What do you think?
Rate this book
Forbidden Child
"I belong to the Godmother."
Piper Pascal has spent her life on the Escape , a city-sized cruise liner holding all that's left of America. She does not remember the world before the Flood. All she knows is that she'll do anything to please the Godmother, the head of the Escape , the only parent Piper has ever really had.
"I will report all crime, my own and my neighbor's."
Since age six, Piper has been a spy for the Godmother's cult of secret police. Food, friendships, sleep, population--- the Godmother controls it all. If you disobey, Piper will catch you.
"No illegal organisms."
Until one day—Piper Pascal finds the one thing the Godmother hates most. A baby. A child born without permission.
If Piper cares for the child, she will be hunted. Arrested. Killed. But against everything the Godmother has told her, Piper begins to realize she cannot let the baby go.
Forbidden Child is Gwen Newell's debut novel, a masterful story of love lighting the way out of darkness.
Piper Pascal has spent her life on the Escape , a city-sized cruise liner holding all that's left of America. She does not remember the world before the Flood. All she knows is that she'll do anything to please the Godmother, the head of the Escape , the only parent Piper has ever really had.
"I will report all crime, my own and my neighbor's."
Since age six, Piper has been a spy for the Godmother's cult of secret police. Food, friendships, sleep, population--- the Godmother controls it all. If you disobey, Piper will catch you.
"No illegal organisms."
Until one day—Piper Pascal finds the one thing the Godmother hates most. A baby. A child born without permission.
If Piper cares for the child, she will be hunted. Arrested. Killed. But against everything the Godmother has told her, Piper begins to realize she cannot let the baby go.
Forbidden Child is Gwen Newell's debut novel, a masterful story of love lighting the way out of darkness.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2023
26 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
Gwen Newell
2 books43 followersGwen Newell was born in Germany, raised in Florida, and transplanted to the Pacific Northwest where she pretends she's still by the ocean as much as she can. She wrote her first story at age seven, and hasn't stopped writing since. She now lives with her husband, Ben, in a wee house on a hill where they await the birth of their first child.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 14, 2023
Here is a book that my 13-year-old and I both blitzed through in just a few days. My daughter is used to flying through novels, but I have much less time on my hands, so it’s a real accomplishment when a book is hard to put down. Gwen’s prose is transparent in the best way, propelling you through the story at a breakneck speed. The worldbuilding is thorough and careful, and the last line is one of the most satisfying I’ve read in a long time. This is a book that grabs you on the first page and doesn’t let go.
October 4, 2023
If you feel uncomfortable talking to your 12-year-olds about the Holocaust and the interworkings of Auschwitz, then this is not a good book for your 12 year old.
When I was a kid, we used to sit around the fire and listened to books-on-tapes by Focus on the Family. I remember one that talked about the concentration camps at Auschwitz. It wasn't the Hiding Place, because there was a story in there about these skinny little lockers. They would take dissenters and put them in the lockers, forcing them to stand in confined quarters for hours on end, until they passed out or until their punishment was over. I don't know how old I was, but I remember learning a lot about the world from those stories. I wasn't scarred — but the world became a different place.
This book reminds me of that.
Incredibly dark with lots of heavy themes, told through the eyes of a 13-year-old. You get a glimpse at: Totalitarian regimes, what leads people to be snitches and spies, the erratic whims of Fascists, torture, et cetera.
A definite page-turner. I read it over 24-hours in about three sittings.
I read a lot of middlegrade — the prose in this one is pretty but not vain; it keeps you focused on the story.
My favorite metaphor was on page 354: "There came a drum roll of cracks and creaks as the slow-diving Escape popped out o fjoin bone by bone, stretched on the rack of the sea."
If you enjoyed this, I'd recommend reading:
-The Giver/Son (from the Giver Quartet)
-The Girl With the Red Scarf
(this book is a true story about a girl who lived under Mao's China)
-First They Killed My Father (About the Khmer Rouge's Regime in Cambodia)
Heavy. Redemptive. Would recommend reading before you read to your kids (as with all things) so that you can judge if it'd be a good fit for your middle grade student.
Excited to see what Newell comes up with next.
When I was a kid, we used to sit around the fire and listened to books-on-tapes by Focus on the Family. I remember one that talked about the concentration camps at Auschwitz. It wasn't the Hiding Place, because there was a story in there about these skinny little lockers. They would take dissenters and put them in the lockers, forcing them to stand in confined quarters for hours on end, until they passed out or until their punishment was over. I don't know how old I was, but I remember learning a lot about the world from those stories. I wasn't scarred — but the world became a different place.
This book reminds me of that.
Incredibly dark with lots of heavy themes, told through the eyes of a 13-year-old. You get a glimpse at: Totalitarian regimes, what leads people to be snitches and spies, the erratic whims of Fascists, torture, et cetera.
A definite page-turner. I read it over 24-hours in about three sittings.
I read a lot of middlegrade — the prose in this one is pretty but not vain; it keeps you focused on the story.
My favorite metaphor was on page 354: "There came a drum roll of cracks and creaks as the slow-diving Escape popped out o fjoin bone by bone, stretched on the rack of the sea."
If you enjoyed this, I'd recommend reading:
-The Giver/Son (from the Giver Quartet)
-The Girl With the Red Scarf
(this book is a true story about a girl who lived under Mao's China)
-First They Killed My Father (About the Khmer Rouge's Regime in Cambodia)
Heavy. Redemptive. Would recommend reading before you read to your kids (as with all things) so that you can judge if it'd be a good fit for your middle grade student.
Excited to see what Newell comes up with next.
November 10, 2023
As I write this, the life of British baby Indi Gregory hangs in the balance. The NHS wants to kill her. Her parents want her to live. The Italian government has extended citizenship to her and is fighting in court for jurisdiction so she can be saved and treated in an Italian hospital. And all I can think to do is to pray the plot of this book—that someone would save her, that someone would risk everything to do it. That's the trouble with dystopian fiction...the darkness it depicts is just too close to the truth. I know that, ultimately, the darkness cannot overcome the light, but it is still so strong and so brutal in this world.
But about the book...it's probably more emotionally difficult for adults, especially mamas, than for its younger target audience. I, oddly, hit my biggest snag in chapter 6, less than halfway through. It was suspenseful enough that I had to step away from the book for a few days. I went back to the M. R. James ghost stories as the lesser of two stresses. Ghost stories! I think the smaller event was more suspenseful than the book's main climax because I knew the whole story ultimately had to turn out OK, but anything might happen at that particular plot point. I was finally able to zip through the rest in time for our book group discussion. So...despite my neurosis-induced reading gap, the story grip was strong. The characters were well-drawn. The prose was good (there were a few metaphors I might have made note of if I hadn't just been trying to survive the thing!). The ending was satisfying. And, best of all, the audiobook was admirably narrated by the author.
But about the book...it's probably more emotionally difficult for adults, especially mamas, than for its younger target audience. I, oddly, hit my biggest snag in chapter 6, less than halfway through. It was suspenseful enough that I had to step away from the book for a few days. I went back to the M. R. James ghost stories as the lesser of two stresses. Ghost stories! I think the smaller event was more suspenseful than the book's main climax because I knew the whole story ultimately had to turn out OK, but anything might happen at that particular plot point. I was finally able to zip through the rest in time for our book group discussion. So...despite my neurosis-induced reading gap, the story grip was strong. The characters were well-drawn. The prose was good (there were a few metaphors I might have made note of if I hadn't just been trying to survive the thing!). The ending was satisfying. And, best of all, the audiobook was admirably narrated by the author.
October 24, 2023
This is a Christian book. It’s Christian to the bone. But not in a way you might expect. Instead of Hallmark Amish romance, think underground Bible-smuggling Christians in Eastern Europe. It is very reminiscent of The Giver by Louis Lowry, but it has a much better ending. And I needed that happy ending after all I went through reading this! I realized that taking care of my baby all day and then “relaxing” with this book at night was almost too much. I couldn’t help but see my child in the vivid descriptions of the infant in the story- it was just too relatable. But I also realized that I probably had more anxiety over the baby in the book than a kid reading the story would. They don’t have the same weight of real-life experience, so in a lot of ways they can handle a story like this better and maybe even be a little more clear-sighted and brave when they don’t run through all possible consequences before doing something in real life! I loved that Piper had to just focus on the next right thing when it really did seem hopeless. Anyway, it’s great and I’ll be recommending it to all my friends, for them and their kids!
November 19, 2023
Be warned that if you start this book, you will abandon everything else in your life until you finish it. I was completely gripped by the story from the first page until the last! My words could not do justice to just how fantastic it is. Please read it! Preferably at Christmas time!!
Ending this review with a favorite quote,
“Thirty-three years on a ship that hates life, despises liberty, and enslaves the free.” Issachar’s voice was calm and steady. “Your Godmother may have existed for the people in the beginning, but now the people exist for her, and that is the definition of tyranny. She isn’t keeping us safe until the world is safe again, she’s keeping us as her prisoners. I was born on this ship. I may die on this ship. But until then, I will spend every waking minute and use every means within my power to declare war against you, even if it is a war of one against eight thousand.”
Ending this review with a favorite quote,
“Thirty-three years on a ship that hates life, despises liberty, and enslaves the free.” Issachar’s voice was calm and steady. “Your Godmother may have existed for the people in the beginning, but now the people exist for her, and that is the definition of tyranny. She isn’t keeping us safe until the world is safe again, she’s keeping us as her prisoners. I was born on this ship. I may die on this ship. But until then, I will spend every waking minute and use every means within my power to declare war against you, even if it is a war of one against eight thousand.”
February 19, 2025
Incredible. It gives the political commentary of 1984 without the weird romance and depressing end. It paints the fascinating dystopian world of the giver without the confusing end and generic morality. It takes the dystopian novel that’s been written and rewritten and turns it on its head. Finally an ending worth the read! It’s thrilling and deep with beautiful Christian themes. He died for you. How absolutely amazing.
March 14, 2024
《We're both here because someone died so that we could live.》
《She had to turn from this darkness even though there might be no light ahead.》
♤piper: traitor, spy, bloodstained hands
Wow. Y'all, this is a masterpiece of YA dystopian lit. Piper is a unlikable character- a traitor, a snitch, responsible for dozens of deaths...yet I still found myself on the edge of my seat, rooting for her - because her redemption is so beautiful. The world of Forbidden Child is so dark, but there is such beauty in the end... the story reminded me of The Giver, but better. 10/10 stars, highly recommend.
Content:
Violence, including torture and death of children.
Ages 14+
《She had to turn from this darkness even though there might be no light ahead.》
♤piper: traitor, spy, bloodstained hands
Wow. Y'all, this is a masterpiece of YA dystopian lit. Piper is a unlikable character- a traitor, a snitch, responsible for dozens of deaths...yet I still found myself on the edge of my seat, rooting for her - because her redemption is so beautiful. The world of Forbidden Child is so dark, but there is such beauty in the end... the story reminded me of The Giver, but better. 10/10 stars, highly recommend.
Content:
Violence, including torture and death of children.
Ages 14+
November 14, 2023
Praise be to the author for this ending. That was the most memorable part for me. Travelers will always be home in the end.
November 16, 2023
I thought I hated dystopias, being a child of the era of Divergent and Hunger games, but this one proved me wrong. No love triangle and tedious interpersonal drama propping up a weak plot, no trilogy stretching the story thin. It was tight, well-written, and very compelling.
I enjoyed the nods to various tyrannical regimes, both historical and fictional. Before 2019 I would have found the peoples’ blind, even suicidal, devotion unbelievable. But after Covid… well, pretty believable.
Excited to give this to my kids someday, although I am glad I read it as an adult, because the tension of the hungry baby squeezed my stomach like it wouldn’t have done before I became a mother, and the idea of dying to protect your baby was something I understood on a level too deep for words.
I enjoyed the nods to various tyrannical regimes, both historical and fictional. Before 2019 I would have found the peoples’ blind, even suicidal, devotion unbelievable. But after Covid… well, pretty believable.
Excited to give this to my kids someday, although I am glad I read it as an adult, because the tension of the hungry baby squeezed my stomach like it wouldn’t have done before I became a mother, and the idea of dying to protect your baby was something I understood on a level too deep for words.
October 8, 2023
Suspenseful, exciting, and hooked me at the very start. I always wanted to somehow find and raise an abandoned baby so I would have absolutely loved this book as a young teenager. Lots of nods to Mao’s communist China in theme which I found realistic even in a post-apocalyptic story. Loved the idea of a character who has never seen a baby seeing one for the first time. Would be a great winter read!
April 24, 2024
4.5 stars. I loved the emphasis on life being valuable, especially infant life. I would have loved a little more re-assurance in the beginning of what seems to be the truth. It would have made the realization of the lies around the MC deeper and more heartrending. That's a nuance though. Overall, a great story.
June 12, 2024
The plot is crazy, the message is amazing. Over all I love this book, I recommend
January 8, 2024
A gripping plot line perfect for winter, this was an enjoyable read and I loved, loved how it ended.
I look forward to being able to re-read it along side a middle school aged kid and discussing all of the interesting worldview nuggets carefully packed into the story.
My only critique is that I listened to it on Canon+ & as much as it pains me to say, I’m just not sure the author made the best narrator for her own book. Nonetheless , I recommend this book, especially to read in print!
I look forward to being able to re-read it along side a middle school aged kid and discussing all of the interesting worldview nuggets carefully packed into the story.
My only critique is that I listened to it on Canon+ & as much as it pains me to say, I’m just not sure the author made the best narrator for her own book. Nonetheless , I recommend this book, especially to read in print!
February 22, 2024
Hurray! A middle grade novel where the love and inner angst of our heroine is not centered on a boy!! Granted the love and angst (and there was almost too much for me) centers on the dystopia’s tyrant but still refreshing. In the darkest of possible ways.
Where Gwen landed the novel felt inevitable but delightful. Partly, because she got there in a surprising did-you-really-just-do-that-to-everyone way.
Thanks Gwen. Cheers!
Where Gwen landed the novel felt inevitable but delightful. Partly, because she got there in a surprising did-you-really-just-do-that-to-everyone way.
Thanks Gwen. Cheers!
December 16, 2023
Captivating and thrilling. You could tell it was written for a young-ish audience as the writing is juvenile at times, but it was spectacular. A wonderful fiction written with powerful Christian worldview overtones. Had me tearing up too 🥲
April 7, 2024
Love LOVE !this book
February 15, 2024
This (very new) work of Children's literature is particularly good because of its real-world correlation. In Newell's book, unwanted and unsanctioned babies are termed "illegal organisms," the destruction of the nuclear family and demonization of all nurturing is the foundation of the totalitarian regime's success, and the main character is slowly (rather than instantaneously) redeemed through the example of various faithful witnesses.
Gwen Newell instills a burning desire in her readers to “do the next right thing” just like Piper, and although she never uses the term Christian or God until the last chapter, she succeeds in writing Piper as a pre & post-conversion Paul archetype. Like Piper, we're not guaranteed success, but we are required to act when the result seems uncertain. That's what faithfulness (and heroism) means. The thing that I so appreciate about Newell’s writing is that she’s not preachy, she potently draws you into ultimate truths and calls the reader to be awakened to the great need for truth in our own world and the fact that no one is beyond redemption. C.S. Lewis once wrote that he infused Christian themes into an imagined world to circumvent a callous over-familiarity with Christian values which can often cause contempt, complacency, and a loss of wonder. The Chronicles of Narnia are not mere retellings of the Bible, rather they draw on the nature of how things actually are. Gwen Newell encapsulates this form of writing quite well.
Lewis quote in reference:
“On that side (as Author) I wrote fairy tales because the Fairy Tale seemed the ideal Form for the stuff I had to say. Then of course the Man in me began to have his turn. I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralysed much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to.
An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as if it were something medical.
But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could. That was the Man’s motive. But of course he could have done nothing if the Author had not been on the boil first.”
Gwen Newell instills a burning desire in her readers to “do the next right thing” just like Piper, and although she never uses the term Christian or God until the last chapter, she succeeds in writing Piper as a pre & post-conversion Paul archetype. Like Piper, we're not guaranteed success, but we are required to act when the result seems uncertain. That's what faithfulness (and heroism) means. The thing that I so appreciate about Newell’s writing is that she’s not preachy, she potently draws you into ultimate truths and calls the reader to be awakened to the great need for truth in our own world and the fact that no one is beyond redemption. C.S. Lewis once wrote that he infused Christian themes into an imagined world to circumvent a callous over-familiarity with Christian values which can often cause contempt, complacency, and a loss of wonder. The Chronicles of Narnia are not mere retellings of the Bible, rather they draw on the nature of how things actually are. Gwen Newell encapsulates this form of writing quite well.
Lewis quote in reference:
“On that side (as Author) I wrote fairy tales because the Fairy Tale seemed the ideal Form for the stuff I had to say. Then of course the Man in me began to have his turn. I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralysed much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or about the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to.
An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as if it were something medical.
But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday school associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could. That was the Man’s motive. But of course he could have done nothing if the Author had not been on the boil first.”
November 29, 2024
I enjoyed this. If you’ve studied any dictatorial states of the past, or current ones, you’ll appreciate the author’s world and characters. The split upper and lower class are there, the constant fear for one’s role, snitching only to be snitched on, fear, engrained belief and indoctrination etc. I think it is a good portrayal of a totally lost society under the rule of a madwoman.
(SPOILERS after this point)
The book peeved me in one specific area: caring for a newborn.
I understand women have maternal instinct, but I do not think a 13 yr. old girl who has been taught babies are literally devils, and has never ever been around one could properly care for and hide one ESPECIALLY in her living situation.
I think that the author did a poor job showing how such a thing could be possible. For example:
-The floorboards and door muffled all baby screaming without any other modification
-Piper never makes the connection that the tranquilizer pills she found with the baby originally were used to sedate and stop the baby crying, and we hear nothing about them again.
-At one point she almost runs out of milk, it is specifically noted in the story, but we never hear of it being a problem again.
-She is somehow able to store the milk at room temperature for multiple days without it souring?!
-she is able to keep the baby consistently fed without drawing suspicion
-how did she deal with the baby’s bodily functions? (Again zero clue how to care for a baby, and zero resources, she doesn’t even steal anything from the hospital)
-originally it is noted that their ship is going to meet up with another ship to trade (and so she has to finish something on a deadline) but once again we hear nothing of it ever again. At first I assumed she was going to smuggle the baby out that way.
These are a few of the things I noticed. Maybe he is one of the most perfect babies to ever exist 😂 but the impracticality, unexplained things and vagueness of it had me irritated by the end.
I am a little sad that no one else made it out with Piper 😔 especially her friend who she dragged along with her while it was sinking. Also, the concept of the mummy box was HORRIFYING, and was an interesting device to find on a ship, but it did its job of putting fear into the hearts of everyone.
(SPOILERS after this point)
The book peeved me in one specific area: caring for a newborn.
I understand women have maternal instinct, but I do not think a 13 yr. old girl who has been taught babies are literally devils, and has never ever been around one could properly care for and hide one ESPECIALLY in her living situation.
I think that the author did a poor job showing how such a thing could be possible. For example:
-The floorboards and door muffled all baby screaming without any other modification
-Piper never makes the connection that the tranquilizer pills she found with the baby originally were used to sedate and stop the baby crying, and we hear nothing about them again.
-At one point she almost runs out of milk, it is specifically noted in the story, but we never hear of it being a problem again.
-She is somehow able to store the milk at room temperature for multiple days without it souring?!
-she is able to keep the baby consistently fed without drawing suspicion
-how did she deal with the baby’s bodily functions? (Again zero clue how to care for a baby, and zero resources, she doesn’t even steal anything from the hospital)
-originally it is noted that their ship is going to meet up with another ship to trade (and so she has to finish something on a deadline) but once again we hear nothing of it ever again. At first I assumed she was going to smuggle the baby out that way.
These are a few of the things I noticed. Maybe he is one of the most perfect babies to ever exist 😂 but the impracticality, unexplained things and vagueness of it had me irritated by the end.
I am a little sad that no one else made it out with Piper 😔 especially her friend who she dragged along with her while it was sinking. Also, the concept of the mummy box was HORRIFYING, and was an interesting device to find on a ship, but it did its job of putting fear into the hearts of everyone.
March 30, 2025
Second read: Really enjoyed this again and so excited to hear what my middle school book club thought of it!
______
Really enjoyed this overall. So pleased to have found a middle grade dystopian with strong Christian themes. I appreciated the emphasis on the value of life and doing what is right, even as this powerfully showed just how many will reject the gift of freedom. There are parts of the story that are unbelievable and not especially well written, but overall this is a great, exciting, powerful story. I am strongly considering this as a dystopian title for my middle school book club. It is certainly ok for 12 and up, but I am a bit unsure of any 10 and 11 year olds given the Intensity of the storyline. And yet, it includes so much that would lead to great discussion. Hmmm…
______
Really enjoyed this overall. So pleased to have found a middle grade dystopian with strong Christian themes. I appreciated the emphasis on the value of life and doing what is right, even as this powerfully showed just how many will reject the gift of freedom. There are parts of the story that are unbelievable and not especially well written, but overall this is a great, exciting, powerful story. I am strongly considering this as a dystopian title for my middle school book club. It is certainly ok for 12 and up, but I am a bit unsure of any 10 and 11 year olds given the Intensity of the storyline. And yet, it includes so much that would lead to great discussion. Hmmm…
October 27, 2023
Bought this for my daughter for Christmas but had to preread it. 4.5 stars. Worst case of story grip I've had all year which isn't great for a homeschool mom of 6 little kids. The book was super stressful. I think one of the most stressful parts for me was the amount that the baby was just left alone. I kept wanting to go check on it and feed him.
October 29, 2023
Really gripping. Except my palms were sweaty through most of the book. I wonder what my thoughts would have been if I read this as a teen or young adult. But as a mother I was panicked and so distraught over this baby. The ending was quite explosive with me finally exhaling.
February 28, 2024
I could not put this book down. The parallels to a Christian’s life, in Piper’s life, were absolutely fascinating, and her motherly love for the baby was just so sweet. The ending was wonderful as well!
December 10, 2024
Horrifying, gripping, beautiful, tragic, and one of my favorite recent books.
It speaks to the culture today with eye-opening pointedness.
I loved it.
On a side note, I love how Forbidden Child and Christine Cohen's books' covers all match. Pretty books...
It speaks to the culture today with eye-opening pointedness.
I loved it.
On a side note, I love how Forbidden Child and Christine Cohen's books' covers all match. Pretty books...
November 18, 2023
I can’t say enough good things about this book! I listened to it on audio and now have plans to gift it to all of my nieces above age ten! It’s a great read - even for adults!
December 12, 2023
Read in one day - y’all this book was gripping!
December 21, 2023
The emotions I felt while reading this...a fast paced and tense read with a satisfying ending. Lies & truths and mirror on our very lives and history itself. Highly recommend!
October 26, 2023
EXCELLENT. An earth shaking debut novel from Gwen Newell. Reminiscent of The Giver and The Winter King in the way that it presents darker themes in the safer medium of story for teens. And while it is definitely dark, it is not grotesque simply for its own sake. Much of the violence happens “off camera”, and while Newell is clearly already a master of mood (it was quite creepy, and cold), it wouldn’t be “too much” for a teen who has been properly exposed to heavier subjects like the holocaust, North Korean prison camps, or even more detailed accounts of persecuted missionaries or martyrs.
I would go as far as saying I think this should be required reading for any teen confronting themes of governmental control, the sanctity of life, liberty, heroism, and self sacrifice. Also a good read for anyone who struggles with perfectionist tendencies, legalism, self doubt, or finding courage when faced with adversity.
Finally, it should be noted that the darkness of the story was an appropriate backdrop for the bright light of faith, hope, and love that eventually illuminates even the darkest corner of the Escape. Through the (very compelling) muck, mire, and ugliness of the dystopian world Newell paints onboard the Escape, what the reader walks away with is not despair, but a thrill of hope, and rest from a weary world. A beautiful literary picture of that ancient truth we should all hold dear, that, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Highly recommend!
I would go as far as saying I think this should be required reading for any teen confronting themes of governmental control, the sanctity of life, liberty, heroism, and self sacrifice. Also a good read for anyone who struggles with perfectionist tendencies, legalism, self doubt, or finding courage when faced with adversity.
Finally, it should be noted that the darkness of the story was an appropriate backdrop for the bright light of faith, hope, and love that eventually illuminates even the darkest corner of the Escape. Through the (very compelling) muck, mire, and ugliness of the dystopian world Newell paints onboard the Escape, what the reader walks away with is not despair, but a thrill of hope, and rest from a weary world. A beautiful literary picture of that ancient truth we should all hold dear, that, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Highly recommend!
December 23, 2023
Beware - this book has claws - once you start, you will abandon all else to finish it (I stayed up much too late because I just HAD to know what happened in the end)! Newell did a wonderful job of loosening and slackening the tension so that you neither fatigued from constant suspense nor lost interest from too little plot motion. Newell's writing really reminded me of Lewis' Narnia - it's just a heart-tuggingly wonderful story that makes you love the truth that leaps out of its pages (as opposed to bludgeoning moralization or bland fact-telling). Thus, you simply can't miss the commentary on the modern-day twist of totalitarianism via climate change hysteria and overpopulation mythology, but these morals perfectly map onto the goodness of the story and enhance it. Also, I appreciated the amazing world-crafting with nods to North Korea, China, and other totalitarian regimes - I can only imagine how difficult it is to sneak past the "I would never be brainwashed" mentality and make it "make sense" to readers. I was also delighted by how the "eyes to see" theme rang so true in regards to the "loyal" crew. Finally, my heart simply sang to hear the gospel told anew. The repeated "died for me" theme made the doctrine of substitutionary atonement so much more real, precious, and beautiful to me. This is a story that makes you love lovely things, wonder at wonderful things, and it really is a perfect Christmas-time read.
November 3, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful book from beginning to end. The world that the author has built is one of a dark, dismal, damp existence. Snarling internal and external conflict causes the reader to question his own moral strength in the face of enormous adversity. Though it is full of vivid and terrifying imagery, the book does not glorify or celebrate evil. The reader is kept begging for more, as the story takes numerous unexpected (though brilliant) literary turns throughout. The ending is worth the journey, and feels like a deep breath of cold crisp air.
Both harrowing and heartening, I would recommend this book to any teen or young adult who enjoys sci-fi or fantasy stories.
June 21, 2025
Amazing and a must-read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews