Zero Day

October 1, 2015
At age 8, Adele Webster disappeared from her home without a trace. Now, eight years later, Addie has escaped her captors and returned to her family]at the White House, where her father, a former Virginia governor, is two years into a term as president of the United States. Family, friends, and the entire country are overjoyed to have Addie back, but not everyone believes Addie is just an innocent victim. When the president's special adviser on cybersecurity blackmails Darrow Fergusson, the last person to see Addie before she disappeared, into spying on her, Darrow discovers his oldest friend isn't as naive or as lost as she appears. Outwardly, Addie is meek and has no memory of her life before the kidnapping, but unknown to everyone else, she's become a computer-hacking genius with a mission, one that, if successful, will bring the U.S. government, and the rest of the world, to its knees. Unfortunately, this thriller doesn't thrill. The third-person, perspective-switching narration is bland; some characters don't seem to have a purpose; confusing plot points interrupt the story's flow; and dry characterization drags the story down. There are a few heart-pounding moments and a cliffhanger ending, but nothing can redeem what could have been an enticing political thriller. Skip it. (Thriller. 12-16)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 7 Up-It's been eight hellish years since little Addie, daughter of then governor Webster, disappeared without a trace, leaving a raw and gaping hole in the lives of her family and her best friend, Darrow. While her family grieved and eventually moved on with their lives, Darrow continues to blame himself for Addie's disappearance, obsessively following dead-end leads and alleged sightings. Suddenly, a 16-year-old girl shows up, claiming she's Addie Webster, but is this just a coincidence, or is she somehow tied to the national security threat that President Webster is grappling with? This thriller doesn't let up its unrelenting pace until the breathless conclusion, which hints at a sequel. Throughout, teens will see glimpses into Addie's haunted past via flashbacks and begin to figure out what's really happening with the troubled girl. Addie isn't the only character whose complex persona fuels the action. In his search to understand Addie, Darrow takes a number of risks that threaten his life; Addie's sister has a complicated history with Darrow and has just returned from a stint in rehab; and even Addie's parents are not who they seem. The writing is complex enough to satisfy more sophisticated YA readers yet fast-paced enough to keep the attention of reluctant readers. VERDICT Gangsei's killer political novel is a must-read for those who enjoy a tight plot in their psychological thrillers.-Leighanne Law, Scriber Lake High School, WA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2015
Grades 9-12 Eight years ago, Addie Webster was kidnapped. Her governor father and tech CEO mother were devastated but went on with their lives; now her father is president of the U.S. When Addie escapes her kidnappers and reappears at age 16, she is joyously welcomed back, with great concern for what may have happened to her. Addie's childhood friend Darrow, whose mother is chief of staff, is blackmailed by a national security adviser to spy on Addie, who does indeed have new (hidden) allegiances. Gangsei's debut clearly benefits from her Washington, D.C., experience and although settings and time periods shift frequently, it's always easy to follow the swift-paced plot. Set in the very near future, this has refreshing multicultural elements (both Addie and Darrow are biracial), realistic instances of terrorism, and what feels like an insider's look at the White House. Savvy readers will likely figure out early the secret it takes Addie too long to discover, but should be suitably diverted as they stay up late to finish.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)