Omni (Omni, #1) by Andrea Murray
Published: November 1st, 2013
eBook, 236 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he’s been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.
Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.
Published: November 1st, 2013
eBook, 236 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance
Pierce only wants a shot, a real shot, and not just the excuses he’s been handed his whole life. Harmony wants to escape her future, the future she fears will be chosen for her. After their chance meeting, they might get exactly what they want.
Since taking over the US government years earlier, the Omni party has created a perfect existence. From consorts to job assignments, every choice, every facet of life is under their control. Each citizen has a specific role in one of the four strata. Seventeen-year-old Pierce is a Drudge, the lowest social stratum in society. For over two years, he’s hoped—prayed—that his upcoming aptitude test will finally free him from his virtual slavery and give him a chance at a better existence. When he rescues Harmony, an Artist and member of the most successful stratum, at a publicity event for her latest movie, his life takes an unbelievable twist. With his gallant act and good looks, he becomes a media sensation. Every stratum in society seeks his membership for their publicity, but as he becomes closer to Harmony, Pierce realizes what fame in the all-seeing eye of Omni is truly like. His choices will not only affect him but Harmony as well. The life Pierce thought he wanted may not be worth the cost to either of them.
Review +Rating
4 out of 5 stars
*copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
A dystopian novel that marries romance and control of the government.
Omni brings together some of the ideas of our favorite YA novels (Divergent, Matched.) with a fresh romantic twist.
The main characters Harmony and Caprice are "artists" which is like being a star in the "Omni" world, which is what their world is essentially called. They're entire lives they've been involved in this world and don't know anything other than what they've been told or where they've been instructed to be.
There's also Pierce and Hale, best friends, and "Drudges" the lowest group in the stratum (stratum is their different sectors, sort of like what factions are in Divergent.) Orphaned and forced to work and serve. Their lives are laid out before them, drudges until the testing which will determine what they'll do for the rest of their lives.
Never have the two groups met until one chance and unfortunate meeting changes all of their lives forever, starting a "war" none of them are prepared for.
Omni although reminiscent of previous YA novels takes on the topics in a slightly different manner, taking on the retelling of the greek myth of Paris and Helen. Although I wasn't familiar with this myth after looking into it, I see the connection.
There are many unexpected twists which make this first novel far more exciting than many first novels of a trilogies I've read. There is trickery, deceit, quarrels and romance, all the makings of a good novel. Murray does well weaving a tale with great writing and relatable, likable characters. I really enjoyed reading this and read it in one sitting. The ending is a cliffhanger of sorts so beware! You will want more, and I'm excited for it. Its worth reading.
Omni brings together some of the ideas of our favorite YA novels (Divergent, Matched.) with a fresh romantic twist.
The main characters Harmony and Caprice are "artists" which is like being a star in the "Omni" world, which is what their world is essentially called. They're entire lives they've been involved in this world and don't know anything other than what they've been told or where they've been instructed to be.
There's also Pierce and Hale, best friends, and "Drudges" the lowest group in the stratum (stratum is their different sectors, sort of like what factions are in Divergent.) Orphaned and forced to work and serve. Their lives are laid out before them, drudges until the testing which will determine what they'll do for the rest of their lives.
Never have the two groups met until one chance and unfortunate meeting changes all of their lives forever, starting a "war" none of them are prepared for.
Omni although reminiscent of previous YA novels takes on the topics in a slightly different manner, taking on the retelling of the greek myth of Paris and Helen. Although I wasn't familiar with this myth after looking into it, I see the connection.
There are many unexpected twists which make this first novel far more exciting than many first novels of a trilogies I've read. There is trickery, deceit, quarrels and romance, all the makings of a good novel. Murray does well weaving a tale with great writing and relatable, likable characters. I really enjoyed reading this and read it in one sitting. The ending is a cliffhanger of sorts so beware! You will want more, and I'm excited for it. Its worth reading.
Andrea Murray has been teaching English forlonger than most of her students have been alive. She has taught everything from junior high language arts to concurrent credit freshman composition. She lives in a very small town in Arkansaswith her precocious daughter, energetic son, and racecar-driving husband. When she isn't writing or reading novels for her students, she's probably watching reality television or cheesy science fiction movies. In addition to Vivid, Andrea has also written Vicious and Vengeance, the sequels to her first novel.