YA Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction discussion

Begin the discussion!!

(P.S. I haven't read this one yet, so I'd appreciate it if someone who has read it can post some discussion questions. Thanks!)

I must say the weird slang in this book is driving me crazy.

It drove me crazy at first but you get used to it.

The slang was annoying at first, but you get used to it.

I really enjoyed this one. I found the world fascinating and I loved the characters. I loved how they grew and really came into themselves by the end of the book. I am a sucker for character growth and this one did it for me. I really want to see were the story is going to go from here.

And yes the slang was annoying.

Discussion questions by Jen and Angie:

Is Jondoe for real? Or was he just playing a part?

What do you think of the role reversal between Harmony and Melody?

Discuss the glorification of teen pregnancy in this society? 11 year olds giving birth is ok...

What do you think about childbirth as a occupation?

What do you think about Harmony jacking Melody's deal and Lib's conversation with Jondoe?

Is Ram gay? (we think he is)

What do you think will happen next with Harmony leaving with Ram and between Melody and Zen?

Discuss...and add your own questions.

I think Jondoe is playing a part. I think he was trying to be whatever his clients wanted him to be and those were not actually his parents. Not sure what the deal is b/w him and Lib - but I think there's more to the story there. I'm also not sure if he's really in love w/ Harmony. What do you guys think?

The glorification of teen pregnancy - hum, it was interesting to see how everyone treated the pregnant girls like they were the greatest thing ever and those that had never been pregnant were kind of outcasts. I thought that was really intriguing. All the merchandise (baby bumps, jingles, etc) was a definite indication of the societal trends and social conformity. The 11 year old having a baby was just crazy! :)

Childbirth as an occupation really worked for this society and I can see how they got there. Although to me, it was really crazy to see parents pimping out their daughters (like Melody's did) and guys like Jondoe basically being prostitutes who are revered. Very different from how we live! :)

The other thing that really struck me was the way these girls treated their pregnancies and babies. They didn't acknowledge the fact that they were babies, and didn't become attached. Right down to Seneca not even caring that she had a hysterectomy and almost died. The only one who seemed to get that she was giving up her child was Mia and all her friends thought she'd went nuts and couldn't understand what she was so upset about. A part of me was horrified by that, but another part understood the coping mechanism to be able to give birth and give the babies up repeatedly.

I couldn't believe that Harmony actually did the deed with Jondoe! I got that she was wanting to convert Melody into her way of life, but to jump into bed with the first cute guy to come along really went against everything she supposedly stood for. Her transition seemed a lot faster and out of the gate, while Melody's was slower and a little more believable to me. And, it just goes against the "sister code" in my book.

Ram is totally gay!

I really don't know how Harmony is gonna pass off Jondoe's baby as Ram's! It will be interesting to see how the church community reacts to them returning. I really hope Melody and Zen do go for it and she sticks to her guns in not wanting to be a professional surrogate.

So many questions still to be answered, I can't wait to see where this goes!

I thought all along that Jondoe couldn't be for real. He tells us that he become whatever the girl needs him to become. When he brought Harmony home to meet his parents my first thought was that these were actors and this couldn't be for real. I think he is so used to playing roles that he never is himself. Now maybe he truly does feel something for Harmony but I just don't buy it and I really don't trust him. He and his family (if they were his real family) creeped me out. And I don't know if that was his true self talking to Lib but if it was...watch out Harmony and Melody!

I loved the role reversal of Harmony and Melody. I loved how they both grew into who they are supposed to be. I thought they were both playing the roles society picked out for them at the beginning of the book and by the end they finally realized their true potential. Of course they aren't quite there yet, but they are well on their way to becoming true free thinking individuals. Love it! I did think that Harmony's reversal went really fast and I couldn't believe that she slept with the first boy she met out of the commune, but then again it was like she just got out of jail. I was surprised by that. I thought Melody's transformation was a little more like a slow waking up and Harmony's was like a sheltered child who has been let out for the first time and goes a little wild and then gets scared and pulls back to the safe home she knows.

I thought the whole teen pregnancy as an occupation and society's reliance on it was intriguing. It is a real reversal of how we view it today. I was a little icked by the 10 year old giving birth and surprised that society wouldn't have problems with that, but you know there are always back door deals. I thought it was really interesting that there were brokers and career girls and deals with so much money. I found that all fascinating. I can also see how parents would start pimping out their kids. Happens today would certainly happen in these circumstances too. I definitely liked the concept and thought it was executed well.

I thought Ram was gay from the first moment I heard about him. I figured that was the only explanation for his problems at the commune and why they couldn't consummate the marriage.

Not sure what will happen next but I can't wait to find out.

I so want Johndoe to be real, but I'm thinking he is playing some game. His whole story is hard to figure out, but then I have to wonder (if it is a part), how he just happened to have people close by to where she lived who could play the "have god" couple as his parents. They also mentioned in the book that Harmony thought that the dad looked like an older version of Johndoe. I'm still kind of torn on this because parts seem real and other parts seem made up.

I liked watching Melody & Harmony (OMG, cliche twin names or what) grow into who they truly are and not who society they grew up in pressures them into being. I agree that Harmony's seemed to move very quickly from being a total prude who wouldn't show her face to sleeping with Johndoe so quickly. That seemed a little far fetched to believe. I agree with Angie that it seemed like Melody grew into her change where Harmony went a bit crazy and then ran for shelter.

The concept of the teen pregnancy being an occupation where girls sell themselves was interesting. It was hard to step outside of what our societal views are today and look at it from a different standpoint. I can easily see parents "pimping" out their children for money. I see that as no different than things parents do today. I think the hardest part of the book to read was when Melody's friend (I can't remember her name right now) was not concerned at all about her safety after her hemmorage and instead was totally indifferent to it. It was almost like girls had been desensitized to having babies and the scarier aspects or at least the risk of what can happen during pregnancy. It was interesting and in some ways disturbing.

I thought Ram was gay pretty early on. When he mentioned not being able to consummate the marriage I figured that was probably a large reason.

I'm actually completely unsure where this story is going to go with Ram & Harmony. I hope that Zen & Melody go for it and she sticks to her beliefs. I think the more interesting story is what will the fallout be with the Jaydens and the fact that they haven't gotten a baby from this mess because it doesn't seem like Harmony is giving that baby up and will Melody be held to her contract? So many questions....

This book was a giant stinker. LOL -- I actually gave it three stars in my review, but I really wanted to give it two. I had to give it three because for some reason, even though I thought it sucked, it made me want to keep reading so I guess it had to have some sort of redeeming qualities.

Jondoe was WEIRD. He was one reason this book ticked me off so much. I had no idea what to think about his character and I do not like feeling that way when I read a book. I feel like I need to at least partially identify with these characters, and he was just out there for me. Even if he WAS for real - Casual Sex was his mission work?

Ram is gay. And apparently not the sharpest crayon in the box??

So many things bothered me about this book.

I didn't like the religious overtones. As a Christian myself, I felt like the author kind of took my faith and took a giant poop on it. LOL! I mean, honestly - faith is ridiculous and "godfreaky", but tweens trying on fake bellies and being "fertilicious" isn't? Barftastic.

The slang was horrible.

Not a fan. Put this one under disappointments. :( I doubt I will read the second book because honestly I don't care what happens to the characters. Zen was the only one, IMO, that was vaguely interesting!

I don't really know how I feel about this book. I didn't think it was amazing but I couldn't put it down. The slang was completely distracting and confusing.

Answers to discussion:
Jondoe is a huge fake. I think he's gonna chase Harmony just to sell the baby. He wasn't genuine at all. He just gives me an uneasy feeling for Harmony. I'm really hoping Melody picks up on it fast and protect Harmony.
I don't really think there was a role reversal with melody and harmony. I think they had some eye openings but really they didn't change places with anything. Harmony didn't pregg for profit, she thought she was in love. Melody did change her mind after the experiences as birth coach. Melody just had a change of heart on a few things.
Ram is totally gay. Softer and drawn to men with no consummation of marriage and the shunning......gay. Poor harmony.

Did it bother anyone else that they know they are pregnant right as soon as the act is finished? I mean, come on now. It's not even possible... not even in the future. It takes at least 48 hours for an egg to implant and start to divide. LOL

I was a little irritated that they made it sound like u could take a pregnancy test literally the same day and it would give accurate results.

Oh man Katherine!!! I am like, with you 100percent!

I'm a Christian too and I have to say, I about pooped my pants when jondoe's mom and dad were going on about his "mission". I was cringing the entire time! And I don't know who said it, but it was totally annoying how Harmony jumps the first hot guy she meets. I did not expect her to do that.

Obviously Ram is gay...not sure if he's come to terms with it yet...

I Hate Jondoe! I could totally care less what happens to him...I hope he gets like every form of STD know to man.

And why do all these teens have to have sex anyway? What happened to sperm banks?..

The ONLY reason this book got any stars was because of Melody and Zen. I loved them as a couple and sadly it seemed as though they were the only two people in this world with any sense or self worth.

Not only will I not read the next book, but I hope I never even have to hear about it. LOL!!

At the back of both girls minds....they didn't want to be where they were. Did you guys notice that?

I think Harmony really left because she wanted to strick a balance. She did want her partner to be chosen for her and she felt trapped there to a certain extent. And I remember her saying Johndoe looked like her vision of Jesus...and she had a deep connection with him. Although that just makes it a little gross for me. Why would you sleep with Jesus??!! LOL! I still can't figure out of Johndoe or his parents were for real, but they were perfect for her.

Melody, although she "thought" she wanted what her parents did...she eventually realized it wasn't what she really wanted. I love her and Zen together. Just perfect! I'm so happy they ended up realizing that.

The slang was pretty tough and it took a while to get used to.

Ram has to be gay...but he was so adorable, poor guy!

Katherine wrote: "Did it bother anyone else that they know they are pregnant right as soon as the act is finished? I mean, come on now. It's not even possible... not even in the future. It takes at least 48 hours f..."

It was annoying that Harmony did not take a test. Instead "she felt in her soul that there was a new life growing in her." That made me want to stop reading right then and there.

I was also surprised that Harmony actually did that with Jondoe. What she is practicing is not Christianity as we know it, but she was raised in an ultra strict environment. Do you remember at the beginning when she was hesitant to even shake Zen's hand because that would be touching a male who isn't her husband? Then about a hundred pages later, she is having sex with a guy who is essentially a prostitute. That doesn't add up to me.

Julie wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Did it bother anyone else that they know they are pregnant right as soon as the act is finished? I mean, come on now. It's not even possible... not even in the future. It takes a..."

OH MY GOSH! I know!! It was so disturbing...all of it was.