The Prey

October 20, 2014
In actor and first-time novelist Isbell’s dystopian future, kids like Book are all too common—orphaned, congenitally deformed by nuclear fallout, and living in “resettlement camps” after EMPs rendered electronics useless. Book believes that life in Camp Liberty is still better than the lawless outside world until a runaway from another camp shows him the truth: he and his friends are society’s “Less Thans,” being raised for the rich and powerful to hunt for sport. As Book begins planning his escape, he meets Hope, a girl in a neighboring camp, who is an identical twin, the government’s perfect test subjects. The two protagonists work well together, though their romantic story line—including a halfhearted love triangle—is a bit forced. But the book plays to its strong suits, with plenty of peril (human and otherwise) and illuminating glimpses of the world outside the camps that allowed this system to thrive. First in a planned trilogy, the story delivers its message without moralizing and will keep readers rooting for Book and Hope. Ages 13–up. Agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Associates.

November 1, 2014

Gr 7-10-A largely derivative work that borrows plot points from several popular dystopian novels. Despite this lack of originality, Isbell's tale keeps readers intrigued and makes a solid contribution to what is becoming an overextended genre. In the Omega post-nuclear-war age, an EMP has wiped out all electricity and civilization must rebuild; thus the Republic of the True America divides the population into resettlement camps. Protagonists Book and Faith reside, respectively, in Camps Liberty and Freedom. Camp Liberty houses "LTs," those with birth defects or "abnormalities" like dark skin. LTs believe they are being groomed to be lieutenants, but in reality they are "Less Thans," who are to serve as live game for hunters. After Hope and Faith's father's death, the twins find themselves in Camp Freedom undergoing Nazilike experiments. This plot-driven novel covers familiar territory and the characters do not bring anything new to the genre, yet the action and writing make up for its shortcomings. The book ends with several unanswered questions; no doubt avid dystopian fans will anxiously await the next installment.-Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX

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