Paula Rohrlick (KLIATT Review, January 2004 (Vol. 38, No. 1))
In the isolated community of Harmony Station, on the planet of Nova Campi, everyone is blind--a deliberate act of genetic engineering. Sight is considered "a deception, a distraction," and the members of Harmony value the social good above individualism. Jacob has always been an obedient child, willing to accept the community's many rules. At almost 13, he is just about to graduate from school and discover what specialization in life the council will choose for him. However, his faith in his world is shaken when an older girl he admires tries to reject its lifestyle and attempts to run away. When Jacob mysteriously begins to gain sight, he starts to question Harmony's values even more. His new vision enables him to see the corruption that underlies the community, and in the end he chooses to reject it and run away too, to save himself. Reminiscent of The Giver (perhaps a bit derivative) in its portrait of a controlled--and controlling--society, this SF coming-of-age novel will intrigue younger YAs. Tension mounts as Jacob starts to wonder about the world he had always taken for granted, starts to break its rules and comes into conflict with his parents and the authorities, and learns to appreciate the gift of sight. A strong debut novel. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: J--Recommended for junior high school students. 2004, HarperCollins/Eos, 192p., $15.99 and $16.89. Ages 12 to 15.

Krista Hutley (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, April 2004 (Vol. 57, No. 8))
Taught to disdain Seers, who neglect each other and their inner lives in favor of appearances and material things, the people in the remote colony of Harmony have been genetically modified to be born blind for generations. Harmony resident Jacob Manford awaits the day when his specialization--his place in the community--will be chosen by the council, and like the rest of Harmony he embraces his blindness and the reason for it, which makes it all the more devastating when, after a series of headaches, he begins to see. The hypocrisy, corruption, and lies that were once invisible in Harmony are now right before Jacob's eyes, but to expose them would mean admitting to the worst sin in Harmony: sight. Stahler's sightless community is both compelling and believable; its technological gadgets, like pathminders that line the walkways and sounders that chime a unique tone for every person, function well in place of working eyes, and its philosophy is the right mix of idealism, arrogance, and groupthink that are common in deliberately created societies. Jacob is clearly a product of this community, and his inner turmoil as he finds both delight and shame in his voyeurism is honestly addressed. Stahler introduces the colony and a major source of internal conflict from the perspective of those outside its boundaries, which is effective at both raising questions and tension, and his clever use of Jacob's limited viewpoint afterward adds suspense. Though there is an unavoidable similarity to Lois Lowry's The Giver (BCCB 4/93), the original premise and provocative theme will intrigue fans of dystopic fiction. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2004, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2004, EOS/HarperCollins, 168p, $16.89 and $15.99. Grades 5-9.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2004)
In a colony on a distant planet, Jacob believes in the genetic engineering that blinds the colony members and the social structure that unifies them. But when his eyes are opened--both to corruption and to a miraculous ability to see--he questions what he's been taught. In solid, workmanlike prose, Stadler explores society and the human heart. Category: Older Fiction. 2004, HarperCollins/Eos, 170pp, $15.99, $16.89. Ages 12 to 14. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Timothy Brennan (VOYA, April 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 1))
Stahler builds his story on a truly interesting premise filled with possibility: A colony of future Earthlings uses genetic engineering to actively choose to live life blind. It is a notion filled with potential. Into this well-portrayed but unusual colony, a dark and dreary place devoid of light, the author places a good cast of characters. The protagonist Jacob goes about his schoolwork and chores; his mother teaches music to the high councilor's daughter, Delaney; and the central conflicts become apparent. Delaney is profoundly unhappy being blind and wishes that she could see. Jacob, on the other hand, is slowly developing his sense of sight. While Delaney longs to see, Jacob is shocked to begin to get a feel for what a sighted world would be like. Unfortunately the story's premise never really develops any depth. There are no fascinating insights about anything that makes life different for this race of blind persons intellectually or emotionally. There is no amazing sharpening of senses, skills, or philosophical enlightenment that is the byproduct of this dramatic alteration of the senses. During his brief time of sight, Jacob makes a few rather mundane discoveries: Farm workers occasionally steal fruit that they pick, others steal food where they can, and some are unfaithful to their spouses. What seems like a very interesting idea ends up being only a mildly engaging story. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M J (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2004, HarperCollins, 192p., $15.99 and PLB $16.89. Ages 11 to 15.