Breathe (Breathe #1)

Breathe (Breathe #1) by Sarah Crossan

Rating: 1 star

Seriously, if someone can't write, then don't try to start by writing a full length book AND writing from multiple perspectives! I had hoped for at least an interesting dystopian novel coming from Breathe (not brilliant, I didn't have expectations that high), but what I got was pages after pages of boring descriptions of character's moping thoughts. 

The book is written in three people's perspectives (in first person): Alina, Bea and Quinn.  It starts off in Alina's perspective talking about a rebellion. It really gave me the feeling of out of the blue. There was no base to build a rebellion on and I could not comprehend the use of this type of beginning. Before all of the so-called action, couldn't you have at least explained somethings before confusing the reader? (I wasn't that confused, mostly annoyed really) The three perspective writing did not work at all. This is one of those books that I just wanted to yell at the writer: JUST TRY TO WRITE IN ONE PERSPECTIVE FIRST WILL YA? All three perpectives felt dead and flat for me. The characters' thoughts weren't the least bit new or original, they were either moping thoughts, pinning for a boy or girl, or typical angry teen angst. Alina was supposed to be strong, but all I got was her pinning for boys and trying to be tough. Bea was always talking about Quinn, being jealous or worrying about air or how to be top of the social heriachy. While Quinn, I really couldn't put a finger on it; I mean he was supposed to be this amazing guy, Ugh, just no. None of the characters were unique, and changing from one liveless narration to another not only annoys me as a reader but also breaks up the story into bits and pieces.

Alright, now talking about the plot, the idea of not having oxygen as a basic human right maybe original, but the writer's take on this idea turned it into a typical dystopian world with zero originality. I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at some parts while I just wanted to skipped pages of some other parts (out of boredom). The story didn't keep my interest and I ended up practically only reading about half of the book and skimmed the rest. Not to even mention the writing. It was average, or prehaps below average. There wasn't anything I could learn from reading this and I didn't stop to admire sentences or words or the style. There was no personality. 

It was not worth my time or effort and definitely won't be a book I want to buy. If you really wanted to read it, I suggest to get it out from the library first. Otherwise, not a book I would recommend at all.  

Synopsis

Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.
And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?