Book Review

A civilization damned by their own actions? Check! Tons of action? Check! Evil body of government? Check!

This book has Shanannigans written all over it, so naturally, I could not refuse! And I’m glad I didn’t because it was pretty good.

The Divinity Bureau (Release Date: September 2017)

A world crippled with overpopulation.
A government deciding who lives and who dies.
A boy fighting for the girl he loves.

In the aftermath of the discovery of immortality, the world finds itself suffering from overpopulation, a failing economy, pollution, and a world in turmoil. The government only has one solution: implement an agency that is responsible for keeping the population sustainable – an agency known as the Divinity Bureau.

When IT assistant Roman Irvine gets romantically involved with a nineteen year old college student on their list, he finds himself unraveling the secrets of the bureau and thrust into the politics of deciding who lives and who dies. Meanwhile, when April McIntyre finds her own life in peril, she struggles with an impossible choice: does she accept her fate or does she fight – even at the expense of the man she loves?

Sounds good, doesn’t it?

My Thoughts…

Excellent book!

What’s really cool, is that I just finished watching the first season of the series, 3% on Netflix, and there is beautiful symmetry between this show and Tessa’s book. If you know anything about the show, you will know it’s also about a dystopian future where the planet is crippled by overpopulation. (Note: The show and Tessa’s book are not related)

Like the TV show, The Divinity Bureau has a very controversial and wholly unfair way of dealing with the problem. While the parts of the population that can afford it, tote immortality as the be all, end all, for humanity, “The Divinity Bureau” holds a special election. Anyone over the age of 100 is eligible and if you’re randomly elected, you are executed. You know, to make room for more people. Other places put procreation bans in place but here, the government decides who lives and who dies.

Like any government, this one is rife with corruption. Can you guess how this might affect the populace?

The Divinity Bureau is a fascinating read. It’s told from a multiple person POV, in this case, Roman and April’s, so we get an in-depth look at this government regulated practice and how it affects people. It is very well-written, exciting, and has the best parts of many popular dystopian books sprinkled into the landscape. It did go on a tad too long, but it’s forgivable because the story is so good.

If this kind of thing floats your boat, then it’s a must read. I heartily give it my stamp of approval!

Rating… B

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About the Author

The Divinity Bureau is Tessa’s debut novel about a forbidden love between a young activist and a government employee working for a corrupt bureau, set in a dystopian world. Originally self-published in 2016, the story is set to be re-released in September 2017.