Cherry Heaven

This sequel to Pelly D is equally good at impressing on us why categorizing people by arbitrary genetic distinctions can lead to horrific results, and how important it is to stand up to those who would use such distinctions for their own political ends. This is great science fiction to be read on its own or in a class unit on World War II and the Holocaust.

Cherry Heaven, companion to The Diary of Pelly D., continues the tale of the war torn planet ten years after where Pelly left off. This time, it's in the New Frontier, home of the OHA, peace, and prosperity. But to Kat J., something's just not right. No one will talk about her new home's previous owners, and who is this mysterious Oklear F, and what did he do that is so unspeakable, people still shudder about it ten years later? Is racism really as nonexistent as people would like to think? Is everything really as heavenly as it seems? I had a little trouble getting into this one, but once I did, I had to keep reading. It just sucks you in. The ideas and customs are drastically different from what we're used to, so it was definitely fascinating. The prequel, The Diary of Pelly D isn't necessary to understand the plot, but it may be helpful. Readers will admire the strong protagainists and appreciate the little mysteries sprinkled throughout the course of the story.

The story is set in a futuristic society on a planet other than earth. People are grown in test tubes and have gills. Status is based on the color of the tattoo on your hand, which is based on a gene test. At the top, there are the Atsumisi with their red/silver tattoos. Then, there are the blue/sliver Mazzini. At the bottom are the green/silver Galrezi. Kat and Tanka Jones moved from City Five to the New Frontier with their adoptive parents in the hopes of having a new beginning. Things start out perfectly, until they delve into the history behind the estate they just moved into, Cherry Heaven. They learn about the Papillon family, and their fate at the hands of Oklear Foster. But not everything is as it seems. People have lied or failed to speak up with the truth. The alternate narrations between the Jones sisters and Luka P eventually intertwine as their lives and stories do. Some themes in Cherry Heaven are honesty and the lengths people will go through to gain power. I think the story idea and the characters are very original, and the setting too. And it's long too, almost 500 pages. It was such a great story that I read it in a few days and then immediately reread it. I would definitely recommend this book. If you read this and like it, you also might want to check out The Diary of Pelly D, also by L.J. Adlington. [...]

History repeats itself. Everyone left Earth because of all the fighting and destruction of the planet. All these people left for a better chance at life, but they've forgotten their past mistakes. Kat and Tanka move to the New Frontier with their foster parents ten years after the war killed their real parents. The New Frontier is taking giant leaps in equality for everyone, keeping peace, and helping to rebuild this world. Unfortunately, there's a secret behind the equality and it's about to be exposed. CHERRY HEAVEN, the companion novel to The Diary of Pelly D, will open your eyes towards war and give new meaning to the word hope. Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel