Snowglobe by Soyoung Park

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park. Delacorte Press, 2024. 9780593484975 






Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4



Format : Hardcover



Genre :  Science fiction



What did you like about the book? Set in a future where the earth is covered in snow and ice and mired in sub-zero temperatures, we meet Jeon Chobahm, a young woman who lives with her grandmother, mother, and twin brother, Ongi. Their lives revolve around work and surviving the bitter climate. For enjoyment they watch the stories of those who live in Snowglobe. Snowglobe is an enclosed luxurious community where the lives of its residents are the focus of viral reality television shows. 



One of the biggest stars is Haeri. Many have told Chobahm that she could be Haeri’s twin. Now a director from Snowglobe has convinced Chobahm to take Haeri’s place after something has happened to her, promising Chobahm potential admittance into the directors’ academy, which is her dream, but at what price? 



At first, Chobahm enjoys the attention and comfortable lifestyle, but things turn twisted and sinister. Magic mirrors, murder, abusive adults…not everything is as wonderful as Chobahm and the world outside has been led to believe. Did Haeri commit suicide? What was her relationship with the young nephew of the president? Why does Chobahm look so much like Haeri?



There are so many questions and some actual answers but not enough to conclude this story, which is why it is a duology with the ending coming out next year. This sci-fi novel was originally written in Korean and is now translated into English for a wider audience. It will be a great way to introduce YA readers to a whole new world.



Anything you didn’t like about it? How many death-defying acts can one teenager survive?



To whom would you recommend this book?  Fans of dystopian YA such as The Hunger Games or Divergent will certainly enjoy this story.



Who should buy this book? High schools and public libraries will want to get this for their collections.



Where would you shelve it? YA Science Fiction/Dystopian



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If fans of Dystopian/Science Fiction, yes.



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Maria Touet, Malden Catholic High School, Malden, MA



Date of review: March 28, 2024