Two years ago a virus wiped out the young and old, leaving teens in New York to fight for survival in a world with no future. Jefferson inherits the leadership of his community when his older brother reaches adulthood and, as expected, dies. In a bid to put off the necessary decisions that come with leading, he decides to go on a scavenging expedition for a scientific journal that might be the answer to the virus. I gave this book four stars because every high school student, male and female, who has picked it up has recommended it to me, so it is engaging its target audience. The action is non stop, and the characters are recognizeable stereotypes of every teen you have ever known. It was funny and shocking and a new horror was around every corner. There was even a lot to think about in regard to current social issues, which are highlighted by the ideologies that the different tribes adopt. While my students had no complaints, I have to say that I was really turned off by one of the narrators -- she drove me crazy for a while, but her narrative voice does become more readable after the first few chapters. Jefferson was also a problem for me because he felt under developed and flat -- there was no growth for him as a character. Why is he a major character, much less a narrator if the reader isn't going to be privy to those thoughts and feelings that show he is getting something out of all he experiences? I am still thinking about the ending. It was so unexpected and inexplicable that I feel cheated. I did catch it on sale for $2.99 on kindle, so I felt that I got my money's worth of entertainment. Terrible. Almost wasn't able to finish but pushed through it. Nothing but filler between the first and last chapter. Amazing first chapter then just nothing. Plot wasn't pushed well, pacing was horribly done. Characters are awful, unrealistic caricatures. Little to no development in plot or characters. The few interesting lines and attempts to be thought provoking could not save it. Zero Stars. Not interested in the rest of the series at all. It felt like it was written to be a movie, in which it could only succeed as such if it was purposely a b-list comedy thriller.
What do You think about Un Mundo Nuevo (2014)?
Cinematic. We've been here before, but the ride is always an entertaining one.
—Eriko
A brilliant book - and good cliffhanger for book two!
—kim
