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BOOK REPORT for Free to Fall by Lauren Miller
Cover Story: Generic Big Face
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 8
Talky Talk: Terms of Use
Bonus Factor: Aughts Nostalgia
Anti-Bonus Factor: Skynet
Relationship Status: It’s Complicated
Cover Story: Generic Big Face
This cover tells me absolutely nothing about the story within other than the title and that it might involve a pretty white girl. Sometimes Big Face is paired with something that tells you a bit more about the plot, but in this case, we get nothing.
The Deal:
In 2030, most Americans don’t make many decisions without consulting the Lux, a lifestyle and decision-making app created by technology giant Gnosis. Rory Vaughn is no exception—she often talks more to the Lux during a day than she does any actual person. With one major exception: When she applied to the prestigious Theden Academy, a boarding school for the country’s intelligent elite, she didn’t ask the Lux for an opinion. So when she’s accepted, Rory is both elated and a little frightened. And, unfortunately, as she learns more about the school and the technology behind the Lux, her fears become all the more real.
BFF Charm: Yay
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Rory is addicted to technology. I can’t blame her, though. From where I’m currently sitting, typing on a laptop computer connected to the Internet, I can see two iPhones and two iPads. I’m as guilty as she is at being attached to the connectivity and organization of my devices. Rory does grow, however, through the progression of Free to Fall’s plot, and becomes more reliant upon her own self and less on coding. She’s also kind of an outsider, which I can appreciate, and super smart. She’d make an excellent BFF … as long as you could get her to look up from her phone occasionally.
Swoonworthy Scale: 8
Upon arriving at Theden, Rory is forced into going against the recommendations of the Lux. This leads her into a questionable coffee shop where she meets North, a guy who’s totally not right for her, at least, not according to the Lux. He’s got a mohawk, tattoos and lives as much as possible off the grid (a.k.a. SUPER HOT). Of course, Rory can’t stand him at first, but quickly finds herself wanting to make coffee runs as frequently as possible.
Talky Talk: Terms of Use
In Free to Fall, Lauren Miller has created a society that seems very much like the next evolution of our own. It’s all too familiar to read about people who can’t live without their technological devices, and rely on them to do nearly everything for them other than breathe and sleep. And as the year 2030 is only about 16 years away—how is that possible?!—the characters felt very much like people I currently know, and I connected with Rory from the very start. It might be that I, too, am a bit of a loner (and have dark hair and freckles), or it might be Miller’s writing, but I found that I could easily put myself in Rory’s shoes. This fact added to my enjoyment of the story quite a bit.
Bonus Factor: Aughts Nostalgia
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Since Free to Fall takes place in the near future, there are occasional mentions of current technology and pop culture, such as iPods and laptops with USB ports. My favorite mention, however, is when one of the characters talks about Nicolas Cage and National Treasure. It makes me smile to think that Nicolas Cage and National Treasure remain pertinent in the future.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Skynet
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When are humans going to realize that relying on technology to make all decisions is most definitely not a good idea?
Casting Call:
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Kaya Scodelario as Rory
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Paul Meraz as North
Relationship Status: It’s Complicated
Although I really enjoyed your story, Book, and I felt a connection to your characters, the idea of society becoming utterly reliant upon technology hits a little too close to home. You’ve made me think, hard, about how much time I’m spending staring at a screen. I’ll be back in a bit—I’m going to go take a walk.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free review copy from HarperTeen. I received neither a private dance performance from Tom Hiddleston nor money for this review. Free To Fall is available now.