Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Bloomsbury Children's Books (2012), Edition: 1, 385 pages
Description
"In a barren land, a shimmering glass dome houses the survivors of the Switch, the period when oxygen levels plunged and the green world withered. A state lottery meant a lucky few won safety, while the rest suffocated in the thin air. And now Alina, Quinn, and Bea--an unlikely trio, each with their own agendas, their own longings and fears--walk straight into the heart of danger. With two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, they leave the dome. What will happen on the third day?"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member brandileigh2003
In short: This is a fast and action packed story with an awesome premise, and characters that I wanted to succeed.
At first the three perspectives confused me, especially the two girls, but I quickly got a hang of their voices and style as well as their backgrounds. I think at first I would've
I quickly grew to love seeing the world from these three separate perspectives. Quinn is a premium (read: privileged and rich) and through fascination with Alina, a beautiful mysterious girl, learns that his world is not as it seems, and finds the longing for freedom. I really appreciated watching him grow and realize who his true feelings are for.
Alina is passionate and strong. Seeing things from her perspective, as the one working for the resistance in the beginning, and watching her soften towards her traveling companions was quite a journey. It was easy to sympathize with her, the guilt she carries and the responsibility she all too acutely carries on her shoulders.
Bea is kind-hearted and has such empathy for others, when she could easily feel so sorry for herself growing up as a lesser citizen, not being able to run or do anything that requires extra oxygen which costs money. I think that her personality and ways of thinking is closest to my own, and I connected the most personally with her. I could also totally feel for her unrequited love for Quinn at the beginning.
This is such a chilling dystopian society. I can't imagine having to think about every breath. I also can't imagine being manipulated and lied to so much by the government.
The resistance group is so easy to relate to and root for, and I loved watching them get stronger and as the new members realize the extent of Breathe (the government in the Pod)'s deception.
I tore through this book, due to the great writing and superb pacing. There was always something going on, action as well as internal character struggles and growth. There were moments when I wanted to cry for the characters, others I wanted to cheer for them, and then others where I felt anger for them because of Breathe's actions.
While the storyline of this book was tied up pretty well, it still left me yearning for the sequel. I wanted to know what would happen next, and what becomes of the characters I'd come to care for.
At first the three perspectives confused me, especially the two girls, but I quickly got a hang of their voices and style as well as their backgrounds. I think at first I would've
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wanted to be in their heads a little longer, but I also think that the positive side is that we get to see how things connect. I was drawn in by the premise and by the characters especially when I got a feel for where they were coming from and a sense of their personalities.I quickly grew to love seeing the world from these three separate perspectives. Quinn is a premium (read: privileged and rich) and through fascination with Alina, a beautiful mysterious girl, learns that his world is not as it seems, and finds the longing for freedom. I really appreciated watching him grow and realize who his true feelings are for.
Alina is passionate and strong. Seeing things from her perspective, as the one working for the resistance in the beginning, and watching her soften towards her traveling companions was quite a journey. It was easy to sympathize with her, the guilt she carries and the responsibility she all too acutely carries on her shoulders.
Bea is kind-hearted and has such empathy for others, when she could easily feel so sorry for herself growing up as a lesser citizen, not being able to run or do anything that requires extra oxygen which costs money. I think that her personality and ways of thinking is closest to my own, and I connected the most personally with her. I could also totally feel for her unrequited love for Quinn at the beginning.
This is such a chilling dystopian society. I can't imagine having to think about every breath. I also can't imagine being manipulated and lied to so much by the government.
The resistance group is so easy to relate to and root for, and I loved watching them get stronger and as the new members realize the extent of Breathe (the government in the Pod)'s deception.
I tore through this book, due to the great writing and superb pacing. There was always something going on, action as well as internal character struggles and growth. There were moments when I wanted to cry for the characters, others I wanted to cheer for them, and then others where I felt anger for them because of Breathe's actions.
While the storyline of this book was tied up pretty well, it still left me yearning for the sequel. I wanted to know what would happen next, and what becomes of the characters I'd come to care for.
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LibraryThing member renkellym
Breathe is unique in concept—I’ll give Crossan points for that. She stretches ‘dystopia’ to a whole new length. I can’t even fathom having to pay for air in order to stay alive!
So, the concept is cool. But aside from that, Breathe can easily be lumped in with all the other dystopia out
So, the concept is cool. But aside from that, Breathe can easily be lumped in with all the other dystopia out
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there. The writing is simplistic and clipped; the pace is fast, with short chapters to keep readers turning pages; the focus is more on plot than on characters. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing: readers who love dystopia will love Breathe. But people looking for something that breaks the mold will only find half of their expectations met. Show Less
LibraryThing member ErikaWasTaken
Pros:
* great set-up
* interesting premise
* last few pages are action packed
Cons:
* flat, flat characters
* boring, boring middle
* awkward, forced-almost love triangle
This book took me two weeks to slug through.
* great set-up
* interesting premise
* last few pages are action packed
Cons:
* flat, flat characters
* boring, boring middle
* awkward, forced-almost love triangle
This book took me two weeks to slug through.
LibraryThing member LoftyIslanders
This was a fast-paced novel with a good balance of character development and world building. What I love about this book: The love story, the wacky kid and the gentle yet uplifting cliffhanger. What I hated: The bad guys, the sheeple and the evil herbicide. Verdict: Excellent!
LibraryThing member littleton_pace
Pretty good book for what it was. Although I have the same issue with it that I have with most young adult fiction these days, the romance is annoying an unrealistic.
The premise is great. In a world with no trees and thus no oxygen, members of society live in Pods where they are supplied
We follow the story from the POV's of three lead characters. Quinn, a premium boy who has the best of life in the Pod. Bea, a member of a working-class Pod family who struggle for the barest of oxygen. Bea also harbors a lust for Quinn. And Alina, a resistance fighter who infiltrated the Pod for some reason and is now breaking out.
The trio meet at the start of the novel and Quinn, with his Premium Powers, is able to sneak Alina across. The reason he does this annoys me, it's because she's pretty. She is a stranger to him, he is supposed to be going camping with Bea, and instead he sees a pretty face and literally sacrifices his own and Bea's safety to help Alina, who isn't that thankful. In fact, she's downright furious that they have wormed their way into her escape (which I don't mind by the way, Alina was my favourite character mainly due to her anti-social and abrasive ways).
The trio get out and Alina ditches Bea and Quinn, only to have to be saved by them when a decrepit old woman attacks Alina for her oxygen tank. Rather than leave the attacker behind or kill her, which is Alina's preference, Bea is horrified and decides they must bring her along. Bea bugged the crap out of me, she's so righteous. It's insufferable. And her whole life is Quinn, even though she's well aware that he's into Alina and doesn't like her "that way".
So this old woman, Maude, becomes part of the gang. With limited oxygen, food and having to be constantly on the move it seems like the worst decision to have brought along someone who will only slow them down, use their supplies and tried to kill them, but whatever.
Then odd stuff starts happening. We're told at the start of the novel that no one can live outside the Pods, but there seems to be a pretty big world of people living out there. There are armies in tanks who apparently work for the Pod Minister, there is a large resistance gang who scout for new members all over the land which presumes that people are living on their own in small groups somehow.
Alina steal a tank, and then claims that she's started a war. I'm not really sure how.
Anyway, Alina brings Quinn, Bea and Maude back to her resistance hideout where her sadistic leader, Petra, locks up Bea and Maude and plans to use Quinn because of his status as a Premium. The war has presumably been building for some time as the resistance have a large base, full grown trees large enough to sit in which would indicate decades of growth if they had planted them, which is implied in an abandoned stadium where the seats are full of seedlings. Alina knows most of the people in the resistance despite the fact she's been living in the Pod forever. It's drummed in pretty hard that people can't just come and go from the Pod when they chose, so how she's keeping in contact with the hundreds of resistance members I have no idea.
Long story short, a war doesn't start. At least not in this book, I'm sure they'll go into it more in the next one but I don't care to read it. Things started picking up, action-wise, throughout the last third of the book and I read it way faster than I did the first two thirds. It's slow to start and it felt like I was missing something, perhaps something was lost in being in the minds of three characters. Personally, I would have liked to read the story purely from Alina's perspective. Quinn and Bea don't really add much to the overall narrative except to pine for each other. Oh, in the end Quinn realizes he is in love with Bea and they're soul mates or whatever.
Recommended, I'm sure it'll hit the mark for fans of dystopia :)
The premise is great. In a world with no trees and thus no oxygen, members of society live in Pods where they are supplied
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everything they need to live. But life outside the Pod isn't as desolate as it is claimed to be. There's a resistance forming, they can grow trees and can live without the aid of the Pods and thus deem them useless - governmental disaster. We follow the story from the POV's of three lead characters. Quinn, a premium boy who has the best of life in the Pod. Bea, a member of a working-class Pod family who struggle for the barest of oxygen. Bea also harbors a lust for Quinn. And Alina, a resistance fighter who infiltrated the Pod for some reason and is now breaking out.
The trio meet at the start of the novel and Quinn, with his Premium Powers, is able to sneak Alina across. The reason he does this annoys me, it's because she's pretty. She is a stranger to him, he is supposed to be going camping with Bea, and instead he sees a pretty face and literally sacrifices his own and Bea's safety to help Alina, who isn't that thankful. In fact, she's downright furious that they have wormed their way into her escape (which I don't mind by the way, Alina was my favourite character mainly due to her anti-social and abrasive ways).
The trio get out and Alina ditches Bea and Quinn, only to have to be saved by them when a decrepit old woman attacks Alina for her oxygen tank. Rather than leave the attacker behind or kill her, which is Alina's preference, Bea is horrified and decides they must bring her along. Bea bugged the crap out of me, she's so righteous. It's insufferable. And her whole life is Quinn, even though she's well aware that he's into Alina and doesn't like her "that way".
So this old woman, Maude, becomes part of the gang. With limited oxygen, food and having to be constantly on the move it seems like the worst decision to have brought along someone who will only slow them down, use their supplies and tried to kill them, but whatever.
Then odd stuff starts happening. We're told at the start of the novel that no one can live outside the Pods, but there seems to be a pretty big world of people living out there. There are armies in tanks who apparently work for the Pod Minister, there is a large resistance gang who scout for new members all over the land which presumes that people are living on their own in small groups somehow.
Alina steal a tank, and then claims that she's started a war. I'm not really sure how.
Anyway, Alina brings Quinn, Bea and Maude back to her resistance hideout where her sadistic leader, Petra, locks up Bea and Maude and plans to use Quinn because of his status as a Premium. The war has presumably been building for some time as the resistance have a large base, full grown trees large enough to sit in which would indicate decades of growth if they had planted them, which is implied in an abandoned stadium where the seats are full of seedlings. Alina knows most of the people in the resistance despite the fact she's been living in the Pod forever. It's drummed in pretty hard that people can't just come and go from the Pod when they chose, so how she's keeping in contact with the hundreds of resistance members I have no idea.
Long story short, a war doesn't start. At least not in this book, I'm sure they'll go into it more in the next one but I don't care to read it. Things started picking up, action-wise, throughout the last third of the book and I read it way faster than I did the first two thirds. It's slow to start and it felt like I was missing something, perhaps something was lost in being in the minds of three characters. Personally, I would have liked to read the story purely from Alina's perspective. Quinn and Bea don't really add much to the overall narrative except to pine for each other. Oh, in the end Quinn realizes he is in love with Bea and they're soul mates or whatever.
Recommended, I'm sure it'll hit the mark for fans of dystopia :)
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LibraryThing member sunshinejenn03
BREATHE left me breathless. Sarah Crossan has created a world so profound and scary, I hope to never see something like this happen. But even scarier…it could.
They say that humanity is the largest and longest plague Earth has ever experienced, and there is no better illustration of that than
I was blown away by BREATHE. It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a dystopian novel as much as I enjoyed this one. Crossan’s use of oxygen as the controlling element is so unique, but even better, it’s frightening because with all the logging we do now, this isn’t an impossible scenario. Improbable, maybe. But impossible? No.
I also enjoyed how relevant it all seemed. Because the government provides an essential commodity (in abundance), its citizens are absolutely indentured to them. I’ve always been a fan of the old adage “give a man a fish and he eats for one day; teach a man to fish and he eats for life.” The citizens in BREATHE ate for one day, at a time, because commodities were provided to them. And the lesson I took away from this was, the more one can take care of themselves, the less they have to depend on others for what they need. I never want to need from my government, but I especially never want to need air. The message overall felt particularly relevant to the political climate of today with the many social programs and the government’s desire to decide what is best for us.
Crossan’s characters covered the gamut of what a dystopian should have: the rebels, the people who are complacent and/or believe that what’s going on is good for the people, and finally, those who work for the government, ruling with their iron fist. I liked all these characters equally, because each had something so important to contribute to the story.
Bea, a level 3 sub, wants so badly to be a Premium, and is in love with a Premium. She believes in the cause of Breathe, the entity that created the dome and sustains their way of life. Except, she’s a reasonable girl, and what she thinks is the cause may not be afterall.
Quinn, a Premium, is humble and honest. It’s refreshing to get a privileged character like Quinn who hasn’t let it go to his head. He’s oblivious to a lot of things around him, something I did find irritating at times, but I chalked that up to his being a teenage boy. They’re all kind of dense. ☺
Alina is the smartest of the bunch. She sees things for what they are, but at the same time, her experiences have jaded her. And she feels she may have lost herself.
The three of them are such an unusual group, but I enjoyed their interaction with one another, as well as the other characters throughout the novel. I am not going to go into the other characters, especially the villains, because I want you to read it and make up your own mind about them. Are they truly evil, or are they surviving with what they’ve been given? I’ll leave that to you to decide.
BREATHE is a keeper and I urge every fan of the dystopian genre to read it. You will especially love it if you’re a fan of Under the Never Sky and – dare I say it – The Hunger Games.
They say that humanity is the largest and longest plague Earth has ever experienced, and there is no better illustration of that than
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Crossan’s new dystopian novel, BREATHE. In it, humanity has been nearly decimated of its own hand, by logging all the forests, causing oxygen levels to plummet. The lucky few chosen by lottery – or sheer importance to their field of study – won homes inside the glass-enclosed dome, where class systems have been put into place and families get taxed on the amount of air they use. Everything is run by the Ministry, and the Ministry watches everyone.I was blown away by BREATHE. It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a dystopian novel as much as I enjoyed this one. Crossan’s use of oxygen as the controlling element is so unique, but even better, it’s frightening because with all the logging we do now, this isn’t an impossible scenario. Improbable, maybe. But impossible? No.
I also enjoyed how relevant it all seemed. Because the government provides an essential commodity (in abundance), its citizens are absolutely indentured to them. I’ve always been a fan of the old adage “give a man a fish and he eats for one day; teach a man to fish and he eats for life.” The citizens in BREATHE ate for one day, at a time, because commodities were provided to them. And the lesson I took away from this was, the more one can take care of themselves, the less they have to depend on others for what they need. I never want to need from my government, but I especially never want to need air. The message overall felt particularly relevant to the political climate of today with the many social programs and the government’s desire to decide what is best for us.
Crossan’s characters covered the gamut of what a dystopian should have: the rebels, the people who are complacent and/or believe that what’s going on is good for the people, and finally, those who work for the government, ruling with their iron fist. I liked all these characters equally, because each had something so important to contribute to the story.
Bea, a level 3 sub, wants so badly to be a Premium, and is in love with a Premium. She believes in the cause of Breathe, the entity that created the dome and sustains their way of life. Except, she’s a reasonable girl, and what she thinks is the cause may not be afterall.
Quinn, a Premium, is humble and honest. It’s refreshing to get a privileged character like Quinn who hasn’t let it go to his head. He’s oblivious to a lot of things around him, something I did find irritating at times, but I chalked that up to his being a teenage boy. They’re all kind of dense. ☺
Alina is the smartest of the bunch. She sees things for what they are, but at the same time, her experiences have jaded her. And she feels she may have lost herself.
The three of them are such an unusual group, but I enjoyed their interaction with one another, as well as the other characters throughout the novel. I am not going to go into the other characters, especially the villains, because I want you to read it and make up your own mind about them. Are they truly evil, or are they surviving with what they’ve been given? I’ll leave that to you to decide.
BREATHE is a keeper and I urge every fan of the dystopian genre to read it. You will especially love it if you’re a fan of Under the Never Sky and – dare I say it – The Hunger Games.
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LibraryThing member AmberFIB
Breathe isn't the best or worst dystopian I've ever read. The concept is interesting, and the plot is intriguing, but the characters are god awful. I also really did not like the ending. I realize this is going to be a series, but I felt very defeated after that ending. I was like, "wow, I just
I'm not going to spend much time on the characters because it will just be a rant. None of the characters were very complex or interesting. None of them were well-developed. They had spontaneous growth spurts, and since it was first person POV with the three narrators listed above, feelings were told more than they were shown. Also, none of the characters were actually likable. Alina was rude and harsh, Quinn was ridiculously useless and flaky, and Bea whined constantly. Not my favorite cast.
The plot kept me reading, though, and I did enjoy it until the end. Even though I didn't like the characters, I still felt a sense of urgency with the plot. I also wanted to know what was going on with Abel, but I don't feel that was really tied up for me. No one's fate was sealed, and no questions were really answered. That bothered me. It was just a depressing ending. Yuck.
The world-building is fantastic, and I could clearly picture this world. I think that's what gave me the aforementioned sense of urgency. This world just seemed so real, it was hard not to care about the fate of it, even though I didn't care what happened to the characters. I'd say that the world-building and original idea were the two saving graces of this novel.
As I said, I would recommend this book for hardcore dystopian fans. A lot of people love it, and just because the characters bugged me doesn't mean they'll bug you. If you're unsure about it, check it out from the library. You may just find a book that you really love.
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wasted how long reading this book for THAT ending?" Anyway, that being said, hardcore dystopian fans are sure to love this. As previously stated, the plot is enjoyable and the world-building is fantastic. I'm not going to spend much time on the characters because it will just be a rant. None of the characters were very complex or interesting. None of them were well-developed. They had spontaneous growth spurts, and since it was first person POV with the three narrators listed above, feelings were told more than they were shown. Also, none of the characters were actually likable. Alina was rude and harsh, Quinn was ridiculously useless and flaky, and Bea whined constantly. Not my favorite cast.
The plot kept me reading, though, and I did enjoy it until the end. Even though I didn't like the characters, I still felt a sense of urgency with the plot. I also wanted to know what was going on with Abel, but I don't feel that was really tied up for me. No one's fate was sealed, and no questions were really answered. That bothered me. It was just a depressing ending. Yuck.
The world-building is fantastic, and I could clearly picture this world. I think that's what gave me the aforementioned sense of urgency. This world just seemed so real, it was hard not to care about the fate of it, even though I didn't care what happened to the characters. I'd say that the world-building and original idea were the two saving graces of this novel.
As I said, I would recommend this book for hardcore dystopian fans. A lot of people love it, and just because the characters bugged me doesn't mean they'll bug you. If you're unsure about it, check it out from the library. You may just find a book that you really love.
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LibraryThing member Bduke
After reading this, I take the air I breathe a little less for granted. The plot in this dystopian novel is built upon a world where people had used up the earth's resources so badly that oxygen levels are so low no one can breathe without air tanks or living in the "Pod". The people who control
Areas of concern: 3 uses of the "d" word, 1 each of "h" word and "a" word. 2 instances of body part and bodily function crudities. Dystopian violence with several non-graphic deaths and one disturbing death where a 16 year old watches someone get killed by a family member. 3 or 4 kisses.
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the oxygen in the Pod control all the people. It is told from 3 character's points of view. It was interesting to see the change that took place in the 3 characters throughout the course of the book. Alina softened up, Quinn grew up, and Bea had her eyes opened. It will be interesting to see where they go from here, because yes, it is the first book of either a trilogy or a series.Areas of concern: 3 uses of the "d" word, 1 each of "h" word and "a" word. 2 instances of body part and bodily function crudities. Dystopian violence with several non-graphic deaths and one disturbing death where a 16 year old watches someone get killed by a family member. 3 or 4 kisses.
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LibraryThing member kmjanek
This story alternates between 3 points of view. The narrators are Alina, Quinn and Bea. Alina is part of the resistance, Quinn has been living a privileged life in the Dome because of who his dad is and Bea is a second class citizen that has been best friends with Quinn for a while. Bea and Quinn
This book will be a good book for those readers who like dystopian fiction with a splash of environmentalism. There are a few parts in the book where it does seem like an environmental lecture. The resistance has a leader who has carefully cultivated her own little world outside of the dome, but her personality was frustratingly extreme (although, maybe that was the point). Quinn is devastated to learn that his own father is tracking down members of the resistance and trying to wipe them out. There is a bit of a love triangle and the book ends with a cliffhanger for the sequel. I would put this book on a dystopian fiction display. The alternating voices of the chapters give it an interesting perspective that a literature teacher might want to use as an example. I think that the cover and the story would attract both boys and girls. This book is a good addition to a school or public library.
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were going to go exploring outside of the dome. They took enough oxygen in their tank for about two days. Trips like that are not uncommon, but they are expensive. Citizens of the dome have to pay for their oxygen use and then government/corporation regulates who gets how much. They live in a dome due to environmental destruction on the rest of the planet. Most people have never seen real plants and trees because there aren’t any left. However, some resistance members grow plants in secret and believe that there is a way to survive outside of the dome on less oxygen. What the reader does not realize at this point is that the government has addicted the population to needing more oxygen then their bodies actually require.This book will be a good book for those readers who like dystopian fiction with a splash of environmentalism. There are a few parts in the book where it does seem like an environmental lecture. The resistance has a leader who has carefully cultivated her own little world outside of the dome, but her personality was frustratingly extreme (although, maybe that was the point). Quinn is devastated to learn that his own father is tracking down members of the resistance and trying to wipe them out. There is a bit of a love triangle and the book ends with a cliffhanger for the sequel. I would put this book on a dystopian fiction display. The alternating voices of the chapters give it an interesting perspective that a literature teacher might want to use as an example. I think that the cover and the story would attract both boys and girls. This book is a good addition to a school or public library.
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LibraryThing member juniperSun
Fast paced tale of 2 friends and another teenager, their life in a "pod:(sheltered city) when the earth's oxygen has been depelted by loss of trees and killing of the ocean by toxic agricultural and industrial chemicals. The lone teen is part of a guerrilla group working to renew the earth (or, as
Don't think too hard about the science behind the tale, just enjoy it as it is, and take it as a call to action to keep our world green.
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described by the establishment, bring an end to society as they know it). Can they trust each other? Can they succeed?Don't think too hard about the science behind the tale, just enjoy it as it is, and take it as a call to action to keep our world green.
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LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: In this futuristic world, oxygen is in demand and only one company can supply. The elite are the only one that can afford that price, but the poor are the ones to pay.
Opening Sentence: Breathing is a right, not a privilege, so I’m stealing it
The Review:
I love dystopians. Especially dystopians who have a conflict that relates to nature. In the case of Breathe by Sarah Crossan, she uses oxygen, or lack thereof, as the biggest obstacle. Breathing is something that many of us take for granted, and Crossan showcases that beautifully. The cover is fitting for the story, and lives up to the expectations.
Survivors of the Switch inhabit a glass dome. A company named Breathe has saved humanity and controls oxygen levels. Outside of the dome, nature has died, trees are non existent, and the masses are dependent on the only corporation who can supply oxygen. In this future, Crossan has devastated the world with over population, creating a supply and demand effect, and one that people definitely demand. Alina is the revolutionary, vowing to spread oxygen for free. Quinn is the privileged elitist, who is naive to the problems of the world. And Bea, is stuck in the power struggles of Breathe and the government, demanding oxygen like the rest of them.
Alina is a strong person, with a lot of defined values and beliefs. At first, I thought that she would be the written “enemy,” but I was wrong. Alina’s part in the story is about uncovering truths and reality checks. She was the voice of reason for the others. I liked how Alina was written to be feisty and filled with determination, but there was a point that she muddled through the story plot. For a moment, I lost sight of who she was, fearing that she would never show her bad self again.
Quinn was someone that I appreciated being written. He is the example of how the privileged live. Quinn is the son of an important person in Breathe, and really, he was naive to the outside world. Quinn had his eyes opened, in many occasions, and I cannot wait to see what role he plays in the future.
Bea was by far my favorite. She is smart, but is held back because of her social standing. It was a realistic portrayal of her social class, one that resonated within her personality throughout the story. At times, I felt she was whiny, but I think it added to her persona, and the possibilities of who her character can become.
I loved how Crossan wrote three characters with distinct personalities, belonging to different parts of society. The concept of the novel is different and unique, allowing the reader to engage and sympathize with the characters individually and collectively. The world within the dome and outside has it’s own distinct characteristics. And while a reader can choose where he/she would rather live, Crossan reveals enough to showcase variable pros and cons, but leaving enough for the rest of the series.
Crossan added many elements for the characters to fight against, but the fact that oxygen, the one thing that humans need to survive, was their biggest enemy, well that’s just genius. Even despite having to battle the politics and rule of Breathe, there was just no other way but to need oxygen.
I enjoyed most parts of Breathe, while I found some others too predictable. But I think that it was a smart move, giving the reader a form of familiarity with this world, in an otherwise unknown alternate universe. Breathe has a lot of promise and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.
Notable Scene:
“Do you have oxygen?” I ask Alina. Shaking a little, she pulls an air tank from her backpack, then attaches the cylinder to her hip using the belt. Once she pulls the transparent silicone mask over her mouth and nose, she tightens the straps at the back to ensure it is airtight. i take out my own tank and do the same.
When Bea gets through, she runs to us, though she shouldn’t and before I get a chance to speak, she throws herself at me. She presses into me so tightly it pinches. “Don’t break my ribs!” I say. I know she was worried. I don’t want to dwell on it. “I’ll help you with your mask,” I say. “We have to get going.
We walk down the sun-drenched glass tunnel — Bea, Alina, and me. We push open the revolving doors at the end. And we step, as one, into the airless planet.
FTC Advisory: Greenwillow/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Breathe. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: In this futuristic world, oxygen is in demand and only one company can supply. The elite are the only one that can afford that price, but the poor are the ones to pay.
Opening Sentence: Breathing is a right, not a privilege, so I’m stealing it
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back.The Review:
I love dystopians. Especially dystopians who have a conflict that relates to nature. In the case of Breathe by Sarah Crossan, she uses oxygen, or lack thereof, as the biggest obstacle. Breathing is something that many of us take for granted, and Crossan showcases that beautifully. The cover is fitting for the story, and lives up to the expectations.
Survivors of the Switch inhabit a glass dome. A company named Breathe has saved humanity and controls oxygen levels. Outside of the dome, nature has died, trees are non existent, and the masses are dependent on the only corporation who can supply oxygen. In this future, Crossan has devastated the world with over population, creating a supply and demand effect, and one that people definitely demand. Alina is the revolutionary, vowing to spread oxygen for free. Quinn is the privileged elitist, who is naive to the problems of the world. And Bea, is stuck in the power struggles of Breathe and the government, demanding oxygen like the rest of them.
Alina is a strong person, with a lot of defined values and beliefs. At first, I thought that she would be the written “enemy,” but I was wrong. Alina’s part in the story is about uncovering truths and reality checks. She was the voice of reason for the others. I liked how Alina was written to be feisty and filled with determination, but there was a point that she muddled through the story plot. For a moment, I lost sight of who she was, fearing that she would never show her bad self again.
Quinn was someone that I appreciated being written. He is the example of how the privileged live. Quinn is the son of an important person in Breathe, and really, he was naive to the outside world. Quinn had his eyes opened, in many occasions, and I cannot wait to see what role he plays in the future.
Bea was by far my favorite. She is smart, but is held back because of her social standing. It was a realistic portrayal of her social class, one that resonated within her personality throughout the story. At times, I felt she was whiny, but I think it added to her persona, and the possibilities of who her character can become.
I loved how Crossan wrote three characters with distinct personalities, belonging to different parts of society. The concept of the novel is different and unique, allowing the reader to engage and sympathize with the characters individually and collectively. The world within the dome and outside has it’s own distinct characteristics. And while a reader can choose where he/she would rather live, Crossan reveals enough to showcase variable pros and cons, but leaving enough for the rest of the series.
Crossan added many elements for the characters to fight against, but the fact that oxygen, the one thing that humans need to survive, was their biggest enemy, well that’s just genius. Even despite having to battle the politics and rule of Breathe, there was just no other way but to need oxygen.
I enjoyed most parts of Breathe, while I found some others too predictable. But I think that it was a smart move, giving the reader a form of familiarity with this world, in an otherwise unknown alternate universe. Breathe has a lot of promise and I cannot wait for the rest of the series.
Notable Scene:
“Do you have oxygen?” I ask Alina. Shaking a little, she pulls an air tank from her backpack, then attaches the cylinder to her hip using the belt. Once she pulls the transparent silicone mask over her mouth and nose, she tightens the straps at the back to ensure it is airtight. i take out my own tank and do the same.
When Bea gets through, she runs to us, though she shouldn’t and before I get a chance to speak, she throws herself at me. She presses into me so tightly it pinches. “Don’t break my ribs!” I say. I know she was worried. I don’t want to dwell on it. “I’ll help you with your mask,” I say. “We have to get going.
We walk down the sun-drenched glass tunnel — Bea, Alina, and me. We push open the revolving doors at the end. And we step, as one, into the airless planet.
FTC Advisory: Greenwillow/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Breathe. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member avanders
On this, here, Election Day... a book review. Nothing about the election ;)
Breathe is yet another dystopian, not-too-distant future, young adult novel about the dangers of taking something essential for granted, and, of course, some romance. But don't get discouraged by that description. When I
YET. It was a great take on the "same-old." In this instance, the essential element that we've taken for granted is, you guessed it, air. We've cut down all the trees, and now we must subsist on manufactured air in a bubble. The bubble is, of course, tightly managed by the elite, and there is, of course, a resistance.
But the story was very well told, the characters were vivid and believable (plus flawed! but not too flawed ;)), and the plot moves along at the perfect pace. I read the book quickly, and I was very satisfied when I turned the last page.
For its audience, this book is definitely a stand-out. I highly recommend.
Breathe is yet another dystopian, not-too-distant future, young adult novel about the dangers of taking something essential for granted, and, of course, some romance. But don't get discouraged by that description. When I
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first started reading the book, I sighed in resignation.YET. It was a great take on the "same-old." In this instance, the essential element that we've taken for granted is, you guessed it, air. We've cut down all the trees, and now we must subsist on manufactured air in a bubble. The bubble is, of course, tightly managed by the elite, and there is, of course, a resistance.
But the story was very well told, the characters were vivid and believable (plus flawed! but not too flawed ;)), and the plot moves along at the perfect pace. I read the book quickly, and I was very satisfied when I turned the last page.
For its audience, this book is definitely a stand-out. I highly recommend.
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LibraryThing member dasuzuki
This review is going to be pretty short and sweet because honestly this book didn't arouse any strong feelings in me. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't anything new that blew me away. The characters were pretty blah. Alina was tough and yet naive with nothing that stood out. Bea had nothing that
The story itself was mildly interesting though everything was pretty predictable. Of course there was a conspiracy going on and there was the love triangle angle as they all search for the truth. It followed the formula for dystopian stories to a tee but did not add any aspect that made it stand out among the flood of dystopian reads out there these days.
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really made her stand out and Quinn was such a clueless...well, boy. The story itself was mildly interesting though everything was pretty predictable. Of course there was a conspiracy going on and there was the love triangle angle as they all search for the truth. It followed the formula for dystopian stories to a tee but did not add any aspect that made it stand out among the flood of dystopian reads out there these days.
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LibraryThing member booktwirps
There are many things in life we take for granted — things we depend on and that we say we can’t live without: Internet, smart phones, computers, cable TV and automobiles to name a few. But the thing is, we can live without these things. In fact, several people living today have lived without
In Sarah Crossan’s Breathe, the world we know is dangerously low on oxygen. Human greed has wiped out trees to make room for more buildings and highways and fields to plant food to keep up with the ever-growing population. The loss of trees has left the planet without a natural source of oxygen. Lucky for the survivors, a big corporation has figured out a way to make oxygen, and a lucky few, chosen by lottery, were chosen to live inside a glass dome filled with artificial oxygen. Now, you have to pay to breathe. Every family belongs to a class and each class has their place in the dome. The one thing they all have in common is that they are taxed on the amount of oxygen they use. Everything is run by a government known as The Ministry, and while the government is typically the evil one in dystopian novels, this one was especially frightening to me because at any moment they could easily take away more than just a simple luxury. And, as expected, the government is hiding something and there’s a rebel group determined to tell the truth.
The novel focuses on three characters: Quinn, Bea and Alina. Each of them from a different cast, and each with a different viewpoint of their world. Quinn is one of the privileged. His father works for the government, therefore, his family receives special treatment (ie unlimited oxygen). Bea is an eternal optimist and doesn’t question the motives of The Ministry, even though her family is from a lower class than Quinn’s. Her parents work long days in order to provide enough oxygen for the family, and though Bea seems to accept this, she doesn’t necessarily agree with it. Alina belongs to the rebel group — a group that lives in constant danger of being ousted from the dome. This is the group hell-bent on taking over the dome and outing the government’s evil ways.
When I started the book, I had a hard time getting close to the characters. The POV shifts between each of the three, and honestly, Alia was the one I felt for most, even though she comes off a little bitchy and jaded. About midway, I got more into the rhythm of the book and the heads of the characters and I was able to connect with them more. In the end, I really liked all of them in a different way.
The story was what really grabbed me. The book is very plot driven, and the twists and the tension were what kept me engaged. Ms. Crossan has written the book with care and chose her words precisely. There were times when I felt suffocated. The book also isn’t mired down with an unnecessary love triangle, though it does hint at one. There is a little romance (Bea has a huge crush on Quinn), but it isn’t the main focus. I don’t mind romance, but only when it feels natural, and in this case, focusing on a romance rather than the real issue at hand would have totally ruined the book.
While the book does have a few stumbling points (awkward pacing in some areas and I would have liked a tad more character development) it is a good read. The main elements of a dystopian novel are all present and accounted for, and while this can get a little tired, the overall premise was enough to keep me engaged. I would recommend this to dystopian fans.
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most of them at one point in their lives. Would life be inconvenient without them? Sure. They are a huge part of our lives, but we could live without them. But what about oxygen? When asked what you can’t live without, that one simple thing each of us use every day without even thinking about it because it’s free, would never cross our minds.THAT is something we truly cannot live without.In Sarah Crossan’s Breathe, the world we know is dangerously low on oxygen. Human greed has wiped out trees to make room for more buildings and highways and fields to plant food to keep up with the ever-growing population. The loss of trees has left the planet without a natural source of oxygen. Lucky for the survivors, a big corporation has figured out a way to make oxygen, and a lucky few, chosen by lottery, were chosen to live inside a glass dome filled with artificial oxygen. Now, you have to pay to breathe. Every family belongs to a class and each class has their place in the dome. The one thing they all have in common is that they are taxed on the amount of oxygen they use. Everything is run by a government known as The Ministry, and while the government is typically the evil one in dystopian novels, this one was especially frightening to me because at any moment they could easily take away more than just a simple luxury. And, as expected, the government is hiding something and there’s a rebel group determined to tell the truth.
The novel focuses on three characters: Quinn, Bea and Alina. Each of them from a different cast, and each with a different viewpoint of their world. Quinn is one of the privileged. His father works for the government, therefore, his family receives special treatment (ie unlimited oxygen). Bea is an eternal optimist and doesn’t question the motives of The Ministry, even though her family is from a lower class than Quinn’s. Her parents work long days in order to provide enough oxygen for the family, and though Bea seems to accept this, she doesn’t necessarily agree with it. Alina belongs to the rebel group — a group that lives in constant danger of being ousted from the dome. This is the group hell-bent on taking over the dome and outing the government’s evil ways.
When I started the book, I had a hard time getting close to the characters. The POV shifts between each of the three, and honestly, Alia was the one I felt for most, even though she comes off a little bitchy and jaded. About midway, I got more into the rhythm of the book and the heads of the characters and I was able to connect with them more. In the end, I really liked all of them in a different way.
The story was what really grabbed me. The book is very plot driven, and the twists and the tension were what kept me engaged. Ms. Crossan has written the book with care and chose her words precisely. There were times when I felt suffocated. The book also isn’t mired down with an unnecessary love triangle, though it does hint at one. There is a little romance (Bea has a huge crush on Quinn), but it isn’t the main focus. I don’t mind romance, but only when it feels natural, and in this case, focusing on a romance rather than the real issue at hand would have totally ruined the book.
While the book does have a few stumbling points (awkward pacing in some areas and I would have liked a tad more character development) it is a good read. The main elements of a dystopian novel are all present and accounted for, and while this can get a little tired, the overall premise was enough to keep me engaged. I would recommend this to dystopian fans.
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LibraryThing member pollywannabook
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
Few things are more frightening than a world without breathable air, which is why it makes for a near perfect setting in the new dystopian series from Sarah Crossan. In BREATHE, the world’s air supply was depleted when the trees and oceans were
There are three protagonists in BREATHE who each represent the three people groups in this world: Quinn the privleged Premium, Bea the poor Auxiliary, and Alina the member of the rebel group. These three end up together outside the dome on the run from just about everyone: Premium soldiers, crazy isolationists, Government officials. The characters all have distinct–and likeable–voices. I never felt impatient while reading one over another (something I usually do with multiple POV books).
As cool and creepy as this dystopian world was, the romance was rather anemic. The description (and cover) hinted at love triangle, but there really wasn’t one–at least not for very long. When the couple does get together, it seemed to happen in a vacuum without any real reason or explanation. They literally had a run-to-each-other-and-start-kissing moment. Because the story is told in rotating point of view, I expected that at least one of them would explain why they decided they were in love, but it never happened. I even checked my ARC to make sure I wasn’t missing a few chapters (as far as I could tell everything was there).
The resolution of the romance didn’t kill the book for me by any means since it isn’t a huge part of BREATHE, but the ending came off as a little rushed, with a few logical inconsistencies which did knock it down a rating. Still, the writing is solid, the characters equally compelling, and the dystopian world is perfectly unsettling. Fans of DIVERGENT and UNDER THE NEVER SKY should definitely get their hands on BREATHE and be ready to pick up the next book in the Breathe series, RESIST, on October 10, 2013.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
Few things are more frightening than a world without breathable air, which is why it makes for a near perfect setting in the new dystopian series from Sarah Crossan. In BREATHE, the world’s air supply was depleted when the trees and oceans were
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destroyed. Those who survived have built new societies in massive domes where air is currency and only the wealthy Premiums can afford enough to exorcise and have children. The tension between these classes is just delicious.There are three protagonists in BREATHE who each represent the three people groups in this world: Quinn the privleged Premium, Bea the poor Auxiliary, and Alina the member of the rebel group. These three end up together outside the dome on the run from just about everyone: Premium soldiers, crazy isolationists, Government officials. The characters all have distinct–and likeable–voices. I never felt impatient while reading one over another (something I usually do with multiple POV books).
As cool and creepy as this dystopian world was, the romance was rather anemic. The description (and cover) hinted at love triangle, but there really wasn’t one–at least not for very long. When the couple does get together, it seemed to happen in a vacuum without any real reason or explanation. They literally had a run-to-each-other-and-start-kissing moment. Because the story is told in rotating point of view, I expected that at least one of them would explain why they decided they were in love, but it never happened. I even checked my ARC to make sure I wasn’t missing a few chapters (as far as I could tell everything was there).
The resolution of the romance didn’t kill the book for me by any means since it isn’t a huge part of BREATHE, but the ending came off as a little rushed, with a few logical inconsistencies which did knock it down a rating. Still, the writing is solid, the characters equally compelling, and the dystopian world is perfectly unsettling. Fans of DIVERGENT and UNDER THE NEVER SKY should definitely get their hands on BREATHE and be ready to pick up the next book in the Breathe series, RESIST, on October 10, 2013.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
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LibraryThing member Bookswithbite
I absolutely loved this book! Take a moment and think about this. How many times do you breathe a day? What if air was so depleted, that you had to buy air to do stuff? Like you had to buy air to dance, to take a stroll in a park, or even buy air just so you can play a sport. This conception of
The characters of the book, all three of them is awesome to see. You see every class. The premium, the middle class and the lower class. To put yourself in their shoes for a short amount of time, to see the way they live is crazy. At times, I just couldn't believe how easily it was to slip into the world. The politics, the enormity of the truth just beckoning at the door, you will read faster just to get to the end.
Their is a love interest that I adored. It's one of those, right under your nose love interest. At this point of the story, the author makes a wise choice is keeping the love interest close yet far away. I liked the chase that is given, plus it just to the tension. And of course once the find each other, it FIREWORKS!
Breathe is mind-blowing dystopian story! The extravagant plot along with well developed characters, the reader is swept off their feet. Breathe makes for a compelling read from start to finish. Towards the end of the story, the reader is ravished with truths that certainly make you beg for more. Breathe is delectable masterpiece.
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this story amazes me! After thinking about what I would do, if I was down to the thinnest air I can have just to survive, there is really nothing to live for. As you can tell from the description of the book, the plot of the best part. It hooks the reader right away, leaving them breathless.The characters of the book, all three of them is awesome to see. You see every class. The premium, the middle class and the lower class. To put yourself in their shoes for a short amount of time, to see the way they live is crazy. At times, I just couldn't believe how easily it was to slip into the world. The politics, the enormity of the truth just beckoning at the door, you will read faster just to get to the end.
Their is a love interest that I adored. It's one of those, right under your nose love interest. At this point of the story, the author makes a wise choice is keeping the love interest close yet far away. I liked the chase that is given, plus it just to the tension. And of course once the find each other, it FIREWORKS!
Breathe is mind-blowing dystopian story! The extravagant plot along with well developed characters, the reader is swept off their feet. Breathe makes for a compelling read from start to finish. Towards the end of the story, the reader is ravished with truths that certainly make you beg for more. Breathe is delectable masterpiece.
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LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
The cover, the synposis, and the idea of a world without air enticed me to pick up Breathe by Sarah Crossan, but then as I began to read... I had the strangest feeling of deja vu. So let me start this review with a warning - if you've seen The Lorax lately, or read the book, then I would advise you
That said, Breathe is told from the three separate viewpoints, Bea, Quinn, and Alina. A twist on the typical love triangle is held inside, with each person desiring another or none at all, and each come from completely different walks of life within the Pod. What is the Pod? Well - according to the science in this book, there is only 6% oxygen in the air outside of the pod, not enough for humans to live on. Now, I'm not a scientist, but I seem to remember that rain and raincloads is made up of 2/3 hydrogen and 1/3 oxygen, so if there is very little oxygen, the rain and snow that forms outside the pod ... is just an example of why you might need to research science a little bit. Also, according to the bit of research I've done, without rain or clouds or.. really an ozone layer (which is made up of oxygen), the world would be desperately hot - not cold as Sarah Crossan makes her earth to be. Do you see why I have an issue with this book?
Crossan tries to make an interesting story, and I give her credit for that. Science aside, there was enough action and factions to make things interesting - but I was distracted, repeatedly, by the presents of things that just couldn't exist that were making the lives of Alina, Bea, and Quinn difficult. And that distraction (especially since I am most definitely not a science-minded person, so it had to be a pretty heavy distraction to get my notice) made this book lose it's appeal and, in essence, I had to force my way through the last half of it just because I had a slight interest in one of the main characters.
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to pick up this book with the warning that the world inside might look a little cartoonish, as it's very, very similar.That said, Breathe is told from the three separate viewpoints, Bea, Quinn, and Alina. A twist on the typical love triangle is held inside, with each person desiring another or none at all, and each come from completely different walks of life within the Pod. What is the Pod? Well - according to the science in this book, there is only 6% oxygen in the air outside of the pod, not enough for humans to live on. Now, I'm not a scientist, but I seem to remember that rain and raincloads is made up of 2/3 hydrogen and 1/3 oxygen, so if there is very little oxygen, the rain and snow that forms outside the pod ... is just an example of why you might need to research science a little bit. Also, according to the bit of research I've done, without rain or clouds or.. really an ozone layer (which is made up of oxygen), the world would be desperately hot - not cold as Sarah Crossan makes her earth to be. Do you see why I have an issue with this book?
Crossan tries to make an interesting story, and I give her credit for that. Science aside, there was enough action and factions to make things interesting - but I was distracted, repeatedly, by the presents of things that just couldn't exist that were making the lives of Alina, Bea, and Quinn difficult. And that distraction (especially since I am most definitely not a science-minded person, so it had to be a pretty heavy distraction to get my notice) made this book lose it's appeal and, in essence, I had to force my way through the last half of it just because I had a slight interest in one of the main characters.
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LibraryThing member littleduck
if you like Veronica Roth's divergent series and ally Condie's matched series you will love this series as well. Crossen is able to make you feel everything Bea feels and as she delves into her feelings for her best friend and Quinn and how the government has made them all live. Bea shows you that
Quinn who puts Bea on the path of exploring her feelings about the government and all around her is sweet but totally clueless. Especially about his own feelings. All Bea's and Quinn's exploration and strength in each other and themselves comes about because Quinn is trying to impress a girl. A girl he likes for he never explored his feelings for Bea. At least not until he may lose her. That is when he realizes that she is his world.
Allina is smart and confident but also a little selfish and misguided. She believes in her cause but the collateral damage isn't something she had to deal with before now.
As they explore beyound the area they always lived in and try to survive you will root for Quinn and Bea and the strength to survive all that they are going through.
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although she is a auxiliary she does have something to contribute. She is smart, funny, adorable and stronger than she imagined. Her cool head keeps her and Quinn from trouble many times. Her belief in Quinn is unwavering and her love is too. Quinn who puts Bea on the path of exploring her feelings about the government and all around her is sweet but totally clueless. Especially about his own feelings. All Bea's and Quinn's exploration and strength in each other and themselves comes about because Quinn is trying to impress a girl. A girl he likes for he never explored his feelings for Bea. At least not until he may lose her. That is when he realizes that she is his world.
Allina is smart and confident but also a little selfish and misguided. She believes in her cause but the collateral damage isn't something she had to deal with before now.
As they explore beyound the area they always lived in and try to survive you will root for Quinn and Bea and the strength to survive all that they are going through.
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LibraryThing member MsHooker
[Breathe] by [Sarah Crossan] was a dystopian novel where the government manipulated people to remain in power. The earth's atmosphere has been depleted so badly that the air can not sustain life. Or, that is what people believe. [Crossan] creates a world full of lies and intrigue but characters
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that are heroic and keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lindsay_W
This book is signed out quite a bit in our library and after seeing author Sarah Crossan speak at Kid Lit for Black Lives, I decided it was time to finally check it out myself. Breathe is a thrilling YA dystopian adventure with strong female characters and a little romance too. I think stories like
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these will have a resurgence during the pandemic as kids try to image how they might survive in a world very different from the one they are living in. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
THis book proposes the question, what would you do and how would you live if breathable air was a comedy, something to be bought and sold. Years ago, there was a “switch”, a point where there was too little oxygen in the air to make it breathable. What happened to all the air? The trees and
Some of this read is very predictable, and some just asinine. It was a quick read and I like most of the characters, just not all of them. I enjoyed this series, and it ends on a cliffhanger, but I am not sure I care enough to read the second book. I have it, but it’s not a priority.
#Booked2019 #cliFi
#BBRC #vacationRead
+16 #TBRread
#MountTBR
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plants were cut down for various reasons such as making farm ground, or building homes, etc. Now most people live in city bubbles where air is tiered. The are rules on how much activity you can do, and instead of just factoring in food and clothes to have a kid, you have to factor in how much air you have. Yes, you have a certain amount that you pay taxes for every month, but if you go over that allotment, then you get a bill. The idea is sound, and with the razing of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil in the last year, the topic is relevant. But I am not sure how sound the science is.There seems to be plenty of water and plenty of food, but not plenty of air. Hummmmm. THe part that is so very true to like beside the destruction of our trees and oxygen producing commodities, was the big businesses that does bad things to keep it’s profit margins up. Some of this read is very predictable, and some just asinine. It was a quick read and I like most of the characters, just not all of them. I enjoyed this series, and it ends on a cliffhanger, but I am not sure I care enough to read the second book. I have it, but it’s not a priority.
#Booked2019 #cliFi
#BBRC #vacationRead
+16 #TBRread
#MountTBR
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LibraryThing member alcarinqa
Breathe is a surprising read that uses the tropes of YA in refreshing ways and entertains its readers to the max. Full of danger and action, it is a thrilling read that explores human relationships and questions what one is capable of when faced with the impossible.
When I started Breathe, I thought
I mentioned the three protagonists before: Alina, the rebel who has to escape the authorities in the Pod who are determined to punish her; Quinn, a Premium who is expected to take on leadership responsibilities in the Pod because of his father’s position in the Council; and his best friend Bea, a talented and law-abiding Auxiliary who dreams of being elevated to Premium status so her family can live comfortably. They are realistic and engaging characters, and I don’t think I can pick a favourite between them, they are all flawed and memorable. The author didn’t complicate their relationships by adding a love triangle, and I agree – it’s all complicated enough without that unnecessary element!
The book begins slowly, and I recall thinking that if it continued to creep along like that, I wouldn’t make it past the first Part (there are five in the book). However, it ramps up beautifully and I think Breathe would be quite difficult to put down past the half way point! The author does a wonderful job of building up the tension until everything snaps and chaos reigns, it’s very enjoyable
I was impressed with this book, and I even more excited to find out it is the first in a series. I’m looking forward to reading more about the world and its characters in Resist (expected publication October 2013), and recommend Breathe to those who want to read about a thrilling Dystopian world without it being relegated to a backdrop for a love triangle.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
When I started Breathe, I thought
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it was going to be like the other Dystopian books I have read, and while there are similarities, what impressed me is the motivation behind the three protagonists in the book, and how cleverly Crossan shows us all sides of the story and explores her world. It’s not a simple world, and it is proven that not all the Premiums are uncaring and privileged, and not all the Auxiliaries are rebellious and uncouth. Another thing I love is that this interesting world isn’t simply a backdrop for the romance in the story, but a solid element in the world building and well realised.I mentioned the three protagonists before: Alina, the rebel who has to escape the authorities in the Pod who are determined to punish her; Quinn, a Premium who is expected to take on leadership responsibilities in the Pod because of his father’s position in the Council; and his best friend Bea, a talented and law-abiding Auxiliary who dreams of being elevated to Premium status so her family can live comfortably. They are realistic and engaging characters, and I don’t think I can pick a favourite between them, they are all flawed and memorable. The author didn’t complicate their relationships by adding a love triangle, and I agree – it’s all complicated enough without that unnecessary element!
The book begins slowly, and I recall thinking that if it continued to creep along like that, I wouldn’t make it past the first Part (there are five in the book). However, it ramps up beautifully and I think Breathe would be quite difficult to put down past the half way point! The author does a wonderful job of building up the tension until everything snaps and chaos reigns, it’s very enjoyable
I was impressed with this book, and I even more excited to find out it is the first in a series. I’m looking forward to reading more about the world and its characters in Resist (expected publication October 2013), and recommend Breathe to those who want to read about a thrilling Dystopian world without it being relegated to a backdrop for a love triangle.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic.
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LibraryThing member roses7184
Bea lives in a world where breathing is no longer a right, but a privilege. The rich have ample amounts of oxygen, while the poor have to perform the most menial work to earn a minimal amount. I have to admit that I was totally drawn in by the world that Sarah Crossan built in Breathe. I settled in
That being said, there are some great ideas presented here. The concept of the POD world that Bea lives in is amazing. Watching her visit the only living trees left in the world, courtesy of course of the "generous" government, was heart wrenching. I couldn't imagine living in a world where being outside was a thing of the past. Sadly, there wasn't a lot of time spent here, and that was one of the things I had the most problem with. I had so many questions that were left unanswered when the action started picking up.
Then there were the characters themselves. While I liked Bea, she was pretty much the only one I actually felt anything for. Quinn is a rich boy through and through. It's hard to see past his spoiled exterior, even when he is being sweet. Plus, well, having two girls fawn over you is all well and good. Still, I can't deny I all but hated the way he treated Bea. Personal opinion, I know. This lackluster romance, this love triangle, just didn't work for me.
Breathe was a mixed bag for me, if I'm being honest. While there were parts of it that I was hooked into, the remainder of it really fell short for me. I'm a very character driven person. The fact that I didn't feel anything for Bea and her cohorts really made me sad. Give this a shot if you are a fan of gritty dystopian books.
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and prepared to find out what was in store for her characters.That being said, there are some great ideas presented here. The concept of the POD world that Bea lives in is amazing. Watching her visit the only living trees left in the world, courtesy of course of the "generous" government, was heart wrenching. I couldn't imagine living in a world where being outside was a thing of the past. Sadly, there wasn't a lot of time spent here, and that was one of the things I had the most problem with. I had so many questions that were left unanswered when the action started picking up.
Then there were the characters themselves. While I liked Bea, she was pretty much the only one I actually felt anything for. Quinn is a rich boy through and through. It's hard to see past his spoiled exterior, even when he is being sweet. Plus, well, having two girls fawn over you is all well and good. Still, I can't deny I all but hated the way he treated Bea. Personal opinion, I know. This lackluster romance, this love triangle, just didn't work for me.
Breathe was a mixed bag for me, if I'm being honest. While there were parts of it that I was hooked into, the remainder of it really fell short for me. I'm a very character driven person. The fact that I didn't feel anything for Bea and her cohorts really made me sad. Give this a shot if you are a fan of gritty dystopian books.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
I was very disappointed with Breathe by Sarah Crossan. This is a YA dystopian book and I was hoping for an exciting, involving read but the plot didn’t hold together very well, the characters were not very interesting and there was more emphasis on the teen romance angle than in the survival
Set in a future where humans have deforested and polluted the planet causing the earth to run short of oxygen. Humans now live under a glass dome and manufacture their air supply. People are divided into levels with the top level being the Premiums who have most things handed to them on a platter, then the Auxiliaries who have to work and worry about air supply and food. Outside the Pod are drifters, who don’t fit anywhere and the Resistance who want to overthrow the power and bring back the environment. The three main characters are teens and one is a Premium, one an Auxiliary and one a Resistance member. These three cross paths and set the revolution in motion.
I don’t know if I will continue on with this story, but I suspect not. This first book was as exciting as watching paint dry and I really don’t think I want to put myself through that again. Time to move on, I think.
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story. I should have abandoned this book but I finished it because I was hoping it would get better as I have the sequel sitting on my shelves and because this was a book I was reading to complete a challenge.Set in a future where humans have deforested and polluted the planet causing the earth to run short of oxygen. Humans now live under a glass dome and manufacture their air supply. People are divided into levels with the top level being the Premiums who have most things handed to them on a platter, then the Auxiliaries who have to work and worry about air supply and food. Outside the Pod are drifters, who don’t fit anywhere and the Resistance who want to overthrow the power and bring back the environment. The three main characters are teens and one is a Premium, one an Auxiliary and one a Resistance member. These three cross paths and set the revolution in motion.
I don’t know if I will continue on with this story, but I suspect not. This first book was as exciting as watching paint dry and I really don’t think I want to put myself through that again. Time to move on, I think.
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LibraryThing member schatzi
I was pretty excited to start reading this book, but that changed quickly. The world building is severely lacking, and I couldn't stand any of the three main characters, so reading this book sucked. Quinn is such a moron about everything; he's more concerned about some girl he barely knows than, oh He even goes so far as to ask Alina's cousin, Silas, if he has a crush on her too. LOLWTF.
Nope.
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I don't know, his freaking best friend for years. His priorities needed serious rearranging. Nope.
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Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2014)
Language
Original publication date
2012-10-02
ISBN
9781408829417
Other editions
Breathe by Sarah Crossan (Ebook)
Breathe by Sarah Crossan (Ebook)