[REVIEW] The Declaration – Gemma Malley

Gemma Malley
The Declaration
Bloomsbury (UK: 5th May 2008; CA: 12th August 2008; US: September 2008; AU: October 2008)
Buy (US) Buy (UK) Buy (CA)

Children are NOT the future in Gemma Malley’s futuristic YA, The Declaration.

It’s 2140, and Anna has been raised in Grange Hall as a Surplus – she wasn’t legally allowed to be born. If she’s to have any future at all, it’s to serve as a housekeeper. Indeed, Anna’s a Valuable Asset, though Surpluses aren’t supposed to have self-worth.

But Peter has arrived at Grange Hall from the Outside. He claims to know Anna’s parents, and that they want her back. Then why has she lived here for as long as she can remember? She’s content to be Useful, but as Peter shares his experience of life Outside, Anna yearns for more. But neither is to be released anytime soon, and the House Matron is plotting Peter’s demise.

Mostly the novel doesn’t feel like it’s set in the future. Technology (minus medical stuff) is much how it is today, so really all that’s different are the political/social aspects. But these form the story’s themes, and it’s no surprise that the author has a degree in philosophy and has been a journalist.

Though most characters are annoying, the real drawing card is the concept and its exploration. Dark, dour and definitely believable, The Declaration is an intelligent and thought-provoking read for those not afraid to take a good hard look at society – both now AND in the future.