The Lens and the Looker (The Verona Trilogy #1) by Lory Kaufman: Review

You're in for a real treat today, I am excited to share this book and author with you - it has been a long time coming for me to review this one :)


Thanks to Pump Up Your Books for allowing me to participate in this tour!

About the Author:

“I write Post-Dystopian fiction. After society’s collapse, which is imagined in so many great dystopian stories, humans will either fade into history, with the dinosaurs, or, if it learns the right lessons, society will go on to construct a civilization to last tens of thousands of years. History Camp stories are the exciting adventures of young people doing the latter.” -Lory Kaufman

On the artistic side of Lory’s career, he’s written, acted and directed children’s theatre and musical theatre. He enjoys art, especially sculpture. He loves science fiction and historical fiction and he has been deeply involved in the green movement all across North America. All this shows through when you read his work. Lory has three grown children and works and lives in Kingston, Canada.

Lory on the WEB

About the Novel:

THERE’S HOPE FOR THE FUTURE,
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PAST?

It’s the 24th century and humans, with the help of artificial intelligences (A.I.s) have finally created the perfect post-dystopian society. To make equally perfect citizens for this world, the elders have created History Camps, full sized recreations of cities from Earth’s distant pasts. Here teens live the way their ancestors did, doing the same dirty jobs and experiencing the same degradations. History Camps teach youths not to repeat the mistakes that almost caused the planet to die. But not everything goes to plan.

In this first of a trilogy, we meet three spoiled teens in the year 2347. Hansum almost 17, is good looking and athletic. Shamira, 15, is sassy, independent and an artistic genius. Lincoln, 14, is the smart-aleck. But you don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to find his insecurities.

These three “hard cases” refuse the valuable lessons History Camps teach. But when they are kidnapped and taken back in time to 1347 Verona, Italy, they only have two choices; adapt to the harsh medieval ways or die. The dangers are many, their enemies are powerful, and safety is a long way away. It’s hardly the ideal environment to fall in love – but that’s exactly what happens. In an attempt to survive, the trio risks introducing technology from the future. It could save them – or it could change history.

My Thoughts:

 I really enjoyed this book - it reminded me very much of another book called Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083.  I am all for any book that makes kids relive important events in history and this one does so with a twist.

I found the characters engaging, I was invested in their story and wanted to find out what happened to the trouble makers.

The connections to history are invaluable and I really love that there are books like this that get our kids interested in history while incorporating those events into a high interest novel.  This will be a sure winner for young adults and preteens. 

The storyline kept my interest and I definitely wanted to find out what became of these characters and their story.  I can't wait to read and review the next novel from Lory Kaufman!