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whisper447's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really enjoyable story, which I managed to get though in a single day. It was an very interesting read about the future of America after they get rid of lawyers, change the idea of criminal trials and make the punishments harsher for all crimes as well as pulling away from all other countries and constructing a wall around the country to keep everyone else out. Children who happen to be born in Prison are kept in with their parents with all the other criminals until they turn 18 and then are only allowed to leave then if they please the probation board.
This is quite a scary read, when thinking about this potential turn of ideas. While the current Prison can be said to not be working, this is a scary, unpleasant alternative.
I liked that the history of the Nation wasn't explained until 3/4's of the way through the book, it kept me reading- I wanted that explanation of what the bloody hell that happened! The ending of the book was fairly rushed and just ended, I assume that there will be a sequel to this book or a potential series in order to continue on the story. If not, then I was disappointed in the ending, in my opinion i didn't like it for a standalone book, not with all the threads left open and unexplained.
I hope there is another book and if there is I shall definitely be reading it.
This is quite a scary read, when thinking about this potential turn of ideas. While the current Prison can be said to not be working, this is a scary, unpleasant alternative.
I liked that the history of the Nation wasn't explained until 3/4's of the way through the book, it kept me reading- I wanted that explanation of what the bloody hell that happened! The ending of the book was fairly rushed and just ended, I assume that there will be a sequel to this book or a potential series in order to continue on the story. If not, then I was disappointed in the ending, in my opinion i didn't like it for a standalone book, not with all the threads left open and unexplained.
I hope there is another book and if there is I shall definitely be reading it.
jen286's review against another edition
3.0
This book started off and I loved it. I loved the whole first part of the book (though I thought it was odd that Carl just shows up suddenly...why didn't he get transfered sooner?). I was hoping it would continue being great once Millie got out, but unfortunately it just wasn't. Everything was so easy and happened so quickly. I felt no chemistry between Millie and Reed and everything was just like sudden.
Spoiler
Like all of a sudden she decides to learn what really happened to her parents. Then suddenly she see Maria get thrown in jail and so then suddenly they need to escape!!! I mean okay so Reed and Eddie were planning on one day escaping, so do they have a plan? No. No plan. They just start driving. Okay...how are they planning this again? So obviously when Jude gave Millie the key to the wall that is what was going to happen, but I don't understand what the plan was after that. So they finally they make it to the wall and go through the door...and I am not sure what they were going to do then. I mean they decide to go back and Reed says something like they have to help people, if they only show people how to get out that is fine but they have to do something. Okay what are they going to do once they go through this door in the wall? They are stuck on this beach that is no where close to anything. So now they are stuck on a beach with nothing Perfect plan. I just don't understand what would have happened next and it was such a disappointment.namaria's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic dystopia novel. I fell in love with Millie right from the start, and I loved the world-building. It was scary to see how many of the events in the novel were happening present-day in our world. This is a must-read for any individual.
rjermann's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty quick read. It's the basic big brother is watching, this is what could happen to our nation young adult story. Good easy read, entertaining.
haley_j_casey's review against another edition
3.0
More accurately, I'd give this book a 3.5
I'm trying to decide if I should buy a paperback copy instead of simply owning the ebook.
Prison Nation was yet another cleverly done Dystopian book, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Millie has spent her entire life, born and raised, in Spokane, one of the four prisons in what is now the walled in country of the United States. Since her parents, not she, are the ones who committed the crime which resulted in her life in prison, at the age of 18 she is finally given the opportunity to leave.
I loved the setting of this book, and the idea, and Merritt does a wonderful job setting the story up. The beginning is brilliant— she really gives you a feel for Millie's life. That being said, the rest of the book felt a little rushed. When she finally does earn her life outside the prison walls, everything happens just a little too fast for my taste, and the ending comes too quickly and too easily.
However, that does not change the fact that I liked the book, quite a bit more than expected. I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel and definitely recommend it!
I'm trying to decide if I should buy a paperback copy instead of simply owning the ebook.
Prison Nation was yet another cleverly done Dystopian book, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Millie has spent her entire life, born and raised, in Spokane, one of the four prisons in what is now the walled in country of the United States. Since her parents, not she, are the ones who committed the crime which resulted in her life in prison, at the age of 18 she is finally given the opportunity to leave.
I loved the setting of this book, and the idea, and Merritt does a wonderful job setting the story up. The beginning is brilliant— she really gives you a feel for Millie's life. That being said, the rest of the book felt a little rushed. When she finally does earn her life outside the prison walls, everything happens just a little too fast for my taste, and the ending comes too quickly and too easily.
However, that does not change the fact that I liked the book, quite a bit more than expected. I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel and definitely recommend it!
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
3.0
meh. interesting premise, but the execution left something to be desired. ignoring the abundant errors in the text (Hello, bad editing), the plot was pretty predictable as well.
readwithcass's review against another edition
4.0
Prison Nation:
4 Stars.
Another book that leaves me wanting to know the rest of the story. I couldn't put this book down, yet another amazing book in this collection. I have not been disappointed yet. I think "Prison Nation" is in a tie with "The Moon Dwellers" for my favorite of the collection so far.
I was not disappointed with the civilization that Merritt created in this novel. I enjoyed the back story that was given and I found that concept of this dystopia to be rather intriguing; still very harsh, but all the same intriguing. I felt it was very well thought out and it didn't leave me with many unanswered questions through out the whole novel.
I thought the pace of the novel was very consistent and moved rather quickly. I felt there was also something happening, and I enjoyed watching the beginning of Millie's journey as a free person. I felt that the setting in which the novel's took place left a lot of description to be desired, and I also felt that for someone who has spent their life in a cage. I didn't find her very intrigued by her surroundings, she gave little detail to the setting and her surroundings. Just a comment for the author perhaps.
Now as far as content goes, I was pleased with the back story of the civilization, its rules and laws. The concept of the prison nation was very well explained. The interactions between characters, well since besides Millie and Reed, my personal favorites were Orrin and Jude. I am left slightly disappointed. I didn't think they were well developed in the story and I hope to see more in future novels. Speaking of Orrin, I was not surprised at all when Orrin turned out to be Reed's father. I saw a lot of foreshadowing when Reed first talked about his family, and I saw that coming a mile away.
Now, as far as Millie goes; her spirit that was probably my favorite part of her character. She was stubborn as a mule and timid with her freedom. You could tell that she was fighting a lot of internal battles through out the novel and I found myself sympathizing with her. I didn't exactly identify with her character as much as I respected her character. I am looking forward to the further development of her character in the next novel. I really enjoyed the interactions between Mille and Reed, at first I thought he was going to turn into a brotherly figure, but from the conversation between Maria and Millie about Reed's affections. I started to fight for a relationship between Millie and Reed, and when I finally got my wish I was very excited. Millie deserves someone like Reed and I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops in the next novel.
So, in conclusion; I loved this novel. I think it clearly deserves the four stars that I gave it. The plot developed well and was fantastic with little predictability for the reader. The characters are intriguing and bring you into the story so easily. I thoroughly enjoyed the world that was created in this novel, and I could see many other people agreeing with me.
4 Stars.
Another book that leaves me wanting to know the rest of the story. I couldn't put this book down, yet another amazing book in this collection. I have not been disappointed yet. I think "Prison Nation" is in a tie with "The Moon Dwellers" for my favorite of the collection so far.
I was not disappointed with the civilization that Merritt created in this novel. I enjoyed the back story that was given and I found that concept of this dystopia to be rather intriguing; still very harsh, but all the same intriguing. I felt it was very well thought out and it didn't leave me with many unanswered questions through out the whole novel.
I thought the pace of the novel was very consistent and moved rather quickly. I felt there was also something happening, and I enjoyed watching the beginning of Millie's journey as a free person. I felt that the setting in which the novel's took place left a lot of description to be desired, and I also felt that for someone who has spent their life in a cage. I didn't find her very intrigued by her surroundings, she gave little detail to the setting and her surroundings. Just a comment for the author perhaps.
Now as far as content goes, I was pleased with the back story of the civilization, its rules and laws. The concept of the prison nation was very well explained. The interactions between characters, well since besides Millie and Reed, my personal favorites were Orrin and Jude. I am left slightly disappointed. I didn't think they were well developed in the story and I hope to see more in future novels. Speaking of Orrin, I was not surprised at all when Orrin turned out to be Reed's father. I saw a lot of foreshadowing when Reed first talked about his family, and I saw that coming a mile away.
Now, as far as Millie goes; her spirit that was probably my favorite part of her character. She was stubborn as a mule and timid with her freedom. You could tell that she was fighting a lot of internal battles through out the novel and I found myself sympathizing with her. I didn't exactly identify with her character as much as I respected her character. I am looking forward to the further development of her character in the next novel. I really enjoyed the interactions between Mille and Reed, at first I thought he was going to turn into a brotherly figure, but from the conversation between Maria and Millie about Reed's affections. I started to fight for a relationship between Millie and Reed, and when I finally got my wish I was very excited. Millie deserves someone like Reed and I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops in the next novel.
So, in conclusion; I loved this novel. I think it clearly deserves the four stars that I gave it. The plot developed well and was fantastic with little predictability for the reader. The characters are intriguing and bring you into the story so easily. I thoroughly enjoyed the world that was created in this novel, and I could see many other people agreeing with me.
bookkat's review against another edition
3.0
Young adult easy read that starts off strong and engaging with an interesting premise, but the second half of the book tends to peter out, with a little too many coincidences and very light-handed handling of significant events.
amysoup's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book as part of the What Tomorrow May Bring boxed set. Briefly, this is a dystopian novel set in an authoritarian alternate U.S. Children born to convicts are raised in prison by their parents. Millie is raised by her barely functional convict parents. When she turns eighteen, she is released into freedom and finds that there isn't much more freedom on the outside.
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself rooting for Millie and dreading her inevitable brush with the law. I also found the backstory of Milie's parents compelling.
I really enjoyed this book. I found myself rooting for Millie and dreading her inevitable brush with the law. I also found the backstory of Milie's parents compelling.
wildeaboutoscar's review against another edition
2.0
Great character piece about growing into freedom but seemed to fall a bit flat. The ending was a bit anticlimactic, which is a shame as it had great potential. One would hope there's a sequel.