The Controlled is the debut novel by author P.J. Willett. Set in the not-too-distant future, in which a cooperation has taken over the education system, The Controlled cleverly discusses mind control, forced behavior modification, and issues with class disparity.
This book, especially considering it is a debut, is exceptionally well-written. However, while the story and writing are quite good, for me, that doesn't matter if I do not find myself able to connect with the characters. As I read The Controlled, I found myself mildly intrigued with the concept but not able to care about what happened. It just lacks that little extra spark for me. I also found the book to be a bit too fast-paced for my personal liking. Not enough time is given to really take in what is happening in the story, which, once again, makes it difficult to find any real connection with any of the characters. If I don't care what is happening, what is the point?
Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
Should you read it?
If you like dystopian literature and don't require having a connection with the characters, then this book would be perfect for you. Could also be a good fit for fans of the Fallout game franchise (the Rego Cooperation reminds me a bit of Vault-tec for some reason).
Book & Author Information: Goodreads, Storygraph
Published: June 17, 2022
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