Flawed

March 14, 2016
In this futuristic series opener, adult author Ahern's first book for teens, the government has appointed a court to judge ethical and moral transgressions, searing an F into the skin of citizens deemed to be Flawed. Celestine North is a carefree teenager living in this rigid world of right and wrong, but after she comes to the aid of an elderly Flawed man, she becomes the unwitting poster child for a rebellion. Ahern's concept is solid, seeking to examine prejudice and abuse of power, but it suffers from a superficial treatment and a less-than-inspiring heroine; even after her ordeal, Celestine still acts helpless around her beloved, Art, and her cellmate, Carrick. Despite the story being told from Celestine's point of view, there's little hint of an internal struggle to understand or abide by the rules, creating an unrealistically rapid swing from self-proclaimed "perfect" girl to defiant martyr. Characters are neatly categorized as good or evil, and society's rules are laid out so bluntly, early on, that it feels like a primer, not a natural component of Celestine's narrative. Ages 12âup.

July 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Logical perfectionist Celestine North lives in a future time and place where mistakes in moral or ethical judgment have serious consequences. Even simple mistakes can result in prison, shunning, and brutal branding with the letter F for Flawed. Traveling to school on a bus with her boyfriend and her sister, the 17-year-old protagonist risks her future when she helps a sick man who's marked with an F. Her life completely unravels when she defies Judge Crevan, a powerful leader of the Guild, who is also her boyfriend's father. As punishment, she is horribly branded with six F's from her head to her foot. Standing up against society's rigid rules not only leaves her disfigured but also eventually bars her from school and endangers her family. Her parents remain cautiously supportive, but her boyfriend disappears while she searches for the Flawed boy who was jailed beside her. Aysha Kala narrates with a convincing range of emotions and concise British diction. While the branding scene is disturbing, comparing Celestine's issues with current political discourse can provoke valuable discussion. This series starter leaves lots of compelling questions and introduces intriguing characters. VERDICT A worthwhile addition to young adult collections, this work will attract fans of dystopian literature as well as listeners who enjoyed Ahern's earlier adult titles. ["The brutal descriptions of the branding of those deemed Flawed are not easy to read, but it's a compelling thriller that's very hard to put down": SLJ 2/16 review of the Feiwel & Friends book.]-Barbara Wysocki, formerly with Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

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