This has all the hallmarks of a YA fantasy novel I could fall in love with: great world building, an intriguing plot, a great female character, the start of a series. It just didn't hit the mark. There's something missing from Incarceron - it tries too hard right out of the gate, and there are very few times I feel even the slightest bit emotionally connected to any of the characters. They're just there, and I couldn't have cared less if any of them made it to the end.

There was enough in Incarceron to keep me reading until the end, but I don't think I'll be picking up the rest of the series at all.

Here's the thing: as much as I love female-led dystopian YA fiction, the more of it I read, the harder it is to get past the fundamental building blocks of the genre. All of which were present here, and gave it the feeling of being a dystopian how-to checklist.

Girl who believes her Society is right and looks forward to Society Milestone? Check.
Having to choose between the right boy and the right-but-society-says-he's-wrong boy? Check.
Society slowly breaking down? Check.
Nameless Offcials messing with people and hiding how things are going down the drain? Check.
Loving, if confused, family? Check.
Girl realizing she needs to think for herself? Check.

Not much happened in this first book, and I'll definitely be giving the second one a read when it's out because this was an enjoyable read, but this wasn't everything it was hyped up to be.

I...can't explain why I enjoyed this. So much so that I finished the first book in one sitting, immediately started the second, finished that in a few hours, and I'm well into the third.

Jessica Darling is infuriating and wonderful and sympathetic all at once, and McCafferty writes her in a way that is endearing and easy to read. I love her.