Summary: Breathe by Sarah Crossan is a dystopian young adult novel set in a future where oxygen is a scarce and controlled resource. Society is divided into two classes: the privileged Premiums who have access to clean air, and the struggling Auxiliaries who must purchase every breath they take. The story follows three teenagers, Quinn, Bea, and Alina, as they embark on a perilous journey to escape the oppressive confines of their controlled city and find a mythical haven where they can breathe freely. Their quest for survival and justice sheds light on themes of environmental degradation, social inequality, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Opinion: I found the most compelling aspect of Breathe to be its thought-provoking exploration of a future where the very air we breathe is controlled and commodified. The story and plot seems very believable, and it forced me to reflect on our own society's environmental challenges and socioeconomic disparities. It led me to think that someday this could happen because of how we treat the world. The characters journey towards freedom is full of tension and danger. I was only disappointed on how some of the book was predictable. Some of the character relationships were bound to happen. I would recommend this book to fans of dystopian fiction, especially those interested in stories that tackle environmental and social issues. It's a thought-provoking read that encouraged me to contemplate the fragility of our ecosystem and the impact of class divisions. I would like to think of this book not to entertain, but to inform us how lightly we take the environment. I give this book a 4 out of 5.