ONE OF THE BEST YA FICTION IN 2015. 5 to 1 by Holly Bodger @HollyBodger

 

5 to 1

by Holly Bodger

Genre: YA Fiction

Publisher: Knopf BFYR

Published on May 12th 2015

Synopsis:

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, India now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, making women an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of marrying off their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women who form the country of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife.

Sudasa doesn’t want to be a wife, and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. Sudasa’s family wants nothing more than for their daughter to do the right thing and pick a husband who will keep her comfortable—and caged. Kiran’s family wants him to escape by failing the tests. As the tests advance, Sudasa and Kiran thwart each other at every turn until they slowly realize that they just might want the same thing.

This beautiful, unique novel is told from alternating points of view—Sudasa’s in verse and Kiran’s in prose—allowing readers to experience both characters’ pain and their brave struggle for hope.

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Review:*I received a print copy of this book via Pinoy Book Tours in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All are my own opinion and is not compensated by any individual, organization or company.

*Prrrt! This review contains words and sentences too nice to disregard. Deciding to proceed is left to your own discretion. PROCEED ANYWAY!

Start: This book is maddeningly unique in being awesome!
End: BUY THIS BOOK! YOU MUST BUY IT!

I am absorbed in this story because it's not the usual dystopian book you'll see sitting in everyone's shelves or the bookstore's. It fiddles with the gender inequality in India that could be also a representation of the world's. While most of the fiction books out today feature sexism, typically against women, this book had its center on feminism. And that makes this book uniquely gripping! It is indeed, a beauty!

The writing both in prose and in verse are absolutely beautiful and engaging! It gives variance and personality to the main characters. It makes the Point-Of-View alteration flawless and nice. It is indeed, a beauty!

The book cover is so pretty; It has the touch of diversity. Unique, Intriguing, and Different. It is indeed, a beauty!

This book has No Romance in it but the chemistry between Sudasa and Kiran is so natural and real; it's making me anticipate everything about them. The characters are all written ideally. Loving and brave, ones that should be the idols people must look up to. The are adorable and strong. Sudasa's might be the dominant voice in this book and there are quite limited background told about Kiran, still it does not affect how I see 5 to 1. It is still, a beauty!

Holly Bodger must write a sequel to this! THIS CAN'T END! There's so many story need to tell. Sudasa's family, Kiran's father, the people of Koyanagar, and the people outside the walls.

REPORT CARD
FICTION
CRITERIA	GRADES
BOOK COVER	5/5
CONCEPT	5/5
WRITING	5/5
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT	3.5/5*
Main characters	4/5
Secondary Characters	3/5
PLOT	4/5
PACING	5/5
UNPREDICTABILITY	5/5
IMPACT	5/5
OVERALL RATING	4.69

Actual Rating: 4.69                                        Estimated Rating: 5

*Actual Rating is what this blog's original rating.

*Estimated Rating is the rating that will be used on Goodreads, Amazon and other review platform. 

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