Revived is an engaging story by author Cat Patrick which follows the life of teenager, Daisy West. As with all of Patrick's novels, Revived is about the sort of topic which forces you to think. Could this scenario actually be happening right now?
Daisy is a test subject in a top-secret government program called Revive, named after the drug they are testing, which brings people back to life. The drug only works if administered within several minutes after death, and every time a test subject 'dies' they have to be relocated, and given new identities.
Although Daisy had never formed too serious an attachment to anyone in towns she previously lived in, her latest move to Omaha changes things. She meets her soon-to-be best friend, develops a crush on a cute guy, and enjoys her life in the new town. However, good things don't last forever, and Daisy's seemingly perfect world gets turned upside down through events out of anyone's control. Revived explores the themes of identity, relationships, and the things that can happen to us when these connections get torn apart.
Although criticised by some as being a plain character with little depth, Daisy is three-dimensional, thrust into a life she didn't choose, and forced into making difficult choices, even if they sometimes the route she takes seems like the wrong one. This is what makes her 'real'. In the real world people do not always make good decisions, people act hastily, people mess up. I think Daisy's character reflects this human characteristic well.
Patrick's writing is cohesive, and manages to suitably translate complex themes for the readers. Personally, one of my favourite examples of this surrounds the idea of God and religion. Despite the fact that Daisy has died several times, there is no ultimate conclusion on her behalf of what would happen when she dies for real. Daisy deems religion as being 'unnecessary' to her as she believes that most religious ideas revolve around the idea of life after death, and she has not ever had to worry about dying.
Another religious undertone in Revived is that the mysterious man in charge of Revive is aptly named God as he has the power to 'manipulate life and death'.
Despite all the negativity that occurs in Daisy's life, there are happier moments for her as well. She jokes around with her friends, enjoys designing, decorating, and furnishing her bedroom, and runs a blog with her transgender friend Megan. No matter how much bad there is, Daisy manages to pull herself up, knowing that she'll eventually 'fall back into step' with the world.
Whilst the ending was somewhat predictable, the story still made me feel like crying, and I didn't want to lose hope for Daisy's future. Overall, I found Revived to be a worthwhile read, so I would recommend it to you, if it sounds like the kind of story you would enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Daisy is a test subject in a top-secret government program called Revive, named after the drug they are testing, which brings people back to life. The drug only works if administered within several minutes after death, and every time a test subject 'dies' they have to be relocated, and given new identities.
Although Daisy had never formed too serious an attachment to anyone in towns she previously lived in, her latest move to Omaha changes things. She meets her soon-to-be best friend, develops a crush on a cute guy, and enjoys her life in the new town. However, good things don't last forever, and Daisy's seemingly perfect world gets turned upside down through events out of anyone's control. Revived explores the themes of identity, relationships, and the things that can happen to us when these connections get torn apart.
Although criticised by some as being a plain character with little depth, Daisy is three-dimensional, thrust into a life she didn't choose, and forced into making difficult choices, even if they sometimes the route she takes seems like the wrong one. This is what makes her 'real'. In the real world people do not always make good decisions, people act hastily, people mess up. I think Daisy's character reflects this human characteristic well.
Patrick's writing is cohesive, and manages to suitably translate complex themes for the readers. Personally, one of my favourite examples of this surrounds the idea of God and religion. Despite the fact that Daisy has died several times, there is no ultimate conclusion on her behalf of what would happen when she dies for real. Daisy deems religion as being 'unnecessary' to her as she believes that most religious ideas revolve around the idea of life after death, and she has not ever had to worry about dying.
Another religious undertone in Revived is that the mysterious man in charge of Revive is aptly named God as he has the power to 'manipulate life and death'.
Despite all the negativity that occurs in Daisy's life, there are happier moments for her as well. She jokes around with her friends, enjoys designing, decorating, and furnishing her bedroom, and runs a blog with her transgender friend Megan. No matter how much bad there is, Daisy manages to pull herself up, knowing that she'll eventually 'fall back into step' with the world.
Whilst the ending was somewhat predictable, the story still made me feel like crying, and I didn't want to lose hope for Daisy's future. Overall, I found Revived to be a worthwhile read, so I would recommend it to you, if it sounds like the kind of story you would enjoy.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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