Glitch by Heather Anastasiu

In the Community, there is no more pain or war. Implanted computer chips have wiped humanity clean of destructive emotions, and thoughts are replaced by a feed from the Link network.

When Zoe starts to malfunction (or “glitch”), she suddenly begins having her own thoughts, feelings, and identity. Any anomalies must be immediately reported and repaired, but Zoe has a secret so dark it will mean certain deactivation if she is caught: her glitches have given her uncontrollable telekinetic powers.

As Zoe struggles to control her abilities and stay hidden, she meets other glitchers including Max, who can disguise his appearance, and Adrien, who has visions of the future. Both boys introduce Zoe to feelings that are entirely new. Together, this growing band of glitchers must find a way to free themselves from the controlling hands of the Community before they’re caught and deactivated, or worse.

In this action-packed debut, Glitch begins an exciting new young adult trilogy.

Rating: 2/5 Stars

“He seemed about my age, tall and lanky with skin the color of warm brown bread crust,”

Every time a writer describes skin color as food, I just want to go to their house, stare creepily at them like this:

And ask, what was going on through your mind when you thought that was a good idea?

Because seriously, I don’t get it, and it’s not only terribly offensive but it’s dumb. Of all the things you could chose to describe skin you go for “warm brown bread crust”? Thanks for clarifying that the crust was brown by the way… asshole. It doesn’t help the narrative either, now every time I thought about him I pictured Gingy.

Or this guy:

Just… don’t.

About the story, it was super easy to read which is something I really appreciate when I’m in a reading slump, hence the two stars. The plot in itself it has nothing original; oppressive society that suppresses emotions, one girl is different because she feels and sees color ( a la The Giver) she also has superpowers… somehow? And a love triangle, insta-love, saviour of mankind. You know, the kind of book that Dystopian YA Novel would have a feast on.

I was really confused with the premise of Glitch, first because I wasn’t sure how everything worked. Apparently all people are connect to the Net and they have a port at the back of their necks like a computer which makes them unable to feel any kind of emotion or stimuli besides pain (so that people won’t hurt themselves accidentally). However, after a few pages it says that the “Old World” died because of greed, anger and yadda, yadda so they had to go underground (there was a nuclear war too, somehow) and the people underground evolved into being logical beings and having no emotions… but that makes no sense and contradicts the first part of the novel.

Anyways, the thing is people don’t feel or think (How??) except for Zoe who discovers she “Glitches” uncontrollably and during those moments she feels, thinks and notices colors. The problem with this was, Zoe’s narration when she was in and out of the Glitches were completely identical. There was no difference between “sensible” Zoe and the “logical” one, especially since she always talked about how she felt even though she shouldn’t be feeling anything at all!

As the novel moves forward, it turns out that there are other people like her, and two are super-hot super-creepy and possessive dudes, as it is with EVERY dystopian novel. I’m not gonna lie, I was really disturbed by one scene when Zoe says she’s chosen the other guy (I’m not going to say who otherwise it’d be a spoiler) and this asshole pushes her against a wall, hurts her and forces his mouth on hers. He ends up saying something like “I’ll make you love me!” and Zoe feels bad because she hurts his feelings. Are you shitting me? He sexually assaults her and she feels bad because she doesn’t like him? That’s horrible!

Overall it’s a pretty standard Dystopian novel with bland characters, a love triangle and no world-building, but it’s entertaining so I recommend it if maybe you want to have a good laugh?

Oh, a phrase that’s worth mentioning regarding Zoe’s super specialness:

 “Just tell her already,” she said. “You think she’s going to lead the Resistance. You think she’s our only hope to deliver the whole human race from slavery.”

This comes out of nowhere and it made me laugh out loud.