Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

                                                 Book: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
                                                 Pages: 362
                                                 Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
                                                 Source: Sent from Tor Teen

Short Synopsis: Ember lives in a world where there are no rights and only moral statues. Due to an updated statue, Ember is now faced with hardship and must learn to survive, or face the consequences.

My Thoughts: An entertaining read on what the world might be like, if the government falls apart.

Seventeen year old Ember Miller knows what a rough life is like. With just her and her mother to look after, Ember must provide for the two, as Ember's mother has been a bit unstable. While returning from school one day, Ember and her mother are met by the Moral Militia, otherwise known as the soldiers of the Federal Bureau of Reformation.
They inform Ember and her mother, that Ember's mother is under arrest for being noncompliant, due to the newly updated statue of Article 5, where children are considered valid citizens only when conceived by a married man and wife. Ember's mother and Ember are separated, and Ember is sent to a  Girls' Reformatory and Rehabilitation Center. Ember must learn to play by the rules or face the consequences of not following the rules.
But all Ember can do is thinking about fleeing and reuniting with her mother. Ember finally manages to escape the horrible clutches of the FBR and rescued by her former boyfriend, Chase Jennigs, who had turned into an FBR soldier. Ember doesn't know if she can trust Chase or not, but the two must work together, in order to rescue her mother. But as the two continue on their mission to save Ember's mother, they discover secrets about the Federal Bureau of Reformation. Can Ember and Chase survive running from the FBR and get to Ember's mother before it's too late?

I really enjoyed reading this novel. A fast paced read, leaving you wanting more. You really start to feel sympathetic towards the main character, Ember, and the tough situations that she, along with the rest of the world, is put through. The novel is an interesting dystopian which delves into the world of a corrupted government and shows readers what could happen if the government takes full control.
The FBR itself sort of reminds me of the basis of what a communist country might behave. They have specific laws all must follow, and if disobeyed, they get sent to prison, or worse, death.
The novel is unique, mixed with real world issues, and centered on the romance of Chase and Ember. The romance of the novel is unique as well, where the two test each other, and must learn to trust one another yet once again, to gain their desired goal.
I don't normally read YA novels with such a serious background information with it, but it seems to work beautifully, as we see the corrupted world through the innocent eyes of Ember. We also get to witness a lot of characters who are corrupted by the government as well, and who are also willing to do most anything to get what they want. It's also interesting and ironic, that the main characters themselves,  are a bit dishonest with each other. In this novel, everyone is working to achieve their own goals, while hiding secrets of their own. All in all, I really enjoyed reading this novel, and hopefully there will be a sequel.

Would I recommend this book: Yes

Rating: I give this book a 4.5/5.