Gregory Scott KatsoulisCritiques

In the mood for a cool Dystopian that doesn't force the romance in?? This is your book!!

Although I found the premise is a little far-fetched-- I mean, could we really get to a point where EVERY word and gesture we use is charged??-- I totally fell into the story and the threat of danger that Speth was in. It was very interesting seeing a girl who wasn't planning on being a revolutionary, become a symbol to so many. She didn't have any master plan, she had to figure everything out as she went, but she knew that deep down what she was doing was right. Her inner belief in what she was doing was very inspiring.

It was odd to read a book where the main character doesn't speak one single word. Everything is thought inside her head, but she has very little ways of communicating those thoughts with other people. The first person narration helped to be able to "hear" Speth, and I think if it had been written another way, the reader would have a hard time connecting with her.

Although I already said this seems far-fetched, it did make me think a lot about copyright laws and how far it could actually go. I don't think it would ever get to the point where we had to wear a Cuff to monitor our spoken words, but I could see things becoming a lot more restricted than they are now.

The thing that was missing from this book was the emotion. There are a few things that happen that are really, desperately sad, but I didn't FEEL it the way I should have. Also, there was no romance, which usually I'm a fan of, but a small one would have been nice here. At the very least a glimmer of one would've been something hold on to.

I definitely think you have to suspend disbelief in this book. I had a lot of questions that I had to push aside in order to go along with the story. I get that it's for the good of the story, but in reality the government would have shut this girl down so fast. They had no problem taking people away, so it's hard to believe that someone making a public statement that was causing an uprising, wouldn't be immediately taken out. But I eagerly pushed this aside because I wanted to go on Speth's journey and see the big bad lawyers be slain .

OVERALL: A much needed Dystopian about what the world would be like if copyright laws ran a muck and EVERY word you said had to be paid for. I really liked the main character and the family and friends who helped her along her unexpectedly silent way. There was some suspension of disbelief needed to be able to enjoy this book, but once I put that out of my mind, I was hooked on the intense story to obtain FREEDOM OF SPEECH again.

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This was a a super pacy read with some very intriguing ideas. I adored the whole world created and could see how it had come to be, and for that, it gets its strong rating.

However, it fell into the hole dystopians often do--the ending was very meh. Way too all-problems-are-solved, everything-is-magically-okay, way too neat of an ending. And Speth was incredibly meh as a character. Like seriously, after Sam... she's like "oh, I feel a little bit of anger now. How sad." like WHAT I need some character development there. I had to reread to make sure what happened had happened because her reaction was so underwhelming. Other than a brilliant hook of a premise, there wasn't a lot that really made this stand out.

Narrator nit-pick: The letter "t" in the middle of words is actually pronounced with the tongue touching however briefly the hard palate, and NOT with a glottal stop.

Narrator nit-pick: The letter "t" in the middle of words is actually pronounced with the tongue touching however briefly the hard palate, and NOT with a glottal stop.

This world is disgusting depraved, shocking, and sadly... a far possibility. We may not be charged for words in the future, but how things got blown out of proportion is something we (in the states, at least) do pretty well. (I mean, look at our healthcare.) It was a tough read in that aspect. But, I also enjoyed the dystopian cyberpunk elements. I have a weakness for those. I loved the little details of this story the most. The ads that sing for you to not jump, the Product Placers job position, only the rich affording to drive on the roads, people buying scans of your body (gross, but a dark interesting detail).

Maybe one day the author can write another kind of story set in this world, in another dome, where words are free but there are other social/consumer issues.. I would love that!

In this dystopian world, words. gestures, and pretty much all forms of communication are copyright protected and everyone has to pay for each word they say or gesture they make. If this sounds like a pretty grim existence, it is - and also, most food is "printed" and tastes awful. In such misery, it's no surprise at least two people complete suicide in this novel. Speth, the narrator, causes social upheaval when she decided to go silent, declining to communicate after her fifteenth birthday. Overall, this was a fascinating novel, with plenty of thoughts on copyright law, advertising, and a society focused on consumption of goods. While the world is original, the plot and its direction feel very similar to other YA dystopian novels, so if that's you're thing, this one certainly won't disappoint.

There are a lot of books and a lot of different stories. But once in a while you pick up a really fresh one that takes you to the world you've never been before. I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 5 stars had it ended differently. Nevertheless, a book worth reading. And thinking about.

For the first half of this book I was floored by the concept and totally enthralled.
I found myself keeping as silent as the main character and feeling frightened to speak just as she is....so there was real emotional impact for me.
But the story got off the rails in the last 10 chapters or so (also why have the arbitrary $ amount with every chapter?) and I felt deeply disengaged with some of the plot choices near the end.
I won't be reading further installments.
I still find the concept super compelling, just the delivery fell a bit flat.
Also, I look to Harlequin Teen for a little bit of raunch and romance and there was absolutely zero chemistry between the so-called romantic interest and the main character. But maybe I shouldn't pigeon-hole a publisher?

The world building in this one is amazing. You're charged for every word and gesture because it's all trademarked. It's insane but it's so well done in this book. The plot itself is well done, although I have to admit the romance should just be omitted from this whole thing. It's awkward, there's no feeling in it nor is there chemistry. Speth is such an interesting character and her one gesture made a movement happen. There's a particular part in the book where you just wanted to jump right in and shake Speth in frustration. You get why she can't say anything but in such drastic extreme measures was it worth it? (those who have read it will know what I mean!)

Will definitely pick up the second one. It's such a great plot and world and I want more. I want to know what happens next.

This happens to be one of those books where the only thing I wanted out of it was the satisfaction of seeing a super BOLD idea slapped across the page. The BIG IDEA is admittedly fantastic.

I was even more interested in seeing if ANYONE could pull it off. It comes with a ton of issues, but if properly handled, even as a YA dystopia, it might have been brilliant.

I have no problems with a huge suspension of disbelief, but sometimes a big idea doesn't (and can't) ever jibe with reality. Sure, if the author put tech inside everyone's head that forced them to comply quite aside from the monetization of words, I may not have had too much of a problem... BUT. And here's the big but:

The world is ruled by lawyers, and beyond that, it's predicated on perpetual copyright taken to the full extreme. Very cool. Every word is monetized. You pay to use anything. Therefore, the only way to rebel is to stay silent. But even gestures are copyrighted and the totally observed police state is quite diligent and any neighbor can easily get a big paycheck by a helpful suite of lawsuits when it comes to pain and suffering. Good stuff. I love this kind of worldbuilding. I don't even have an issue with perpetual copyright laws handed down 6 generations of punishment for a stolen song.

It's good, perhaps great, satire.

However.

When it comes to the next step, when and if a populace decides to rebel, I had to ask a simple question. Why not make up our own words? When every word in existence is monetized and you need to start using them beginning on your 15th birthday, wouldn't YOU begin looking for a way around that? Keep the old language for making money with product placement. But make up your own words or language, or BETTER YET, any number of OTHER LANGUAGES?

Humans a wily that way. Just the idea of unintentional drift drives makers of dictionaries crazy. Some people can make tons of money keeping ideas stratified, but others would EASILY start making up whatever they want to get around the whole stuffy thing, too! That's just human nature! How many curse words do YOU know?

Exactly.

Well, I would have explored that issue instead of wringing my hands and crying and sticking by my weird silent guns on the hope that others would care. Or watch loved ones die. Or rely on the off switch.

Where are the pirates of the mind?

Other than this, it's a pretty decent YA SF dystopia. In one aspect, all the monetization and ads is pretty great worldbuilding. It's just the next step, the next dig down, that I have an issue with.

I usually don't go this hard on a book for ideas, especially since the rest was a pretty decent read as long as you suspend disbelief. Unfortunately, the disbelief became just a tad too heavy. ; ;

The idea of this book was interesting; that people would be so overcome with greed they would copyright words and gestures and ideas and people have to pay to use them. Nothing is free anymore and everyone is in tremendous debt. Companies take you to work off your debt, which never happens. I can't imagine paying $5 to hug my family! The concept was great and I really admired Speth for choosing silence instead of bowing to these ridiculous laws. It was slow paced and boring in some spots. I think it could have been shorter and still had all the important parts.

Despite being set in a far-future dystopia, this book feels chillingly realistic. If this is down to Katsoulis's imaginative descriptions, so be it. But perhaps it is also that the world is so close to what own could become that it does not stretch the imagination. Speth - our heroine, who has an inexpensive name - lives in a city where every word you say, and every move you make is monitored and tracked by the State - and then charged to you. "Sorry" costs $10 (and is an admission of guilt) and a kiss is charged depending on intensity and length. Even dancing, singing, or quoting is charged to you. Speth's parents have been Indentured in order to pay off the debt her great-great-great-great-grand-aunt owes in IP damages for torrenting, leaving her only with her brother and older sister. Once you turn fifteen, you start having to pay for your words. At her Last Day ceremony, one of her friends commits suicide, and thus, turns Speth to silence - the only act that cannot be charged. But how long can she be silent for, even to herself? What will silence give her in a world where adverts scream at you and her family is on the brink of debt every day? Read and find out, duh.

First, I must compliment the world-building, again. It really feels like a real city. The technologies feel futuristic and yet grounded in our reality. The world is so real that I felt like I was Speth, living in it. Perhaps the lack of outward voice in our protagonist means there's a lot of inward voice, and thus lends to the great world-building. There were points after I put the book down that I remembered I could talk because I was just so hooked onto the world created.

Secondly, every character feels organic and true, even the Big Bad at the end, although he is so evil I don't care if he's a one-trick pony or not. Speth is a relatable and realistic protagonist. Unlike other female protagonists in darkest dystopia, who seem to be made entirely of leadership plans and pure strength, Speth is anxious and spacey and weak. And the book allows her to be weak in a natural way. The book allows her to explore her anxiety and weakness, and keep them. Keep them and use them to her advantage. Speth has to be one of the best protagonists ever.

Thirdly, the story moves along at a steady clip. I never once felt bored, confused, or otherwise disinterested in reading.

Fourthly, this book ends in such a satisfying way that it makes a sequel a choice for you to read, not a necessity (although I'm definitely going to buy it). And what an ending.

Ultimately, this is young-adult fiction as it should be. Smart, funny, thoughtful, and so chillingly real that you can see the beginnings of the book in our own world. This is definitely my book of the year.

Access Restricted by Gregory Scott Katsoulis is the second book in the Word$ series. It is set in a futuristic dystopian U.S. where there is a charge for every word spoken or gesture made. A society where the only way to work off the debt of using speaking forces individuals, their families and children to be forced into a lifetime of indentured servitude.

I am happy to report that this second book is just as good as the first book in this series. The story flows really well and the plot engaging. I was captivated and held in suspense the entire time I read it! If you are enjoy reading dystopian/sci-fi stories - this series is definitely right up you alley!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Mr. Katsoulis, Harper Teen and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this book.½

Rating: 4.9/5

Plot

In a world where every word and gesture is copyrighted, patented or trademarked, one girl elects to remain silent

Speth Jime is anxious to deliver her Last Day speech and celebrate her transition into adulthood. The moment she turns fifteen, Speth must pay for every word she speaks, for every nod, for every scream and even every gesture of affection. She’s been raised to know the consequences of falling into debt, and can’t begin to imagine the pain of having her eyes shocked for speaking words that she’s unable to afford.

But when Speth’s friend Beecher commits suicide rather than work off his family’s crippling debt, she can’t express her shock and dismay without breaking her Last Day contract and sending her family into Collection. Rather than read her speech—rather than say anything at all—she closes her mouth and vows never to speak again, sparking a movement that threatens to destroy her, her family and the entire city around them.

How I got this Book

I got this book from signing up for the Harlequin Teen newsletter. There was an ad on Facebook for it and I love getting up to date news from publishers, so I couldn’t resist. Plus, a new book to read just made it a no brainer.

The Positives

Where to begin with this book?? I was hooked from the moment that I first opened the file on my Kindle app.

v Starting with the main character. Speth is a character who is impulsive, and you love to yell at while you are reading. She got the short end of the stick in her life, having to have a cheap name, a public domain haircut, and not having her parents in her life because of, well I will let you find out why yourself. The book in in her point of view, so you get a very in depth look at the type of person she is, and how she in just as confused as everyone else in her life. She makes a decision without thinking of the consequences, and this throws everything out of wack for her family.


v The supporting characters are just as good as Speth, some of them even better. Kel, Henri, and Margot are three of my favorite characters in this novel. They are known as Product Placers, people who you just knew would be important from the beginning with how obsessed Speth and her brother, Sam, were with finding one. The dynamics between this already established team, and how each of them reacted to Speth joining them and everything that happened between them, it all felt real.

v The plot was well paced and kept you wondering what was going on. I liked that the author didn’t give too much information away as he was writing this novel. The story is from Speth’s point of view, and therefore it makes sense that we only know as much as she does. This does of course leave you with some questions on what other people in the novel are doing, especially the other Silent’s, but it makes the novel feel as though it could be playing out in real time.

The Negatives

So this is going to be a fairly short section for this novel. I can say that Gregory Scott Katsoulis did an amazing job with his writing. The biggest negative of this book was an event that was absolutely HEARTBREAKING towards the end. This was an event that almost seemed unnecessary to the plot, more like it was thrown in just to make the reader angry. Not only that, but for a few moments I grew to truly hate Speth because of what happened. I want to tell you all more, but I definitely am not going to spoil this. I would love to hear from you guys who read this what you think though after you read it.

Overall

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys YA fiction, which I almost feel like is everyone. There are certain parts of the novel where you want to yell and scream, but I feel that it is important for a novel to evoke every type of emotion when you are reading it. I was lucky enough to receive this novel for free, but honesty this is one that I wouldn’t hesitate to pay for.

Information about the Sequel: The sequel to this novel (Access Restricted) is currently available for preorder on the Kindle Store for $9.99. It releases on August 28, 2018. That gives you all plenty of time to go and pick up this first novel and read it before the sequel comes out!

Happy reading!

In keeping with the spirit of the book, I’ll try to budget my words wisely. I’ll limit my use of expressive words since they are more expensive. I’ll try to avoid receiving an Insta-Suit™ or be taken into Collection. Oh, to avoid turning 15…

Who am I kidding? Expressive words are like sprinkles atop a bowl of ice cream, that little extra special something. This book is an absolutely amazing piece of satiric literature aimed at superfluous lawsuits, creative censorship, and extreme breech of citizen’s rights. Everything in this world is under copy right, trademark, intellectual property, etc. Supercomputers run algorithms to analyze each person. People are scanned enabling tailored Ads to appear while walking down the street.

I loved the variety of players in this game of life. The Affluent vs the Sluk vs the Lawyer vs the Corporation. Again, where’s the government? Then there are the teams of hired Product Placers hiding in the background. They sneak around town, strategically placing specifically chosen items in the homes of influential people. It’s a well-paying job for those who remain invisible.

There really is a lot going on in this book. I spent most of the read feeling completely frustrated. She knew the current system just wasn’t right. Everything felt wrong. The puppet master was a true master. Each time it appeared she was finally getting the upper hand, something would happen. He took her near wins and spun them into stronger strings. I honestly thought this story was going to end on a low note. I found myself wanting to give up because there was no way she could beat him.

I loved this book up until a certain point. In this futuristic novel, everyone starts getting charged for speaking at the age of 15 because every word is copyrighted. I thought the idea didn't sound like it could be made realistic but the author made it very believable. The main character's name is Speth because her parents didn't want to pay for a normal name she was randomly assigned this free combination of letters. Speth is ready for her big speech when she turns 15 before the charges start on her wrist band. Before she can give her speech, a friend kisses her and then commits suicide. Speth is stunned into silence and then continues her silence as a protest to the way things are. I felt her silence was unreasonable and unrealistic at one point in the book and one of the plot lines that I liked and was looking forward to following to its conclusion just died out. It did not end as well as it began but I definitely don't feel I wasted my time reading this book. It is a great concept that I hope never comes to be.

Preparing to deliver her Last Day speech to celebrate her new adulthood in a world where every word and gesture is copyrighted, patented or trademarked, a 15-year-old girl elects to remain silent rather than pay to speak, a decision that threatens to unravel the fabric of society.

** I read an advance reader copy of this book. **

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The characters were fun, the plot was interesting, the world was suitably dystopian. However, the rebellion/revolution didn't really ring true to me and I was very annoyed to realize this was only the first book in a series. Don't get me wrong, series can be wonderful -- you get to stay in the world longer, spend more time with favorite characters but this book ended on a fairly solid note and there is really no reason at all to continue. A page or two of epilogue years down the road would have tied up any possible loose ends. I can't see anywhere for this story to go without losing it's way and, as I said that annoyed me. That is also what made me drop this from a 3.5 (maybe 4) to a 3. Still, good writing and fun to read.

On Speth's fifteenth birthday, she will become legally responsible for every word she speaks and gesture she makes. A cuff on her arm will track her word usage and deliver customized advertisements, charging her the amount set by each word's rights holder. Speth's not excited about this change, but it's not something she can do anything about -- it happens to everybody in her society. But then, moments before she is set to deliver her first official speech, her boyfriend walks up to her, kisses her, and jumps off a bridge -- the only way he can see to escape his family's crushing debt. Shocked by his suicide, Speth wishes she could say something about it, but her speech is already prepared, and she has signed a legally binding agreement that those will be her first words. In response to the unfairness of the system, she makes a bold choice: she will do nothing. She will not speak, gesture, or do anything else that counts as communication in the eyes of the rights holders. As other people emulate her and her society reacts against her, Speth must deal with the fallout from this spur-of-the-moment decision.

I liked the pacing of this story, the inventive setting, and the fact that there's only a very slight romantic subplot. I thought that the character development could have been stronger, but all in all, this was an interesting, thought-provoking story. If you enjoy dystopias like Scott Westerfeld's Uglies and M.T Anderson's Feed, give this book a try.