The first in a series of seven dystopian novels aimed at tween readers about a totalitarian society that has implemented a two-child policy in response to a famine. The story is told from the viewpoint of Luke, a hidden third child. One of the shadow children. While his parents are farmers, a number of new houses are built nearby for a privileged class and Matthew soon discovers that one of the new families has a shadow child as well.
As with most dystopian novels the sense of foreboding heavily affects the story-line but it is overcome in spots by the natural optimism of children. Yet, this reader, as a sadder but wiser adult felt a sense of disaster looming but I was still surprised by the outcomes.
At 153 pages this story moves right along and is a gripping read and while there could have been more character development in spots, what was there really was sufficient for the story as told. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
As with most dystopian novels the sense of foreboding heavily affects the story-line but it is overcome in spots by the natural optimism of children. Yet, this reader, as a sadder but wiser adult felt a sense of disaster looming but I was still surprised by the outcomes.
At 153 pages this story moves right along and is a gripping read and while there could have been more character development in spots, what was there really was sufficient for the story as told. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
