Plus One by Elizabeth Fama

Plus One 
by Elizabeth Fama
Read: November 26 - 27, 2013
Published: April 8, 2014 by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux (Macmillan) **UPCOMING**
Source: ARC from publisher in exchange for an honest review
Category: Alternate Reality, YA
Find: Goodreads | Amazon

Divided by day and night and on the run from authorities, star-crossed young lovers unearth a sinister conspiracy in this compelling romantic thriller.

Seventeen-year-old Soleil Le Coeur is a Smudge—a night dweller prohibited by law from going out during the day. When she fakes an injury in order to get access to and kidnap her newborn niece—a day dweller, or Ray—she sets in motion a fast-paced adventure that will bring her into conflict with the powerful lawmakers who order her world, and draw her together with the boy she was destined to fall in love with, but who is also a Ray.

Set in a vivid alternate reality and peopled with complex, deeply human characters on both sides of the day-night divide, Plus One is a brilliantly imagined drama of individual liberty and civil rights, and a fast-paced romantic adventure story.

________________________________________________________________________

Since the flu pandemic of 1918, society has been split into Day and Night, with rules and strict curfews separating the groups. Sol is a Smudge who goes to school and work at night. She doesn't care for school, and resents the drudgery of her job. But she doesn't spend a lot of time dwelling on that, because all of her energy is focused on caring for her sick grandfather Poppu. Sol's brother Ciel was switched to a Day schedule two years ago, and despite how close they were growing up, she has not seen him since. Her brother has now married and has just become a father, though Sol and Poppu have only heard the news through Ciel's state sanctioned texts. 

Determined that Poppu should get to hold his granddaughter before he dies, Sol hatches a gutsy plan to make that happen. Unfortunately, Sol's planning derails almost immediately after she meets D'Arcy Benoit, a Day boy and Medical Apprentice. He's too perceptive for his own good. But Sol is determined, and she's not giving up that easily. Somehow they both become embroiled in a power struggle much bigger than the one they're fighting against each other. 

Sol 
Although Sol is ridiculously impulsive and has no concern for her own well being, she's fiercely loyal to her family and those she loves, and is determined to bring her grandfather peace before he dies. She's also not at all naive about the insanity and probable consequences of her plan. I love how clear Sol is about what she wants, and the way that she attacks it so completely, whether it's caring for her grandfather or a new and very unexpected romance. 

D'Arcy 
My perception of D'Arcy was not favorable at first, but my view of him changed right along with Sol's perspective of him. D'Arcy is a careful, dedicated, Ray Medical Apprentice, who has seemingly nothing in common with Sol a Smudge factory worker. But slowly, along with Sol, I realized that I had completely misjudged him. He easily matches her wits, and I had a lot of fun watching them constantly try to outsmart each other (or rather, Sol trying to outsmart D'Arcy and him getting in her way every time) until they eventually realize that they work even better with their powers combined. This boy completely stole my heart. 

Romance
Both slow burn, taking time to percolate, and fast paced rush. It is multi-layered, smart, sweet and made me swoon. It features two people who seem diametrically opposed, but are actually incredibly well matched, which is one of my favorite kinds of love stories. 

Science and Place
Even though Plus One is alternate reality, Fama grounds her book in both science and physical location. One of my favorite aspects of Fama's writing is the way she makes her story seem real and possible. This includes the characters' travel thru Chicago and its surrounding areas, visiting national parks and places in around and under the city that really exist. But also, the day/night divide and the social and medical problems associated with it are also well thought out. I could fully imagine this divide being created as a way to solve a dangerous problem, and then developing its own issues the longer it was in place. (Isn't that the case of most every policy?) Another aspect of this story I enjoyed was the characteristics that are unique to this society, like the way they use technology and the gangs that have cropped up. Every aspect of this story has been carefully crafted. 

Not your regular dystopian 
I've gotten tired of the typical alternate society/dystopian book that follows the same plot. You know, when the 17 year old MC somehow ends up at the forefront of it. Mainly, because it seems to be the same plot over and over again, and a completely unrealistic one. What I like about Fama's story is that it is a book about one girl in her world, and the way her life changes based on a decision that seems small at first. There are larger implications, but they are not the main focus of the story. This is also a standalone, which is rare for this genre. Though I wouldn't mind a sequel(!), the end also felt right for this story. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Standalone