Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher: Bloomsbury UK
Published: Oct 11, 2012
Buy: The Book Depository
Oxygen is essential for most living things. For 2.5 billion years, it was the most abundant chemical element on Earth.
Until the Switch.
In Sarah Crossan’s latest novel, breathing freely and comfortably is easier said than done. Here, oxygen is hard to come by. Set in a futuristic and plant-deprived world, the characters in Breathe have no choice but to remain within the protection of the Pod, where the air is breathable and clean. Oxygen tanks can be purchased by the wealthiest of Pod citizens – typically those in Zone One – for venturing out into the wilderness on day trips and partaking in strenuous activities such as exercise. For the remaining population, for people like Bea, oxygen is too expensive for daily pleasures and breathing must be carefully controlled. When the opportunity arises for Bea to go camping outside with her best friend Quinn, she doesn’t let it pass. What she wants is to spend some time alone with Quinn, hoping that he will finally notice her. What she gets is a run-in with a Resistance member and a sudden detour into the dangerous and unknown.
It should be said that this is very much a plot-driven novel. With three different points of view to warm to (from Bea, Quinn and Alina), the characters are not immediately easy to connect with. There are better developments in the story than there are in the characters. Despite the rocky start, the three main protagonists do eventually become easier to appreciate and my opinion of them changed by the end of the book for a more positive stance, even if I wasn’t completely in love with them. Alina is a fiery and strong character, Bea a compassionate girl and Quinn very much a boyish boy. The hints of a love triangle linger between them, but nothing too extreme or worthy of frustration.
The strength of this book lies in its gripping story line. Sarah Crossan has come up with an interesting concept and her oxygen-depleted world was chillingly real. My chest constricted with the feeling of suffocation every time the characters’ did and my focus on breathing suddenly sky-rocketed. It’s funny how something so vital is never given a second thought during our lives. It was thrilling (and terrifying) to be able to experience the harsh consequences of a damaged world through Crossan’s words. Even with my initial lack of enthusiasm for the characters, every chapter held my attention and the plot unravelled in ways I wanted it to. While the pacing suffered occasionally, this is not a story that failed to impress.
Admittedly, I entered Breathe with low expectations after having read a flurry of negative reviews. Perhaps this suited me for the better in the end as Breathe proved to be a pleasant surprise. I hope the sequel will be just as engaging, and ideally, any remaining character issues are ironed out then. This was definitely a promising start to a new dystopian trilogy.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Great review Sam - Me personally, I loved this book. I was able to connect to the characters straight away and loved how it was told from three different POV's. I hope you enjoy the sequel better though =)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a book I might enjoy! Great review,Sam!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I reviewed this a while ago and to be honest I think I warmed to it at the beginning just because of the cover although I received an ARC..! I agree about the characters as the beginning it kept switching and because I didn't really know the characters it felt odd but I grew on it and ended up enjoying it. :-) x
ReplyDeleteLike you, I've read some not very promising reviews of Breathe, however most range from a 3 star to a 3.5, but I will still be giving this book a chance since the synopsis sounds amazing
ReplyDeletegreat review Sam!
- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
Great review :D Glad you mostly enjoyed it ;p Still unsure if I will. Hint of love triangle? o.O Do not approve. But you also say it isn't so bad, so maybe I might be able to read it :) We'll see. From what you say, it does sounds like an awesome book; with an amazing plot :D
ReplyDeleteThis has a very interesting concept and you're right, we certainly take breathing for "granted" almost. haha.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's nice to see you enjoyed this one because like you I have heard many negative reviews and thought I'd stray away from it. But to hear that it has some redeeming qualities and the interesting plot really makes me want to pick this book up.
Great review, Sam! :)
I've also been pretty hesitant about this book because of the negative reviews. I think I'll eventually read this book but it's not something I'm jumping to get. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. Breathing is something normal to us, so it must be strange to dive into a book were it's something special. I quite like multiple POV's. It sounds like a book I will enjoy :) Thanks for the lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI love the concept and how it does point out the vitality of breathing to us - like you said, it's not something we think about, and to have to be always worrying about oxygen is quite scary. Sorry it had some disappointments, but glad you enjoyed it overall. Lovely review, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteThe description and even the cover is frightening to me. If feels like a world that could actually happen. Eeeek! Glad to see you enjoyed this overall, Sam. Great review. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad you posted your review Sam, I was wondering whether this would be the book for me! I'm disappointed it's so much more plot driven than character-driven, it always takes me longer to connect to those types of books if I'm able to connect at all. Still, the world does sound terrifying and fascinating and I'm super curious about it, so I'm going to put this in my "maybe" pile:)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this sounds interesting. There are times when I become very conscious of my breathing, and I honestly find it scary to think of how much I take it for granted. This book would probably intrigue me because of the premise!
ReplyDeleteGosh, this sounds really thrilling! Oxygen is absolutely vital for our survival but I must admit I never give it a second thought either. I'm intrigued to read about this world and I'm glad you ended up liking the characters.
ReplyDeleteFab review, Sam! Despite the flaws, I think I'll still pick this one up!
Oh my, now you have my attention! Sounds awesome, even though connecting to the characters doesn´t seem to be easy. I might try it out, great review :)
ReplyDeleteThe concept of lacking oxygen in a plant-deprived world seems chillingly scary. Thanks for pointing out that this one has a gripping story line. Great review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for this! I actually haven't read any bad reviews for it, so I may read it with too high expectations... Despite the flaws with the characters and rough start, I'm glad you enjoyed this, and I really can't wait to read it!(: Wonderful review, Sam.(:
ReplyDeletegreat review sam . i'm glad you liked it in the end . i can't start new series . But i'll think about it
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any reviews on this one, yet so yours is the first. I like that this book made you think about breathing and made you short of breath. It sounds like an interesting read, but I am burned on dystopian right now! Glad overall it was a solid read!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I haven't read any bad reviews of this, so I have high expectations, but thanks for your honest opinions. Brilliant review, Sam - I'm glad you enjoyed it despite the few flaws :) xx
ReplyDeleteI love your review! I'll also read this book soon. I've been planing on doing it and they I saw all those bad ratings. I was so disappointed cause I had high expectations. But I'll just forget all that and read the book.
ReplyDeleteI believe I'll enjoy it as I love dystopian books!
Wow, a positive review for this one! Yay! I've also seen only disappointed reviews for this, so perhaps if I go into it with low expectations, I might wind up liking it too. I like that the plot is very strong and the narration seems interesting, so I might give this one a shot! Fantastic review, Sam - thanks for dispelling all the negative comments concerning this one! :D
ReplyDeleteWhile a definite shame that there were some issues with character development, it excites me to hear this is still an impressive read. I love that Crossan was able to make you feel the terriyfing effects of her world... it's so scary to imagine what it would be like if oxygen was running low. Amazing review, Sam, you've made me all the more eager to give this a read!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm glad this books surprised you more than you expected. I too was excited when I first heard about this book, but a little jaded by some of the negative reviews, but your positve review has left me with some hope, I can't wait to meet the characters. Breathe sounds like an interesting start to a series! Another great review Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few negative reviews for this one so it's good that you actually ended up liking it, Sam. While the premise sounds chilling, how did you find the worldbuilding? I'm just not sure that I could buy people living in pods with breathable air. Wouldn't the oxygen run out after a while? Or are these pods just filled with lots of plants? Lol, I have a feeling I'm overthinking things.
ReplyDeleteOh Sam, DAT COVER! I love it. I like plot-driven books though I rarely give them perfect ratings. Normally, I focus more on the characters and no matter how good the world building is or how awesome the writing of the author is, these are usually negated by my lack of interest on the characters, and though I rarely give perfect ratings to plot-driven books, I always end up liking them. This is the first review of Breathe that I read so I don't know about the other negative reviews but I'm really glad that this somehow exceeded your expectations!
ReplyDeleteI've been really excited for this one. Air is definitely something we take for granted and I am sure I will be cringing as the characters run out of air. Also glad it doesn't turn into a frustrating love triangle because it sounded like it might be headed in that direction. I love multiple POVs but it's too bad the character's didn't get very in depth in this one. Maybe the next.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much love everything that is on display here- the title, the cover, the premise, your review, Sam. :) I'm a bit tired of the YA dystopian/ post- apocalyptic genre, but since you gave this a considerably high rating and positive review I think I'll check it out. :) I'm so pleased you enjoyed this; it gives me hope that I will too. :)
ReplyDeleteI started this recently but was distracted by other things. I'll get back to it soonish because I'm quite curious to see what happens..
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see that you enjoyed Breathe, Sam! I have been waiting on this ever since I first saw the cover and read the synopsis. I completely agree, the world sounds scary and it's good that you eventually felt connected to the characters - can't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteI completely gave up on this after Flann DNFed it, but your review is making me reconsider, mostly because I'm so emotionally exhausted from reading Stormdancer and a few other books lately that a plot-driven, immersive book that doesn't make your heart bleed for the characters might be just what I need.
ReplyDeleteWodnerful review as always, Sam. :)
Glad you ended up liking. I loved the premise for this story and can't wait until next one.
ReplyDeleteBrandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Wow, I cannot imagine a world in which oxygen is so hard to come by. I mean, I can imagine it, but it's so dreadful I'd prefer not to. Breathe definitely sounds like a great book, Sam, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, even though the characters weren't so easy to relate to. Lovely review! :D
ReplyDeleteI think I'll give this one a go! The blurb caught my attention when I first saw it on the blogosphere, and though I'm more into character than plot driven stories, I'm really intrigued. Lovely review Sam, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFab review, Sam! I'm reading this at the minute and I feel the same way about connecting with the characters. Although I absolutely love the book and I'm flying through it. I'm glad you enjoyed this! :)
ReplyDeleteI've seen mixed reviews on this one but I'm still interested on reading it. Glad to see that this was still an engaging read despite the rocky start. I'm very curious with the characters too especially with the love triangle aspect since I haven't read much triangles with two girls. Haha! Anyhoo, I'm glad you enjoyed the overall, Sam. Brilliant review as always. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish you enjoyed this more so I'd be a bit more excited for it. I'm all about the characters and if I don't like them, it's usually a lot harder for me to get into the book. But sure we'll see how it goes. Fantastic review Sam.
ReplyDeleteI have this one coming up. Yours is the 1st review that I've read for it. I'm getting a little blah lately, because the last few books I read haven't blown me away. I need to be wow'd SOON! lol
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book yet...but I guess I'll be looking into it after your review. To be honest I am not much of a dystopian girl...but I am really liking the sound of this. I'm glad you enjoyed this...and I love a book with a great story line! Lovely review Sam! :)
ReplyDelete~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair
I can't wait to get started on this now! I'm happy to hear that the world of BREATHE is stunningly real, and that it keeps you reading on the edge of your seat, even though the characters sound a little dull. Glad that you mostly enjoyed this, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI really like the premise of Breathe! I can't imagine what it's like when oxygen is scarce since there's plenty of oxygen around us. But the concept is realistic because it is quite possible that one day the world might end up lacking of oxygen! Absolutely can't wait to read Breathe!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Sam! ♥ So glad you enjoyed it!
Breathe sounds SO amazing- and the fact that it's plot drive makes me want to read it even moreeeee!<3 I'm definitely looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the lovely review, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for this book forever! I didn't know there were a flurry of negative reviews o_O and a hint of a love triangle?....OH WELL. I'm still gonna read it, lol. I'm glad you gave it a 3.5 Sam! That means it's better than average ;D haha, great review!!
ReplyDeleteShreya@CCReviews
Saw your name through another fellow blogger. I'm surprised this book gets so many negative reviews. I'm guessing because of the characters. At least you liked it and no matter what based on the cover and that it's dystopian I have to read it. Great review btw :D
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower of your lovely blog.
Have a great day!
http://shesgotbooksonhermind.blogspot.com/
I'm glad you liked this one. I always wanted to read it and I have seen so many mixed reviews that I didn't know if I was going to. But you've kind of helped me to decide that I will try it after all. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently on a dystopian roll so I'm liking this despite the negative reviews. This kind of reminds me of that Dr. Suess movie that came out recently where the people have to buy oxygen because there are no trees.
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