Monday 2 July 2012

Review: The Loners

I never thought I would enjoy a story written mainly in a male's perspective this much.

It is high school drama.
Except you don't fight to get up the ranks, you kill to survive.
First day of school at McKinley turned out to be the start of a nightmare.
For the students, that is.
For the teachers it's easier, they just die.
And trust me when I say it's easier for them.

When the school exploded into chaos, fear masked the faces of every single member of the school.
Then came the news that their school has to be shut down because of virus-infected test captive run loose.
Within months, gangs started to form so as to secure enough supplies for the whole lot of them to survive.
The Jocks (Varsity), The Pretty Ones, The Sluts, The Nerds, The Geeks, even The Freaks.
But there were people who didn't fit anywhere.
The scraps.
Like David and his younger brother, Will.

David was like any other student trapped in the disaster.
He's got even more reason to be scared because he has offended the leader of the biggest and strongest gang and he's out to get him.
But he did not break.
One major reason is the group of people who were willing to stand by him at the time of crisis.
The people who look up to him as a leader, their leader.
He's no genius, but with so much responsibility on his shoulders, he had to make it.
He cares for his people even though they're mostly weirdos but really, they're almost family to him.

Will, on the other hand, was weak.
And foolish.
His big brother seems to always be the hero while he is only his sidekick, at max.
It doesn't help that this girl he has a major crush on is looking at David adoringly.
It is almost a pity how late he got to his senses.
Got smacked into it by reality.
Filled with crazy ideas he gave us plenty surprises harsh twists to the story.

It was really amazing seeing how the authors manipulated the people.
With survival instincts kicking into place when the first gleam of hope arrived: the supplies.
Living in groups for ensured protection and a sense of belonging.
Stepping out for what they believe in, or who, in this case.
Betrayal vs Loyalty.
They portrayed what was real in society.
Survival of the fittest and the cruelty to be shown where self well-being is at stake.
The moments of true friendship and faith in one person.

All in all, The Loners is something you don't want to miss.
I would say the description isn't doing this book justice as I almost would have dismissed it as a stupid teenage drama lacking of any substance.
It was nothing like that, quite the opposite.
It was filled with kinship, friendship, trust and faith.
At the same time, it showed the dark side of human nature that makes people shudder.
I've never been a big fan on dystopia but this novel really surprised me.
I hate myself for not being to put my overwhelmed feelings into better words but really, at least go read other people's raving reviews on Goodreads before you decide The Loners not worth a try.

Title: The Loners
Author: Lex Thomas
Series: Quarantine #1
Genre: YA Dystopian/Thriller
Goodreads Description: It was just another ordinary day at McKinley High—until a massive explosion devastated the school. When loner David Thorpe tried to help his English teacher to safety, the teacher convulsed and died right in front of him. And that was just the beginning.

A year later, McKinley has descended into chaos. All the students are infected with a virus that makes them deadly to adults. The school is under military quarantine. The teachers are gone. Violent gangs have formed based on high school social cliques. Without a gang, you’re as good as dead. And David has no gang. It’s just him and his little brother, Will, against the whole school.

In this frighteningly dark and captivating novel, Lex Thomas locks readers inside a school where kids don’t fight to be popular, they fight to stay alive.

David's one eye wandered up until it found Will. David smiled. Will couldn't believe it. It was a broad, genuine smile. His inflated face looks even uglier with the smile, but it was irrepressible. Even after such a terrible beating, David was still defiant. It filled Will with pride, and he smiled back. A calm came over him.

I'm really curious as to how it's gonna be played out in the next book.
Because honestly, I anticipated a happy ending a vaccine was miraculously created or something and everyone lives happily ever after.
But no, it was not quite what I expected and I'm dying to get a peek on what would be coming next.
Good news is that even before the release date, Quarantine: The Loners has already been optioned for a movie.
We're gonna see this on the big screen! :D
It's gonna be compared to The Hunger Games a lot, being both dystopians and trilogies as well.
I've not read Hunger Games so I'm not at any position to comment on that.
But do you think The Loners have the potential to surpass all the glory attained by The Hunger Games?

Find out more about the two authors, Lex and Thomas over at their page and follow them here and here.
Also, if you liked the story, show them some support and like the trilogy's FB page.
You can read the first chapter of The Loners over here.
Oh yeah, and did I mention there's a giveaway ongoing on the authors' blog? x)

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