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Culled
All illness is culled. Vaccines aren’t a luxury.
There’s only one rule that matters: Don’t. Get. Sick.
Within the population controlled fences of The Order of Immunity, seventeen-year-old Dahlia Barrett must hide a key part of her existence—a forbidden disease, a parasite, (a blessing). Her mother and sister do their best to keep her grounded, calm, (broken), but it’s up to Dahlia to prove her perfect health in the monthly screenings.
Lottery day is on the horizon, a day where children need enough tickets to get vaccinated, and Dahlia is (going to be culled) going to win. Surely, her mother has bought her enough tickets, but what will she do if her name isn’t on that screen?
Remember: The Order is always watching.
There’s only one rule that matters: Don’t. Get. Sick.
Within the population controlled fences of The Order of Immunity, seventeen-year-old Dahlia Barrett must hide a key part of her existence—a forbidden disease, a parasite, (a blessing). Her mother and sister do their best to keep her grounded, calm, (broken), but it’s up to Dahlia to prove her perfect health in the monthly screenings.
Lottery day is on the horizon, a day where children need enough tickets to get vaccinated, and Dahlia is (going to be culled) going to win. Surely, her mother has bought her enough tickets, but what will she do if her name isn’t on that screen?
Remember: The Order is always watching.
383 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2021
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Krysty Ruthellen
3 books8 followersKrysty Lillianne Ruthellen is a YA novelist who specializes in LGBTQ+ Dystopian Fiction with a focus in shining a positive light on mental health. While residing in small town Arkansas with their birds at their side, they have earned their BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment at Full Sail University.
Living with the everyday challenges of Schizoaffective Disorder: Depressive Type (SZA), they aspire to write for those struggling like themself. Through their debut novel, Culled, and throughout the entirety of The Immunity Chronicles trilogy, Krysty hopes to show both the good and the bad sides of Schizophrenia by showing its reality, using their own personal experiences with SZA as a major reference. They encourage their readers to find a positive support system, practice healthy coping mechanisms, and to know that they are not alone.
Living with the everyday challenges of Schizoaffective Disorder: Depressive Type (SZA), they aspire to write for those struggling like themself. Through their debut novel, Culled, and throughout the entirety of The Immunity Chronicles trilogy, Krysty hopes to show both the good and the bad sides of Schizophrenia by showing its reality, using their own personal experiences with SZA as a major reference. They encourage their readers to find a positive support system, practice healthy coping mechanisms, and to know that they are not alone.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 3, 2021
3.5 stars
It’s an okay book, but it’s just so similar to Delirium, as well as Divergent, especially at the beginning!
I still enjoyed the book and liked the ending, but at times the book was so unrealistic! Some of the conversations between people seemed so forced and the way the main character acted was all over the place (and not always because of her mental health issues).
I did like her relationship with her family and friends, though.
All in all I’d recommend the book and I’ll definitely read the second one when it comes out!
SPOILER BELOW
While i didn’t enjoy the death of the mother, I appreciated that finally somebody died. To me it was really unrealistic that in a world, where being even a little bit sick get you killed, absolutely nobody the main character knows dies.
Also the Awakened compound. The two bosses were sooo easily “manipulated” by the main character it’s comical. They dont know her at all. They know she’s mentally ill, but still take everything she says as truth and let he friends go, even though they didn’t think it was a good idea? They were way too gullible.
And the conversations between Delilah and Tatum, and Delilah and Oliver when she told them about her mental struggles was so forced and unrealistic. Delilah is deathly afraid that anybody finds out about her mental struggles, but then suddenly doesnt care and tells everyone? Unrealistic in my opinion.
I did enjoy Delilah and Willows relationship and that nobody cared that they were two women in love. I really, really enjoyed it.
It’s an okay book, but it’s just so similar to Delirium, as well as Divergent, especially at the beginning!
I still enjoyed the book and liked the ending, but at times the book was so unrealistic! Some of the conversations between people seemed so forced and the way the main character acted was all over the place (and not always because of her mental health issues).
I did like her relationship with her family and friends, though.
All in all I’d recommend the book and I’ll definitely read the second one when it comes out!
SPOILER BELOW
While i didn’t enjoy the death of the mother, I appreciated that finally somebody died. To me it was really unrealistic that in a world, where being even a little bit sick get you killed, absolutely nobody the main character knows dies.
Also the Awakened compound. The two bosses were sooo easily “manipulated” by the main character it’s comical. They dont know her at all. They know she’s mentally ill, but still take everything she says as truth and let he friends go, even though they didn’t think it was a good idea? They were way too gullible.
And the conversations between Delilah and Tatum, and Delilah and Oliver when she told them about her mental struggles was so forced and unrealistic. Delilah is deathly afraid that anybody finds out about her mental struggles, but then suddenly doesnt care and tells everyone? Unrealistic in my opinion.
I did enjoy Delilah and Willows relationship and that nobody cared that they were two women in love. I really, really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
From the main characters relationships with family, the developing relationships with those she meets, and her struggles with Schizophrenia in a futuristic and unforgiving world, I truly enjoyed reading this book. Looking forward to the next in the series.
August 15, 2021
I received an ARC for this book and really enjoyed it. The author has created an interesting new world and explores ideas of ableism and what it’s like to live with mental illness. I cared for Dahlia and wanted her to succeed. They have created an interesting cast of characters that I bonded to immediately, and I found myself gasping aloud when bad things happened to them. I look forward to the publication of the rest of the series, and seeing Dahlia continue to grow. Also, and I won’t spoil anything here, but the main ship in this had many squee-worthy moments that made me feel warm and squishy. If you’re a fan of YA dystopia and want to read about characters with mental illness, I definitely recommend this book! Can’t wait for the next in the series!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews