Virginia is for…Book Lovers: Veracity by Laura Bynum

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Pocket (January 5, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1439123349
Source: Publisher

In 2012, a viral infection sweeps the country and wipes out half the population. A new government rises up from the ruins, called “The Confederation of the Willing.” The Confederation provides the only food, supplies and resources availablle. Given this additional power & control, they begin to make a few changes. Speech and behavior are now controlled by “slates”, computer chips embedded in the necks of all citizens. When a forbidden act is performed, or a red-listed word spoken, the individual is punished, sometimes even killed by an electrical shock.

Fast forward to 2045. The Confederation still exists, now providing sex and drugs to its willing populace. Harper Adams is a “monitor”, working directly for the Confederation. She has a special gift, she can see auras and read the thoughts of others. This gift gives Harper a unique advantage; she can see just how manipulative the Confederation is and begins to wonder if there is a better life. When the word “veracity”, also her daughter’s name, is red-listed, Harper knows she can stand for this no longer. Harper discovers the Resistance, an underground group set on overtaking the Confederation, willing to give up her own life in the name of freedom.

Compared to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood,Veracity gives the reader a chilling look at the future. The freedom of speech we have is one that we often take for granted. Imagine not being able to say things such as poem, or courage.The characters Bynum has created are strong, well-developed; characters you want to survive, to win. Veracity is a book that will stick with you long after you read the last pages. This book would be the perfect book club book; there are dozens of themes to be discussed.

Check back tomorrow for a special guest post by the author of Veracity, Laura Bynum.

Virginia is for…Book Lovers is a feature hosted by Jenn’s Bookshelves which spotlights local Virginia authors. If you are a Virginia author, or publicist for a Virginia author, and would like to be a part of this feature, please contact me!