Prison Nation

Book Title: Prison Nation
Author: Jenni Merritt
2.5 out of 5 Stars


Plot Background:


Millie 942B is about to turn 18, which will bring her a brand new life. Millie's parents are in prison for murder for life, and Millie was born and raised behind bars, 942B being her cell number and floor in the prison. Spokane, Washington has been turned into basically a prison city, much like 3 other cities in what used to be America, but is now called the Nation.


Millie encounters people in prison that she is not sure she should trust, some good, and some truly frightening, and is taught by the prison psychologist how to be "the good and the strong" for the Nation once she is released. Once released though, Millie starts to question if the Nation itself is really a prison, if anyone is really truly free. She falls in love with someone once she is released, and is constantly haunted by a terrible guard from the prison. Millie and her love interest decide to try to get to the ocean, since she has never seen the ocean and longs for true escape.


My Thoughts:


The concept is certainly an interesting one --I mean lets be honest, I am a HUGE fan of "The Hunger Games" series is most of the world, and cant seem to get enough of the terrible dystopian society we have the potential to become if left to our own devices. The idea that criminals, such as Millie's parents (who shouldn't be written off as criminals perhaps) would be moved to this prison, where they not only live in the same cells as their spouses but also are able to have children while in prison and keep them there as prisoners until they are 18 is interesting too, its not an idea I have heard before, and at first thought I might have a hard time accepting the fact that America as we know it would allow that type of thing, even a fictitious America. However, the Nation is not America, and hasn't been for years, so it becomes a world very easy to submerge yourself into.


I also enjoyed getting to know Millie, although at times her character is not what I'd expect. You get to know two Millies, the Millie 942B, and Millie Summers- the prisoner Millie vs Millie the "free". Her anxiety or "fog" as she calls it sometimes makes being in her head a little bit confusing, but for the most part she has a clearly defined voice, and is a really likable character. Millie's parents are also interesting characters, because they make you realize that maybe not everyone is who they seem to be. The story of the parents was pretty intriguing and kept my interest in the book in the slow spots.


One of the things I didn't enjoy that much about the book is that it felt very rushed. It felt as though the author published her detailed outline, which had the bones to be something really amazing. Had she given more details in some places and explained more of the plan that Millie comes up with once they are at the ocean would have made it so much more enjoyable. The ending was also a bit shaky, it seemed hastily ended (okay, maybe I am an ending snob..). This goes back to not enough elaboration on Millie's plan, it wasn't explained, was the beach wall less monitored? Is there a boat? It needed something otherwise anyone would get out, which defeats the whole purpose of the climax. 


I also wont give away who or when someone dies, but it felt that she introduced characters and before you really were able to get to know them, they died or got hurt in some way, it made it so that while the death was still sad, it wasn't as heartbreaking as when a character you love dies. 


This book really had the potential to become a series had the author put in a little more details, a little more meat and potatoes. Overall I would recommend this book if you liked the Hunger Games, but dont expect the same caliber of story. For a debut novel it is better than most debut's. Not a terrible book, but not something I think I will ever pick up again. 


As always, here is a link to the book on Amazon.com, or you can feel free to use the search box on the right side of the screen! 
http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Nation-ebook/dp/B006H4LPZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340932356&sr=8-1&keywords=prison+nation




Happy Reading!!!