We - by Christelle Dabos (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

From the prize-winning author of the Mirror Visitor quartet comes a standalone YA dystopian novel set in a world where every life is assigned a purpose--and no one is free to question it.

★ "Demanding, unsettling, and deeply rewarding."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Kaleidoscopic...exquisite...inventive. Philip Pullman fans should take note."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

In a world ruled by "We" each person has a role, a direction, a mission assigned by their Instinct. No deviation. No freedom--Instinct is irrepressible and serves the Collective. But if young Goliath, a shattered Protector, saves lives, it's also because he dreams of becoming a Saint. And Claire, hiding behind her Instinct as a Confidant, bears a secret that could shake the entire system.

When some students begin disappearing into silence, Claire and Goliath find themselves questioning everything. Determined to uncover the truth, they follow forbidden trails, escape a murderous Archangel, and discover that "We" is not at all what it seems. The Instinctive Bureaucracy is impenetrable, and the detractors of the Collective work in the shadows, but one thing connects them all: their certainties are about to be shattered.

Deluxe hardcover edition with spot gloss and sprayed edges

Review Quotes

★ "French author Dabos' first dystopian novel trades the baroque, fractured worlds of the Mirror Visitor quartet for a society that's terrifying in its coherence... Questions about individuality, collectivism, purpose, and belonging linger long after the final page. Demanding, unsettling, and deeply rewarding."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Kaleidoscopic first-person present-tense narration ratchets up suspense while shading in the intersectionally diverse characters and their nuanced relationships. Exquisite prose and inventive worldbuilding complement the sophisticated, high-stakes plot, which considers issues of destiny, faith, and free will. Philip Pullman fans should take note of this profound and ambitious offering."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"We meditates on choice and individualism... An adventure-filled novel about individual freedom, set against the backdrop of an oppressive dystopian state."--Foreword Reviews

"Readers of the Mirror Visitor series will not be disappointed in the luxurious detail and complexity of cultural inventions [Dabos] produces. The story is thought-provoking and poignant in that it takes modern notions considered to be ordinary to extreme lengths in the ways for which writers like Bradbury, Asimov and Clarke were famous."--Reading the West

"Christelle Dabos dares to change, moving from romantic fantasy to dystopia, and she succeeds. We is breathtaking."--Corse Matin

"Dabos once again shows her ability to construct unpredictable and fascinating plots."--Il Libraio 

"Unique...unsettling... ultimately moving."--Le pélerin

Praise for Christelle Dabos and The Mirror Visitor Quartet

★ "Spectacular settings, exquisitely rendered characters." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Pulse-pounding suspense, memorable characters, rival clans and elaborate political arrangements rooted in myth." --The Buffalo News

"A series that is nothing like any YA book series on the shelves today."--Barnes & Noble Review

"Your next YA obsession."--Entertainment Weekly

"This is a first-class fantasy series, enjoyable for the complexity and richness of the landscape and the unique nature of the characters. Imaginative, filled with suspense and with a satisfying sense of place, it is not to be missed. Highly recommended."--Eric Boss, MPIBA

"Imagine the poisonous politics of Versailles in a glittering, steampunk world of quill pens, airships, masks, illusions and murderous courtiers."--The Wall Street Journal

"Dabos has managed the rarely seen triad of complex worldbuilding, nuanced character development, and enthralling plot, even making it look easy. Not a seam shows in this intricate narrative weave that centers on and empowers an endearingly bookish and clumsy anti-heroine without insisting she change."--Kirkus Reviews

★ "The unusual settings, original characters, dark intrigue, originality, and fast-moving plot result in a book that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next volume."―School Library Journal (Starred Review)

★ "A captivating fantasy thriller rife with magic and intrigue."―Foreword Reviews (Starred Review)

"This French best-seller, the first in Dabos' immersive Mirror Visitor quartet, holds as much appeal for adult fantasy readers as for teens."―Booklist