The first in a three part series, the ending of this text has "insert sequel here..." written all over it. On the verge of manhood, Todd, must flee his male only homeland when he discovers "silence" which is unheard of following the unleashing of the "Noise germ". Todd is given a journal written by his mother before all females were exterminated that will lead him to a new land. The "silence" is revealed to be a girl! named Viola who too is being pursued. The two determine there is strength in numbers and take flight along with Todd's dog, Manchee. Conflict and warring follow them to each settlement they approach causing the race for refuge to become urgent. When it appears that Todd and Viola will make it into the aptly named settlement Haven, an extreme plot twist occurs. Instead of Todd killing Viola's pursuer as his sacrifice to initiate his transition into manhood, Viola kills Aaron, a preacher from their homeland, herself. Just as it looks as if they will make it to safety, Viola is shot by the mayor of their land who was a step ahead of them and has already seized Haven. Todd agrees to surrender in exchange for help for Viola...
Admittedly, I have never been a fan of dystopia. I force myself to read it to relate to young readers, but I haven't found a text yet that has caused me to sway. I get that the chaotic, fantastic worlds that abandon conventional rules in favor of alternative realities are an expression of how kids make sense of their emerging understanding of the adult world they are preparing to enter into, but it still doesn't float my boat.
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