Diane Krauss

In this dystopian novel, the American government elevates the “elites” and oppresses the common folk in the name of protecting them. It’s a common theme in YA fiction, and unfortunately Krauss displays little originality in her version (although in this case the dystopian world appears to stem largely from liberal/progressive policies gone amok). The protagonist is a young woman, there is a love triangle, the country is divided into districts, and eventually there is an uprising (derivative of the Hunger Games but with zombies instead of a game). The plot is thin and the characters are mostly one dimensional. The writing is also unfortunately subpar. For example, “I felt his eyes on my skin, and my heart began to beat excessively. I stopped breathing for a moment… As he walked out of the room, the air that I had been holding captive in my lungs escaped feverishly as I sunk down under the water. He made my heart beat out of my chest.” I cannot recommend this book.… (mehr)

One of the worst books I've read in a long time. If it weren't an Early Review book, which made me feel compelled to finish it for review purposes, I would have trashed it at least halfway through. It's a dystopian novel in which some kind of quasi-socialist group has taken over the U.S. and turned the country into a neo-fascist dictatorship. (Watch out, Bernie Bros, this is what Medicare-for-All leads to.) Fortunately, though, a bunch of young folk lead a revolt, founding a Laissez Faire Party, and.... Oh, never mind, it's just a lot of gibberish.

Worst news of all. The epilogue sets up for a sequel, which is at least something we were spared in the case of Atlas Shrugged. Give the author credit for this much, though, that in comparison with Atlas Shrugged, this thing's only a fraction of the length.… (mehr)

I won this for free from Early Reviewers. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this book. Based on the cover alone, I would probably pass this book off in a bookstore. This is a dystopian story about the future and how there are two classes, the Elites and the Hoodlums. Poor El is part of the Hoodlum group and things just keep getting tougher for her, but how much more can she take before she takes charge of the situation? I loved all the characters and of course thought throughout the book that someone was going to backstab her but again pleasantly surprised. Ending was great and definitely not what I expected.… (mehr)

I thought some folks were a little harsh. This is a young adult novel that manages to put a spin on Zombie like tales. I liked that they were not required to kill all the "sleepers" and those sleepers were contagious but not trying to kill others. I thought it addressed an end of the world classic tale without resorting to your usual murder, blood, and guts.
I like the characters and what brought them ultimately together.
I think it is a good young adult read. Especially the main character El...she was a very positive female role model.… (mehr)