The Vitruvian Heir: Book I: The Unraveling (The Vitruvian Heir Trilogy)

It is the 23rd century. Eighteen-year-old Lorelei (Lore) Fetherston lives in Vitruvia. This area, once known as the United States, is under a monarchist regime that dictates Victorian and Edwardian principles, including the subordination of women on various levels. One issue that greatly affects Lore, is the custom of parents to arrange their children's nuptials. Lore is earmarked to marry Gideon, a man she does not love, in three weeks time. If she were to have her way, she’d marry Fallon, a man her parents have dismissed. Added to this, Lore's talent for writing is summarily squelched under the iron hammer of Vitruvian's laws against freedom of speech.While trying to figure out how to escape her upcoming marriage, Lore becomes the recipient of her grandmother’s tiny music box that contains information on Artemis Klepes. Meeting with the supposed crazed scientist, Lore receives from him a journal, which transforms into a suitcase filled with her grandmother’s controversial book collection. Although the banned literature is nothing less than eye-opening, it doesn't change her current situation. Lore still must find a way to escape her arranged marriage.Kilroy’s futuristic realm, replete with a repressive quasi-Orwellian setting, is riddled with everything sinister. Among her mix of developed and elusive characters and creatures (i.e., yoctos, minuscule beasts; galateans, humanoids), Kilroy keeps readers wondering who can be trusted.While punctuating her narrative with cruel and brutal scenes, Kilroy weaves in Lore’s gift for story writing. Amid oppressive situations, Lore collects the personal accounts of repressed women—stories she hopes one day will be made known to the world. It is in the shaping of this heroine as a lover of humankind that makes Lore such a unique and appealing character.A natural storyteller, Kilroy engages her audience on a deeper reading level from the get-go through "inferencing." This powerful tool enables readers the opportunity to create the necessary puzzle pieces that will aid in completing the plot.Balancing familiar with unexpected description and a smooth narrative voice, this is a Y/A classic in the making and has the power to develop a loyal readership.

one of my favorite books

I will admit it took me a good few pages to get into it but then I was hooked. It did feel like a couple areas lurched forward and I had to reread to see if I missed something, however the concept of the world, main characters, on goings on throughout... Good stuff. I will definitely be continuing to the next book!

Who among us doesn't wonder what life would be like in a post-apocalyptic world? I would imagine that it would be those among us who read dystopian literature and search out different takes on such an existence. I have read quite a few that have given me pause but nothing like this read that I just finished from author L.S. Kilroy.Hard to believe that this is her debut novel as it blew me away with its fluency and originality, "The Vitruvian Heir" takes a look at a post-apocalyptic U.S. with a unique slant. The world is now called Vitruvia and the story centers on Lore, who is a strong-willed eighteen year old girl in a society that no longer has a place for such things. Society has reverted back to Victorian-era repression, where women are not equals and, despite Lore being born to privilege, she is not the least bit happy with her lot in life. Lore wishes to write above all else and would prefer not to be forced into a loveless marriage. This sets up the wonderful conflict and adventure for the rest of the book as she gets her chance to join the rebellion and fight for change.I loved this story for its originality, the depth of the world that Kilroy created with Vitruvia, and the amazing cast of characters that I came to appreciate and root for so quickly. I also enjoy the steampunk genre and those elements that were added to the story were such a bonus for me. A very talented writer who is one that is now on my watch list for future releases.

Interesting concept, not very good writing.