The Secret Runners

June 1, 2020
The end of the world is nigh--who will be able to survive the apocalypse? Sixteen-year-old twins Skye and Red Rogers move to Manhattan with their rich mother and stepfather to attend the exclusive Monmouth School for the wealthy. At first their lives revolve around fitting in with the elite of New York. But then theories of an impending global apocalypse start to circulate just as the duo gets entangled in a plot that mixes the mysterious disappearance of three teen girls, time travel, and a range of caves under Central Park that only the Secret Runners, a group of privileged and affluent kids, are able to access. But after Skye joins them, she discovers the terrible truth about the future just as society starts to collapse all around her. Can the end of the world as she knows it be prevented? Reilly's novel features trope-laden, vapid teen girls as well as a reductive attempt at examining class warfare in which the poor rise up like the uncontrolled, homicidal animals many of the wealthy believe them to be. The magic system, which mixes Mayan buildings in Manhattan that are activated by magical Native American gems yielded by the white descendants of Mayflower passengers, is appropriative and ill-conceived. Depictions of neurodivergent characters and those with mental health struggles lack depth and nuance, coming across as othering. All main characters are white apart from one biracial (black/white) girl. Just say no. (Science fiction. 14-18)

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August 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-Newly relocated from Memphis to Manhattan, Skye and her twin brother Redford are about to start at The Monmouth School, where new girls have been going missing. Red quickly falls into the popular group who share a big secret; they have access to a mysterious underground portal. After Skye gets invited to join the group, they discover it is a portal to a future that is soon upon them. As the apocalypse is approaching, Skye discovers she has more to face than the end of the world. Quick to bring readers in with its mysterious prologue, the book drastically switches to a slow pace when the real story begins. The novel is divided into seven parts, and it does pick up again in part three, holding readers' attention. Each section starts with a map providing a small visual of where that part of the story is taking place. Though the significant characters are intriguingly flawed, the minor ones are easily confused with one another, including one who will be discovered as a more critical antagonist than initially led to believe. Loose ends leave space for a sequel. The primary arc of the story wraps up, leaving readers with a satisfying ending. VERDICT Hardcore science fiction and dystopian fans may be disappointed by how much of the story is rooted in the pre-apocalyptic world and the mean girl storyline. An additional purchase.-Amanda Borgia, Uniondale P.L., NY

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