State of Grace by Hilary Badger

State of Grace
Written by Hilary Badger
Utopian, Science Fiction
Published October 1st 2014
336 Pages
Thank you to Hardie Grant Egmont 
Ever since she was created, Wren has lived in an idyllic garden with her friends. Wren's deity Dot ensures the trees are laden with fruit and the water in the lagoon is crystal clear. Wren and her friends have everything they could possibly need right there, in Dot's Paradise.

If only Wren could stop the strange, disturbing visions she's started having. Do these visions make her less worthy of Dot's love? And what does Blaze, the most beautiful and mysterious of Dot's creations, know about what's going on in Wren's head?

Wren is desperate to feel Dot's love, just like everyone else. But that's harder than ever when a creation she's never met before arrives in the garden. He claims to be from outside and brings with him words and ideas that make Wren's brain hurt.
 
And as she deals with this disturbing knowledge, Wren confronts a horrific secret from her past. Now she must decide whether to return to the comforting delusion of faith or fight for the right to face the very ugly truth.
In a pristine utopian society, the teens that inhabit the picturesque landscape reside in huts, live on fruit and frolic all day long, all thanks to Dot. A Messiah that created paradise. The one hundred strong community live by the Books of Dot, a series of guidelines that are self policed with all giving thanks to their creator. Free love with multiple partners is encouraged, and the only rule is to never travel beyond the Fringe nor to climb the Escarpment, a high ledge that overlooks the garden. Wren loves the garden, the tranquil existence and all of their creator's living creations. Except Blaze.

Blaze is unlike anyone else, he's not a liberal free spirit. He's a modest deep thinker who doesn't seem to follow the teaching of their creator. He begins to challenge Wren, turning to her to his liberal way of thinking. Could that explain why Wren's thoughts are a jumbled mess, where she sees a new world entirely removed from her own, or why she begins to remember a life she can't remember living? Wren continues to place her faith in the hands of her creator... Until Dennis shows up.

The young boy brings with him wild stories of something called the internet, of a town not too far from the pristine community and a gate beyond the Fringe. Not all is well in Utopia, and both Wren and Blaze are about to find out what happens when you question everything you've been led to believe.

My Thoughts


State of Grace has broken the mould of what could be considered a new genre in Utopian. Similar to a teen cult, the community believes in a high power that they thank each day for their creation, and for creating the world around them. They follow the Books according to the Messiah and only use positive words of affirmation, which is where I drew comparisons to a cult community. It was eerie, one hundred teens all living in harmony, being promiscuous and living life without responsibility. Their only chores are to pick one bag of New Fruit per day, the forbidden fruit in which they cannot eat and to visit the temple to speak to their creator, a God type figure that no one had ever seen. Their society is a playground, but those who doubt are punished accordingly through self appointed leader Gil.

I found the scenario disturbing. These teens were not only brainwashed, but completely delusional and it made for a compelling read. Blaze has always known that the Eden type community isn't genuine, and sees the same confusion in Wren's eyes. But they are taught that non believers won't be escorted to a heaven type afterlife, which keeps the weak and willing in line. It's deliciously frustrating, I found myself emotionally invested in this fraudulent Utopia, it's characters and was manically turning the pages eager to see where the storyline would take me.

I interpreted aspects of their man made society as similar to followers of religion, of course in varying degrees. Living and making life choices to that of the teachings of their respective Holy Book. Although these teens are fanatical, I found the similarities really interesting and worthy of discussion. The world building was incredible, it painted a vivid picture of the cultured oasis and at times and I almost felt like a voyeur intruding on their paradise. It did leave me with unanswered questions, as I found it difficult to believe that from the one hundred teens, only Wren and Blaze questioned their world. They never contemplated what could be beyond the Fringe.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was unique, not to mention incredibly creepy. If you want to read something out of the ordinary, you won't be disappointed.

20 comments

  1. This was definitely one interesting book! It's not too often that you see a utopian rather than dystopian society. I have to agree with the unanswered questions and believability issues- although even more than that, it was the predictability that probably let me down the most. Still, it was definitely a unique read that was satisfying enough :)

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    1. It did me too a little Nara. I had so many questions when it ended and needed that closure. But regardless, it was really entertaining. I hope this leads the way for even more young adult authors to release Utopian titles. I love the concept.

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  2. The cover matches your blog design. Haha. Beautiful review as always, Kelly. This would probably be a disturbing read so I think I'd have to be in a certain mood to read it. But it does sound really interesting though, and I don't think I've encountered a utopian book yet.

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    1. It does a little bit doesn't it. Goes to show how slow I am, I didn't even see that.
      It's not dark, just the cult like conditions are pretty creepy. Like having someone smile and say yes all the time. You'd back away and avoid eye contact. It's definitely a unique read.

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  3. I found this book to be creepy, but ultimately enjoyable as well :) The worldbuilding like you said was very well done, and it was interesting to see the difference between Blaze and Wren at the beginning, compared to how their attitudes began to change. Awesome review Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Eugenia.
      I couldn't put it down. I tried not to read the synopsis in detail, which was super hard and edited it out on my review as well, as it contains a spoiler. So I went into State of Grace not knowing the reveal. I'm so glad I did, I was completely immersed in the storyline and it completely surprised me.

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  4. Fantastic review as always, Kelly. :) I haven't heard a lot about this book, but the cover draws me in. However, brainwashed and delusional teens? This sounds like such an interesting book! I'll have to pick it up sooner rather than later.

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    1. I hadn't either, but it was a fantastic read. I loved the uniqueness of a Utopian society. Creepy, but in a passive aggressive type of way. It's made me want to hunt down similar titles now. I think you'll enjoy this one.

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  5. It was a totally creepy book. >.> It was kind of freaky that all they did was eat fruit, swim, and "hook up" with each other. UM. OKAY THEN. I was totally not into the whole thing, but it was well written! Except that cover. Eehhh, I'm not sure if I actually like it or don't. It's really eye-catchy. BUT SOMETHING IS WEIRD.

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    1. I think it's the girl behind the flowers. It looks a little awkward, half true to life and half artistically manufactured. he 'hooking up' aspect was a little too disturbing for me too. I kept rechecking if I missed the explanation behind it. That they could be with anyone they wanted, but not the same person twice in a row. Was that so they wouldn't form relationships?

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  6. Ooh, this one sounds really interesting. :D I definitely plan on reading it some time--that's for sure. I've now seen quite a few positive reviews for it; that, and I like the cover, and it looks fascinating. I'm not sure I've read much "utopian" before--mainly just dystopian. (Though I could've easily have read some and not known it at the time.)

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    1. I can't recall having read any either before State of Grace. I'm such a big dystopian fan and this fueled that even more. It's the complete opposite of dystopian, where it's set in a garden of Eden type setting. The teens are all happy and carefree. It was creepy and so very cult like. But wildly entertaining. Grab a copy, you won't be able to put it down.

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  7. This sounds so incredibly creepy! And I get what you mean by it seems almost like a teen cult, I see a bit of 1984 style in there but maybe I'm wrong? This book is going straight onto my wishlist! This sounds so interesting and unlike anything I have ever read, I always like books that make you think and this sounds like it will do just that! Brilliant review as always!

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    1. Thanks Becky.

      I have 1984 on my Kindle, that reminds me to pick it up soon too. But going by the synopsis, you're completely right, some of the same elements thrown in there. I think you're the first person to pick up on that actually. It's creepy in this non threatening passive type of way, which makes it even creepier.

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  8. I've been avoiding the dystopia for a while now just because I've been let down one too many times BUT this one sounds pretty good. Similar to a teen cult, you say? That definitely sounds up my street. I get so intrigued by fanatics and what brings them about. Not to mention, biblical based reads always intrigue me. Fantastic review, Kelly! <3 x

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    1. Me too Jess. I don't like typical religion based books, not being religious myself. But I love the fictional take on God type characters and the authors take on them. It was incredibly cult like, imagine a world where teens all lived in harmony.

      Creepy.

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  9. Wow, now that is a utopian world that sounds super scary, one where teens have no boundaries? Woah. It sounds like a really disturbing cult to be honest, and after reading the terrible Gated and Astray, I'm not sure I'm keen for another cult story. I can't do religious based reads either. Thank you for the great review Kelly!

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    1. They have no boundaries, but all deliriously happy living like free spirits. It looks like a cult on the service, but it delves much deeper than that. It's an incredible book Jeann, you should really give it a go.

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  10. I only heard of this one recently and am really interested in it. Cult books do creep me out a little, but I haven't read that many of them (only one that I can think of) so it will be nice to read something that feels fresh. Great review, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Rochelle, I think this is one you'll definitely enjoy. So incredibly unique! Looking forward to you grabbing a copy and seeing what you think of it.

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