HellSans by Ever Dundas Book Review
HellSans by Ever Dundas
5 stars
Book Description:
When every word you read, whatever it says, fills you with euphoric calm - that's HellSans; a typeface used everywhere by the government. To keep people happy. Blissful. And controlled.
Unless you're allergic. And then every word is agony. Then HellSans is hell, and reading it will slowly kill you.
HellSans is the story of two women.
CEO Jane Ward is famous and successful, until she falls ill with the allergy and her life falls apart, dumping her in the ghetto with the other HSAs (HellSans Allergic). Where she meets...
Dr Icho Smith, a scientist who has a cure for the allergy. But she's on the run from the government, and the Seraphs, a terrorist group with their own plan for the HSAs...
HellSans innovative structure allows you to read either Jane or Icho's story first, before their lives meet in the terrifying finale.
HellSans is dystopia writ large. A novel where words can kill.
REVIEW
This is one of my favorite 2022 reads!
Dundas takes readers on a thrilling ride where words can literally set off an allergic reaction resulting in a variety of symptoms including boils, blisters, and possibly death. This dystopian world revolves around two dynamic woman: Dr. Icho Smith who is researching a cure and CEO Jane Ward who famously is in charge of the ominous Company which manufactures personal assistant machines to make life as easy as possible. Icho finds herself wrapped in a conspiracy with the only sliver of hope for her survival resting with Jane. Jane quickly discovers the horrors of the HellSans allergy when she becomes infected and dumped in the ghetto with the other forgotten and discarded members of society. Together, they must work towards unraveling a mystery before it’s too late.
Jane and Icho are perfectly matched. Jane’s ego, brisk nature, and flaunting of wealth make her the slightly less sympathetic of the two, but Icho softens Jane’s edges. The book is divided into three parts allowing readers to pick Icho or Jane’s point-of-view to begin the book. While these two sections can be read in either order, Jane’s story explains the technology in more detail and might be more desirable to those who want a more thorough understanding of the assistant machines the Company manufactures. Icho is arguably the more likeable of the two, so those looking to have an instant connection with a character are encouraged to being with her section.
As the plot progresses, themes of reliance on technology and the difference between the “haves” and the “have nots” becomes apparent. Characters are quick to gobble up the lies of politicians and those in affluent positions while they turn up their noses at the most vulnerable in their community. The parallel between fiction and reality often becomes unsettling as Dundas forces readers to hold a mirror up, not only to themselves, but to the world we live in. With expert writing and thrilling tension, the suspense becomes palpable in the final section where everything comes together, readers are left contemplating the morals of this dystopian world.
I highly recommend checking this one out! Buy it here.
