June 18

‘Incarceron’ by Catherine Fisher

“Walls have ears, doors have eyes, trees have voices, beasts tell lies, beware the rain, beware the snow, beware the man, you think you know.”

Incarceron-1a4o3juIncarceron is a modern, technologically advanced prison hiding many secrets. It is a place of harsh imprisonment controlled by strict regulations and managed by a mysterious watchful eye. Prisoners are lead through the vast unknown areas of this futuristic prison. This is a place where uncertain, terrifying conditions are merely the beginning. First designed to have been a place of security and a supposed ‘heaven’, this prison is far from enticing. With metallic forests and dangerous beasts, the only limitation on this prison’s capabilities is the imagination.

Meet Finn: a prison born inmate with no recollection of the outside world. He holds in his hands the future of the prisoners who escape. Having experienced several years in isolation under Incarceron’s demands, he prepares to do whatever it takes to discover the harsh reality of the truth. But will it break him to realise the inevitable?

Knotted in flashbacks from a past life and his coincidental stumble upon a crystal key, Finn unlocks the hidden secrets of Incarceron and discovers the darkest of secrets, one including communication between himself and a girl from the outside world…

Claudia is a girl living in a past era where a 17th century world is maintained. With an undesirable future planned for her, she tackles the expectations of her father, the Warden of Incarceron, and undergoes personal investigations as she unravels the mystery behind the suspected assassination conspiracy. Against all odds, Finn and Claudia communicate through the worlds with them both carefully monitored by people they thought they could trust.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher is an unforgettable book that will leave you attached to the characters well beyond the final page. This book provides a confusing blend of mystery and suspense as the reader journeys with the characters through an escape plot like no other. With astoundingly realistic constructed descriptions, you will find yourself exploring the depths of the misleading labyrinth of Incarceron. This is a captivating book that intrigued me with every page and I began connecting to the characters and experiencing the many ups and downs of their chaotic, action-packed lives. I would rate this book four out of five stars and would highly recommend this book to boys and girls aged 12 and above based on the confusing nature and complexity of the storyline which is both perplexing and intriguing.

Chaos, diversity, corruption, isolation, terror… Welcome, to Incarceron.

Antonia H, Year 8

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Imagine one inside, one outside. But both imprisoned. Imagine Incarceron.”

Incarceron, written by Catherine Fisher, is on the New York Times’ bestseller list.

Finn had been flung onto his face and chained to the stone slabs of the transit way. Noises were coming from the darkness, vibrations on the ground, hearing the rumbling of migration trucks and the slow clang of wheel rims are coming closer and closer towards him. Then suddenly lights were coming through the darkness.

Claudia is living in a manor house with her very secret and mysterious dad, who is spending most of his time in his study room with locks surrounding the door. She is doomed to an arranged marriage, searching and finding ways that can get her out of it. Claudia finds a way into the locked study room, investigating every drawer and cupboard, finding new and interesting things, as well as one special item that she has never seen before. What does she learn and find from this special item?

Two worlds, completely different, one in darkness and one in modern time. What will bring these two worlds together and out of the darkness? What happens to Finn, Keiro and Claudia? How do they meet?

One of the reasons why I like this book is because it’s different to some of the other books that I usually read. In this book there are two different sides to the story, one being about a girl and the other about boys trapped in a prison. This book is about adventure, mystery and surprise, leaving with you suspense.

I believe that this book would be rated for teenagers and adults as it’s a bit confusing for young kids to comprehend. This book starts off quite confusing, although when you read further into the book it becomes more interesting and easier to understand. Once you begin this book you won’t want to put it down.

By Rebecca R., Year 8

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Incarceron, a separate world in which criminals were imprisoned with their oath brothers, demonstrates the struggles of helpless people trying to free themselves from the traumatising place they live within. The criminals grounded inside are only left with the dream of what could be waiting on the outside. A place of harsh treatment and strict rules, Incarceron is not the place you would want to get imprisoned in, or would you?

Finn, a teenager who remembers little before coming to consciousness within the walls of Incarceron, plans his daring idea to escape from the walls of the monstrous prison. When Finn finds he is in possession of a crystal key, his life changes dramatically. He discovers that he has the ability to talk to a young and elegant girl through the key whose name is Claudia and finds clues to help him get out of Incarceron.

Claudia, a young and witty lady whose father is the warden of Incarceron, befriends an intelligent, young man named Jared, who just happens to be Claudia’s tutor. Together they get to the bottom of the mysterious room Claudia’s father always lurks into when no one is watching. When they finally break into the perplexing room, Claudia also comes in possession of the same crystal key and this is when the communication arises between these two determined children.

The question is, will Claudia be able to help Finn escape from the unpredictable place, or will they fail miserably and discover that they are divided by two separate worlds??

If you are the person who enjoys a whole lot of mystery and action then Incarceron is the book for you. I would probably recommend this book to ages 13+ simply because it is quite difficult to comprehend and it can get a little confusing at times. I loved reading Incarceron because it always left me hanging and wanting to read more.

Sarah M., Year 8

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Posted June 18, 2015 by marjk in category Adventure stories, Dystopian fiction, Mystery, Student Reviews

About the Author

Teacher-librarian at Aquinas College, Southport, Gold Coast, Australia

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