The Upstream Writer: Reader's Review: "Adaline" by Denise Kawaii

Synopsis from Amazon:

Children are raised in a world run by computers.
Boy 1124562 has never left the lab. He believes nothing exists beyond the steel walls until a friend shows him a world so thrilling, it can only exist inside his imagination.
Readers will love exploring this high-tech world. With danger lurking around every corner, even reluctant readers won’t be able to put this book down.
>>>>>>>>>>>

My Review:

I first saw this book out on a table at the Rose City ComicCon, back in 2018. It was advertised alongside a bunch of other books, it came highly recommended by the person manning the booth, and I put it on my Goodreads "Want To Read" list.
Then the next day, an author/blogger I follow posted her review of it, and got excited for it all over again--because I had just picked it up and added it to my Big Long List Of Reader's Reviews, and it was looking more and more like a story I'd like.

Now that I've read it, I can say with the utmost certainty: I like it very much!

It follows the trend of a lot of sci-fi dystopian tales aimed at young adults, detailing the strict programming and controlling methods of the authority figures through the eyes of a boy born into the system who has no idea about anything beyond the walls and ceiling and routines that are his whole world. But in the rigorous environment of testing and tablets and data-mining, the impossible happens... Boy 1124562 begins to dream. More than that, he begins to become more and more aware of his dreams, the fact that they are dreams, and the different ways he can apparently interact in them. A mentor figure teaches him more about them, takes time to explain and explore what is going on, all while keeping the "anomaly" secret from those who would seek to eradicate it, even at the expense of the individual, in the name of "safety and functionality."

Adaline harkens back to the classic sci-fi of Asimov and even further back, to the style of the earliest uses for science fiction: a way to explore the reaches and the extent of the power that science can bring, and the thought-provoking observations such exploration brings. Kawaii deftly weaves a balanced story within a relatively simple environment. I could see the whole thing fitting into an indie film format with a modest budget. But its within the framework of simplicity that the true skill shines, in that the story itself is rather complex and offers the reader many relatable truths to ponder, beyond their application within the actual tale. The concept of control, of accepting what you are told without question, the way repetition is often used to avoid discussion--the more someone is told something and compelled to repeat it back, the less likely they are to question or even think critically about it. The idea that "going against the norm" is a threat to your community, and that "same is safe" and "conformity guarantees survival." There is something to be said for consistency, but without creativity and the ability to see a situation from alternate perspectives, without feeling like your own viewpoint is at all threatened... what do we become?

I have read stories where the author intentionally gives only the barest minimum of distinguishing features to the characters--the risk is great for characters with only a few letters or numbers as a designation to remain nebulous, blend together into the background, or to confuse the reader.
Not so with Adaline. Even though characters like 71, 62, 99, and even the Maintenance Man and the Nurses don't actually get names, or even have any marks of appearance that set them apart from others, Kawaii gives each one a carefully-crafted personality that shines in her writing. I really got into this story and I felt that a lot of the ideas really resonated with the way I felt about creativity and individuality, and advocacy, to name a few of the concepts explored in this spectacular adventure!

I definitely give Adaline the full *****5 STAR***** rating, and I am going to add to that the Upstream Writer Certified DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED. If you like sci-fi dystopian stories without the muss and fuss of smut and teen drama, there's an amazing world awaiting you in this pleasant and satisfying adventure!

Further Reading: (Sci-Fi Dystopia/ Solid World-Building/Thought-Provoking)

-Domechild--Shiv Ramdas

-For None of Woman Born--S. D. Curran

The Untamed Series--Madeline Dyer
-Untamed
-Fragmented

The Vemreaux Trilogy--Mary E. Twomey
       -The Way
   -The Truth
   -The Lie

The Jill Andersen Series--J. D. Cunegan
   -Bounty
   -Blood Ties
       -Behind the Badge

-Broken Empire: Aftermath--E. A. Copen

-The Arena--Santana Young

The Children of Dreki--N. R. Tupper
-TYR

-Sky Knight--Sandra Harvey

The Red Dog Conspiracy--Patricia Loofbourrow
   -The Alcatraz Coup
   -Jacq of Spades
   -Queen of Diamonds

-Ace of Clubs