Incarceron ~ Review by Maryam

 

Summary:

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells and corridors, but metal forests, dilapidated cities, and wilderness. It has been sealed for centuries, and only one man has ever escaped. Finn has always been a prisoner here. Although he has no memory of his childhood, he is sure he came from Outside. His link to the Outside, his chance to break free, is Claudia, the warden's daughter, herself determined to escape an arranged marriage. They are up against impossible odds, but one thing looms above all: Incarceron itself is alive . . .

Review: 

Hands down Incarceron is one of my favorite books. It has the right mixture of fantasy, Sci-Fi, action, plot twists, and character personalities. The book starts off in the prison with the main character, Finn, chained down to a train track while yelling for help. This exciting scene sets the stage for the entire book and immediately pulls you into the story. The plot of this book is as crooked and twisted as Incarceron itself. The book contains two perspectives, one of Finn who is in Incarceron, and one of Claudia who lives in the world outside of the prison. I definitely prefer Finn's perspective over Claudia's because she is a hot mess. I won't spend time telling you the main points of the plot because it is a must read. What I will highlight is the imagery that this book contains. The prison itself is alive and constructs complex terrain and even people. Deadly but beautiful. The trees and bushes are a meshwork of wires that sparkle in the light. The towns are always described as filthy and are filled with ruthless people because Incarceron forces the rule of every man for himself (except for those in gangs who have an oathbrother). The prison doesn't waste any parts either human or machine, it makes its own mutants that are barely human since they have random limbs and an interworking system of wires. The world outside the prison has a whole nother vibe. SPOILER (highlight to read): The world is actually a mirage that is meant to hide how broken the world actually is. The people in power were hiding this and they did a very good job of it because the mirage is so complex that those who control it can even choose what type of weather to have. Due to this fact, the outside world is stunningly gorgeous, as you can imagine. The countryside, where the book mainly focuses, has lush green grasses and azure skies. The forests are filled with wildlife and are the perfect place to gallop through and find some peace and quiet. It is unbelievably breathtaking with clear gurgling streams and tall trees so densely packed together that one can easily get lost in them. The manors that the rich folk live in are nothing less than extravagant, inside anything can be found from expensive hand painted vases to ornate tapestries that depict deceased relatives. Most of the chapters that describe the outside world focus on the mansions and castles occupied by the rich, however, the towns where the poor live are in shambles. The other great part of this book are the characters. Finn is a rare example of an mc that is actually likeable. He is different from most of the prison inhabitants because he is not content with the life he has. Finn gets visions that remind him of a world that exists beyond the seemingly endless walls of the prison. He has hopes, dreams, and aspirations that make him a well-rounded character. Even though he is very sweet, he is still an excellent fighter because one has to be in order to survive in the conditions the prison has produced. Claudia, the second mc is stubborn and hot headed to say the least. Everything she does is for her own self interest and her desires often lead to other people getting hurt. As the Warden's daughter I was surprised at some of her actions when it came to finding evidence about the prison. Her father is obviously a smart man if he was able to invent a self sustaining prison, so why does she think that she can double-cross him?? Anyways you can read the book and see how you like her. Keiro is a supporting character who is the oathbrother to Finn. They are sworn to protect each other and avenge the other if one of them is killed. Even though Keiro is arrogant and selfish, he is extremely loyal to Finn and his saucy attitude adds drama to the book which we readers love! Overall, the strong imagery and plot coupled with the unique array of character types make for a legendary book that never has a dull moment. The last thing I will leave you with in this review is a question: If you were trapped in a prison like Incarceron, would you join a gang, live in a town and fend for yourself, or seek a way out of the prison even if you might meet your doom along the way?

P.S. All I want to drive home with this review is PLEASE READ INCARCERON AND THE BOOK THAT FOLLOWS IT!!!

~Maryam Yasin