Bookalicious

Incarceron — a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology — a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber — chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison — a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device — a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn’s escape is born …

From the moment I stepped into the slimy grime covered prison known as Incarceron I was in awe of the world that author Catherine Fisher created. You can actually feel the despair and longing of the inmates. The characters are amazingly thought out and so well rounded you actually come to fear for their safety as they attempt a grand escape from the prison that is alive and always watching.

The outside world that Finn and his inmates are trying to get to so desperately is not as golden as they think. On the outside we have Claudia who is the daughter of the warden of Incarceron. She is in her own sort of prison. Doomed to marry the not so noble prince and become Queen of a realm that has forced itself back to Victorian times she is a very unhappy inmate of her father’s making.

You follow Finn and Claudia and several side characters on their dangerous games each are playing to relieve themselves of the bonds that hold them back in life. This is a true dystopian romp through a world without a plot hole to be found. I couldn’t wait for the second book so I ordered it in from the UK and am reading Sapphique now. I will buy a hardback in December because I want the matching set and for once the US covers are more stimulating.

Each chapter is started by a poem or song from the legend of the nine fingered one. I have so much fun reading those.

If you enjoy dystopian, or beautifully created worlds I suggest you pick up Incarceron.

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