Book Review: The Young World

Another post-apocalyptic to add to your lists!

The Young World

by Chris Weitz

Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to New York, a city ruled by teens.

After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes.  Jefferson, the reluctant leader oft he Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos.

But when a fellow tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure for the Sickness, five teens set out on a life-altering trip, exchanging gunfire with enemy gangs, escaping cults and militias, braving the wilds of the subway--all in order to save humankind.

To begin, let's discuss the end...HOW are you supposed to stop reading this series with THAT ending?! Clearly this book is a trilogy, and the end of the story will leave you breathless and anxious to get the second book of this series (which MCPL has, of course!).

Now, back to the rest of the story.  I love Jefferson's character.  It's impossible not to.  He is a scared boy thrust into power after his brother succumbs to the sickness.  He wants to do the right thing, all the time--which is why he keeps his feelings for Donna a secret. Why mess up a relationship when the whole world is already messed up?  Jefferson struggles to find his place as a leader, a boyfriend, a friend, and a survivor.  Readers will be immediately drawn to his character.

The story alternates between narrations by Jefferson and Donna.  Jefferson, the intelligent and logical one has a direct prose with explanations of events.  He is a solid foundation with a narration that flows.  Donna, however, drives me nuts.  She is the punk, kick-butt girl that no one should mess with--and because of that, her prose is terrible.  She uses slang, narrates as if she is talking like a punk girl, as if she is incapable of having complete thoughts.  If readers can put aside her lack of eloquence, they may like her character.  I could take or leave her. But maybe that's why she's perfect for Jefferson--because they are complete opposites.

This book is a well-written, solid story that explains a possible outbreak within New York City limits.  If you have read The Enemy seriesby Charlie Higson, you will love this series.  Check out #2!