THE LINE is an intriguing but unfortunately VERY slow start to what could be a great and unique series. It's extremely hard for me to pass judgment on this book on account of its "first in a series" symptoms. If you have a patient love for dystopian literature, you might really enjoy this book...unless you put it down first due to its slow pace and youngish writing style.
Teri Hall has created a scarily believable dystopian world where the government has taken on a whole new type of authority and people must abide by these strict laws or else risk their lives. THE LINE might appeal most to late elementary/middle school readers, who will be enthralled by this dystopian world and not put off by the way the story is told.
Indeed, the story is unfortunately quite slow and often not flavorful enough to make it truly stand out among others in its genre. The first two-thirds of the book is spent slowly explaining the state of their world via long-winded and stationary dialogues. And the "turning point"--Rachel's discovery of the message for help--really doesn't kick the story into action either. I'll concede that what we glimpse of the Others is fascinating and will surely make this book's sequel, AWAY, an interesting read. However, too much time is spent on world-building, and not nearly enough on the development of the actual story.
Ultimately, readers may find THE LINE lacking in aspects of plot, and elementary in its telling-instead-of-showing writing style. However, this book will surely find its audience in young fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix, for it is truly an intriguing concept.
Teri Hall has created a scarily believable dystopian world where the government has taken on a whole new type of authority and people must abide by these strict laws or else risk their lives. THE LINE might appeal most to late elementary/middle school readers, who will be enthralled by this dystopian world and not put off by the way the story is told.
Indeed, the story is unfortunately quite slow and often not flavorful enough to make it truly stand out among others in its genre. The first two-thirds of the book is spent slowly explaining the state of their world via long-winded and stationary dialogues. And the "turning point"--Rachel's discovery of the message for help--really doesn't kick the story into action either. I'll concede that what we glimpse of the Others is fascinating and will surely make this book's sequel, AWAY, an interesting read. However, too much time is spent on world-building, and not nearly enough on the development of the actual story.
Ultimately, readers may find THE LINE lacking in aspects of plot, and elementary in its telling-instead-of-showing writing style. However, this book will surely find its audience in young fans of Margaret Peterson Haddix, for it is truly an intriguing concept.
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