Hav3n

by Tom Easton

A killer virus has struck, and only one community has survived, in this gripping, dark and witty psychological thriller.

When the newspapers start talking about a flu pandemic, Josh Pirbright is sure it's just media hype. As the son of the most eminent epidemiologist in the country he knows better than to get hysterical about a virus. Until his father phones from the laboratory with a dark warning, and the newsreels start to show dead bodies piled in the streets, before cutting out altogether. It's time to man the barricades in the picture-postcard village of Great Sheen, and Josh, his sister Martha and best friends Sam and Kitty are on the front line. 

Hav3n is the story of an epidemic and of its aftermath; of being a teenager when all the rules have changed. Life within the claustrophobic confines of the protected village (renamed Haven after the disease that nearly destroyed it) is full of increasingly bizarre rules and secrets, with Josh's father at the heart of the intrigue. What is behind the villagers' survival? And how is it linked to the increasingly despotic behaviour of the adults ruling the New World? There's only one way to find out.

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction

398 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2012

About the author

Tom Easton is an experienced author of fiction for all ages and has had more than a dozen books published. He has written under a number of different pseudonyms in a variety of genres. Subjects include vampires, pirates, pandemics and teenage agony aunts (not all in the same book). Tom lives in Surrey with his wife and three children and in his spare time works as a Production Manager for Hachette Children's Books. Follow Tom on Twitter: @TomEaston Tom's website address is www.tomeaston.co.uk

Reviews

[Drogon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5....
Read this book only and only if you have brought by mistake like me in some fair for like less than a dollar then only read it because this book had some good moment not going to lie but certain parts of this plot is so bizarre...the ending... the starting ...ufff...you have to switch off your brain and just go with it...if you can do that may be try it
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But truly speaking Do not waste your time

[Leanne Keenoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book and read it in a day.
A virus has taken over the world and only 84 people remain in a small village....things start to turn nasty and the plot thickens.
A really exciting book that got me thinking.

[Stephanie (Stepping Out Of The Page) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hadn't heard of Hav3n until I was kindly offered the chance to participate in a blog tour for the book. I like to read every book that I feature, so I began reading this one as soon as I got my hands on a copy. Whilst the cover did put me off slightly, the premise sounded absolutely fantastic - just like something I would enjoy! I couldn't wait to start it.

One of the first things I want to say is that if you're put off by the cover, please try not to be. I've shown a couple of people the cover and the reception hasn't been great - it looks very boy-orientated and the helmet is a little strange as helmets don't play any big role in the book - I think it's a little misleading. This book is about the aftermath of a plague that has destroyed a lot of animals and most of the human population. It's a little bit dystopian, a little bit post-apocalyptic - something that will intrigue a lot of young adult readers!

We are introduced to a group of people living in the village of Little Sheen who are slowly contracting the deadly disease, Hav3n, one by one. Thankfully, a man called Michael who has family in the village, manages to find a cure in his laboratory and comes to the aid of the villagers. However, by then the rest of the world has succumbed to the disease and have died - leaving the villagers as the only survivors on the planet. We follow the villagers as they try to form some sort of government and try to build a community that will survive and grow.

There are several characters in this book, all aware of each other and all who have their own thoughts and concerns about this 'New World' that they will live in. The story is centred mainly around Josh and his family - his sister Martha and parents Judith and Michael. I thought the relationship between Josh, Martha and their friends Sam and Kitty was really great to read about - it felt genuine. I also found the issues of partnering and 'breeding' for the next generation to be interesting, but I think it could've been explored more. Michael plays a huge role in this story and I had conflicting emotions when it came to him - he was certainly an interesting, complex character, who I really wish we had gotten to know more about. I absolutely adored his wife Judith and I also enjoyed reading about the other villagers who seemed authentic.

I did enjoy reading this book - I thought that the idea of a virus that was attacking the whole of mankind was gruesomely interesting and the opening pages certainly pulled me in. For some reason I found myself reading this book quite slowly - I'm not sure why though as it was very fast paced - something was always happening! I think that, at points, some things were happening a little too quickly. I know some of the quick actions were intentional, to up the pace, but some events felt quite rushed. I think that there was huge potential for this book to actually become a trilogy or series, but as a stand alone it was still enjoyable - I realise a lot of people will actually appreciate this being a standalone as you don't have to wait to find out what happens!

Tom Easton clearly has an active imagination and has used it to create a quite captivating story for young adults. I look forward to seeing what this author has in store for us next!

[Mrs Mallott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good post-apocalyptic adventure that would appeal to boys and girls alike. Interesting focus on the aftermath of the cataclysmic event, rather than on the event itself. The cover is awful and I really really wasn't keen to read this but now I will be pushing it on children who want something to read to fill the Hunger Games gap. It was kind of like Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence, but not as tedious and irritating. Good characters - some likeable and some hateable which made the reading good.

Some parts are a little cliche, but to be honest this whole genre is going that way now. It's going to be like 'dark romance' aka Twilight all over again...

For a really really really good post-apocalyptic/strong female character/adrenaline pumping story check out Blood Red Road by Moira Young. Awesome.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I know I should have been doing more homework instead of reading this book, but I really could not put it down. Finished in a day....really gripping and well written. And I'm glad there there was a proper ending unlike some books like this.

[Dreamydreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! I couldn't put it down, and still think about the teenagers and wether they'll ever find others....

[Chantelle Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story holds your attention from the first page and the pace never lets up. A perfect read for teens and adults who enjoy post-apocalyptic type scenarios. A deadly disease is wiping out the human race. In a typically English countryside village the residents have acted fast to barricade themselves off. Four teens are then faced with the possibility that they may be the last four teenagers left in the world, and it seems that the adults of their village have plans for them... This is an increasingly creepy and sinister read, and really examines how humans react in the face of disaster and panic. The four teens are fantastic characters, ones you root for every step of the way. There is romance, jealousy, insanity, violence and back stabbing as things start to unravel and become ever more dictatorial. A book that really got under my skin and made me think

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was entertaining enough, a perfect read between series to cleanse the palette. I was expecting much from this and it exceeded my very low expectations. It was written very much like a movie, very action packed and fast paced. The characters were a bit hard to keep track of at times, a lot of them felt similar (and forgetful) and had similar sounding names.

All in all I enjoyed the concept of this book. I definitely preferred the first 100 pages to the latter 300 but was pleasantly surprised. The end was satisfactory though, the story wrapped up nicely.

Would I necessarily recommend this book? Meh, maybe, if you're looking for a quick, apocalyptic read. I definitely think other books have done it better but I bought this a couple of years ago so wanted to give it a chance.

[Joseph Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning chapters are a little muddy.

[William Malins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a grousome but action packed book. 9 year olds stay away....

[Sarah Catlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

lowkey makes some good points about separation of the church and state for a YA book but?? still not very good? rip mrs covid-19! she isn’t dead yet, but this might kill her!

[sasukesbf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember picking this up at a second hand book store. It was cute I don’t remember much about the story though. I think it had something to do with teenage rebellion/going against expectations.

[Louise Fligman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive from beginning to end

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Tom Easton's Seven Second Delay, I loved the sound of Hav3n. From the opening chapter, I was hooked as it becomes apparent that the deadly virus Hav3n has spread rapidly around the world and killed seemingly all but the 80-odd residents of Little Sheen.

Life for the residents of Little Sheen tries to balance itself to somewhere close to normal in light of recent events and humanity seems to have bounced back from near extinction thanks to Michael Pierbright, virologist and father of Josh and Martha. However, Pierbright, having been elected President of Little Sheen, renamed Haven, does not appear to be himself and all too soon, he becomes dictatorial. The last four surviving teenagers are coerced and controlled until the pressure builds to an explosive climax.

I love post-apocalyptic novels and Hav3n was just my cup of tea with its gruesome descriptions every now and then and brilliant character developments. Easton portray Pierbright in such a believable way that I could feel his corruptness and insanity reeling off of him; he was a character that I really enjoyed hating. My other favourite character was Martha because she developed and ultimately flourished to a far cry compared to who she was at the start of the novel. A quiet, studious and observant girl in the beginning, she became a strong, mature and powerful woman and I loved visualising her grow and grow.

Although there was not constant action, that did not cause me to switch off. Instead, I was steered to focus on other important things, such as food missions and problems regarding farming and electricity for Haven. I kept putting myself in the characters' positions and imagining how I would act in such a situation.

Overall, Hav3n was a riveting read from start to finish and would not hesitate to recommend this novel to those who like post-apocalyptic action/thriller books with a hint of blood, gore and violence.

[Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the newspapers start talking about a flu plague, Josh Pirbright is sure it's just media hype. As the son of the most eminent epidemiologist in the country he knows better than to get hysterical about a virus. Until his father phones from the laboratory with a dark warning, and the newsreels start to show dead bodies piled in the streets, before cutting out altogether. It's time to man the barricades in the picture-postcard village of Great Sheen, and Josh, his sister Martha and best friends Sam and Kitty are on the front line. Hav3n is the story of a widespread virus and of its aftermath; of being a teenager when all the rules have changed. Life within the claustrophobic confines of the protected village (renamed Haven after the disease that nearly destroyed it) is full of increasingly bizarre rules and secrets, with Josh's father at the heart of the conspiracy.

What I thought about this book (my likes/dislikes and feelings):
The novel focuses on the village’s remaining teenagers, Josh and Martha Pirbright and their friends Sam and Kitty, who soon realise that there’s something more sinister behind their father’s increasingly domineering behaviour. Easton has crafted some credible teenage characters who struggling to adapt to life without mobiles and social networking, realising they can’t turn to their parents for support when rivalry, revenge and religious rights spiral out of control. It’s this social explanation that makes Hav3n really interesting. It’s part teen drama, part critique of religion. There’s also a good smattering of violence and gore to keep the pages turning.

[Brett Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hav3n by Tom Easton is an entertaining post-apocalyptic story about a village struggling to survive after a flu pandemic. The virus, called hav3n, gives you enough time to spread the disease to others before black buboes appear on your neck and you cough up your liquified lungs.

As television signals flicker out across the country, virologist Michael Pirbright develops a last minute vaccine to the deadly strain of avian flu, saving his family and the small village of Great Sheen. Faced with the prospect they might be the only people left on the planet, the village establishes a new society based around the local church.

The novel focuses on the village’s remaining teenagers, Josh and Martha Pirbright and their friends Sam and Kitty, who soon realise that there’s something more sinister behind their father’s increasingly domineering behaviour. Easton has crafted some credible teenage characters who struggling to adapt to life without cellphones and social networking, realising they can’t turn to their parents for support when rivalry, revenge and religious fervor spiral out of control. It’s this social commentary that makes Hav3n really interesting. It’s part teen drama, part critique of religion. There’s also a good smattering of violence and gore to keep the pages turning.

Hav3n is a decent post-apocalyptic page-turner that will hopefully lead teenage readers to other dystopian fiction like George Orwell’s 1984.

[Lyndaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of disaster when a strain of a bird flu virus changes and spreads to humans. Within days most of the human race around the world has died quick but horrific deaths. Only one small village community in England survives because a scientist from that village finds a cure, but too late to distribute it to the greater population. It is a story of how that community survives, the carry on spirit, some turning to religion and others not. Some are affected by madness. The four teenagers left in the village become virtual prisoners as their community leaders see them as the founders of the future human race. Strangely it is the teenagers born in the age of technology and the internet who seem to be able to cope better with the way the world has changed.

[Tamsin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected a post-plague zombie thriller in the genre of Charlie Higson's Enemy series, but this was much better, with a more subtle look at how a new society might develop from scratch. It raises some interesting debates about morality vs expediency, control in emergency situations, women's roles and individual freedoms vs common benefit. Enough action and tension to keep the pages turning, but plenty to think about too. I will certainly be recommending it to the teenage boys I work with.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens AFTER the apocalypse? Great YA fiction, good pace, lots of things to think about: do we start again? Go on as before? Use previous moral structures as our basis? What are our priorities?
Very enjoyable, liked the religious aspect (not sure about the tone of the ending though. Jarred a bit with what went before).

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this book a 3 (should be 3.5), but most teens will probably give it a 4 or 5, as it is sure to capture their imagination.
A great story again about dystopian, post-apocalyptic, church versus state (for study of religion recommended reading) with relatable characters and a believable storyline.

[Ariel Kuo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Hav3n, is an exciting and awesome thriller. When this terrible disease is leashed out into the world, it kills pretty much everyone's sanity except for this certain village. The only remaining teenagers are the only hope for humankind. In this book, it inspires me with all that sudden adventure, and precious moments. I really love this book.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! I couldn't lay this book down, it was amazing! The story is just great, the writing style is fantastic and I just love the post-apocalyptic theme. Thank you Tom Easton, for such a great book.

[Lonelylily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was thrilling, but in a certain depressing way too. I imagine that the author made it this way, to show the way it probably would be if the world were to come under attack by a deadly virus. It was an amazing read though, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Minnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not particularly like this book. I found it to be quite long, tedious and unrealistic. Parts of it were enjoyable but on a whole the book dragged. The cover also seemed quite random and made the story look a lot more action packed.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the, if not the best book I have ever read. I was hooked from start to finish, and I just could not put it down! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers, suspense, action and good books!

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, a gripping story which seemed scarily possible! Well done to the author, Tom, for writing such a strong story which I am sure many people will enjoy too. Keep em coming Tom!

[Princess Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i loved it so much!

[DSG2806 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Chani · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jack.Dunstan]

it is a good book if you enjoy a good old zombie book / disease book