This was an intriguing story. It was slightly predictable in some ways, and kept me on my toes in others. Full review to come. ( )

I have such mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I loved the writing and I really enjoyed the characters. On the other hand... it didn't feel complete, and although it's clearly written for a young reader, it's nothing I'd recommend for a school library. I'm also torn about whether I'd pick up more works by Hubbard, I feel so dismayed by the ending. I'm not sure where all that leaves me.

Hubbard's story of a boy who is torn between his family and the outside world, and who is dealing with a life which is entirely unfair in every way, Is touching. It's also too believable at most moments, and rather creepy in a strange way. Perhaps I just didn't realize exactly what I was getting into, but nevertheless, I'm not sure I'm happy to have read this one, and I'm not sure it's something I'd find reason to recommend. ( )

I was really enjoying this story, but it ended much too abruptly. ( )

Good until the last quarter. Then it has more holes than Swiss cheese and leaves the characters with a hopeful ending, not having to face any consequences for their actions. Disappointed. ( )

This is a new middle-grade novel -- appropriate for 5th grade and up. Not sure how I feel about it yet. I tore through it in two sittings because it is so compelling, yet it left so much unanswered. Young Jory is an outsider: his stepfather Caleb has always instructed him to trust no one, and to ask himself hard questions about authority and about what he learns in school. No one is safe. There are signs -- an increasing number of them -- that indicate that some kind of catastrophic event is about to happen, and the family takes care to prepare, but only Caleb knows for what. Jory endures the awkwardness of school, but for the first time he is making friends and experiencing life outside his family. Just as this is happening, the family's preparations become urgent, leaving Jory torn between his family and his burgeoning independent consciousness.

There is a sense of unease throughout that never is fully resolved -- in fact, the reader is left with more questions than answers at the book's end. In some ways that is a strength -- when authors feel that they need to resolve everything is when credulity stretches to the breaking point. I attribute some of the unease to everyone knowing someone who is very like Caleb the stepfather. An upright man, a strong man, a man determined to protect his family, and a man with a paranoid distrust of authority and belief that some kind of apocalypse is impending. Listens to talk radio all day... super secretive... the only trait this fictional character lacks that his real-life counterparts have is being armed to the teeth. Kids seem to be very sophisticated these days, yet I wonder if the book will seem more sinister to adults and more adventurous (in a kid versus world way) to kids. I can't decide if I love it or even like it, but I am thinking about it a lot, and that is a good thing!