Glitch (Glitch #1)

Glitch has a very, very interesting premise. I was immediately hooked into the idea of the Link, which supposedly links everyone together, keeps order, and provides safety. It’s all thanks to a little chip inserted in the neck. Too bad Zoe’s doesn’t function right. She’s considered anomalous, but no one knows. She’s now capable of individual thoughts and emotion, something considered to be extremely dangerous in Community. Strong emotion was the reason for the destruction of the planet, or at least that’s what those in charge claim. I really appreciated how we got some of the history and the truth of the matter near the beginning, so there’s not a lot of wondering how things happened and why they are the way they are.

We’re in Zoe’s head a lot in Glitch. Of course, she’s our narrator, but really we’re stuck in her head a bit too much. I understand that she’s experiencing emotions and her own thoughts for the first time ever, but I really would have liked to see more of the time when she’s still connected to the Link. It would have been nice to be able to contrast the monotonous life that’s created for the “subjects” in Community with Zoe’s new found independence.

Another thing that really bothered me in this book was Adrien. There’s not wrong with him as a character, but I absolutely hated the slang he used. It was extremely annoying, especially since he used it almost every single time he spoke. And he talks a lot. I also didn’t find the romance believable at all, since it happened way too early. This was a pretty extreme case of insta-love, since he’s the first boy Zoe ever interacted with who wasn’t a drone. It also happened the same day that they first met. Yes, Zoe doesn’t have a hold on her emotions yet, but I do not believe she could have had true feelings for him so immediately.

There is also an extremely bizarre love triangle, if it can even be called that. It’s strange, but I loved it! Teenage hormones are raging, and they don’t know how to control the emotions that come along with it. It’s a bumpy ride as they try to navigate these new feelings that they don’t even have words for. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I had to mention it. I think the author did a great job of showing the awkwardness between those two.

Despite my complaints, I did really enjoy Glitch. I love when there’s a supernatural aspect mixed into the dystopian setting. The ending of this one is super fast paced and action packed. Nothing is what it seems, and no one can truly be trusted. It does end on a cliffhanger, so I’ll be eagerly anticipating the sequel!