Augmented, by Kenechi Udogu, is a gripping book, with an important message, that I enjoyed reading. The plot tackles the ever-present climate crisis and is an ominous warning of what the world could be like in the future. Throughout the book, Udogu seamlessly shifts in time from chapter to chapter, and all the storylines are intricate and engaging, which along with the many thrilling plot twists makes the book very difficult to put down.
Throughout the book, there are many messages for what the world will become if we don’t change anything we are doing and let the climate crisis continue. We don’t want to end up in a society that is unable to go outside without suits for protection due to the heat, and with limited food and plant life. Furthermore, the story emphasises the power of friendship through times of great hardship and struggle, and its importance in overcoming difficulties.
The book is written from Akaego’s point of view, almost like a diary, especially with the countdown to Augmentation Day at the start of each chapter. This is very effective in making the story feel more personal and letting us see deeply inside her thoughts and reactions to all the events. This means we can relate to the character’s feelings more, despite the situation being so different and futuristic.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Augmented, as it was captivating and exciting, but also quite thoughtful throughout, bringing up a wide variety of emotions.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy dystopian or science fiction novels, but only to people over 12, as there are some complicated themes and storylines in the book. Nonetheless, I think that it is an enjoyable, original, and well-written book.
