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The 716
A vivid coming of age story about the courage of everyday heroes.
Olivia is destined to be the future leader of Meliora. She’s smart, rich, and innovative, and she has a pink Identifeye light. Andy is destined to be a waiter and househusband. His blue Identifeye light prevents him from pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer. After all, who ever heard of a male engineer? But when Andy’s life becomes entangled with Olivia’s and he gets the chance to prove himself on the female stage, everything starts to change.
In a futuristic society where men are second-class citizens and only binary gender norms are acceptable, Andy and Olivia must confront their own beliefs and decide what kind of world they want to live in. Will they do what is expected or what is right? And will the wrong choice spell disaster?
Fans of Divergent and The Lunar Chronicles will enjoy this original and thought-provoking sci-fi adventure. Get ready for a touch of romance, humor, smart heroes and an adorable robot bestie.
Olivia is destined to be the future leader of Meliora. She’s smart, rich, and innovative, and she has a pink Identifeye light. Andy is destined to be a waiter and househusband. His blue Identifeye light prevents him from pursuing his dream of becoming an engineer. After all, who ever heard of a male engineer? But when Andy’s life becomes entangled with Olivia’s and he gets the chance to prove himself on the female stage, everything starts to change.
In a futuristic society where men are second-class citizens and only binary gender norms are acceptable, Andy and Olivia must confront their own beliefs and decide what kind of world they want to live in. Will they do what is expected or what is right? And will the wrong choice spell disaster?
Fans of Divergent and The Lunar Chronicles will enjoy this original and thought-provoking sci-fi adventure. Get ready for a touch of romance, humor, smart heroes and an adorable robot bestie.
345 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2022
3 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Pratt
1 book55 followersS.J. runs an aerospace engineering company by day and writes by night (well, early hours of the morning). She lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with her incredible husband and incredibly needy cat. She is a sci-fi nerd, avid feminist and coffee addict, and she looks forward to culminating her existence as an omnipotent space whale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 28, 2022
In a time far from now, long after the wars of men, who runs the world? Girls.
The status-quo has shifted and the glass ceiling inverted, putting women on pedestals and men locked in the home. But in tightly shuttered kitchens and off-the-grid construction sites, some people have begun to wonder...is this right? Have we over-corrected? Can things change?
Pratt's heart-warming debut novel The 716 challenges us to question societal norms, breaking not only gender barriers but the perception of gender roles and identity. Pratt explores the challenges and rewards of friendship through a skewed social lens, offering clarity and hope. With flawless pacing and consistently poetic prose, I read late into the night and finished eager for more.
The 716 is the kind of story I want my future children to read. To give them the courage to challenge standards, stand up for one another, and be strong enough to not only embrace change, but create it.
The status-quo has shifted and the glass ceiling inverted, putting women on pedestals and men locked in the home. But in tightly shuttered kitchens and off-the-grid construction sites, some people have begun to wonder...is this right? Have we over-corrected? Can things change?
Pratt's heart-warming debut novel The 716 challenges us to question societal norms, breaking not only gender barriers but the perception of gender roles and identity. Pratt explores the challenges and rewards of friendship through a skewed social lens, offering clarity and hope. With flawless pacing and consistently poetic prose, I read late into the night and finished eager for more.
The 716 is the kind of story I want my future children to read. To give them the courage to challenge standards, stand up for one another, and be strong enough to not only embrace change, but create it.
April 11, 2023
‘Agender people walking home with a little bit of hope?’
Hope. Hope is what I was left feeling after finishing ‘The 716’. Hope that people in positions of power and privilege will do the right thing.
I loved the worldbuilding of Meliora, so vibrant and such a delight to visualise. The characters and their development was wonderful, I found myself whole heartedly cheering them on. And RAY will forever be my favourite.
The bits of banter were brilliant, I throughly enjoyed the humour woven throughout the pages of ‘The 716’.
To say I eagerly await the next book is an egregious understatement.
I definitely recommend if you consider yourself to be someone who likes sci-fi, great characters and a world which provides meaningful reflections of our own.
(Side note: my favourite page is 329)
Hope. Hope is what I was left feeling after finishing ‘The 716’. Hope that people in positions of power and privilege will do the right thing.
I loved the worldbuilding of Meliora, so vibrant and such a delight to visualise. The characters and their development was wonderful, I found myself whole heartedly cheering them on. And RAY will forever be my favourite.
The bits of banter were brilliant, I throughly enjoyed the humour woven throughout the pages of ‘The 716’.
To say I eagerly await the next book is an egregious understatement.
I definitely recommend if you consider yourself to be someone who likes sci-fi, great characters and a world which provides meaningful reflections of our own.
(Side note: my favourite page is 329)
April 5, 2022
How does it feel when someone you love asks you to question your beliefs? How do you deal with the dissonance of realising that the societal assumptions you grew up with go against your own values? By cunningly inverting and adapting norms of our own society, this book helps to highlight all the little things that contribute to a systemic issue. All the while being an easy reading, enjoyably more-ish tale of romance and revolution.
February 8, 2022
The 716 is a wonderful book! It gives off dystopian feels with its switched gender roles, almost like the Hand Maiden’s Tale (except less naughty).
I have to admit the title almost deterred me, but it is perfect for the story! The scenes are well written and gives plenty of leeway for the reader to imagine what is going on.
The characters are entertaining and relatable, and the world is tangible. Most of the story is a duet, but there are a few odd chapters from unknown characters, and that threw me off a bit.
I can’t wait to see where Pratt takes this series!
I received an ARC for an honest review but I also bought it, because I loved it so much!
I have to admit the title almost deterred me, but it is perfect for the story! The scenes are well written and gives plenty of leeway for the reader to imagine what is going on.
The characters are entertaining and relatable, and the world is tangible. Most of the story is a duet, but there are a few odd chapters from unknown characters, and that threw me off a bit.
I can’t wait to see where Pratt takes this series!
I received an ARC for an honest review but I also bought it, because I loved it so much!
February 3, 2022
This book flips all of the ‘gender norms’ that have been pushed on people and flips our history. In this story women rule, go to uni and have good jobs and the men are expected to stay home with the children and clean the house. It made for fascinating reading, and the underlying theme of a rebellion starting had me hooked! I can’t wait for the next book!
March 8, 2022
This book is so impressive that I found myself raving to my family and friends all about it while I was reading haha.
It’s such a beautiful sci-fi story of how a few good people can start something much bigger than themselves. It reminds us that even someone blinded by privilege and circumstance can be changed by a kind heart. Plus, it showcases how revolution can begin with just a few brave people.
The themes in this book are really important and were wonderful to see this well done in a YA novel. The characters that compose this story are all thoroughly fleshed out and fantastic! They help to paint the world around them because of how truly believable it is that they are the product of this gender norm-swapped future the author has described.
This is a fantastic debut for S.J. Pratt! I’ll be following her career closely from here!
It’s such a beautiful sci-fi story of how a few good people can start something much bigger than themselves. It reminds us that even someone blinded by privilege and circumstance can be changed by a kind heart. Plus, it showcases how revolution can begin with just a few brave people.
The themes in this book are really important and were wonderful to see this well done in a YA novel. The characters that compose this story are all thoroughly fleshed out and fantastic! They help to paint the world around them because of how truly believable it is that they are the product of this gender norm-swapped future the author has described.
This is a fantastic debut for S.J. Pratt! I’ll be following her career closely from here!
February 11, 2022
In the world of the 716, men like wannabe engineer Andy are good for manual labour, housekeeping, or arm candy, but they have no access to higher education or further opportunities in life. Women, meanwhile, as the superior gender, can be anything they wish. A woman like Olivia, daughter of the ruling Our Mother, can expect to follow in generations of her female family's footsteps. Limited by the colour of their Identifeye lights, being born blue or pink limits this deeply sexist matriarchal society. But neither Andy nor Olivia are about to let the gender they were assigned at birth limit their life choices.
The 716 is an absolutely gripping story. The world is fascinating, I already can't wait for the sequel. I need to know Will will be safe, and I'm trembling over what The Kindness might involve. My heart ached for all the limitations placed on characters like Andy and Will, simply by virtue of their birth. It was quite painful to recognise so many limiting gendered beliefs, having grown up facing them. Seeing the 'gender-swapped sexism' of this novel brought it all home in a deeply powerful way. I'm also full of praise for the author for including casual nonbinary rep, and for the nuanced discussion about experiences and opportunity beyond the gender binary. I also really enjoyed the short segment chapters that allow for an extra look into the lives of different male characters, such as a scorned detective and an objectified actor.
I thought the author did a wonderful job at weaving so many ways in which the boys and men in the story were socialised into their behaviour, actions and thoughts. Same with the female characters like Olivia and her friends. I didn't doubt for a moment that this was how their world worked, even though it was so different to our own. I was also fascinated with the backstory of this futuristic world, where World Wars have become Wars of Men, and the dominant female rulers have generations of belief enforcing their understanding of men as selfish, aggressive and dangerous. I loved that time was taken for Andy to express how challenging toxic masculinity would be a healthier approach to socialisation than the black-and-white social laws of the world.
Appropriately, I listened to 'Never Give Up On Your Dreams' by Two Steps From Hell while finishing The 716 and it's making my heart feel full. I am so grateful to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. These opinions are my own.
The 716 is an absolutely gripping story. The world is fascinating, I already can't wait for the sequel. I need to know Will will be safe, and I'm trembling over what The Kindness might involve. My heart ached for all the limitations placed on characters like Andy and Will, simply by virtue of their birth. It was quite painful to recognise so many limiting gendered beliefs, having grown up facing them. Seeing the 'gender-swapped sexism' of this novel brought it all home in a deeply powerful way. I'm also full of praise for the author for including casual nonbinary rep, and for the nuanced discussion about experiences and opportunity beyond the gender binary. I also really enjoyed the short segment chapters that allow for an extra look into the lives of different male characters, such as a scorned detective and an objectified actor.
I thought the author did a wonderful job at weaving so many ways in which the boys and men in the story were socialised into their behaviour, actions and thoughts. Same with the female characters like Olivia and her friends. I didn't doubt for a moment that this was how their world worked, even though it was so different to our own. I was also fascinated with the backstory of this futuristic world, where World Wars have become Wars of Men, and the dominant female rulers have generations of belief enforcing their understanding of men as selfish, aggressive and dangerous. I loved that time was taken for Andy to express how challenging toxic masculinity would be a healthier approach to socialisation than the black-and-white social laws of the world.
Appropriately, I listened to 'Never Give Up On Your Dreams' by Two Steps From Hell while finishing The 716 and it's making my heart feel full. I am so grateful to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. These opinions are my own.
February 24, 2022
4.5/5!
I was given an ARC of this book to give my honest review. So happy to have been part of this experience!
Andy and Olivia live in a world where men are considered second-class, binary genders are the only norm, and women are primed for leadership, universities and high-achieving careers. Olivia is destined to be the future leader of Meliora, and Andy is destined to be a dutiful househusband. But he wants more; he wants to be an engineer. His gender prevents him from achieving this dream, but when he meets Olivia, things begin to change. It is time for them to decide if they want to change the world they live in, or succumb to social pressures.
This book was so so good! My favourite thing about it was how the gender norms were flipped, providing a fresh and unique outlook on gender stereotypes. I also loved how self-aware this book was and how it ushered the way for dialogue about non-binary genders.The book was also really well written and engaging; it was fast-paced with short and sharp chapters, and the world building was fantastic!
The characterisation was also really well done. Olivia and Andy had very different and distinctive personalities, which made their character voices easy to distinguish and jump between. I especially enjoyed Olivia’s character development and how she went from being in one mindset to slowly questioning things about how the world works, thanks to Andy. Olivia and Andy’s chemistry was so good, and I really enjoyed RAY’s character too. I also liked the different perspectives that we got every once in a while to show how other men were being treated outside of just Andy and Olivia’s perspective. It was nice to see how those perspectives began to interweave with the main story and how it became more relevant to Andy and Olivia.
The reason I didn’t give it a full five stars was simply because I’m not a huge sci-fi person and also know nothing about engineering, so it took me a bit to get fully into it. However, I did find myself get more and more invested, particularly in the second half. Excited for book 2 in the series!
I was given an ARC of this book to give my honest review. So happy to have been part of this experience!
Andy and Olivia live in a world where men are considered second-class, binary genders are the only norm, and women are primed for leadership, universities and high-achieving careers. Olivia is destined to be the future leader of Meliora, and Andy is destined to be a dutiful househusband. But he wants more; he wants to be an engineer. His gender prevents him from achieving this dream, but when he meets Olivia, things begin to change. It is time for them to decide if they want to change the world they live in, or succumb to social pressures.
This book was so so good! My favourite thing about it was how the gender norms were flipped, providing a fresh and unique outlook on gender stereotypes. I also loved how self-aware this book was and how it ushered the way for dialogue about non-binary genders.The book was also really well written and engaging; it was fast-paced with short and sharp chapters, and the world building was fantastic!
The characterisation was also really well done. Olivia and Andy had very different and distinctive personalities, which made their character voices easy to distinguish and jump between. I especially enjoyed Olivia’s character development and how she went from being in one mindset to slowly questioning things about how the world works, thanks to Andy. Olivia and Andy’s chemistry was so good, and I really enjoyed RAY’s character too. I also liked the different perspectives that we got every once in a while to show how other men were being treated outside of just Andy and Olivia’s perspective. It was nice to see how those perspectives began to interweave with the main story and how it became more relevant to Andy and Olivia.
The reason I didn’t give it a full five stars was simply because I’m not a huge sci-fi person and also know nothing about engineering, so it took me a bit to get fully into it. However, I did find myself get more and more invested, particularly in the second half. Excited for book 2 in the series!
March 12, 2022
“Master Lin William, acccompanied by Ms alum Olivia.” Our Mother walked to the side of the staircase, a spotlight following her as she started the introductions. “Master William is an avid hiker and skier, donates his time to numerous local charities, and is excited at the prospect of marrying and running his own household within the next year”
.
.
.
Is it strange that I’ve always loved Fantasy, but never been drawn to SciFi in the same way?
Given that I’ve just spent the last two nights reading into the wee small hours, I think The 716 might just be the book that persuades me to try more SciFi. Set in the state of Meloria, the Wars of Men, have seen women rise to power and men confined to household or menial labour. Gender is seen as a binary concept with everyone forced to conform to the State’s Identifeye system
Both Andy and Olivia dream of being an engineer. Olivia is the daughter of Meloria’s leader with every advantage that her position offers , except her mother’s support. Andy meanwhile works to try and put his sister through school and spends all his free time at his Aunt’s mechanics workshop. The pair meet over a broken travel pod and form an unlikely friendship. The night that Olivia hacks into the State’s female-only aptitude testing system to help Andy take a test of his own, a spark of rebellion flares that threatens the State’s narrow and prejudiced view of gender
The concept of this novel is clever, but it’s more than just its premise….The 716 is backed up by believable world-building, a plot that rattles along at a perfect pace and characters that you care about. (plus a chicken called Fluffybum and a tea-loving Bot sidekick called Ray). The other thing that brought be great joy as I read it were the little glimpses of New Zealand from this debut kiwi author. There were pineapple lumps, pūkeko and the Melorian parliament was known as The Beehive! An entertaining debut written with aplomb and a sprinkling of kiwi attitude. Loved it @sjpratt_writer 💜 Thank you for my gifted copy and a very happy book birthday to The 716
.
.
.
Is it strange that I’ve always loved Fantasy, but never been drawn to SciFi in the same way?
Given that I’ve just spent the last two nights reading into the wee small hours, I think The 716 might just be the book that persuades me to try more SciFi. Set in the state of Meloria, the Wars of Men, have seen women rise to power and men confined to household or menial labour. Gender is seen as a binary concept with everyone forced to conform to the State’s Identifeye system
Both Andy and Olivia dream of being an engineer. Olivia is the daughter of Meloria’s leader with every advantage that her position offers , except her mother’s support. Andy meanwhile works to try and put his sister through school and spends all his free time at his Aunt’s mechanics workshop. The pair meet over a broken travel pod and form an unlikely friendship. The night that Olivia hacks into the State’s female-only aptitude testing system to help Andy take a test of his own, a spark of rebellion flares that threatens the State’s narrow and prejudiced view of gender
The concept of this novel is clever, but it’s more than just its premise….The 716 is backed up by believable world-building, a plot that rattles along at a perfect pace and characters that you care about. (plus a chicken called Fluffybum and a tea-loving Bot sidekick called Ray). The other thing that brought be great joy as I read it were the little glimpses of New Zealand from this debut kiwi author. There were pineapple lumps, pūkeko and the Melorian parliament was known as The Beehive! An entertaining debut written with aplomb and a sprinkling of kiwi attitude. Loved it @sjpratt_writer 💜 Thank you for my gifted copy and a very happy book birthday to The 716
February 19, 2022
I was sent this ARC for an honest review and I have really enjoyed it. I’ve been looking to read more Sci Fi books and this one had some great ideas.
I loved the role reversal of women going out to work whilst men, whose brain power is not complex enough to tackle the integral jobs needed within society, stay at home to look after the the family and tend to the house.
The themes of gender inequality and sexism are prevalent throughout though reversed and it’s a really interesting way to highlight some of the sexism and gender oppression that we experience in day to day life. I also really appreciated Pratt including non binary representation opening up the discussion with gender binary characters.
This is not just a Sci fi read with little substance, the narrative is a spring board for the discussion of social and sexual stereotypes.
I like the relationships between the characters I did feel that some of those bonds happened a tad quickly but I also appreciate that it’s for a YA audience and as such things tend to need to be at a quicker pace.
The world building was great, set in the future that is heavily reliant on technology, Pratt did a great job of researching and describing all of the different bots, vehicles and technologies of her world. I loved that there was history to it with the Wars of Men being at the root of their demise and women becoming the dominating sex developing strong views about the selfish and aggressive nature of men that they then hand down through generations of women which adds further fuel to the objectification of man.
I had no preconceived notions going into this book but I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend it to any Sci Fi lover. Bring on book 2.
I loved the role reversal of women going out to work whilst men, whose brain power is not complex enough to tackle the integral jobs needed within society, stay at home to look after the the family and tend to the house.
The themes of gender inequality and sexism are prevalent throughout though reversed and it’s a really interesting way to highlight some of the sexism and gender oppression that we experience in day to day life. I also really appreciated Pratt including non binary representation opening up the discussion with gender binary characters.
This is not just a Sci fi read with little substance, the narrative is a spring board for the discussion of social and sexual stereotypes.
I like the relationships between the characters I did feel that some of those bonds happened a tad quickly but I also appreciate that it’s for a YA audience and as such things tend to need to be at a quicker pace.
The world building was great, set in the future that is heavily reliant on technology, Pratt did a great job of researching and describing all of the different bots, vehicles and technologies of her world. I loved that there was history to it with the Wars of Men being at the root of their demise and women becoming the dominating sex developing strong views about the selfish and aggressive nature of men that they then hand down through generations of women which adds further fuel to the objectification of man.
I had no preconceived notions going into this book but I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend it to any Sci Fi lover. Bring on book 2.
February 22, 2022
‘… the 716 is more than a person. It’s an idea.’
The 716 is a gender-swapped, dystopic sci-fi set in the future world of Meliora, following Olivia and Andy on the first steps of their coming-of-age journey. Meliora is ruled by women; men’s choices are limited, their behaviour observed and controlled, their characters and actions the source of public discussion by strangers. Olivia moves through this world with ease, the daughter of its ruler, though she inwardly struggles with her desire to escape her mother’s expectations and become an engineer. Andy struggles against the systems and structures that repress him, hungry for knowledge and experience, striving towards the same impossible dream as Olivia, with far less resources and freedom to achieve it.
S.J. Pratt's debut is swiftly-paced and tightly written, full of poignant observations and wry humour; the prose gave me serious Jasper Fforde and Douglas Adams vibes. Olivia and Andy are relatable, fully-realised characters, easy to empathise with and cheer for, and their gender-swapped coming-of-age journey serves to highlight the inequalities embedded in the structures of our own world, and emphasise how difficult they can be to both acknowledge and escape. Their relationship is sweet, natural, and real, full of ups and downs and misunderstandings, and both characters grow throughout the novel, giving a thorough base for further character growth in the novel’s sequels.
A lovely aspect of this novel are all the small details: pink as a power colour; anger as a ‘masculine’ emotion, and therefore a negative one; the everyday assumptions that affect women in the real world, and are flipped in Meliora to keep men in their place (assumptions about behaviour, capabilities, their bodies, their desires). It’s sometimes uncomfortable (but it’s meant to be), and always deeply relatable. I especially enjoyed RAY, Andy’s robot friend and the eventual reveal of the title meaning; as a non-STEM person, I also loved (and was fascinated by) the casual inclusion of engineering knowledge and processes.
If you enjoy sci-fi coming-of-age adventures with dystopian themes and a strong message of social and gender equity, then this is the perfect novel for you!
The 716 is a gender-swapped, dystopic sci-fi set in the future world of Meliora, following Olivia and Andy on the first steps of their coming-of-age journey. Meliora is ruled by women; men’s choices are limited, their behaviour observed and controlled, their characters and actions the source of public discussion by strangers. Olivia moves through this world with ease, the daughter of its ruler, though she inwardly struggles with her desire to escape her mother’s expectations and become an engineer. Andy struggles against the systems and structures that repress him, hungry for knowledge and experience, striving towards the same impossible dream as Olivia, with far less resources and freedom to achieve it.
S.J. Pratt's debut is swiftly-paced and tightly written, full of poignant observations and wry humour; the prose gave me serious Jasper Fforde and Douglas Adams vibes. Olivia and Andy are relatable, fully-realised characters, easy to empathise with and cheer for, and their gender-swapped coming-of-age journey serves to highlight the inequalities embedded in the structures of our own world, and emphasise how difficult they can be to both acknowledge and escape. Their relationship is sweet, natural, and real, full of ups and downs and misunderstandings, and both characters grow throughout the novel, giving a thorough base for further character growth in the novel’s sequels.
A lovely aspect of this novel are all the small details: pink as a power colour; anger as a ‘masculine’ emotion, and therefore a negative one; the everyday assumptions that affect women in the real world, and are flipped in Meliora to keep men in their place (assumptions about behaviour, capabilities, their bodies, their desires). It’s sometimes uncomfortable (but it’s meant to be), and always deeply relatable. I especially enjoyed RAY, Andy’s robot friend and the eventual reveal of the title meaning; as a non-STEM person, I also loved (and was fascinated by) the casual inclusion of engineering knowledge and processes.
If you enjoy sci-fi coming-of-age adventures with dystopian themes and a strong message of social and gender equity, then this is the perfect novel for you!
February 13, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by SJ Pratt, a young adult sy-fy adventure with a touch of romance. The author digs deep into her characters and their belief systems to create an engaging ensemble of humans and bots. I loved RAY, a light-emitting bot, with his own cloaking device.
The book’s creative world-building takes readers into a vividly defined future based on technology and gender inequity. In this matriarchal society on steroids, women reign as superior leaders and intellectuals while males are relegated to a subservient, mundane caste. Prized for their physicality, beauty and housekeeping, boys come out to society in the annual Beautillion before being married off to powerful women to serve them.
Nowhere is gender inequity more apparent than the REAL intelligence test. Only 18-yo women take this exam (of course, men aren’t considered smart enough to participate), and their results, usually in the 500s, slot them into a hierarchy of careers. Those scoring highest are admitted to prestigious professions.
Society is turned upside down when rich, beautiful First Daughter teases a lowly mechanic, “a broom of a boy,” into secretly taking the test, and he scores an unprecedented high grade of 716 - gasp!
Plot and character arcs take off when the two must work together - or not - to deal with the fallout of their prank. Can’t wait for the second book in this series to get back into their world and see how everything shakes out!
I received an advance review copy of this book and freely offer my opinion.
The book’s creative world-building takes readers into a vividly defined future based on technology and gender inequity. In this matriarchal society on steroids, women reign as superior leaders and intellectuals while males are relegated to a subservient, mundane caste. Prized for their physicality, beauty and housekeeping, boys come out to society in the annual Beautillion before being married off to powerful women to serve them.
Nowhere is gender inequity more apparent than the REAL intelligence test. Only 18-yo women take this exam (of course, men aren’t considered smart enough to participate), and their results, usually in the 500s, slot them into a hierarchy of careers. Those scoring highest are admitted to prestigious professions.
Society is turned upside down when rich, beautiful First Daughter teases a lowly mechanic, “a broom of a boy,” into secretly taking the test, and he scores an unprecedented high grade of 716 - gasp!
Plot and character arcs take off when the two must work together - or not - to deal with the fallout of their prank. Can’t wait for the second book in this series to get back into their world and see how everything shakes out!
I received an advance review copy of this book and freely offer my opinion.
February 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this book.
We start the story off following Andy as he navigates life, while dreaming of being an engineer. (Something he's not allowed to do because of his gender.) Then, we get introduced to Olivia, the budding next ruler of the nation. But, what she really wants is to be an engineer.
By a chance encounter the two of them meet and begin working together.
The character development was great and the story well written. And RAY is my favorite! Hands down, no comparison. I love and need a RAY in my life. He needs his own little story one day. ;) (Hint Hint.)
There are a few chapters told from other points of view that can be kind of confusing at first, but it comes back around and makes sense afterwards. Don't give up. All will be revealed.
It's a solid read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a fresh twist on a sci-fi novel.
*I was given an ARC copy of the book for my honest review.*
We start the story off following Andy as he navigates life, while dreaming of being an engineer. (Something he's not allowed to do because of his gender.) Then, we get introduced to Olivia, the budding next ruler of the nation. But, what she really wants is to be an engineer.
By a chance encounter the two of them meet and begin working together.
The character development was great and the story well written. And RAY is my favorite! Hands down, no comparison. I love and need a RAY in my life. He needs his own little story one day. ;) (Hint Hint.)
There are a few chapters told from other points of view that can be kind of confusing at first, but it comes back around and makes sense afterwards. Don't give up. All will be revealed.
It's a solid read. I recommend it to anyone who wants a fresh twist on a sci-fi novel.
*I was given an ARC copy of the book for my honest review.*
February 28, 2022
“You’re not a bad mechanic, for a guy.”
Haven’t you always wanted to hear that from your crush? No? The 716 by S.J. Pratt is a feminist sci-fi adventure with all the teenage crushing your heart could desire. AND. All the sexism is genderbent.
What?
You read that right. A man in shorts? Scandalous. A male engineer? Bordering on insane. And all Andy wants is to be an engineer. When he’s not working as a waiter, making sure that he smiles enough and keeps his hair just so, he’s dabbling as a mechanic at his aunt’s shop.
Olivia is the up-and-coming matriarch of their society, the perfect daughter to the matriarch who is the backbone of Meliora. All Olivia wants is to be an engineer, but with all of her duties as the Eldest Daughter, there’s no way she has the time. Or the permission.
Sci-fi, romance, feminism, engineering … I haven’t even gotten to the AI sidekick yet. Or the political intrigue. Or the collapse of a society built on lies—
I’ll spoil it. You should have the chance to read it yourself. S.J. Pratt 🥂 here’s to you and your delightful debut!
Haven’t you always wanted to hear that from your crush? No? The 716 by S.J. Pratt is a feminist sci-fi adventure with all the teenage crushing your heart could desire. AND. All the sexism is genderbent.
What?
You read that right. A man in shorts? Scandalous. A male engineer? Bordering on insane. And all Andy wants is to be an engineer. When he’s not working as a waiter, making sure that he smiles enough and keeps his hair just so, he’s dabbling as a mechanic at his aunt’s shop.
Olivia is the up-and-coming matriarch of their society, the perfect daughter to the matriarch who is the backbone of Meliora. All Olivia wants is to be an engineer, but with all of her duties as the Eldest Daughter, there’s no way she has the time. Or the permission.
Sci-fi, romance, feminism, engineering … I haven’t even gotten to the AI sidekick yet. Or the political intrigue. Or the collapse of a society built on lies—
I’ll spoil it. You should have the chance to read it yourself. S.J. Pratt 🥂 here’s to you and your delightful debut!
February 9, 2022
Pratt’s debut novel is innovative, brilliant, and will leave you pondering about the world we live in!
In a society where gender norms are flipped and men are the ones who have to worry about shaving their legs, there’s no way THE 716 won’t capture your attention! I was immediately engrossed with this story and couldn’t stop reading! The twists on normal society bring to light exactly how ridiculous it is to expect people to do things based solely on their gender. I love how Pratt brings this issue to light in such a creative way with wonderful sci-fi elements thrown in!
What I also really admired are the characters’ arcs throughout the story. There is clear growth from both main characters. Olivia has intelligence, money, and nepotism on her side. While Andy is brilliant, a dreamer, but yet a “twerd.” Both of them have their own set of unique obstacles to overcome, but they both grow in realistic ways throughout the story. This alone kept me engaged with the plot and cheering on both characters, wanting them both to see their potential in creating a kinder world, where equality is mainstream.
If you enjoy Sci fi stories with a hint of realism that will leave you thinking then you NEED to read this wonderful novel!
I’d like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of her wonderful book, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where this series will go!
In a society where gender norms are flipped and men are the ones who have to worry about shaving their legs, there’s no way THE 716 won’t capture your attention! I was immediately engrossed with this story and couldn’t stop reading! The twists on normal society bring to light exactly how ridiculous it is to expect people to do things based solely on their gender. I love how Pratt brings this issue to light in such a creative way with wonderful sci-fi elements thrown in!
What I also really admired are the characters’ arcs throughout the story. There is clear growth from both main characters. Olivia has intelligence, money, and nepotism on her side. While Andy is brilliant, a dreamer, but yet a “twerd.” Both of them have their own set of unique obstacles to overcome, but they both grow in realistic ways throughout the story. This alone kept me engaged with the plot and cheering on both characters, wanting them both to see their potential in creating a kinder world, where equality is mainstream.
If you enjoy Sci fi stories with a hint of realism that will leave you thinking then you NEED to read this wonderful novel!
I’d like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC of her wonderful book, and I absolutely cannot wait to see where this series will go!
February 27, 2022
This book was really fun! More than anything it's a commentary on gender and sexism (it's VERY clever in the way it does this), but it also has great characters to follow. I did get a bit lost in the middle - I'm not sure the total page number because I read it on Kindle, but it seemed like a pretty long book - but the second half really picks up and you get a mix of sweet and emotional moments between the two main characters. The worldbuilding is the highlight so if you love futuristic worlds that make you think about the society we currently live in, pick up this book!
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC <3
Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC <3
February 23, 2022
A beautifully written debut, I genuinely could not put it down! The world building is INCREDIBLE. The author did an amazing job with the little details and painting a picture of Meliora. Additionally, the characters are so well-recognized and developed. They don't feel at all like a typical YA trope, but rather like real individuals with their own desires and fears. Without giving away too many spoilers, I also really loved the way that the world plays with gender dynamics. It made for a thought-provoking read and I cannot wait for more!
February 21, 2022
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I can honestly say this book is going into my favorites pile for YA Sci-Fi! Not only is the world beautifully crafted with great attention to detail, but the relationships and character-driven plot is amazing as well! I was hooked on the first chapter when reading how cleverly the author flips gender norms in a way that makes you think hard about practices we've gone blind to in our own society.
October 8, 2022
Every now and then an indie author reaches out to see if I would be willing to read and review their book, and I absolutely love these interactions! Connecting with indie authors is one of my favorite parts of being a book reviewer, and it was no different when S.J. Pratt reached out to see if I would read her book, The 716. I have to say, this is one of the most memorable and underrated scifi books I’ve ever read!
The 716 is a futuristic novel that completely obliterates gender stereotypes. Olivia and Andy couldn’t be more different. Olivia was raised to eventually take her mother’s place as the leader of their society, while Andy is told he will never be more than a house-husband. However, Olivia and Andy have more in common than they think; they both want to be an engineer. While Olivia is told her dream is beneath her social status, Andy is told that his head is in the clouds, wanting to do a woman’s job.
I could go on an on about this book for days, but my favorite part of the book was the way it incorporated feminism and highlighted the obstacles women face in our own society by attributing them to men in the novel. The small details were perfect, such as vehicles being referred to as “he” instead of “she” and “resting b@stard face,” which will forever change my usage of the phrase it was created from. These details showed how closely Pratt thought this novel through, and made it feel even more authentic.
Additionally, the bigger details of the novel were wonderful as well! For instance, in Olivia and Andy’s society, nursing and teaching are considered prestigious careers that women should aspire to. Pratt makes a huge statement suggesting that teaching and nursing should be viewed as more valuable than they are in our society. Similarly, the way she suggests that only women could do these jobs in the novel, brings up the absurdity of associating certain jobs with certain genders in real life.
Another detail that I truly appreciated was Olivia’s brother, Will’s, outrage that men are not included in medical trials in the novel. I think it is shocking when people find out that many medical trials in reality do not include women, which ultimately kills women. Will in general was a great character, and I really related to his perspective and desire to fight for change.
Furthermore, Pratt tackles sexism head-on with her characters in The 716. Multiple times in the novel Olivia is forced to confront her sexist views. I absolutely loved that she made the mistake of acting sexist towards Andy, because this mirrors the way that people are sexist in real life. Even better though, was the fact that Olivia took the time to reflect on her behavior and realize her wrongdoings.
Finally, I enjoyed the fact that Pratt included people with various gender identities. While the focus at the beginning of the novel is on the unfair and unequal treatment of men, she further develops this theme to include trans, nonbinary, gender fluid, and people across the gender spectrum. It was not only heartening that she included everyone, but also that Andy discovered new gender identities along his journey towards equality.
Honestly, I feel like my review doesn’t even begin to convey how wonderful this book truly is. On top of all the major issues it brings to light, it also has fun characters, a complex world, and a solid plot. I especially think fans of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer will love this book, but truthfully I think pretty much anyone and everyone that enjoys scifi or YA will absolutely adore it!
The 716 is a futuristic novel that completely obliterates gender stereotypes. Olivia and Andy couldn’t be more different. Olivia was raised to eventually take her mother’s place as the leader of their society, while Andy is told he will never be more than a house-husband. However, Olivia and Andy have more in common than they think; they both want to be an engineer. While Olivia is told her dream is beneath her social status, Andy is told that his head is in the clouds, wanting to do a woman’s job.
I could go on an on about this book for days, but my favorite part of the book was the way it incorporated feminism and highlighted the obstacles women face in our own society by attributing them to men in the novel. The small details were perfect, such as vehicles being referred to as “he” instead of “she” and “resting b@stard face,” which will forever change my usage of the phrase it was created from. These details showed how closely Pratt thought this novel through, and made it feel even more authentic.
Additionally, the bigger details of the novel were wonderful as well! For instance, in Olivia and Andy’s society, nursing and teaching are considered prestigious careers that women should aspire to. Pratt makes a huge statement suggesting that teaching and nursing should be viewed as more valuable than they are in our society. Similarly, the way she suggests that only women could do these jobs in the novel, brings up the absurdity of associating certain jobs with certain genders in real life.
Another detail that I truly appreciated was Olivia’s brother, Will’s, outrage that men are not included in medical trials in the novel. I think it is shocking when people find out that many medical trials in reality do not include women, which ultimately kills women. Will in general was a great character, and I really related to his perspective and desire to fight for change.
Furthermore, Pratt tackles sexism head-on with her characters in The 716. Multiple times in the novel Olivia is forced to confront her sexist views. I absolutely loved that she made the mistake of acting sexist towards Andy, because this mirrors the way that people are sexist in real life. Even better though, was the fact that Olivia took the time to reflect on her behavior and realize her wrongdoings.
Finally, I enjoyed the fact that Pratt included people with various gender identities. While the focus at the beginning of the novel is on the unfair and unequal treatment of men, she further develops this theme to include trans, nonbinary, gender fluid, and people across the gender spectrum. It was not only heartening that she included everyone, but also that Andy discovered new gender identities along his journey towards equality.
Honestly, I feel like my review doesn’t even begin to convey how wonderful this book truly is. On top of all the major issues it brings to light, it also has fun characters, a complex world, and a solid plot. I especially think fans of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer will love this book, but truthfully I think pretty much anyone and everyone that enjoys scifi or YA will absolutely adore it!
October 19, 2022
The 716 has great world-building, beautiful prose, and realistic dialogue. Her characters are well-rounded and grow as the story progresses. As YA sci-fi is the genre I write in, I have read a whole lotta dystopians. This is a great addition to the genre!
Dystopian books are, by nature and definition, much more political than many other genres, like fantasy for example. I will note that while reading this I came to realize that the author and I have quite different political opinions, so there were moments in the book where I sort of felt the political commentary was a bit heavy-handed. It’s easy, however to respect this book for what it is and how it addresses the authors views on feminism and society in her expertly-crafted dystopia.
If you identify as a feminist, or modern feminist, I think you’ll love this book. 🤗
If you are more traditional and conservative, reading this book may give you some insight into another point of view.
Dystopian books are, by nature and definition, much more political than many other genres, like fantasy for example. I will note that while reading this I came to realize that the author and I have quite different political opinions, so there were moments in the book where I sort of felt the political commentary was a bit heavy-handed. It’s easy, however to respect this book for what it is and how it addresses the authors views on feminism and society in her expertly-crafted dystopia.
If you identify as a feminist, or modern feminist, I think you’ll love this book. 🤗
If you are more traditional and conservative, reading this book may give you some insight into another point of view.
February 11, 2022
4.5
A highly entertaining and thought provoking first novel. Very easy to get through and love the bot companion
A highly entertaining and thought provoking first novel. Very easy to get through and love the bot companion
February 9, 2022
A fun twist! Andy and Olivia’s journey to bring equality back to all, and conquer the fear that created one sided genre rule. And I really want a RAY friend. ;)
February 18, 2022
This book turns gender inequality on its head: women rule, go to uni and work prestigious jobs, while men are expected to raise children and do the chores.
It's quite painful to read about how men are being objectified, body shamed and belittled as it spotlights how women are often still being treated in our society.
It's quite painful to read about how men are being objectified, body shamed and belittled as it spotlights how women are often still being treated in our society.
June 19, 2022
I used to work as a copywriter for an ad agency. Early on, I learned an adage that served me very well, and has continued to do so to this day. Copywriting is about distilling the essence of something complex and make it agreeable to as many people as possible. Sounds familiar? That’s arguably what most writing is about, though fiction writing ads another, unpredictable element: art.
Anyway, this was the adage: If, when you negate it, the sentence becomes absurd, it is superfluous. Example: We are dedicated to helping our customers lose money.
(Yes, this is a review, and I’ll get to the book in a second)
This upending technique is not universal, of course, and it’s mostly useful when trying to boil down masses of banal platitudes to something unique and actually meaningful. But it’s very efficient, and sometimes devastating, to use in fiction writing as well.
I was reminded of it when I read S.J. Pratt’s “The 716,” and I mean that in a good way. When the same rule is applied to a well-established-yet-somehow-controversial narrative and used as a basis for a story, and the reader is confronted by the resulting absurdity, you’ve got something good going. The story twists the mind and kicks some tender balls (almost literally.)
“The 716” takes place in Meliora, a nation-state where women make policy, hold the prestigious jobs, educate themselves to their hearts’ content, and generally make shit happen. What of the men? Well, they’re the second-rate citizens, the babymakers, the lowly service workers who could only dream of going to university or becoming engineers.
Sounds familiar? Yes, it’s been done before, perhaps most famously in Norwegian author Gerd Brantenberg’s “Egalia’s Daughters,” the setup of which is echoed in “The 716” – but while the male protagonist of the former strives to change the world entire, Pratt’s hero, Andy, mostly wants to reshape his own future, resulting in world-changing events.
I identify as a feminist, so I have 0 issues with the gender role reversal or the absurdity that ensues, but I have no doubt that the absurdity reads differently for me than for any woman. The reason is obvious: the world in the novel isn’t absurd because it’s not realistic – it’s absurd because it is realistic. It’s just not the reality that men experience. So while my mind sometimes intuitively struggles with the absurdity (remember, I’m feminist, but I’m also a white, heterosexual male brought up in the 70s and 80s in a safe, progressive country, which has sort of numbed me to the fact that the problems that form the theme of this book are painfully real, just not to me personally,) I can deeply appreciate how the themes make me want to both laugh and punch the Jordan B Petersons of the world in the face. It’s a sort of cognitive dissonance that makes me think that the world might actually change for real if this sort of literature were forced into the hands of every teenage boy at their most impressionable moment.
The book is well-written, poignant, and funny (because of said cognitive dissonance) and I would say that the only negative thing I have to say is that it sometimes is a wee bit too on the nose – but given that the target audience is younger, it’s nothing to put up a fuss about. (Also, sometimes the imbalance of the real world is pretty darn on the nose, too.) The characters are very relatable, and I revel in the fact that I get to say this: Olivia is every privileged, obnoxious, oblivious male, and Andy is every brilliant sidekick woman wanting intellectual freedom. I’m very interested to see where Pratt takes this in the sequels.
If you, like me, are a man, and, unlike me, are on the fence about this whole feminism thing, I challenge you to read this book and consider the possibility that billions of women live in various iterations this society right now, in 2022. Prison bars aren’t just made of steel or religion. Some bars are also made of peer pressure, tradition, expectations, insecurity, assumptions, and just plain old prejudice. “The 716” encapsulates this, too, and it does it well.
Anyway, this was the adage: If, when you negate it, the sentence becomes absurd, it is superfluous. Example: We are dedicated to helping our customers lose money.
(Yes, this is a review, and I’ll get to the book in a second)
This upending technique is not universal, of course, and it’s mostly useful when trying to boil down masses of banal platitudes to something unique and actually meaningful. But it’s very efficient, and sometimes devastating, to use in fiction writing as well.
I was reminded of it when I read S.J. Pratt’s “The 716,” and I mean that in a good way. When the same rule is applied to a well-established-yet-somehow-controversial narrative and used as a basis for a story, and the reader is confronted by the resulting absurdity, you’ve got something good going. The story twists the mind and kicks some tender balls (almost literally.)
“The 716” takes place in Meliora, a nation-state where women make policy, hold the prestigious jobs, educate themselves to their hearts’ content, and generally make shit happen. What of the men? Well, they’re the second-rate citizens, the babymakers, the lowly service workers who could only dream of going to university or becoming engineers.
Sounds familiar? Yes, it’s been done before, perhaps most famously in Norwegian author Gerd Brantenberg’s “Egalia’s Daughters,” the setup of which is echoed in “The 716” – but while the male protagonist of the former strives to change the world entire, Pratt’s hero, Andy, mostly wants to reshape his own future, resulting in world-changing events.
I identify as a feminist, so I have 0 issues with the gender role reversal or the absurdity that ensues, but I have no doubt that the absurdity reads differently for me than for any woman. The reason is obvious: the world in the novel isn’t absurd because it’s not realistic – it’s absurd because it is realistic. It’s just not the reality that men experience. So while my mind sometimes intuitively struggles with the absurdity (remember, I’m feminist, but I’m also a white, heterosexual male brought up in the 70s and 80s in a safe, progressive country, which has sort of numbed me to the fact that the problems that form the theme of this book are painfully real, just not to me personally,) I can deeply appreciate how the themes make me want to both laugh and punch the Jordan B Petersons of the world in the face. It’s a sort of cognitive dissonance that makes me think that the world might actually change for real if this sort of literature were forced into the hands of every teenage boy at their most impressionable moment.
The book is well-written, poignant, and funny (because of said cognitive dissonance) and I would say that the only negative thing I have to say is that it sometimes is a wee bit too on the nose – but given that the target audience is younger, it’s nothing to put up a fuss about. (Also, sometimes the imbalance of the real world is pretty darn on the nose, too.) The characters are very relatable, and I revel in the fact that I get to say this: Olivia is every privileged, obnoxious, oblivious male, and Andy is every brilliant sidekick woman wanting intellectual freedom. I’m very interested to see where Pratt takes this in the sequels.
If you, like me, are a man, and, unlike me, are on the fence about this whole feminism thing, I challenge you to read this book and consider the possibility that billions of women live in various iterations this society right now, in 2022. Prison bars aren’t just made of steel or religion. Some bars are also made of peer pressure, tradition, expectations, insecurity, assumptions, and just plain old prejudice. “The 716” encapsulates this, too, and it does it well.
February 9, 2022
The 716 is a stunning debut by author SJ Pratt
Set in the distant future, the world was destroyed by the Wars of Men and a new world has been rebuilt on the ashes of the old, only this time women have taken control. Women can go to university, they can be leaders, and kindness and empathy are valued, along with feminity, history, teaching and engineering. Men, on the other hand, are not deemed capable of going to university and must give up what work they do have upon marriage. Against this backdrop we meet Andy, a man who does not fit into the common mold and who dreams of one day becoming an engineer, a path that is denied to him because of his sex. Through a chance encounter he meets Olivia, the young woman who has it all; intelligence, beauty, wealth and power. They bond over a mutual love of engineering, but it is Olivia's grudging acceptance that Andy might be her intellectual equal thay sparks a fire within him for change, and the second half of The 716 sees those flames fanned brighter.
The 716 is YA Sci Fi, but at its heart it is a feminist novel begging for gender equality and an acceptance to see gender as a spectrum. The main character, Andy, is endearing and relatable, and his best friend RAY is so brilliant I wish I could meet him. Olivia straddles the line between arrogant and charming, and author SJ Pratt masterfully created a complex character here that will win you over. The writing is fluent and smooth and the pacing is perfect. The 716 is very accessable as far as Sci Fi goes and I highly recommend it for both teenagers and adults, and I think it would make a good book to have a class discussion about in schools.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
Set in the distant future, the world was destroyed by the Wars of Men and a new world has been rebuilt on the ashes of the old, only this time women have taken control. Women can go to university, they can be leaders, and kindness and empathy are valued, along with feminity, history, teaching and engineering. Men, on the other hand, are not deemed capable of going to university and must give up what work they do have upon marriage. Against this backdrop we meet Andy, a man who does not fit into the common mold and who dreams of one day becoming an engineer, a path that is denied to him because of his sex. Through a chance encounter he meets Olivia, the young woman who has it all; intelligence, beauty, wealth and power. They bond over a mutual love of engineering, but it is Olivia's grudging acceptance that Andy might be her intellectual equal thay sparks a fire within him for change, and the second half of The 716 sees those flames fanned brighter.
The 716 is YA Sci Fi, but at its heart it is a feminist novel begging for gender equality and an acceptance to see gender as a spectrum. The main character, Andy, is endearing and relatable, and his best friend RAY is so brilliant I wish I could meet him. Olivia straddles the line between arrogant and charming, and author SJ Pratt masterfully created a complex character here that will win you over. The writing is fluent and smooth and the pacing is perfect. The 716 is very accessable as far as Sci Fi goes and I highly recommend it for both teenagers and adults, and I think it would make a good book to have a class discussion about in schools.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am leaving an honest review.
January 23, 2022
Can’t wait to read this!! I loved the preview!
October 3, 2022
So, I don't want to give away too much about this book, because I think everyone should go out and read it. The author has flipped the "gender roles" in a way that reminds of me of The Handmaid's Tale, except this is YA so no need to fear the more gruesome aspects of that dystopia. In this world, women take a test called the REAL test which basically decides their future. Men are not allowed to take these tests. They are not allowed to go to University. And they are most definitely not allowed to think they are smarter than women. That is IMPOSSIBLE. Without going into spoilers, this story has a male main character who begins to question whether or not this is really the way society should be run. Why can't he be an engineer if he's smart enough to be? The book also has as supporting female main character who has her entire world flipped upside down when the impossible happens. I Absolutely loved this book. When I finished, I wanted to pick it up again to read through everything I might have missed. It's a fantastic read for anyone looking for a low sci-fi (AKA, there is technology but it isn't impossible for the average person to understand.) And, if you don't know if you like sci-fi, I think this is a great read for you. There is a little bit for everyone (technology, romance, coming-of-age, political deception, and more.)
November 4, 2023
Imagine a YA version of The Power meets Divergent in this furistic sci-fi. Our main character is Andy, a mechanic living in Meliora, a future city on Earth where the gender power dynamic is flipped; women fill the seats of power while men play second fliddle. Intelligent—if a bit of a dreamer—Andy longs to go to university to study engineering, a career path he is barred from on account of his gender (only women are permitted to access higher education).
Meanwhile, we also have Olivia, daughter and successor of the current leader of Meliora, who feels the weight of her mother's AND society's expectations heavy on her shoulders. She also dreams of becoming an engineer, coverting her precious time away from leadership duties to work on her engineering projects.
You can probably see where this is going...
Or can you?
While The 716 has some of those familiar YA tropes we know and love, what I particularly enjoyed what that it was difficult guess where the next turn would take its characters. And this book covers so much in its pages, tackling some meaty topics along the way and still managing to keep it light and fun. It was also very satisfying seeing many a sexist phrases back on a male character that not only highlighted their utter ridiculousness, but social biases and unequities in our own society. The plight of non-binary and trans characters in this society was also a nice inclusion to see in the story's later chapters.
Women in STEM also feature heavily in this story (YES!), and despite not having any engineering knowledge whatsoever, the engineering components were easy to follow (not to mention interesting). (Side note: S.J. Pratt also runs an aerospace company, so you can bet it was accurate too!).
Lastly, I cannot write this review and not mention Andy's robot and tea-loving sidekick. Bubbly, but on point, you can guarantee he'll light up any pages he appears on.
All in all, The 716 is a fun and accessible read that's full of heart. Highly recommend, especially to people who are stepping into sci-fi genre for the first time. It is a fantastic introduction to the genre that won't overwealm while also gently encouraging readers to think critically on the nature of gender and the roles society constructs around it.
Meanwhile, we also have Olivia, daughter and successor of the current leader of Meliora, who feels the weight of her mother's AND society's expectations heavy on her shoulders. She also dreams of becoming an engineer, coverting her precious time away from leadership duties to work on her engineering projects.
You can probably see where this is going...
Or can you?
While The 716 has some of those familiar YA tropes we know and love, what I particularly enjoyed what that it was difficult guess where the next turn would take its characters. And this book covers so much in its pages, tackling some meaty topics along the way and still managing to keep it light and fun. It was also very satisfying seeing many a sexist phrases back on a male character that not only highlighted their utter ridiculousness, but social biases and unequities in our own society. The plight of non-binary and trans characters in this society was also a nice inclusion to see in the story's later chapters.
Women in STEM also feature heavily in this story (YES!), and despite not having any engineering knowledge whatsoever, the engineering components were easy to follow (not to mention interesting). (Side note: S.J. Pratt also runs an aerospace company, so you can bet it was accurate too!).
Lastly, I cannot write this review and not mention Andy's robot and tea-loving sidekick. Bubbly, but on point, you can guarantee he'll light up any pages he appears on.
All in all, The 716 is a fun and accessible read that's full of heart. Highly recommend, especially to people who are stepping into sci-fi genre for the first time. It is a fantastic introduction to the genre that won't overwealm while also gently encouraging readers to think critically on the nature of gender and the roles society constructs around it.
June 16, 2022
What if the world flips the (gender) norms? The 716 does exactly that, everything has shifted. It shows us a world where woman rule, standing on the pedestal & are able to be anything they can dream off. While men are good for taking care of the children, manual labour, housekeeping & functioning as arm candy to show off.
In this novel we follow the story of Olivia, the daughter of Our Mother, expected to follow in her families footsteps to become the next.
But we also follow Andy, dreaming of becoming an engineer while being stuck working a job next to all the house chores to finance his sisters education. The color of their Identifeye Light dictating how they can life & what they can do. A world ruled in two basic genders; girl & boy/woman & men.
This book will have the characters learning to look past the basic genders, introducing us to non-binary characters & sexism ingrained within the world.
The author has build an believable world with norms & values that are seen back strongly within the characters nature. A backstory with a nod to our world woven in seamlessly.
I can't wait to read the next book within this series & I am looking forward to Andy & Olivia's journey on taking on the world & changing it forever.
In this novel we follow the story of Olivia, the daughter of Our Mother, expected to follow in her families footsteps to become the next.
But we also follow Andy, dreaming of becoming an engineer while being stuck working a job next to all the house chores to finance his sisters education. The color of their Identifeye Light dictating how they can life & what they can do. A world ruled in two basic genders; girl & boy/woman & men.
This book will have the characters learning to look past the basic genders, introducing us to non-binary characters & sexism ingrained within the world.
The author has build an believable world with norms & values that are seen back strongly within the characters nature. A backstory with a nod to our world woven in seamlessly.
I can't wait to read the next book within this series & I am looking forward to Andy & Olivia's journey on taking on the world & changing it forever.
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