Sowing is the fourth finalist I’ve read as part of the SPFBO.  This is a low fantasy story, with a dystopian feel that felt like it was aimed at a YA audience – although there are certain elements of this story that don’t quite fit into that category (mention of rape, torture, etc).  To be honest, I had high hopes for this one but it didn’t quite work out for me and that could be a combination of the fact that I’m not really the intended audience and I also tend to read less dystopian fiction these days not to mention that I can be a bit of a stickler for the details.

The book revolves around two sisters and their struggles.  The city in which they live is ruled by the Hulcondans.  The Hulcondans fought off a massive threat to all humans many years ago and now rule this city (and others) with an iron fist.  Unfortunately, a force that started out as the saviour of the people, protecting them and saving them in their hour of need, has since dramatically changed.  The Hulcondans have become the oppressors of the people, they mercilessly stamp out any signs of dissent and on top of that take terrible liberties.  Rebellion is brewing, starting with the posting of subversive material around the city.  On the face of it this sounds like something I would love but I think the focus of the story was perhaps just too narrow for me to really get on board.

The two sisters are Ariliah and her older sister Rabreah.  Ariliah is very trusting of the system in place to maintain law and order.  She believes in the way of life and is basically a very obedient young woman who does her best to stay within the parameters dictated to her.  Her sister Rabreah feels quite differently.  Past events left her reputation in ruins and she longs to join the rebellion movement.  Again, this sounds good, on the face of it although it did leave me puzzled as to why Ariliah was so ready to believe in a system of power that had wronged her own sister, who she loves dearly, so very badly.

I think what I really struggled with here is the world building and character building.  I liked the concepts but for me a lot of the story seemed to revolve around the two young women and the male interest that had caught their eye and vice versa.  I realise that’s probably a really simplistic way of describing things but to be honest I really didn’t have any true vision in my own mind of what was going on.  I struggled to visualise the world and the City, why things were run the way they were, who the enemy really was or to know anything of the rebellion movement, in fact I found it difficult to come to grips with who was good or bad other than being told.  For example, at this point in time could I really say that the rebellion leader is any better than the leader of the Hulcondans?  Okay, this may be a little bit unfair because there were a couple of executions that were carried out by the Hulcondans – as little more than a display of their power.   But, that being said, the leader of the rebellion, who is clearly turning into the love focus for the older sister, has some very dubious methods himself.  On top of this, how does the place run, why are there so many soldiers that they can take time to wander nonchalantly round the city whenever the urge takes them.  Who decides the work allocation.  Why does the girl’s mother treat Ariliah so dreadfully??

To be honest, I’m not really keen on writing negative reviews.  I think this book will work for some people and not others.  I’m sorry that I couldn’t get more on board with this one but I do wish the author all the best with this series and would also like to thank her for the copy for review.

In terms of scoring I would give this 4.5 out of 10.