The Safe Lands Series - Book One by Jill Williamson
Captives Blog Tour - Day Three
Hay-O! We've all got issues!
click image for Amazon link or click link below) Captives - available from:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Safe-Lands-Jill-Williamson/dp/0310724228/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376160014&sr=1-5
CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/captives-jill-williamson/9780310724223/pd/724223?item_code=WW&netp_id=1022035&event=ESRCG&view=details
Author's Web site: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/Author's Blog: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/jill-williamsons-blog/
I received a review copy of Captives by Jill Williamson from the nice folks at Zondervon
in conjunction with the August CSFF Blog Tour
in conjunction with the August CSFF Blog Tour
One of the things I enjoyed about the characters in Captives was the variety and believability; especially as the story progressed. I wasn't too sure whether I liked the characters in the first couple of chapters, but as the story progressed it seemed like their individuality shone through. Early on, Levi seemed like a bossy older brother who lorded it over his two siblings. Omar was the youngest, and an artist. In a society where hunters are prized, there was little time, or regard for artists. Omar dealt with his treatment in life by running away to find the greener grass on the next hill. Mason was in a similar strait as Omar. He was a scholar who wanted to become a healer like his mother. Healers were more highly valued by the village than artists, but not by much. Mason was the one always looking for answers, and new knowledge. he never stopped asking questions.
Inside the city walls, the three brothers outlook on life seemed to change little. Levi still struck out at problems, trying to use his strength and size to overcome obstacles. Omar still looked for the next big thing, and jumped at anyone or anything that brought recognition or temporary pleasure. He still thought short term. Mason seemed to realize the only hope for their village lay in finding a solution to the virus that struck the city, leaving the occupants sterile and afflicted with skin lesions.
It seemed to me Mason's focus was on others, I guess that's what made him a likable character. He even cared about his boss, who seemed a terrible person when they met. At first, Levi's seemed to focus on others, but it soon seemed like he was more concerned with taking care of 'his' village and recovering 'his' fiancée. Omar? Well, Omar was always about Omar. But by the end of the book, he seemed to realize his actions had brought pain, suffering, and even death to others.
Something I wondered about were the digital masks and body paints worn by the Safe Landers. Were these digital cover-ups an allegory for the masks people wear today? People put on a good front with the masks they wear in public, but underneath they are hurting and need someone to fill the emptiness they cover inside. Do the digital arts worn by Safe Landers represent an impersonal society in which people will text or email, but won't do face to face because they can't enjoy the anonymity provided by online communication? Is a small part of our humanity taken from us as we conform to society's expectations, rather than what our Creator demands of us?
Jill Williamson wrote Mason's reactions as a good example of Romans 12:2. He is 'in' the world of the Safe Landers, but not 'of' the world of the Safe Landers, though he has feelings for one of the city's inhabitants. The author uses this contrast of lifestyles between the villagers and the city dwellers throughout Captives to illustrate that choices have consequences. Bad choices may seem more fun at the time, but eventually they catch up with you. Right choices are harder to make and follow, but they too will catch up to you.
In the end, Captives was about choices. And both the city dwellers and the villagers are Captives of choices made by them, or someone else for them.
Inside the city walls, the three brothers outlook on life seemed to change little. Levi still struck out at problems, trying to use his strength and size to overcome obstacles. Omar still looked for the next big thing, and jumped at anyone or anything that brought recognition or temporary pleasure. He still thought short term. Mason seemed to realize the only hope for their village lay in finding a solution to the virus that struck the city, leaving the occupants sterile and afflicted with skin lesions.
It seemed to me Mason's focus was on others, I guess that's what made him a likable character. He even cared about his boss, who seemed a terrible person when they met. At first, Levi's seemed to focus on others, but it soon seemed like he was more concerned with taking care of 'his' village and recovering 'his' fiancée. Omar? Well, Omar was always about Omar. But by the end of the book, he seemed to realize his actions had brought pain, suffering, and even death to others.
Something I wondered about were the digital masks and body paints worn by the Safe Landers. Were these digital cover-ups an allegory for the masks people wear today? People put on a good front with the masks they wear in public, but underneath they are hurting and need someone to fill the emptiness they cover inside. Do the digital arts worn by Safe Landers represent an impersonal society in which people will text or email, but won't do face to face because they can't enjoy the anonymity provided by online communication? Is a small part of our humanity taken from us as we conform to society's expectations, rather than what our Creator demands of us?
Jill Williamson wrote Mason's reactions as a good example of Romans 12:2. He is 'in' the world of the Safe Landers, but not 'of' the world of the Safe Landers, though he has feelings for one of the city's inhabitants. The author uses this contrast of lifestyles between the villagers and the city dwellers throughout Captives to illustrate that choices have consequences. Bad choices may seem more fun at the time, but eventually they catch up with you. Right choices are harder to make and follow, but they too will catch up to you.
In the end, Captives was about choices. And both the city dwellers and the villagers are Captives of choices made by them, or someone else for them.
(One last time, in case you missed it earlier)
For a taste of life in the Safe Lands, visit the Safe Lands Webpage.
Thank you for stopping by Fantasythyme this week for the Captives Blog Tour. If you enjoyed Mrs. Williamson's earlier books, or enjoy dystopian stories with a Christian twist, be sure to check out Captives. It's a great read!
*Participants’ links:
Julie Bihn
Thomas Fletcher Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Jeff Chapman
Pauline Creeden
Emma or Audrey Engel
Victor Gentile
Timothy Hicks
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Asha Marie Pena
Nathan Reimer
Chawna Schroeder
Jojo Sutis
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Phyllis Wheeler
Rachel Wyant
