications
"Lee S. Hawke paints a vivid and sometimes terrifying dystopian picture of corporations ruling a city (and for all we know, the world)... The writing is crisp, the pace is fast, tensions are high, the descriptions vivid, and the characters crawl under your skin fast. There are quite a few twists that keeps things interesting and I cried at the end of the book. This author just got moved to my auto-buy list."
- Allison B, Amazon Reviewer
"Lee S. Hawke has achieved something amazing. Not many writers could pull off a social commentary and make it fun to read, but Hawke has nailed it."
- Ashleigh, The Literature Hub
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2016
40 people want to read
About the author
Lee S. Hawke
2 books24 followersHi, I'm Lee. I'm a science fiction writer by early morning, a technology lawyer by day, and an avid reader in all the other spare moments I can find. I have two dogs, a robot vacuum named Cinderella, and probably spend far too much time online learning things and arguing with people. These facts all may or may not be related.
At the end of the day, I write because the world is such a brilliant, bloody, fascinating place. I write because not a day goes by without me learning something new and thinking what if…
And I write to connect people with stories. If just one person reads something of mine that makes them look at the world a different way, then I'll count that as a success. So thanks for joining me on this journey.
At the end of the day, I write because the world is such a brilliant, bloody, fascinating place. I write because not a day goes by without me learning something new and thinking what if…
And I write to connect people with stories. If just one person reads something of mine that makes them look at the world a different way, then I'll count that as a success. So thanks for joining me on this journey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 23, 2024
Madeline has spent her life training and preparing for the day she would be eligible to put herself up for auction at eighteen. She wants nothing more to escape from Anron Life Limited and being a human lab rat and be purchased by another company called Merce that is technology oriented.
On the day of the auctions though Maddie finds herself still standing after all of the others have been auctioned off and she's told that she's not on the list. Now it comes to light that she was never able to be sold and that Anron owns her outright and now they want to put her to death.
Dissolution is a rather short read that you can see touches of other dystopian novels such as Divergent, Hunger Games and The Giver. The teen MC is set to find out where she will be sent the rest of her life and then things go wrong for her at the ceremony. In this book Maddie finds herself needing to fight back against the corporations in control.
What I found with this one that kept me from rating a bit higher is that it has that novella curse to it that I just found myself wanting a bit more out it when done. Being so short it was a good enough story but it could have been great if things get expanded and explained with more depth than is possible in a novella.
Overall, 3.5 stars. A good read but could have used more expanding to be better.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
On the day of the auctions though Maddie finds herself still standing after all of the others have been auctioned off and she's told that she's not on the list. Now it comes to light that she was never able to be sold and that Anron owns her outright and now they want to put her to death.
Dissolution is a rather short read that you can see touches of other dystopian novels such as Divergent, Hunger Games and The Giver. The teen MC is set to find out where she will be sent the rest of her life and then things go wrong for her at the ceremony. In this book Maddie finds herself needing to fight back against the corporations in control.
What I found with this one that kept me from rating a bit higher is that it has that novella curse to it that I just found myself wanting a bit more out it when done. Being so short it was a good enough story but it could have been great if things get expanded and explained with more depth than is possible in a novella.
Overall, 3.5 stars. A good read but could have used more expanding to be better.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
June 14, 2016
DISSOLUTION was an interesting dystopian novella that had great authentic ideas but lacked in detail and execution. I really liked the idea of corporations owning its employees and seeing them as assets to be traded and sold. However, the world building felt incomplete and the characters underdeveloped.
Madeline has waited her whole life for her Auctioning. After 18 years of waiting, after countless hours of training, she's ready for the next step in her life. In her city of Unilox, five corporations exist: ANRON, MERCE, HARLIN, PERCO, and DRAYTH. As an asset of ANRON, the pharmaceutical company, she hopes to be sold to MERCE where she'll be free to "build and fix things." One of the major problems with the novella is that we don't really know what these corporations do. The author doesn't really go into much detail about the individual companies but has a strong disliking for some. I don't know if the lack of information was done purposely, but either way, it leaves the reader confused.
The story spans only a couple of days and it's interesting to see Madeline go from an elite asset, to a hunted fugitive and then on to a merciless negotiator. I love Madeline's strength and devotion to her parents and boyfriend, but her motivations seem to lack foundation. Her relationship with her parents seems cold and the details about her relationship with her boyfriend Jake is sketchy. The fact that she has to pay to spend time with him is just bizarre, which kind of makes him seem like a escort. As an asset of ANRON, she learns, on what should have been her auctioning day, that she will never be able to be sold and will always remain the property of ANRON. As an experiment of the medical company, she's worth too much to be auctioned, but we never really learn what makes her so special. She seems to have incredible healing abilities and stamina, but the author never goes into details about what makes her so incredible, why she was never told and the details of her origin.
I love the way the author shows us how corporations are considered legal entities yet are uncaring and cold. I guess when you're looking for the ultimate antagonist, corporations are probably one of the best and strongest candidates. They have many of the rights humans have yet are very hard to hurt or kill. When it comes to facing off against ANRON, it's difficult to see how Madeline will succeed.
When it comes to description, it was hard to follow the details of the action. I think the author was trying to be too visual, and failed to give us the necessary information to follow the story. However, some of the descriptions were on par, for example, the use of implants to stay connected to society and the scene which I will simply call the river scene because I want to avoid spoilers.
Overall, the author had great ideas but as a whole, the story lacked information and detail. The characters were underdeveloped, the action was hard to follow, and the world needed more building. Personally, I believed this story would have more potential as a detailed novel, instead of a novella.
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This book has also been reviewed on Tynga's Reviews.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Madeline has waited her whole life for her Auctioning. After 18 years of waiting, after countless hours of training, she's ready for the next step in her life. In her city of Unilox, five corporations exist: ANRON, MERCE, HARLIN, PERCO, and DRAYTH. As an asset of ANRON, the pharmaceutical company, she hopes to be sold to MERCE where she'll be free to "build and fix things." One of the major problems with the novella is that we don't really know what these corporations do. The author doesn't really go into much detail about the individual companies but has a strong disliking for some. I don't know if the lack of information was done purposely, but either way, it leaves the reader confused.
The story spans only a couple of days and it's interesting to see Madeline go from an elite asset, to a hunted fugitive and then on to a merciless negotiator. I love Madeline's strength and devotion to her parents and boyfriend, but her motivations seem to lack foundation. Her relationship with her parents seems cold and the details about her relationship with her boyfriend Jake is sketchy. The fact that she has to pay to spend time with him is just bizarre, which kind of makes him seem like a escort. As an asset of ANRON, she learns, on what should have been her auctioning day, that she will never be able to be sold and will always remain the property of ANRON. As an experiment of the medical company, she's worth too much to be auctioned, but we never really learn what makes her so special. She seems to have incredible healing abilities and stamina, but the author never goes into details about what makes her so incredible, why she was never told and the details of her origin.
I love the way the author shows us how corporations are considered legal entities yet are uncaring and cold. I guess when you're looking for the ultimate antagonist, corporations are probably one of the best and strongest candidates. They have many of the rights humans have yet are very hard to hurt or kill. When it comes to facing off against ANRON, it's difficult to see how Madeline will succeed.
When it comes to description, it was hard to follow the details of the action. I think the author was trying to be too visual, and failed to give us the necessary information to follow the story. However, some of the descriptions were on par, for example, the use of implants to stay connected to society and the scene which I will simply call the river scene because I want to avoid spoilers.
Overall, the author had great ideas but as a whole, the story lacked information and detail. The characters were underdeveloped, the action was hard to follow, and the world needed more building. Personally, I believed this story would have more potential as a detailed novel, instead of a novella.
..... ..... ..... ..... .....
This book has also been reviewed on Tynga's Reviews.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 25, 2016
Now, I know what you’re thinking — yay, another dystopian to add to all the other dystopians flooding the market. But trust me, this one is unlike anything you’ve read. Yes, it does have some shades of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and even a bit of The Giver embedded in it, but the premise underneath those elements is refreshing, different, and thought-provoking. Everything a good science fiction tale should be.
Hawke’s world is dominated by corporations, and a person’s value is entirely dependent on how much they can give — what their productivity is likely to be, how their skills rank against the corporations’ needs. They’re not people, they’re drones, slaves. Licensed IP to be bought and traded and sold. It’s chilling, and a cautionary message to the workaholics of the world.
But while there is a very strong thread of social commentary running throughout, it takes a back seat to the larger tale, which is an action-packed cyberpunk thriller in the vein of Phillip K. Dick.
Madeline (Maddie) has spent her entire life dreaming of escape from ANRON Life Limited, pegging all her hopes on the possibility of being purchased by MERCE, the more technology oriented corporation where she can put her modding skills to good use and where she’ll no longer be a human lab rat. But after years of rigorous trials and tests, competition, and an interview process that feels more like an interrogation than an interview, she finds that there was never any chance for escape. Her life has always belonged to ANRON, and now, they want it back. They’re revoking her license, sentencing her to death in the name of science.
And she’s having none of it. Alone, disconnected from the technology that serves as a lifeline for most of the city’s denizens, and on the run, she learns the true difference between good and evil. And in the process, she discovers that the corporations aren’t as untouchable as they seem.
Brilliant, emotional, and intelligent, Dissolution is a highly satisfying read. It is a novella, but don’t let that scare you off. It’s a complete, self-contained, and moving tale that will challenge you to rethink your own views on corporations and technology in general. It’s a smart, well-written, amazing piece of storytelling and should not be missed.
**Disclaimer: I was the editor for this title, however all opinions stated are my own and were not influenced by bias or compensation.**
Hawke’s world is dominated by corporations, and a person’s value is entirely dependent on how much they can give — what their productivity is likely to be, how their skills rank against the corporations’ needs. They’re not people, they’re drones, slaves. Licensed IP to be bought and traded and sold. It’s chilling, and a cautionary message to the workaholics of the world.
But while there is a very strong thread of social commentary running throughout, it takes a back seat to the larger tale, which is an action-packed cyberpunk thriller in the vein of Phillip K. Dick.
Madeline (Maddie) has spent her entire life dreaming of escape from ANRON Life Limited, pegging all her hopes on the possibility of being purchased by MERCE, the more technology oriented corporation where she can put her modding skills to good use and where she’ll no longer be a human lab rat. But after years of rigorous trials and tests, competition, and an interview process that feels more like an interrogation than an interview, she finds that there was never any chance for escape. Her life has always belonged to ANRON, and now, they want it back. They’re revoking her license, sentencing her to death in the name of science.
And she’s having none of it. Alone, disconnected from the technology that serves as a lifeline for most of the city’s denizens, and on the run, she learns the true difference between good and evil. And in the process, she discovers that the corporations aren’t as untouchable as they seem.
Brilliant, emotional, and intelligent, Dissolution is a highly satisfying read. It is a novella, but don’t let that scare you off. It’s a complete, self-contained, and moving tale that will challenge you to rethink your own views on corporations and technology in general. It’s a smart, well-written, amazing piece of storytelling and should not be missed.
**Disclaimer: I was the editor for this title, however all opinions stated are my own and were not influenced by bias or compensation.**
March 26, 2016
Lee S. Hawke has achieved something amazing. Not many writers could pull off a social commentary and make it fun to read, but Hawke nailed it.
The story is set in the fictional city of Unilox, where the people are owned by one of 5 companies: ANRON, HARLIN, MERCE, PERCO, DRAYTH. Which one does Madeline belong to? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
When you turn 18, you’re eligible (and required) to participate in an Auctioning. You will be sold to the highest bidder. You don’t get a choice. Each company specialises in certain areas. ANRON is medical. MERCE is technology. Madeline, a tech-head, wants to be bought by MERCE. But when she goes to her auctioning, things hit a snag.
What I really love about Dissolution is the social commentary aspect. What if you were owned? What if you never really had any free will? Everything seems like utopia, but what if you’re living a lie?
I love the journey that Madeline goes on to discover the truth about her city. She’s an outsider, and there seems to be something almost superhuman about her. I assume that this is probably related to the circumstances surrounding her conception and birth, but it’s never explicitly stated, and I love that I can come to my own conclusion.
This story is filled with the darker aspects of society, although it does feel like a somewhat light read, and I put this down to it being a novella, and not a full novel. It’s a short but enjoyable read, and the twist ending is amazing. It’s something I’ve wanted to do in my own writing for a long time, and I’m so glad to know that having a surprising ending like that actually works.
I am so impressed with Dissolution. My only complaint is that it was a little bit short. I enjoyed it so much that I wished it was a full length novel, because there was so much more I wanted to know about the world.
The story is set in the fictional city of Unilox, where the people are owned by one of 5 companies: ANRON, HARLIN, MERCE, PERCO, DRAYTH. Which one does Madeline belong to? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
When you turn 18, you’re eligible (and required) to participate in an Auctioning. You will be sold to the highest bidder. You don’t get a choice. Each company specialises in certain areas. ANRON is medical. MERCE is technology. Madeline, a tech-head, wants to be bought by MERCE. But when she goes to her auctioning, things hit a snag.
What I really love about Dissolution is the social commentary aspect. What if you were owned? What if you never really had any free will? Everything seems like utopia, but what if you’re living a lie?
I love the journey that Madeline goes on to discover the truth about her city. She’s an outsider, and there seems to be something almost superhuman about her. I assume that this is probably related to the circumstances surrounding her conception and birth, but it’s never explicitly stated, and I love that I can come to my own conclusion.
This story is filled with the darker aspects of society, although it does feel like a somewhat light read, and I put this down to it being a novella, and not a full novel. It’s a short but enjoyable read, and the twist ending is amazing. It’s something I’ve wanted to do in my own writing for a long time, and I’m so glad to know that having a surprising ending like that actually works.
I am so impressed with Dissolution. My only complaint is that it was a little bit short. I enjoyed it so much that I wished it was a full length novel, because there was so much more I wanted to know about the world.
June 20, 2016
Science fiction is my jam. So when I run across a story with a fascinating premise and stellar characters, I obviously want more!
…which is where I run into a serious issue. There isn’t any more. Dissolution is a quick read, giving just the briefest of glimpses into a futuristic world, where humans literally have a value. Like, here’s a check, now give me my human. Because it was so short, there simply wasn’t enough time to go into detail about how the world became this way. The desolation of the world-as-we-know-it is hinted at, but never fully explored. I find myself wondering if there really is more to tell, or if the beauty is in the blank space, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions.
At the beginning of the story, we’re introduced to Madeline, who seems to have some abnormal bodily reactions going on… but I was to know WHY or HOW this happened! What’s going on?! Her understanding of the world is shattered in a moment, and in the collapse, she is forced to run for her life. I absolutely love that she is technologically minded, able to use ingenious creative thought in her escape.
The story also causes the reader to delve into the painful debate of human worth. Who is to say that one person is worth more than another, based on nothing more than a few tests. There is something to be said for individuality, and we need more people to say it.
And now? My only hope is that I can send out a plea to the author to divulge some of the secrets behind the story, or in an ideal world, to write a second story.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
…which is where I run into a serious issue. There isn’t any more. Dissolution is a quick read, giving just the briefest of glimpses into a futuristic world, where humans literally have a value. Like, here’s a check, now give me my human. Because it was so short, there simply wasn’t enough time to go into detail about how the world became this way. The desolation of the world-as-we-know-it is hinted at, but never fully explored. I find myself wondering if there really is more to tell, or if the beauty is in the blank space, allowing the reader to come to their own conclusions.
At the beginning of the story, we’re introduced to Madeline, who seems to have some abnormal bodily reactions going on… but I was to know WHY or HOW this happened! What’s going on?! Her understanding of the world is shattered in a moment, and in the collapse, she is forced to run for her life. I absolutely love that she is technologically minded, able to use ingenious creative thought in her escape.
The story also causes the reader to delve into the painful debate of human worth. Who is to say that one person is worth more than another, based on nothing more than a few tests. There is something to be said for individuality, and we need more people to say it.
And now? My only hope is that I can send out a plea to the author to divulge some of the secrets behind the story, or in an ideal world, to write a second story.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2016
Read this review and more on my blog.
I received a free copy of Dissolution via XpressoBookTours in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dissolution is a dystopian novella that is not all that it seems. Instead of it being a 'fun read', even though it is, it directly and willingly makes you question ideas that you may have been brought up with.
In this community, everyone before they turn 18 is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. For what, it was not clear enough for me too understand (that is one of the only things that I do not like about Dissolution). When Madeline's name does not even get called at the auction (she had humongous expectations as to what she was going to do), and when she arrives home she finds two suits at her house see does the only thing that anyone would do, she bolts.
Dissolution is meant to be a thought-provoking novella, which it defiantly is. Throughout this entire novella, it is easy to put yourself into Madeline's shoes and understand her decisions and reasoning behind everything.
Like I said earlier, I do wish that the different companies were explained better as none of the 5 were explained as to what they actually are doing, or supposed to be doing. Essentially the world-building was lacking, and I believe that if Hawke had built up this interesting world a tad stronger then I would have appreciated it more.
I received a free copy of Dissolution via XpressoBookTours in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dissolution is a dystopian novella that is not all that it seems. Instead of it being a 'fun read', even though it is, it directly and willingly makes you question ideas that you may have been brought up with.
In this community, everyone before they turn 18 is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. For what, it was not clear enough for me too understand (that is one of the only things that I do not like about Dissolution). When Madeline's name does not even get called at the auction (she had humongous expectations as to what she was going to do), and when she arrives home she finds two suits at her house see does the only thing that anyone would do, she bolts.
Dissolution is meant to be a thought-provoking novella, which it defiantly is. Throughout this entire novella, it is easy to put yourself into Madeline's shoes and understand her decisions and reasoning behind everything.
Like I said earlier, I do wish that the different companies were explained better as none of the 5 were explained as to what they actually are doing, or supposed to be doing. Essentially the world-building was lacking, and I believe that if Hawke had built up this interesting world a tad stronger then I would have appreciated it more.
March 28, 2016
Madeline is a character who would be at home in the world of Divergent, The Giver, or Hunger Games. In fact her story starts very much like The Giver, or Divergent do. She is excited about turning 18 and being able to auction herself and finally have the assignment which will be hers for the rest of her life, but it is as those two books set precedent for, and she isn't allowed to fulfill the expectations which her whole life has taught her was the next logical step. In fact her next step, rather than being into adulthood, is off a cliff.
This book flows quickly, in fact at the end it was going too fast and I actually ended up flipping back through chapters to see if I had missed a section. There was a lot longer novel that could have been written as there was a big jump from where Madeline meets a group of people who offer her a bit of hope, and suddenly she is in the climax of the novel.
The book is well written, the characters are ones you care about, even when you only meet them briefly, and the story arc does in one short book, what a lot of authors take a trilogy to complete. Hmmm. In fact, this is a book that begs for a sequel.
This book flows quickly, in fact at the end it was going too fast and I actually ended up flipping back through chapters to see if I had missed a section. There was a lot longer novel that could have been written as there was a big jump from where Madeline meets a group of people who offer her a bit of hope, and suddenly she is in the climax of the novel.
The book is well written, the characters are ones you care about, even when you only meet them briefly, and the story arc does in one short book, what a lot of authors take a trilogy to complete. Hmmm. In fact, this is a book that begs for a sequel.
January 3, 2024
Not many authors could take a look into the future as Hawke has done. Dissolution is set in the fictional city of Unilox, where the people are sold to and owned by one of 5 companies: ANRON, HARLIN, MERCE, PERCO, DRAYTH. When you turn 18, you’re eligible (and required) to participate in an Auctioning. You will be sold to the highest bidder. You don’t get a choice. Each company (the bidders & owners) specialise in certain areas. For example, ANRON is medical and MERCE is technology. Madeline, a tech-head, wants to be bought by MERCE. But when she goes to her Auctioning, things hit a snag.
The premise of the story is frighteningly possible. The human race has enslaved people in the not-too-distant past, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it could happen again. The book forces you to confront this dark chapter of human history: What if you were owned? What if you never had free will? What if your life was nothing but a lie?
Madeline seeks to know the truth. She’s an outsider with unusual circumstances surrounding her conception and her birth. In some ways, she isn’t human. Mystery surrounds her. I love that the mystery is never explicitly revealed, as it lets me draw my own conclusions.
Dissolution is a novella, not a full novel. It’s a relatively light read because it’s so short. It doesn’t have the word space available to delve deep into the darker aspects of the society within its pages. The twist ending was amazing.
My only complaint about this book is that it’s short. There is so much more to explore in this world, and I wish the author had chosen to make it a full-length novel instead.
The premise of the story is frighteningly possible. The human race has enslaved people in the not-too-distant past, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that it could happen again. The book forces you to confront this dark chapter of human history: What if you were owned? What if you never had free will? What if your life was nothing but a lie?
Madeline seeks to know the truth. She’s an outsider with unusual circumstances surrounding her conception and her birth. In some ways, she isn’t human. Mystery surrounds her. I love that the mystery is never explicitly revealed, as it lets me draw my own conclusions.
Dissolution is a novella, not a full novel. It’s a relatively light read because it’s so short. It doesn’t have the word space available to delve deep into the darker aspects of the society within its pages. The twist ending was amazing.
My only complaint about this book is that it’s short. There is so much more to explore in this world, and I wish the author had chosen to make it a full-length novel instead.
March 26, 2016
AN AWESOME NOVEL YOU NEED TO READ STAT!
Full review here - http://readcommendations.com/2016/03/...
The future Madeline lives in isn't a bright one. Toxic rivers, arid deserts: the world beyond the wall is beyond hope of saving. But her city, Unilox, seems to be a beacon of life and hope, minus the freedom. You see, the city is run entirely by corporations, and being a citizen means being a part of one of them. Not just as an employee... but as a purchased product what belongs to them. At 18, gaining citizenship means being auctioned off, and having your contract purchased by any one of these corporations. Your life belongs to them, and they decide your value.
But it's a system that works. Everyone gets along swimmingly in this future: there are incredibly high tech body augmentations available to everyone, which allow you to have bionic eyes, or to have tastes fed to your brain which make the nutrient mush you eat taste like anything you want. People are healthy, and happy. The problem is that they all wear collars.
Madeline belongs to ANRON, the medical corporation. They run tests on everything, and her own parents have payed the cost with their own health, being experimental themselves. Madeline wants to be purchased by MERCE, the tech industry, but when she isn't even called up at the auction, her hopes of reaching her dreams are shattered. When she learns that ANRON never intended to give up her license, and they would rather have her on a metal slab to slice her open, she must make a daring escape to fight for her freedom in a world where only a handful are truly free.
Hawke creates an amazing world for us to fall into. The world of people as products and human auctions almost feels real, and somehow completely believable. From the first page we're pulled into Unilox, and we're rooting for Madeline as she nervously prepares to be sold at auction. Yup, we're excited for her.
At first glance, you might think this looks like the 'usual' YA, but I'm here to tell you that it's much much more. For one, you don't have a silly love triangle getting in the way of the plot. Madeline's relationship with Jake is something that both drives her and motivates her, and it's healthy and heartbreaking. Honestly it was refreshing to read! Even though it broke me in the end...
The plot is also intensely gripping. Madeline's only goal is to survive, and this leads her to discover the true workings of her city, and realize that it's not right. We can't help but cheer for her when she realizes what we've known from the start: that people are not products, and that companies may have the same rights as a human being, but they are only as strong as the people who make them up. But this makes the read even more enjoyable: a clear goal, a world bent on catching her, Madeline's plight is something we can latch on to.
As a matter of fact, I would only call this YA because of the age of the protagonist (18). It is so much better than those 'trendy' books out there! The plot is rich and exciting. The protagonist is relatable and you want to root for her. And the ending absolutely destroyed me, making me feel like I've been ripped apart. It is such a brilliant way to shut the book. And now I'm stuck here, with feels.
Trust me on this: you won't read another book like Dissolution. Pick it up on amazon STAT!
Full review here - http://readcommendations.com/2016/03/...
The future Madeline lives in isn't a bright one. Toxic rivers, arid deserts: the world beyond the wall is beyond hope of saving. But her city, Unilox, seems to be a beacon of life and hope, minus the freedom. You see, the city is run entirely by corporations, and being a citizen means being a part of one of them. Not just as an employee... but as a purchased product what belongs to them. At 18, gaining citizenship means being auctioned off, and having your contract purchased by any one of these corporations. Your life belongs to them, and they decide your value.
But it's a system that works. Everyone gets along swimmingly in this future: there are incredibly high tech body augmentations available to everyone, which allow you to have bionic eyes, or to have tastes fed to your brain which make the nutrient mush you eat taste like anything you want. People are healthy, and happy. The problem is that they all wear collars.
Madeline belongs to ANRON, the medical corporation. They run tests on everything, and her own parents have payed the cost with their own health, being experimental themselves. Madeline wants to be purchased by MERCE, the tech industry, but when she isn't even called up at the auction, her hopes of reaching her dreams are shattered. When she learns that ANRON never intended to give up her license, and they would rather have her on a metal slab to slice her open, she must make a daring escape to fight for her freedom in a world where only a handful are truly free.
Hawke creates an amazing world for us to fall into. The world of people as products and human auctions almost feels real, and somehow completely believable. From the first page we're pulled into Unilox, and we're rooting for Madeline as she nervously prepares to be sold at auction. Yup, we're excited for her.
At first glance, you might think this looks like the 'usual' YA, but I'm here to tell you that it's much much more. For one, you don't have a silly love triangle getting in the way of the plot. Madeline's relationship with Jake is something that both drives her and motivates her, and it's healthy and heartbreaking. Honestly it was refreshing to read! Even though it broke me in the end...
The plot is also intensely gripping. Madeline's only goal is to survive, and this leads her to discover the true workings of her city, and realize that it's not right. We can't help but cheer for her when she realizes what we've known from the start: that people are not products, and that companies may have the same rights as a human being, but they are only as strong as the people who make them up. But this makes the read even more enjoyable: a clear goal, a world bent on catching her, Madeline's plight is something we can latch on to.
As a matter of fact, I would only call this YA because of the age of the protagonist (18). It is so much better than those 'trendy' books out there! The plot is rich and exciting. The protagonist is relatable and you want to root for her. And the ending absolutely destroyed me, making me feel like I've been ripped apart. It is such a brilliant way to shut the book. And now I'm stuck here, with feels.
Trust me on this: you won't read another book like Dissolution. Pick it up on amazon STAT!
March 29, 2016
Full review and more available at: http://oneguysguidetogoodreads.blogsp...
*****
My Thoughts:
As anyone who follows my reviews well knows, I love a good dystopian novel. For far too long I’ve heard “dystopian is dead/dying’, yet incredible new stories keep flying into my inbox. I still haven’t quite figured out why the bookish community has written off this fascinating genre. With so many unique twists on dystopian literature floating out there, I’m confident there’s something out there for all readers.
Last week I was contacted by a new indie author about a new release that really caught my eye. It’s been a while since I’ve devoured a new sci-fi dystopian, but I couldn’t pass this one up. Could Dissolution live up to the hype?
Yes! And then some!
While I won’t go so far as to say that Dissolution was the most original idea I have read in the genre, I was still engrossed from page one. It’s a short read (clocking in at just over 100 pages on my Nook), that I was able to devour in just one sitting. It’s fast-paced and written with a fresh voice I haven’t seen in some time. Hawke is definitely an author I will be watching!
When it comes to the plot, Dissolution reads much in the same vein as other dystopians such as Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Sarah Negovetich’s Acceptance series. A futuristic society divided into factions, following the story of one rogue girl looking to make a difference and change the future forever. What’s different? Oh boy. Hawke makes her mark, let’s just say that. Madeline (our heroine) doesn’t mess around.
Dissolution is truly the first ‘new adult’ dystopian novel I have read. The stakes are higher and it’s filled with far more adult themes than other novels in the genre I have read. The entire story has an incredible dark/ominous tone that definitely will leave you full of reflection by the time you finish. While the language and content are more than appropriate for young adult readers as well, Dissolution is one of those stories that really begs for more mature readers and thought. It’s truly a testament to the unique writing style of Hawke to provoke such thought with a novel such as Dissolution.
The story isn’t bogged down with world building or rules, but Hawke still manages to give us a complete setting that is easy to follow throughout the story. Definitely worth checking out for all readers looking to add something new to their TBR.
I’m not quite sure what Hawke has planned for the future of this series, but I know that this reader will be watching her career intently! Don’t miss this opportunity to add this incredible new dystopian read to your TBR today. I am so excited to be granting Dissolution by Lee S. Hawke a well-deserved 4-star review. Highly recommended to all fans of sci-fi and dystopian, you won’t regret this read!
*****
*****
My Thoughts:
As anyone who follows my reviews well knows, I love a good dystopian novel. For far too long I’ve heard “dystopian is dead/dying’, yet incredible new stories keep flying into my inbox. I still haven’t quite figured out why the bookish community has written off this fascinating genre. With so many unique twists on dystopian literature floating out there, I’m confident there’s something out there for all readers.
Last week I was contacted by a new indie author about a new release that really caught my eye. It’s been a while since I’ve devoured a new sci-fi dystopian, but I couldn’t pass this one up. Could Dissolution live up to the hype?
Yes! And then some!
While I won’t go so far as to say that Dissolution was the most original idea I have read in the genre, I was still engrossed from page one. It’s a short read (clocking in at just over 100 pages on my Nook), that I was able to devour in just one sitting. It’s fast-paced and written with a fresh voice I haven’t seen in some time. Hawke is definitely an author I will be watching!
When it comes to the plot, Dissolution reads much in the same vein as other dystopians such as Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Sarah Negovetich’s Acceptance series. A futuristic society divided into factions, following the story of one rogue girl looking to make a difference and change the future forever. What’s different? Oh boy. Hawke makes her mark, let’s just say that. Madeline (our heroine) doesn’t mess around.
Dissolution is truly the first ‘new adult’ dystopian novel I have read. The stakes are higher and it’s filled with far more adult themes than other novels in the genre I have read. The entire story has an incredible dark/ominous tone that definitely will leave you full of reflection by the time you finish. While the language and content are more than appropriate for young adult readers as well, Dissolution is one of those stories that really begs for more mature readers and thought. It’s truly a testament to the unique writing style of Hawke to provoke such thought with a novel such as Dissolution.
The story isn’t bogged down with world building or rules, but Hawke still manages to give us a complete setting that is easy to follow throughout the story. Definitely worth checking out for all readers looking to add something new to their TBR.
I’m not quite sure what Hawke has planned for the future of this series, but I know that this reader will be watching her career intently! Don’t miss this opportunity to add this incredible new dystopian read to your TBR today. I am so excited to be granting Dissolution by Lee S. Hawke a well-deserved 4-star review. Highly recommended to all fans of sci-fi and dystopian, you won’t regret this read!
*****
April 5, 2016
The short version: Inventive and interesting dystopian setting, good story. Description sometimes a bit confusing, but plot makes up for it. Payoff is surprisingly thought provoking. And sweet glory hallelujah it’s a YA novel without a love triangle. You should read it just for that.
The long version:
Dissolution is set in the city of Unilox, where people are born into corporations as assets, then bought and sold once adults. Madeline Anron, property of the corporation whose name she bears, anxiously awaits her auctioning and a chance to leave her life as a test subject of pharmaceutical corporation ANRON. Her dreams are shattered when a secret in her DNA comes to light and she is forced to go on the run. As she slips into the cracks in the system, she comes to understand its flaws and its true nature, which turns out to be basically the horrifying but logical conclusion of many of the things we take for granted in real corporations.
It’s this note of reality that makes the concept of the novel so strong, and helps make up for the occasional shortfall in execution. The characters do not get a great deal of development, but what is there feels very authentic. Similarly, Hawke’s action and visual descriptions get a bit confusing, but the emotion and sensations carry through. One scene, which I’ll refer to simply as “after the river” to avoid spoilers, feels particularly visceral.
(From here there are some slight spoilers in the form of sweeping, vague statements. I won’t tell you any actual plot events, but if you want to go into reading it completely blind, skip this review and just go do it).
Perhaps what is most notable about the story is its scope, which is very small. Where series like Insurgent or The Hunger Games portray a protagonist enacting sweeping change at the head of a revolution, Dissolution focuses entirely on Madeline and her own personal journey. This is why, despite some of the confusing writing, the book is so compelling. Madeline is not a glorious hero who saves the day, but a single voice struggling to change the tide and save those she loves. I can’t say I’ve ever been part of a revolution, but I think it would feel much more like Madeline’s experience than Katniss Everdeen’s. One person standing up and speaking out, not knowing if she will be heard, not knowing if her words will make a difference, but taking the terrifying and ultimately hopeful journey on the idea that maybe she’s not alone. The core theme of Dissolution is that corporations are not entities themselves, but collections of people behind a common idea. Its far more subtle message is that revolutions follow the same principle, and no group will form without one person starting it.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for a fair and balanced review.
The long version:
Dissolution is set in the city of Unilox, where people are born into corporations as assets, then bought and sold once adults. Madeline Anron, property of the corporation whose name she bears, anxiously awaits her auctioning and a chance to leave her life as a test subject of pharmaceutical corporation ANRON. Her dreams are shattered when a secret in her DNA comes to light and she is forced to go on the run. As she slips into the cracks in the system, she comes to understand its flaws and its true nature, which turns out to be basically the horrifying but logical conclusion of many of the things we take for granted in real corporations.
It’s this note of reality that makes the concept of the novel so strong, and helps make up for the occasional shortfall in execution. The characters do not get a great deal of development, but what is there feels very authentic. Similarly, Hawke’s action and visual descriptions get a bit confusing, but the emotion and sensations carry through. One scene, which I’ll refer to simply as “after the river” to avoid spoilers, feels particularly visceral.
(From here there are some slight spoilers in the form of sweeping, vague statements. I won’t tell you any actual plot events, but if you want to go into reading it completely blind, skip this review and just go do it).
Perhaps what is most notable about the story is its scope, which is very small. Where series like Insurgent or The Hunger Games portray a protagonist enacting sweeping change at the head of a revolution, Dissolution focuses entirely on Madeline and her own personal journey. This is why, despite some of the confusing writing, the book is so compelling. Madeline is not a glorious hero who saves the day, but a single voice struggling to change the tide and save those she loves. I can’t say I’ve ever been part of a revolution, but I think it would feel much more like Madeline’s experience than Katniss Everdeen’s. One person standing up and speaking out, not knowing if she will be heard, not knowing if her words will make a difference, but taking the terrifying and ultimately hopeful journey on the idea that maybe she’s not alone. The core theme of Dissolution is that corporations are not entities themselves, but collections of people behind a common idea. Its far more subtle message is that revolutions follow the same principle, and no group will form without one person starting it.
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of the book for a fair and balanced review.
July 16, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog at www.gimmethatbook.com.
Thanks to the author for this review copy! I had reviewed her other novel, DIVISION, so when she contacted me about this one, I immediately said yes. Hawke is a master of the dystopian genre, and this book is a wonderful, thrilling, well written bit of pleasure.
Madeline is a great protagonist: a girl coming to terms with the world around her, and losing her faith in things she believed were to be true. She is strong and capable, with a clear idea of what she wants from her life.
I loved the idea of the Auction – it almost seemed like a kinder, gentler version of Brave New World. As the corporations and their culture became clearer to me, I could easily imagine the future Hawke created. As in every dystopian novel, there must be the “others” – ones who shun the way of life and the rules. Madeline comes in contact with these, known as the corpless, after she makes her escape, leaving the door open for a sequel. She learns that what she was told about these others is false, and is unsure who to trust – after all, there is a large reward for her capture that would have someone set for life.
The only suggestion I would have for the author is to share more details about the corporations earlier in the book – it was a bit confusing to see the names like MERCE and PERCO and DRAYTH without grasping the concept that they were all separate entities with extremely limited job offerings.
Other than that, I’d like to give the author kudos for writing a YA/dystopian novel without including teen angst and romance. Sometimes the science just has to stand on its own without dragging a love interest in there. Madeline can convey all the social commentary she needs to on her own, without being a lovesick teen.
The chapter with the river really made an impact on me. The idea of a city poisoning the water supply with chemicals, whether intentional or accidentally (due to poor care of the natural resources) seems truly apocalyptic. The description of what Madeline sustained after her near drowning was intense and thought provoking.
Other futuristic details include food with no taste (unless your taste sensors are on) and the ubiquitous collar that all citizens wear. This collar is used for some nefarious purposes, as the reader will discover.
DISSOLUTION was one of my favorite books this year so far. It’s extremely well written, and more enjoyable than HUNGER GAMES. Madeline’s world is not as dark as the HG one, but pretty close.
I’m hoping that there will be a part two to this novella, so I can see what happens to Madeline, and learn the future of the corporations.
This book is a must read!
Thanks to the author for this review copy! I had reviewed her other novel, DIVISION, so when she contacted me about this one, I immediately said yes. Hawke is a master of the dystopian genre, and this book is a wonderful, thrilling, well written bit of pleasure.
Madeline is a great protagonist: a girl coming to terms with the world around her, and losing her faith in things she believed were to be true. She is strong and capable, with a clear idea of what she wants from her life.
I loved the idea of the Auction – it almost seemed like a kinder, gentler version of Brave New World. As the corporations and their culture became clearer to me, I could easily imagine the future Hawke created. As in every dystopian novel, there must be the “others” – ones who shun the way of life and the rules. Madeline comes in contact with these, known as the corpless, after she makes her escape, leaving the door open for a sequel. She learns that what she was told about these others is false, and is unsure who to trust – after all, there is a large reward for her capture that would have someone set for life.
The only suggestion I would have for the author is to share more details about the corporations earlier in the book – it was a bit confusing to see the names like MERCE and PERCO and DRAYTH without grasping the concept that they were all separate entities with extremely limited job offerings.
Other than that, I’d like to give the author kudos for writing a YA/dystopian novel without including teen angst and romance. Sometimes the science just has to stand on its own without dragging a love interest in there. Madeline can convey all the social commentary she needs to on her own, without being a lovesick teen.
The chapter with the river really made an impact on me. The idea of a city poisoning the water supply with chemicals, whether intentional or accidentally (due to poor care of the natural resources) seems truly apocalyptic. The description of what Madeline sustained after her near drowning was intense and thought provoking.
Other futuristic details include food with no taste (unless your taste sensors are on) and the ubiquitous collar that all citizens wear. This collar is used for some nefarious purposes, as the reader will discover.
DISSOLUTION was one of my favorite books this year so far. It’s extremely well written, and more enjoyable than HUNGER GAMES. Madeline’s world is not as dark as the HG one, but pretty close.
I’m hoping that there will be a part two to this novella, so I can see what happens to Madeline, and learn the future of the corporations.
This book is a must read!
June 7, 2016
Madeline has dreamed all of her life of Auctioning day when she turned eighteen and would be sold to the highest bidder. Her dreams have been of being bought by MERCE one of the five corporations in the city where she lives. In Maddie’s world everyone is sold at the age of eighteen to the highest bidder and they become their property for the rest of their lives.
When Maddie’s Auctioning day arrives she stands with everyone else of her age waiting to be sold but when the auction is over and she realizes that she has not been bought she is then in for a rude awakening.
Maddie learns that her licenses has been revoked by the corporation that she belongs to and will not be sold. She is now on the run and hiding out. She is now fighting for her life. While Maddie is on the run she meets a group of people that does not belong to any of the corporations. While she is hiding out when this group of people she finds out a lot about her city and the people who run it.
In Maddie’s world everybody has a price and no one knows it better than Maddie herself. I use to think that no everyone did not have a price I didn’t. I even argued with my little brother about it but I admit I was so wrong. Yes everybody does have a price. It may not be in the form of money but we have a price. We are all like a combination lock find the right combination and we will pay the price. We think that they are certain things that we would never do or could do but if we happen to find one of the people we love in danger we would do whatever was necessary to save them. Am I correct in assuming this? We would all be like a mother when one of her children was hurt or in trouble.
I loved the whole concept of Dissolution and the characters. Maddie is so believable and has a heart the size of Mount Everest. She thought her price was being sold to the highest better but she was so wrong or was she? In the end what was the biggest price for Maddie to pay?
Dissolution maybe a novella but it read like a full length novel. I would like to have known more about the corporations and the owners and Maddie too but I guess the author has left room for more to come. He left us sitting on the edge of our seats wanting more. The ending just blew me away. But I understand what Maddie was doing and why. Dissolution is a great book and did not disappoint in any way. I can’t wait to read more in the next book.
When Maddie’s Auctioning day arrives she stands with everyone else of her age waiting to be sold but when the auction is over and she realizes that she has not been bought she is then in for a rude awakening.
Maddie learns that her licenses has been revoked by the corporation that she belongs to and will not be sold. She is now on the run and hiding out. She is now fighting for her life. While Maddie is on the run she meets a group of people that does not belong to any of the corporations. While she is hiding out when this group of people she finds out a lot about her city and the people who run it.
In Maddie’s world everybody has a price and no one knows it better than Maddie herself. I use to think that no everyone did not have a price I didn’t. I even argued with my little brother about it but I admit I was so wrong. Yes everybody does have a price. It may not be in the form of money but we have a price. We are all like a combination lock find the right combination and we will pay the price. We think that they are certain things that we would never do or could do but if we happen to find one of the people we love in danger we would do whatever was necessary to save them. Am I correct in assuming this? We would all be like a mother when one of her children was hurt or in trouble.
I loved the whole concept of Dissolution and the characters. Maddie is so believable and has a heart the size of Mount Everest. She thought her price was being sold to the highest better but she was so wrong or was she? In the end what was the biggest price for Maddie to pay?
Dissolution maybe a novella but it read like a full length novel. I would like to have known more about the corporations and the owners and Maddie too but I guess the author has left room for more to come. He left us sitting on the edge of our seats wanting more. The ending just blew me away. But I understand what Maddie was doing and why. Dissolution is a great book and did not disappoint in any way. I can’t wait to read more in the next book.
March 27, 2016
I read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi/distopian literature, so I was a little worried at first that this would feel too familiar, but I was glad to be proven wrong! While there are some basic similarities with other series such as Divergent, Dissolution stands very well on its own thanks to the original concept of Unilox, Dissolution's distopian city, and its treatment of human beings. The idea that each human being is a commodity that can be sold or even destroyed at a moment's notice was really interesting.
At first I was a little confused by the different accronyms (DRAYTH, ANRON,etc.) and I felt that perhaps a bit more material on them might be useful (as the book progressed, I got the gist of what most of the different corporations did, but not all of them), but as the pace picked up and things became clearer I really began to enjoy it. I also found the author's Afterword on corporations and "selling yourself" to companies really interesting - I felt it definitely added another dimension to the story and it made me want to think about it some more, possibly even reread it.
My only gripe with the book is that it isn't long enough. I could feel myself zooming through it, already knowing I would be left wanting more! Some passages deserved some expansion (Professor Cellowen, the corpless), simply because they present a great deal of potential. I still want to give the book 5 stars though because it was a great story and the author managed to make me care about the characters and what happened to them.
The writing in this book was very fluid and pleasant, verging on beautiful at times (several phrases stood out and made me pause, in a good way) and I appreciated the care that had been taken with the editing. The ending left me gasping for more and I really hope Lee S. Hawke will consider writing another installment! It would be a shame to set aside a fictional world that shows such promise and potential. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future publications from this author.
* I received an ACR in exchange for a review.
At first I was a little confused by the different accronyms (DRAYTH, ANRON,etc.) and I felt that perhaps a bit more material on them might be useful (as the book progressed, I got the gist of what most of the different corporations did, but not all of them), but as the pace picked up and things became clearer I really began to enjoy it. I also found the author's Afterword on corporations and "selling yourself" to companies really interesting - I felt it definitely added another dimension to the story and it made me want to think about it some more, possibly even reread it.
My only gripe with the book is that it isn't long enough. I could feel myself zooming through it, already knowing I would be left wanting more! Some passages deserved some expansion (Professor Cellowen, the corpless), simply because they present a great deal of potential. I still want to give the book 5 stars though because it was a great story and the author managed to make me care about the characters and what happened to them.
The writing in this book was very fluid and pleasant, verging on beautiful at times (several phrases stood out and made me pause, in a good way) and I appreciated the care that had been taken with the editing. The ending left me gasping for more and I really hope Lee S. Hawke will consider writing another installment! It would be a shame to set aside a fictional world that shows such promise and potential. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future publications from this author.
* I received an ACR in exchange for a review.
December 24, 2016
Dissolution is a dystopian story in which a handful of corporations have gained complete control of everything, to the point where they own even the people living in the society. When children come of age, they can then choose which company to sell themselves to (that is, if they get more than one bid on the table). Madeline ends up getting surprised at her own auction and ends up discovering difficult truths about her society while on the run from the government.
This book has such an amazing premise and it immediately sucked me in. I could tell on reading through that the author had put a lot of time and thought into this world. The telling of it is also chilling, because everything gets revealed slowly and in a way that makes this world seem like it’s not even really a fantasy. It reminded me of 1984 in the way that I read through this book going “This is horrifying, but dear god, we’re already almost there.”
All that said, probably my biggest complaint about this book was that is was entirely too short! There’s enough world building and action in here to easily fill a full sized book instead of a novella. The short length of the book I felt really took away from the experience, as some of the scenes felt a little rushed. I felt like if a little more detail had been added with a few slower scenes in between the action, it would have really done a lot for helping me to digest the deep concepts of the story.
If you’re the sort of person like me who is addicted to dystopian YA novels, then you’ll probably really enjoy this book. I would especially recommend this book for young readers who may be making the transition between young chapter books and young adult book, as this provides the perfect bridge between the two types of reading. The shorter length makes it easier to process, but the concepts are still very much dark dystopian.
This book has such an amazing premise and it immediately sucked me in. I could tell on reading through that the author had put a lot of time and thought into this world. The telling of it is also chilling, because everything gets revealed slowly and in a way that makes this world seem like it’s not even really a fantasy. It reminded me of 1984 in the way that I read through this book going “This is horrifying, but dear god, we’re already almost there.”
All that said, probably my biggest complaint about this book was that is was entirely too short! There’s enough world building and action in here to easily fill a full sized book instead of a novella. The short length of the book I felt really took away from the experience, as some of the scenes felt a little rushed. I felt like if a little more detail had been added with a few slower scenes in between the action, it would have really done a lot for helping me to digest the deep concepts of the story.
If you’re the sort of person like me who is addicted to dystopian YA novels, then you’ll probably really enjoy this book. I would especially recommend this book for young readers who may be making the transition between young chapter books and young adult book, as this provides the perfect bridge between the two types of reading. The shorter length makes it easier to process, but the concepts are still very much dark dystopian.
March 25, 2016
Be prepared to be shocked by this one. It's pretty edgy. The story starts with our heroine, Madeline preparing to be auctioned to a number of corporations. She's hoping to go for over a hundred-thousand credits, a "century" as she calls it. I don't do spoilers so I won't reveal what happens but it's nowhere near what she expected - and that's what launches the rest of the book. Things go from bad to worse to hopeful to "Wow, did that really just happen?" and it's the journey that makes it fun.
The characters in the book are awesome starting with our very own Madeline, who sees her world turned upside down and won't stop. She is resilient when many others would not be. She strips herself of everything she is used to. All of her comforts and advantages as an Experimental are cast aside when she needs to go dark to avoid the people pursuing her. She manages to thrive and succeed anyway. This is a young girl with the intestinal fortitude that I would hope for my own daughters to show in a situation as crazy as Madeline finds herself in. She's hardcore.
The rest of the cast is equally as interesting. Madeline's parents are very believable as people who want the best for their daughter and risk themselves and everything they have to get it. From her boyfriend who helps her, to his boss who is apparently part of some resistance movement. The good guys are the good guys. That's not to say that there isn't some nuance or that the actions of the characters don't make sense intrinsically but there is a clear line between those who are working for a better world and those working to support the status quo.
The characters in the book are awesome starting with our very own Madeline, who sees her world turned upside down and won't stop. She is resilient when many others would not be. She strips herself of everything she is used to. All of her comforts and advantages as an Experimental are cast aside when she needs to go dark to avoid the people pursuing her. She manages to thrive and succeed anyway. This is a young girl with the intestinal fortitude that I would hope for my own daughters to show in a situation as crazy as Madeline finds herself in. She's hardcore.
The rest of the cast is equally as interesting. Madeline's parents are very believable as people who want the best for their daughter and risk themselves and everything they have to get it. From her boyfriend who helps her, to his boss who is apparently part of some resistance movement. The good guys are the good guys. That's not to say that there isn't some nuance or that the actions of the characters don't make sense intrinsically but there is a clear line between those who are working for a better world and those working to support the status quo.
March 26, 2016
Taking the concept of selling your souls to work literally, Hawke builds a city where at 18, you sell yourself to the highest bidder. Madeline has known all her life that Merce is where she wants to be - so that she can help fix up Unilox through her modding skills. But when the Auctioning goes terribly wrong, she finds herself on the run.
Dissolution is a gripping read - Hawke takes you down to the depths of rejection and out to the wilds of fear and desperation, before holding out a little carrot of hope. There's a determination to Madeline that seeps out through her every action and word, helping her do the unthinkable: disconnect from the world absolutely by turning off her UConn. Turning to the outcasts for help.
Technology is the core of Dissolution, and Hawke explores our slavery to tech and connectivity, and how we find our value in our jobs and possessions, making non-conformists the stranger-enemy. Corporations that were once meant to protect have been subverted from their purpose. Are corporations inherently evil? Or do they just allow people with the propensity for it to have too much power?
There's much to think about. Or you could just enjoy a good story.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dissolution is a gripping read - Hawke takes you down to the depths of rejection and out to the wilds of fear and desperation, before holding out a little carrot of hope. There's a determination to Madeline that seeps out through her every action and word, helping her do the unthinkable: disconnect from the world absolutely by turning off her UConn. Turning to the outcasts for help.
Technology is the core of Dissolution, and Hawke explores our slavery to tech and connectivity, and how we find our value in our jobs and possessions, making non-conformists the stranger-enemy. Corporations that were once meant to protect have been subverted from their purpose. Are corporations inherently evil? Or do they just allow people with the propensity for it to have too much power?
There's much to think about. Or you could just enjoy a good story.
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2016
I want to take a moment to thank Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours for sending me a copy of this book to review. I will be giving this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I wanted to love this book so much. I mean it sounds like Divergent and Hunger Games put together and those books were amazing. This book is like Divergent because it has Corporations that are like the factions only in this book you are auctioned off to the Corporations instead being able to choose for yourself. It has shades of the Hunger Games because of the survival aspect. This book had my name written all over it, but in the end, it was not what I expected. The idea for this book was such a good one and very realistic. This book was a quick read with only 168 pages. I wish it was longer because there are some parts of the book that went too quickly, in some cases I got lost and ended up having to reread them just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I feel like if you have read this book you will understand what I mean. Overall, it did the job that a dystopian is suppose to do, I just wish this book would have been longer and clearer with certain scenes in the book. If you are looking for a book that is like Divergent then I definitely think you should pick this book up.
March 29, 2016
Have you ever read a book that shakes you to the core and makes you take a close look at the world around you? Well, Dissolution was definitely one of those books for me.
After training for eighteen years to be auctioned off to MERCE, Madeline discovers things aren't as they should be. When her name isn't called during the Auction, and two suits show up on her doorstep, Madeline's life takes a drastic turn. Everything she believed in dissolves before her eyes and she has to decide how much she's really worth.
This book, while short in length, packs one heck of a punch. Lee S. Hawke draws you in and makes you care about the characters with ease. With each page turned, you're drawn more and more into the world Hawke created. It keeps going with little rest until the very end. It left me feeling a little drained when I read the last line, and yet I didn't want the story to end.
When you're ready to see the world of corporations in a new, and almost terrifying way, definitely read this book. Hawke definitely provides us with a unique dystopian society. I am positive this book will remain with me for a long time.
After training for eighteen years to be auctioned off to MERCE, Madeline discovers things aren't as they should be. When her name isn't called during the Auction, and two suits show up on her doorstep, Madeline's life takes a drastic turn. Everything she believed in dissolves before her eyes and she has to decide how much she's really worth.
This book, while short in length, packs one heck of a punch. Lee S. Hawke draws you in and makes you care about the characters with ease. With each page turned, you're drawn more and more into the world Hawke created. It keeps going with little rest until the very end. It left me feeling a little drained when I read the last line, and yet I didn't want the story to end.
When you're ready to see the world of corporations in a new, and almost terrifying way, definitely read this book. Hawke definitely provides us with a unique dystopian society. I am positive this book will remain with me for a long time.
June 6, 2016
I love Dystopian novels, they are dark and gloomy and yet in the middle of all that darkness there is the one that shines and brings in change. Dissolution is really great and a wonderful representative of the genre.
Madeline our main character has spent her life training and preparing for the day she would be eligible to put herself up for auction. She has an interest in science and engineering and wants nothing more than to escape from Anron Life Limited (the company she belongs to as a human lab rat) and be purchased by another called Merce that is more technology oriented.
This is the part that left me a tad confused, though maybe confused is not the word. I think I was having a little hard time with the logic. Let me explain, People are owned by a handful of selected corporations. When people marry and have kids, the kids belong to the company until the auction when they are 18. So if companies owns the people, how can the people sell themselves since they do not own their own lives. Maybe I misread or missed the explanation all together, but that really bugged me.
Full Review: http://www.amkindabusy.com/2016/06/06...
Madeline our main character has spent her life training and preparing for the day she would be eligible to put herself up for auction. She has an interest in science and engineering and wants nothing more than to escape from Anron Life Limited (the company she belongs to as a human lab rat) and be purchased by another called Merce that is more technology oriented.
This is the part that left me a tad confused, though maybe confused is not the word. I think I was having a little hard time with the logic. Let me explain, People are owned by a handful of selected corporations. When people marry and have kids, the kids belong to the company until the auction when they are 18. So if companies owns the people, how can the people sell themselves since they do not own their own lives. Maybe I misread or missed the explanation all together, but that really bugged me.
Full Review: http://www.amkindabusy.com/2016/06/06...
March 8, 2023
Lee S. Hawke’s Dissolution is an introspective look into society wrapped in a thrilling, science fiction tale. The book gives us light character creation, allowing us to drop our own thoughts, ideas and identities onto the characters. The book slowly draws us into the setting, world and conflict before throwing us into the fast-paced conflict and drama, making it more chaotic as we, like the character, struggle to understand her world. The world building is fantastic and play into the morals and questions of the story perfectly. Even all the characters you meet along the way give you differing opinions, insights and philosophies on their world.
Like Lee S. Hawke’s other book, Division, Dissolution leaves a lot of questions left unanswered and more, in this novel, leaves you to decide the ending. However, more than that, it leaves you with questions to ask yourself. Questions like the iconic one: What would you sell yourself for?
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy free for review.
Like Lee S. Hawke’s other book, Division, Dissolution leaves a lot of questions left unanswered and more, in this novel, leaves you to decide the ending. However, more than that, it leaves you with questions to ask yourself. Questions like the iconic one: What would you sell yourself for?
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy free for review.
March 27, 2016
As a fan of the Divergent and Hunger Games sagas, I was fully ready for Dissolution.
The story starts out slow, with Madeline, the main character waiting to be auctioned. Which, once it doesn't happen (as all her peers names get called except hers), sends our heroine on a quest to find the how's and why's.
The author gets every detail just right and you get to live on Madeline's skin for the extent of the book. Going from a girl who wants to do everything right, so she can be "bought" for a hundred thousand credits, to an heroine that goes out of her way, facing several challenges, to save the ones she loves.
"I'm a criminal because I want to live."
"But I am not just a number on a sheet, and neither are you. We are more than our licenses."
The story starts out slow, with Madeline, the main character waiting to be auctioned. Which, once it doesn't happen (as all her peers names get called except hers), sends our heroine on a quest to find the how's and why's.
The author gets every detail just right and you get to live on Madeline's skin for the extent of the book. Going from a girl who wants to do everything right, so she can be "bought" for a hundred thousand credits, to an heroine that goes out of her way, facing several challenges, to save the ones she loves.
"I'm a criminal because I want to live."
"But I am not just a number on a sheet, and neither are you. We are more than our licenses."
May 15, 2016
*Source* Xpresso Book Reviews
*Genre* Science Fiction, Dystopia
*Rating* 3
*My Thoughts*
Author Lee S. Hawke's Dissolution asks the question, "What would you sell yourself for?" If Hawke's world, before a person turns 18, they are put through a series of trials, and testing, and more testing in hopes of getting bid on at the Auction. But, what happens when your hopes and dreams of working for another corporation goes up in smoke thanks to a silly contract that was signed by your own parents? Are you actually a person, or are you an experiment, and therefore your thoughts and desires have no bearing on what happens to you next?
*Full Review Posting @ Talk Supe Blog* Link To Come
Published March 25th 2016 by Blind Mirror Publishing
*Genre* Science Fiction, Dystopia
*Rating* 3
*My Thoughts*
Author Lee S. Hawke's Dissolution asks the question, "What would you sell yourself for?" If Hawke's world, before a person turns 18, they are put through a series of trials, and testing, and more testing in hopes of getting bid on at the Auction. But, what happens when your hopes and dreams of working for another corporation goes up in smoke thanks to a silly contract that was signed by your own parents? Are you actually a person, or are you an experiment, and therefore your thoughts and desires have no bearing on what happens to you next?
*Full Review Posting @ Talk Supe Blog* Link To Come
Published March 25th 2016 by Blind Mirror Publishing
May 1, 2016
I enjoyed this novella. It was an interesting concept and the general story was good. My only main issue was a slight lack of explanation as to what all the companies did. I know it was explained but I got confused with them all because some of them weren't really talked about.
The characters were good, and there was a good amount of mystery surrounding the city and the corporations. I do however feel that the ending was a little bit of an
anticlimax, after all we never actually found out anything about why the city was the way it was. I'm not so bothered about what may or may not have happened next, after all its quite fun to decide for yourself, but a little more background and information about what happened would have been nice.
Overall a good read, I'd recommend it.
The characters were good, and there was a good amount of mystery surrounding the city and the corporations. I do however feel that the ending was a little bit of an
anticlimax, after all we never actually found out anything about why the city was the way it was. I'm not so bothered about what may or may not have happened next, after all its quite fun to decide for yourself, but a little more background and information about what happened would have been nice.
Overall a good read, I'd recommend it.
April 5, 2016
Fantastic story with a great message and poignant style! Lee Hawke does it again with that same care and attention she gave each story in her first release, DIVISION.
I loved the way Maddie came to life in the story, how the reader feels all the same sensations right along with her, sees what she sees, hears what she hears. It's a relevant and timely declaration for today's society, and the result gives the reader power and hope instead of leaving them hanging and wondering or fearful. Masterfully done!
I loved the way Maddie came to life in the story, how the reader feels all the same sensations right along with her, sees what she sees, hears what she hears. It's a relevant and timely declaration for today's society, and the result gives the reader power and hope instead of leaving them hanging and wondering or fearful. Masterfully done!
March 27, 2016
If you are a fan of the DIVERGENT series, I recommend this book.
It was a very slow start and I admit I was confused for the first two chapters. There was so much happening that I wasn't sure exactly what was happening. I had to keep reading though, it was intriguing. By the third chapter all the confusing pieces started falling together. That's when I was hooked and read the entire book in one sitting.
"Dissolution" was a completely refreshing read.
It was a very slow start and I admit I was confused for the first two chapters. There was so much happening that I wasn't sure exactly what was happening. I had to keep reading though, it was intriguing. By the third chapter all the confusing pieces started falling together. That's when I was hooked and read the entire book in one sitting.
"Dissolution" was a completely refreshing read.
April 3, 2016
Dissolution is not your typical Distopian novel - Lee S. Hawke creates a very realistic universe and leave you sitting on the edge of your seat while reading this. Madeline the main character in the book is a very relatable. Nearing the last pages of the book I found myself wishing it wouldn't end - however the ending is just one that leaves you with a pondering silence and a definite book hangover.
April 16, 2016
A completely unexpected pleasant surprise. Hawke doesn't bother inviting or introducing you to her world, she just starts running and expects you'll be able to keep up. A very engaging, thought-provoking, fast-paced read.
Extra points for being a YA novel, but resisting the battered crutch of a love triangle (or other complicated geometry) that would only have slowed and bloated this quick, no-bloat plot.
Extra points for being a YA novel, but resisting the battered crutch of a love triangle (or other complicated geometry) that would only have slowed and bloated this quick, no-bloat plot.
March 26, 2016
This story poses a world where everyone is owned by a corporation, and they can do what they want with you. It's somewhere between Divergent and slavery, and it's a very good read albeit a bit short. I really enjoyed it from the first page and look forward to the next thing from this author. The reason I only give 4 stars is because I wanted it to be just a bit longer.
April 29, 2016
Living in a brave new world
This story is frightening. While I read I found it impossible not to relate to the power held by corporations today, particularly pharmaceutical and research factions. The average person really has no idea what plans are driving today's investments.
This story is frightening. While I read I found it impossible not to relate to the power held by corporations today, particularly pharmaceutical and research factions. The average person really has no idea what plans are driving today's investments.
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