Second Bookses

So here's the thing: Emma Trevayne's Coda will probably seem very familiar to readers of dystopian novels and movies. You have the secret knowledge banned by a totalitarian government, a la The Giver. You have a society totally reliant on the workings of a giant computer network powered by human energy, like The Matrix. And you have the main character who's doing something subversive and sparking a movement, much like... well... just about every dystopian thing ever.And yet I sat down and read Coda in nearly one sitting, sneaking every second I could to read it.It's possible I was so strongly affected by Coda because Trevayne uses my worst fear as one of her world's harshest punishments, but I don't think that's it. What she's done that makes this novel stand out so much from a subgenre that feels like it's overdone at times is center it on music, one of the most intrinsic parts of nearly every society on earth. The idea of taking something that's created as entertainment, as comfort, as art and turn it into a weapon to be used by a government would have been enough to keep me going.But then Trevayne takes it a step further, creating Anthem. Sure, there are dystopian tropes abounding: the teen who's had to take on too much too soon, the teen bucking the system and risking his life and his family. But Anthem is a character who tugs on your heartstrings in a unique way. I've never felt I could be Katniss from Hunger Games or Juliette from Shatter Me or Thomas from The Maze Runner. But Anthem is a character who could be anyone. He just wants to do his thing. He wants to protect his younger siblings from the early death he faces. He wants someone to come in and take responsibility and not leave him making all the decisions for his family. And he wants a girl who's way above him in the social stratosphere.It's about here that I realize I'm probably not explaining it in any sort of understandable way. Coda is an emotional read. Unlike most dystopian novels, I keep turning pages not to find out what happened to the government, but to find out what was going on with Anthem. This is a book in a genre that relies on huge action and intricate plots that relies on the character. Sure there are big action moments, but finding yourself looking for how it's going to impact the character instead of the society is a big switch for me in this genre.I read a lot of books. I'd be lying if I said I didn't often forget character names and intricacies of the plot after a while. There are times when I don't review a book right away when I'll have to look up a synopsis to refresh my memory. Anthem -- and Coda are going to stay with me for a long while.