Content levels
Positive tags
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Speth Jime is anxious to deliver her Last Day speech and celebrate her transition into adulthood. The moment she turns fifteen, Speth must pay for every word she speaks, for every nod, for every scream and even every gesture of affection. She’s been raised to know the consequences of falling into debt, and can’t begin to imagine the pain of having her eyes shocked for speaking words that she’s unable to afford. But when Speth’s friend Beecher commits suicide rather than work off his family’s crippling debt, she can’t express her shock and dismay without breaking her Last Day contract and sending her family into Collection. Rather than read her speech—rather than say anything at all—she closes her mouth and vows never to speak again, sparking a movement that threatens to destroy her, her family and the entire city around them.
Is All Rights Reserved appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
Teens will find themes of corporate control, debt slavery, and a friend's suicide that drives the plot. Violence includes physical punishment (eye-shocking) and systemic oppression, but no graphic gore. Strong social commentary on capitalism and freedom of expression.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include torture, suicide, and slavery (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will connect with a heroine who fights back against an unfair system by refusing to speak, sparking a revolution against corporate control.