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Summary
Summary
A thrilling, fast-paced dystopian novel about the dangers of unchecked power and the dilemmas facing a boy torn between two ways of life.In twelve-year-old Taemon's city, everyone has a power called psi - the ability to move and manipulate objects with their minds. When Taemon loses his psi in a traumatic accident, he must hide his lack of power by any means possible. But a humiliating incident at a sports tournament exposes his disability, and Taemon is exiled to the powerless colony. The "dud farm" is not what Taemon expected, though: people are kind and open, and they actually seem to enjoy using their hands to work and play and even comfort their children. Taemon adjusts to his new life quickly, making friends and finding unconditional acceptance. But gradually he discovers that for all its openness, there are mysteries at the colony, too - dangerous secrets that would give unchecked power to psi wielders if discovered. When Taemon unwittingly leaks one of these secrets, will he have the courage to repair the damage - even if it means returning to the city and facing the very people who exiled him?
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-8-Krumwiede's dystopian novel (Candlewick, 2012) is set in Deliverance, a city where everyone has the power of psi-the ability to move and manipulate objects with their minds. Twelve-year-old Taemon's ability seems more unique than that of his brother, causing an intense rivalry. When Taemon loses his power, he fakes it for a short while and then is exiled to the "dud" farm, a colony of powerless people. The boy learns to improvise and master new skills and discovers more about his family history. Nick Podehl's dramatic narration increases the story's tension. He emphasizes Taemon's incredulity at people who read books, have to use door knobs, and eat with their hands rather than floating food to their mouths. The voices of Taemon's new friends-Moke, Amma, and the mysterious Challis-are all individualized and reflect each character's nature (impetuous, cautious, prophetic). The dogmatic voice of the Elder is convincingly bureaucratic. As the pacing increases, Taemon sounds more and more desperate and listeners will hold their breaths as he tries to decide on the best action to save both his community and his brother. Fans of Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games and Divergent by Veronica Roth will immediately be drawn into this unique, convincingly narrated story.-Edie Ching, University of Maryland, College Park (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Debut novelist Krumwiede offers a fast-paced dystopian novel that ably explores the corrupting influ-ence of power. In the future, people with "psi" (abilities that typically manifest as a type of telekinesis) have segregated themselves into a mountainous region, and those few without such powers are ban-ished from the main city. Taemon, a 12-year-old boy, has discovered that his psi goes beyond telekine-sis to include remote viewing and other gifts. His jealous older brother, Yens, believes himself to be the True Son predicted in prophecies, and he is willing to kill Taemon to secure his place. When an accident leaves Taemon powerless, he is exiled and begins to discover both the true nature of psi and the secret history of his people. Krumwiede's combination of conspiracy and corruption among the ruling class is familiar, with nefarious villains sometimes crossing into cartoonish territory. Still, readers who are not yet ready for The Hunger Games should be attracted to resourceful Taemon, as he learns that real strength comes in many different forms. Ages 10-up. Agent: Molly Jaffa, Folio Literary Management. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
The power of psi, or the ability to control objects with thought, is kept in check by one's conscience. So, when 12-year-old Taemon's brother Yens, a boy with far more drive than self-control, is named True Son--a prophesied Messiah-like figure--Taemon is forced to decide how far he is willing to go to protect those he loves. Following a terrible accident, Taemon hears a voice giving him permission to kill his unstable brother. Rather than follow this psychic command, he gives up his psi, leaving him unable to live within the city. Taemon is forced to move to a powerless colony where people use their hands to eat and work. There he meets Challis, his mother's sister, who exposes him to many secrets that threaten to undo everything he believes. An uneven plot and predictable showdown between the two brothers is partially saved by the surprise ending. Krumwiede facilitates worldbuilding with a psi-centered religion, jargon and slang, as well as caste divisions. At first penned as the stable, sensitive brother, Taemon seems oddly unaffected by his exile. In contrast, Yens, rather than being complicated or interesting, comes across as simply psychotic. Supporting characters are similarly flat. Readers will be drawn to the unique premise, but the many obvious flaws will leave them wanting more. Ultimately unsatisfying. (Dystopian adventure. 10-14)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
This tale of telekinesis and false messiahs by debut-novelist Krumwiede starts slowly before barreling toward an unexpected and disquieting finale. The city of Deliverance has existed in protected isolation for centuries. The inhabitants all have the power of psi, which allows them to live their lives without touch; everything is controlled by their minds. Twelve-year-old Taemon loses his psi in an accident and is exiled to a colony of duds. What Taemon does not yet understand is that the loss of his psi was not an accident but the result of his own remarkable power and destiny. Deliverance is a theistic society where the citizens have exchanged civil liberties for the everyday ease of psi and, as such, are powerless to recognize a coup when it takes place right before them. Taemon is a thoughtful protagonist whose ability to dismantle an object and learn how it works takes on immense symbolism when he confronts his broken society. His solution is drastic and morally ambiguous, and it will leave readers mulling over its justice.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2010 Booklist