The Stranded

Stranded #1

by Sarah Daniels

A gripping, near-future thriller - The Hunger Games meets Station Eleven, for fans of pacey, disruptive TV, such as the Noughts and Crosses adaptation

Welcome to the Arcadia.

Once a luxurious cruise ship, it became a refugee camp after being driven from Europe by an apocalyptic war. Now it floats near the coastline of the Federated States - a leftover piece of a fractured USA.

For forty years, residents of the Arcadia have been prohibited from making landfall. It is a world of extreme haves and have nots, gangs and make-shift shelters.

Esther is a loyal citizen, working flat-out to have the rare chance to live a normal life as a medic on dry land. Ben is a rebel, planning something big to liberate the Arcadia once and for all.

When events throw them both together, their lives, and the lives of everyone on the ship, will change forever . . .

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Romance, Fantasy

440 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2022

About the author

Sarah Daniels writes stories set in dark futures. In the past she's been an archaeologist, a bookseller, and worked in a (probably) haunted night library. She lives in rural Lincolnshire with her family. The Stranded (book one) is out now. Book two coming July 2023.

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Stranded is a YA-Dystopian novel, the cover and synopsis of which grabbed my attention right away. The cover emits quite the vibe. I love it. It's so Ghost Ship.



I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, but then put off reading it for a bit after seeing some not so encouraging reviews. I wasn't sure I was in the right mood to get into it at that time.

Recently, I felt inspired to go for it. I was itching to get into a dark and high-stakes YA-Dystopian world.



Unfortunately, this book was a complete miss for me. After the initial set-up, I'm talking the first 5-8%, I was feeling good about it, but then nothing happened.

It never took off for me; fell flat with a vengeance. I dreaded picking it back up after I put it down and never felt compelled or intrigued in any way.



Honestly, I should have pulled the plug, but for some reason, I just felt like if I kept going, maybe I would have a light-bulb moment with it. All would make sense and I would suddenly feel connected with the characters and the story.

The narrative follows three different characters, none of which I felt were particularly well-developed. Additionally, I didn't feel the world was developed at all. I wanted so much more from it.



One of the things I tend to enjoy about Dystopians are that, sometimes, if done well, you can see glimmers of your society in them. You think to yourself, this is creepy because this could happen. I never felt that with this, because I didn't feel like I really knew anything about the world, or what led them to be in the current state.

The stakes were ambiguous, the tension was nonexistent and I couldn't have cared less what happened to any of the characters we were following.

I don't want to beat a dead horse with this review, too late, some of you may be thinking, nevertheless I shall bow out gracefully here...



As always, please take my opinion with a grain of salt. I am by no means an expert on all things YA Dystopian novels.

If this synopsis sounds intriguing to you, give it a go. You may love it and then you can circle back and tell me how very wrong I am. I look forward to it!



Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

Although The Stranded wasn't for me, I know there are a lot of Readers out there who will really enjoy it. I look forward to seeing their thoughts on this one.

[A Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been decades since the passengers on the cruise ship Arcadia have floated near the coastline of the Federated States, left isolated because of possible exposure to a deadly virus. In that time, life aboard the ship has devolved to the haves and have-nots, to the upper and lower decks, to gangs and military police. Esther has never stepped out of line and is studying to become a medic with the hopes of being one of just a few citizens who are granted land access. But then she finds herself unwillingly drawn into a plot to rebel against the order of the ship, and is forced to make choices she never thought she’d have to.

The author focused this work on three main characters – a rebel, a medical trainee, and the leader of the military police aboard the ship. This was a fun way to get a glimpse into the main three factions aboard the Arcadia. The characters were interesting, and their varied personalities and goals made for an enjoyable cast, but I felt that they were lacking in true development. They all felt like caricatures of typical YA dystopian characters, especially the main antagonist (who was absurdly evil and felt more comic than threatening).

The pacing of the work is a bit off. It starts off quite slowly, introducing characters and situating them in their daily lives aboard the ship. Action slowly builds up, then lags, then the last fifth of the book is nonstop. There’s not much conflict interspersed throughout the work; the only real conflict is the commander versus the people of the ship, and again, with him not being a relatable/realistic/engaging villain, it was lackluster. I would have loved to learn more about the rebellion, the people themselves, and some of the interpersonal conflicts that were common aboard the ship. This would have brought the setting and the characters more life.

I did enjoy this work overall though I probably won’t continue the series. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of The Stranded seemed so appealing, but unfortunately, it was underwhelming.

Apocalyptic war and a deadly virus forced passengers on board the Arcadia to reside on the former luxury cruise liner for decades. Now, the ship floats off the coast of the Federated States, and no one is allowed to disembark without special permission for fear of spreading the long-dormant virus. Wealthy passengers reside on the upper decks, while the impoverished live on the lower levels.

Esther is a training medic, studying hard so she can try to get off the ship and secure a job on land.

Nic is deep into planning a rebellion.

Hadley is the commander, in charge of keeping order on the ship, and will do so at any cost.

This YA thriller is fast-paced and has multiple POVs.

I thought I would enjoy it more than I did. It lacks character development. Many of the characters were merely caricatures of good versus evil. Especially Hadley. He’s identical to every villain in a poorly acted budget action film.

I’m not sure why I thought the virus would take up more pages, but alas, it was only mentioned a few times. Maybe it will play a larger role in the next instalment, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

The last 80 pages were top-tier action, but again, not enough to motivate me to stick with the series.

Some YA books can be enjoyed by all ages, but I’d only recommend this to those that really adore YA. It reads on the younger side, even though it has some darker content.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://booksandwheels.com

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent dystopian YA novel, but a bit long and drawn out.

For forty years, people have lived aboard a former cruise ship called the Arcadia. The results of a virus and a war meant that no one wanted to take responsibility for the passengers, so they have made a society for themselves. Esther is loyal to the powers-that-be, at sixteen she is a promising medical cadet vying for a place in a medical school on land. Nik is another young adult but has a different mission. He rebels against the status quo and is determined to escape what he considers prison. Hadley is in charge of keeping the residents in line, using drones and a cadre of soldiers.

We alternate between the three points of view, but I considered Nik to be the most interesting and best developed character. I thought Esther seemed more like a whiny, naïve twelve-year-old than a sixteen-year-old, even confronted with difficult situations she continued to cower rather than rise up to the challenges presented to her.

It took a long time to get the book actually going, and honestly I couldn't figure out why. There wasn't a lot of conflict except for Hadley vs. the rest of the people. I didn't get much of a sense of how life worked onboard, because we're thrown into the plot of the rebellion (but we don't know what it consists of or who is actually on which side until almost the end) rather than learning about their life and their connections with others.

I did like Nik and his passion for the cause and his determination to be strong. The book ends on a major cliffhanger, so it will be interesting to see where things go from here. As it stands, this is an okay dystopian YA offering if you can overlook the flaws.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Welcome to the Arcadia

The Arcadia was once a luxury cruise ship but now serves as *home*,a refugee camp for those who were driven from Europe after war. The Arcadia floats in the waters off the coast of what is known as the "Federated States", a fractured part of the United States. For forty years people have lived on the Arcadia. They cannot go on land, they are separated by the haves, the have nots, and gangs. Where you live on the ship tells your story.

Ester is sixteen years old and training to be a medic. This means that she will one day be able to work and live on land. When all you know is living on the Arcadia, living on land, sounds like a dream.

Nik is sixteen years old and trying to help the rebellion.

Hadley is the villain. He is also the commander on the Arcadia.

Ester, Nik and Hadley have their own POVs in this dystopian, trapped on a ship, novel. I found this story to be enjoyable and entertaining. There is tension, the rebellion and the characters themselves which kept me engaged and turning the pages.

What would it be like to grow up on a ship? To never have the ground beneath your feet, to feel grass, or see animals? What would it be like to be stuck and trapped?

This book had me thinking of many things while reading it. The descriptions of where people resided with the haves and the have nots reminded me of the Titanic with the poor staying below deck. The book also reminded me of the beginning of the titanic and people on cruise ships not being able to make port.

I also enjoyed the beginning of the chapters which told how many days on ship, etc. I thought that was very nicely done.

Entertaining and enjoyable.


Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, yes, yes! We have all heard about the Cruise Ships that were quarantined at the beginning of COVID. I will admit I wondered what that experience would be like. The story of the Arcadia and those left stranded make for a thrilling dystopian YA read.

[Alexis Hall]

Source of book: NetGalley (thank you)
Relevant disclaimers: None
Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author.

And remember: I am not here to judge your drag, I mean your book. Books are art and art is subjective. These are just my personal thoughts. They are not meant to be taken as broader commentary on the general quality of the work. Believe me, I have not enjoyed many an excellent book, and my individual lack of enjoyment has not made any of those books less excellent or (more relevantly) less successful.

Further disclaimer: Readers, please stop accusing me of trying to take down “my competition” because I wrote a review you didn’t like. This is complete nonsense. Firstly, writing isn’t a competitive sport. Secondly, I only publish reviews of books in the subgenre where I’m best known (queer romcom) if they’re glowing. And finally: taking time out of my life to read an entire book, then write a detailed review about it that some people on GR will look at would be a profoundly inefficient and ineffective way to damage the careers of other authors. If you can’t credit me with simply being a person who loves books and likes talking about them, at least credit me with enough common sense to be a better villain.

*******************************************

I was kind of excited to see a YA dystopia pop on NetGalley because I thought that trend was, like, super dead—although I think I myself had drifted away from it somewhere towards the middle. There’s a video essay by Sarah Z about the rise and fall of YA dystopia which, I think (it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, so apologies if I’m mis-summarising this), reaches the conclusion that the genre keeled over, partly due to over-saturation and the natural ebb and flow of the market, but also because it stopped making any fucking sense. As in, instead of, you know, instead of exploring a theoretically plausible dystopian settings things had degenerated into a kind of “what if teenagers had to [something impractically unpleasant]”, for which I think Divergent is something of the poster child. Anyway, where I’m going with that tangent, is that I think what really struck me about The Stranded is that it feels like a very, very believable dystopia.

The premise is a mysterious, and an ensuing war, has basically wiped out most of Europe. America, meanwhile, has fractured, with the Federated States being the established power, a wall dividing it from whatever lies on the other side. Our teenage heroine is one of the stranded, a descendent of one of the original travellers who took refuge on the cruise ship Arcadia when the virus broke out and—despite having had no incidents of the virus for literally decades—are still being denied entry to the Federated States. That this setting is clearly derived from, err, shit that was going on in the world a few years ago (with Trump in the White House and stories of stranded cruise ships, like the Diamond Princess or the Zaandam getting some media attention during the pandemic) is probably what renders The Stranded such an effective dystopia (compared to, y’know, ‘what if teenagers were only allowed one personality trait’) but I could also see—given how close we still are to living in our dystopia—a certain … opportunism, perhaps, that may to some people feel slightly distasteful.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t personally feel that way. I think that, while the setting is clearly influenced by the pandemic and its broader political context, the book was also at pains to establish differences between the real past and the fictional present: the virus, for example, originates in Europe (not Asia) and then there’s the war that has turned the continent into a wasteland, and while there’s a wall down the middle of the US now, the details of how and why it came about are left vague. Anyway, YMMV is what I’m saying.

The book is multi-viewpoint, but I’d personally say the main protagonist is Esther. Raised on the Arcadia, she is currently training to be a doctor as part of a programme that is supposed to get top candidates in highly skilled profession (like doctors and military officers) admittance to the Federated States. The Arcadia is currently a sort of panopticon, run under a martial law imposed by officers from the Federated States, ostensibly to protect citizens from the gangs that previously threatened the ship, but mostly about enforcing control. When Esther, previously unassuming and diligent, is present at an illegal leaflet drop she gets pulled into a rebellion that has brewing for generations. The other POV characters are Nik, one of the rebels, who is in love with Esther’s sister, and Hadley, the sadistic representative of the Federated States who has been assigned to the Arcadia as punishment for a previous indiscretion.

Of the three POVs, I found Esther the most compelling, perhaps because she had the most significant emotional journey to undertake. Nik felt a bit more utilitarian, his personality slightly subsumed by his narrative function, which was allowing the reader to see what was going on with the rebels. And Hadley … well. I honestly feel a bit ambiguous about villain POVs, especially if they become glamorised, but there’s no danger of that with Hadley. He’s legitimately terrifying—this mixture of entitlement and grievance that renders him ruthless, unpredictable, and absolutely irredeemable. I confess to being slightly fascinated by his perspective, not because there was anything particularly special about him as a person (his villainy is always banal, stemming from unchecked power and contempt) but because we get to understand his goals, see his perspective, even his vulnerability, and the forces he himself is in conflict with (he is as desperate to get off the Arcadia as the citizens) and he is still not only monstrous but monstrously uncool. That feels like quite an accomplishment.

The Stranded, in general, pulls no punches. Some pretty terrible shit and dramatic shit goes down over the course of the book. And, given the high stakes and escalating tension, I’m somewhat surprised by some of the more negative reviews that found the book slow. For me, it had a thriller-like compulsiveness that kept me tearing through the pages. In fact, the book was so relentlessly plot-driven that I felt some of its character moments got a little lost in the action—I think I felt more emotional connection between Esther and the bloke who servers her coffee in the opening chapter than I did between any of the romantic couples. Basically, The Stranded asks us to take a lot of pre-existing relationships for granted—especially between siblings and between lovers—before the story kicks off and doesn’t always do the best job of allowing us to invest. For example, Esther’s boyfriend Alex is clearly made of red flags from top-to-toe but the book doesn’t give us time to believe in him as someone who is NOT made of red flags from top-to-toe which makes Esther’s commitment to him and everyone else’s willingness to just trust him a bit frustrating. On the other hand, I really appreciated the way The Stranded allowed its characters to behave non-heroically. A grieving Nik says some truly terrible things to Esther. And Esther herself, while she comes through in the end, is given space to be scared and overwhelmed, and make bad decisions—as, I think, most people would in the same position.

In any case, I enjoyed The Stranded a lot, finding it both gripping and oddly grounded for a YA dystopia (it even makes a degree of sense why the rebellion is resting on the shoulders of young people instead of, y’know, actual adults). While it faltered occasionally in its characterisation, it shines it terms of its plotting, its setting and its risk-taking. If nothing else, book 1 ends in a wildly different place to where it began, which gives me hope for book 2 maintaining its momentum and its breakneck pace.

[Laura Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! This was everything I want in a YA book – a near-future dystopian world that challenges our current social and political standards, strong characters, high action, NO love triangles (I don't know who wrote the blurb but they clearly have not read the book), and fascinating sci-fi tech. The Stranded gives me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes. Here for it. (Note that I did read a very early manuscript which was riddled with typos, so I don't know how much will change between now and the final version!)

[David (on hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut YA book by Sarah Daniels and the premise just grabs you from the beginning. Forty years ago after a devastating war, the luxury cruise ship Arcadia becomes banished from Europe and all the occupants are now stuck. Anchored off the US coast which is now The Federated States. Not the same and under harsh rule and the occupants are not allowed to leave the ship.

This book is compared to both Divergent and The Hunger Games so how can it not be awesome?

Not so much a spoiler: It IS awesome. We have three alternating POVs: Sixteen year old Nik who is trying to help cause a rebellion: A act to liberate the Arcadia. Also sixteen year old Esther who is trying to just study and be a doctor. She gets dragged into the rebellion. And of course we have a POV of a baddie: Hadley. Boo!

In true expert YA fashion this one blends action, drama, evil governments, social issues. and high tension. Being older now I tend to gravitate towards more adult books so I am pretty picky about what few YA books I read and this one just checks the boxes! If I were to nitpick at all I would say it may have been too cumbersome with the three POVs. I think it would be paced better with less. But still a great book for a debut author. Highly recommended!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

After an apocalyptic war, the once luxurious cruise ship the Arcadia is now a refugee ship. For forty years the residents of this ship have been prevented from reaching land. The ship floats near the Federal States, what used to be part of the U.S. Esther follows the rules and is working hard. Nik goes against authority and is planning something big. When the two meet things will never be the same.

I wanted to like this but it was so boring. Maybe it was the writing style but I couldn’t get into the story at all.

The Stranded is available January 3,2023.

Thank you netgalley and sourcebooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Brenda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decades after the spread of a virus in Europe, cruise ships still linger in the harbors. Filled with generations of people - forced to stay aboard, never touching ground.
A rebellion has been rising for years - a quiet tide, inching closer and closer.
Esther studied for years, beside her boyfriend Alex, to be become a medic; desperately hoping to gain entrance to med school in the Federated States. Following every rule only to be snatched from her home. Brought to the side of a young man shot, bleeding out and poison in his veins.
Esther can't go back - she finds herself consumed with terror of the Coalies. May, her sister, drags her in farther.
Creative world building, human rights - just very well done and had me obsessed.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels gets 4.5 ⭐️ from me. I believe it’s her debut novel and a book two is definitely coming.
I love a dystopia and I enjoyed this one. The story development was clever and I can’t imagine living in these conditions. I wouldn’t compare this to anything else and just enjoy the ride!
I recommend this if you like dystopias.
Thanks NetGalley.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

ATTENTION READING PASSENGERS, THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING!

This is a YA dystopian novel you DO NOT want to miss! Jump on board for the cruise ship ride of your life where you will cruise in... ummm... yeah, you will cruise to destination nowhere for the mere price of your whole entire life.

Forty years after biological warfare, there are 16 stranded cruise ships being told they can not dock anywhere due to possibility of contagion. There is a split within the United States during the war with states seceding and forming their own country, The Federated States. Life on the ship is tough. The ship is breaking down and there are food rations being implemented. There is a small class being held for medics and the chance at getting to be allowed to come ashore and live on land. Things seem very bleak.

Told from multiple viewpoints of passengers on the ship, this novel takes off not like a cruise ship, but rather a rocket ship--blasting off at full speed. There are nods to current situations in the world, making this a fun, fast, relatable read. I can not say enough good things about how this book sets the pace for a sure to be exciting series!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers #Sourcebooks, and the talented author #SarahDaniels for extending an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions

Happy reading my friends! 😊

[AndiReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stranded is a crazily realistic story that transports you to a dystopian world with little hope for the future. In Stranded, we are introduced to the Arcadia - previously a large cruise from Europe. 40 years after a world war and deadly virus has decimated the Earth, the Arcadia is now packed with refugees and floating listlessly off the coast of what was previously the United States. The dwellers of the Arcadia are divided by class, with those who paid for first class seats still able to access the boats decks and what amenities are left quite easily, leaving the crew and the lower class dwellers "The 'Neaths" to scramble for food and space. The Ship has not been able to negotiate a landing for the refugees aboard and as the resources dwindle the ship dwellers are spinning toward mutiny

Esther is an Aracadian hoping to make it off the ship via her desire to study to become a doctor. She is unwittingly dragged into the ship rebellion. It's chaotic and exciting and the perfect Ya novel. If you like dystopia, new worlds and strong heroines, The Stranded is for you! . #sourcebooks

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Stranded was a fun dystopian book to jump into. Now I've never been on a cruise ship before, or any boat really, so I have absolutely no idea how I would feel if I was trapped on one for years. Years people. Forty years to be exact but still, I have no idea what I would do if I was in that situation. So, it was definitely interesting to see what everyone would be like and how they would possibly escape.

Throughout the book, we get a fair amount of action which left me on the edge of my seat at times. There was definitely plenty of tension to go around as well. Whether it was between the soldiers and the rebels or with something else going on. All I really wanted to know is if Esther and Nik would make it off the ship or not. Seriously, it was constantly on my mind.

Besides that, I think the villain was okay. I can't really complain about Hadley. He was just okay in my eyes. Then again, I feel like the rebels weren't being very rebellious either. Like things felt too simple and I'm not exactly sure why. Still, it was entertaining to a point.

In the end, it did feel a bit rushed and kind of chaotic too. Somehow, I enjoyed it all and I'm very happy that I got the chance to jump into this. Will definitely be on the lookout for another book by Sarah!

[Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I don’t read/ watch much dystopian so my comparisons are quite narrow, but this really did give me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes.

Synopsis: In 2051 luxury cruise ship known as The Arcadia was set to leave Liverpool when a deadly virus broke out. People took refugee on the ship but were never allowed to disembark for fear that the virus that has wiped out most of Europe and the world will resurface, despite not seeing cases aboard for a long time. It’s now 2094 and The Arcadia has been stranded for 15,934 days at sea. After years of meticulous planning, a rebellion group begins an uprising to finally get the people to land and what follows is an action-packed sequence of events that will have your heart racing.

Thoughts: I loved how from the very first page we were drawn into this dystopian society and how easy it was to be transported there. The futuristic technology set against an old, rotting ship made a nice contrast, and Daniel’s descriptions of the sights, smells, and people made it easy to vision the social and political divides. This story was told through three unique POVs, and I love how each character brought a new perspective on each event, even the horrific villain Hadley. There were times where I felt the action scenes could have been a bit shorter but besides that, I am very happy I took a chance on a book outside my comfort zone.

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC! Pub date: 1/3/23

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m almost caught up on my backlog of ARCs and have been looking forward to this one! It did not disappoint! I really found the whole plot intriguing, especially in our post pandemic world, about a whole city stranded for 40+ years on a cruise ship and denied entry into the US when a virus broke out. Even though not a single passenger on the ship was affected, they were left having to survive on the boat and being heavily monitored and controlled by the Federated States. I really enjoyed this dystopian tale and all the characters are well developed! I hope the author plans to make this a series with more books to follow, as I’ll definitely be reading and recommending them!

[AziaMinor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall Rating : C-

"You put your own lifejacket on first - everyone knows it."



A very interesting and cool premise that just wasn't executed the way I thought it would. Bland chaotic characters that didn't fit their own narrative and really nothing happened that warranted the high stakes feel.

[Jen]

The Stranded is a YA dystopian book being compared to The Hunger Games and Divergent. I used to love this genre so I was hoping to have a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in a modern dystopian. Unfortunately, The Stranded read exactly like the YA dystopians that were flooding the market over a decade ago. There wasn't a lot of development and there wasn't a lot of explanation.

The Stranded is told through multiple points of view. A couple of these views are told through first person and a third point of view through third person. I didn't enjoy the change in narrative, and I didn't enjoy the characters either.

This dystopian world has strict rules, but anyone can get in trouble at any time - even if they did nothing wrong. People in close proximity to rule breakers would be arrested while the actual rule breakers got away. The characters are stuck on these ships because the world got hit with a virus - but the people who study and earn their way back into the real world can get vaccines and be taken off the ship. There are vaccines but they don't give them to everyone because it would cost millions. When was this written? Did I read this wrong?

Our main character is studying to earn her way off of the ship, but she totally forgot to study for an exam that's 65% of her grade so she decides to cheat in order to take the only remaining spot off the ship. Why would I care to keep reading? The stakes were so random, the characters were basic, and I didn't understand the world at all. I held on for 173 pages until I just didn't have any reason to root for anyone.

If you are a huge fan of the Hunger Games era books, you might love this. I would 100% believe The Stranded was written 10 years ago when there was no longer a market for it. I was hoping for a modern take on the YA dystopian genre, and I guess that's my fault.

Review copy provided by publisher. This is a review of my reading experience.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in awe that this is a debut. It is pretty damn good guys! I felt like this one gripped me from the beginning and I was on a rollercoaster the entire time. How Daniels created a post-apocalyptic world, added some swash buckling antics and some dangerous situations all within 480 pages is beyond me. The imagination she must have?! Wow! How clever.

This is told in multiple rotating POVs and primarily takes place on a cruise ship. I loved that we got a POV from our villain and that he had his own backstory. The setting really helps to add to the claustrophobia and horror of the situation and the new world in 2094. The social divides and socioeconomic issues that play out in this are terrifyingly real.

This is the perfect blend of YA action, drama, social issues and a nasty government wrapped up in a tense and suspenseful story. Our characters are perfect for the genre and minus a few “bad words” this is pretty PG. If you enjoy Hunger Games, Divergent or Snow Piercer you will really enjoy this!

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a YA dystopian story about a cruise ship that has been at sea for 40 years. It is at anchor off the coast of the US and full of people who fled Europe when a deadly virus struck. A brutal government- American Federation is in charge and will not allow people to leave the ship and imposes very harsh punishment or death if rules are not followed. Hadley is the leader of this government. And he is a very twisted and evil person.

There arises a rebel group to oppose the Federation. Two sixteen year olds are the main characters. Esther is studying to become a doctor and is reluctantly dragged into the rebellion. Nik is the son of a women who is one of the leaders of the rebels. Nik’s girlfriend May is Esther’s sister. And May is also secretly part of the rebellion.

Daniels is a debut author and for a first book, this was a good read. Lots of action and nice plot twists.

I enjoyed the two good MCs and the bad guy was a true villain. It was nice to see Esther grow and develop into a more mature and stronger person and take in more responsibility. Nik was a loyal friend and all around good guy.

Arc received for a voluntary and honest review.

[Anschen Conradie · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheStranded – Sarah Daniels
#PenguinRandomHouse

In 2051 the luxury cruise ship, Arcadia, able to house 7000 passengers, left Liverpool. At the same time Europe erupted into full blown biological warfare, reducing the entire continent to uninhabitable wasteland. Cruise ships, including the Arcadia, were unable to return, left with no choice but to set anchors at the coast of the fractured USA, known as the Federated States. Fearing infection, permission to disembark was denied, effectively imprisoning the passengers on the ships. Under pressure of human rights groups, the Federated States agreed to supply provisions to the ships until the virus outbreak has been contained. Those attempting to swim ashore, were executed in the water.

24 October 2094, after 15 938 days at sea, the Arcadia is but a shell of its former glory; less than 500 of her inhabitants have ever set foot on land. Their supplies are controlled and rationed by a country who does not want them, and they are tyrannized and brutalized by guards in coal-coloured uniforms on board. They monitor the inhabitants with drones and any indication of insubordination is sufficient to earn the accused a one-way ticket to a prison camp. The so-called privileged live in cabins on the 14 upper decks, those less fortunate dwell below the water line in almost perpetual darkness. They are referred to as Neaths and are ruled by lawless gang leaders, earning a living by smuggling and theft. Skills like reading and swimming are regarded as dangerous and thus largely forbidden.

Esther is a 16-year-old medical intern. She was born on the Arcadia, as were her parents. Her only chance to escape the ship is to be elected as one of the lucky few to complete her studies at a prestigious university in the Federated States. To achieve that, she has to outperform others academically and collaborate with the ‘Coalies’. Her sister, May, is a cadet, hoping to also escape the Arcadia by being elected for training as a Federated States soldier. 5 years ago, when he was only 11 years old, Nikhal’s father was sent to a prison camp by the ‘Coalies’, planting the first seeds of rebellion in his very being. Hadley, a ruthless sadist, and the ‘Coalie’ commander on the Arcadia, has very personal reasons for wanting the Arcadia and her inhabitants destroyed.

A single ill-advised decision by one of the characters in these volatile conditions will cause a ripple effect that would decide the fates of everyone: ‘And, like a lightning strike, my world is on fire.’ (241) Each of the chapters are devoted to the point of view of one of the 4 main characters, with Esther and Nik alternating as first-person narrators. The closed setting contributes to reader involvement; effectively excluding irrelevant scenes. The various points of view forewarn the reader of impending doom, but helpless to intervene. The pace is fast, many characters dubious, with deception a permanent reality. The characters’ emotions are described in evocative and intimate language, endearing them to the reader: ‘The ring (she) gave me weighs down my hand. I feel fleshless without her. The grief strips me down to a skeleton, and I imagine myself melting into the ground.’ (206); ‘I know her the second I see her. The way she moves. The shape of her. My heart beats a thousand times faster. She’s alive.’ (250) and ‘It took seconds for the world to be snuffed out. She was there. She is gone.’ (315)

The subtle dry humour often relives the tension; in a scene including a physical altercation: ‘The few teeth she’s got gnash and snap’ (215) and a character wielding a kitchen knife, thinks: ‘It weighs a ton, and I already wish I’d picked the vegetable peeler…’ (219)

This dystopic techno-thriller for young adults is part one of a duology and I am looking forward to finding out the fates of the Arcadia and her inhabitants in the final instalment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Uitdieperdsebek
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[Emily Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Stranded
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/3/23
Author: Sarah Daniels
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 464
GR: 3.89

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this story. Apocalyptic war with a deadly virus on board a cruise line. In a way, it built upon Covid, magnified. Being an avid cruiser myself, it gives you pause. The story opens up directly into the plot of conflict. The story is narrated by Esther, Nik, and Hadley, through their perspectives, in an alternating POV. This story does have some darker content, but it is geared more towards a younger reader. I did enjoy the story, although I felt it was a little long. The story primarily focuses on 3 characters, Esther, Nik, and Hadley (there are others, but these are focused). Esther is a naive teenager training to become a medic on the ship with hopes of medical school once on land. Nik is strong and rebellious in nature while questioning the status of things, also desperate to escape. Lastly, Hadley, the not so nice leader, is in charge, using drones and soldiers to keep all passengers inline. This is a slow burn thriller and it takes awhile to get “heated” up. The characters were developed well with depth, mystery, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, creative, and keeps you engaged. The only con is the length of the book. If you love Hunger Games or Divergent, then I would recommend this book! Out today!!

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting premise and great adventure of a story! Stuck at sea for years, the Arcadia is filled with multiple generations that haven't lived on the land, only at sea. A war and unsafe land has kept them at sea, floating along trying to keep the boat going. Few still remain that once lived on land and remember what it was like.

But you don't get much history or story on the boat at first. You are quickly thrown right in to a rebelion and left, a little, scrambling to understand what's going on. I think, because that confusion, the beginnig is a little slow going. I struggled, at times, to picture the layers of the boat and how each section lived. There were the richer up top but I didn't get a good feel for how their life worked. Those struggling lived lower down, making do with very little and living in danger with gangs and violence. It was all interesting and I liked the adventure of it. The main characters were interesting and I liked learning their motivations and their secrets. There were so slow parts as I struggled to fully flesh out the boat, the lives and the residents, but it was worth it in the end. I enjoyed this one!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was so interesting! I found myself binge reading this one because I wanted to know what happened next! I've read a lot of dystopian stories....and sometimes they feel a bit cookie-cutter when it comes to plot. The premise of this book was different enough that I really got into the story!

The Arcadia used to be a luxury cruise ship. But for 40 years it's been the home of refugees who aren't allowed to step onto the mainland. The POV alternates in this story between a girl struggling for the life she dreams of, a rebel and the villainous captain of the ship. Normally I really don't like POV changes, but for this story it works well. It adds dimension to the plot and expands the characters, rather than creating confusion.

I'm not going to say much about the plot past the basics as I don't want to spoil anything. This story definitely kept my attention from start to finish. I kept finding myself contemplating what living on a ship for years and years would actually be like. I don't think I would like it! And I could definitely see the problems depicted in the book actually happening to people forced to live like that as refugees. Very interesting premise! This is the start of a series. I will definitely be reading more!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels
5 STARS

Thank you to the publishers for an ARC via NetGalley.

What a fantastic debut! This is YA dystopia at it's best. There's a fantastic yet claustrophobic setting; switching POVs that, at this point at least, aren't love interests along with the villain in 3rd person; a snappy and fast moving storyline and a host of strong characters.

The Stranded manages to weave current social and political undertones alongside a future that is bleak yet could be sadly realistic.

As soon as I finished this, I had to check to see if there was a sequel - luckily this is set to be a duology. I'll definitely be picking up the next book!

[Sara Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking Page Turner!
What a brilliant debut. Can’t wait to see what’s next from this talented writer! This was a MasterClass in writing YA – a near-future dystopia. The book has strong themes: challenging current social and political standards, emotional attachments through 3D characters, pact, tense action. I also liked the love story running through it. The Stranded is a mash up of Hunger Games meets Divergent. Cannot recommend highly enough. Next please!

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decades ago the world descended into biological warfare and The Virus was unleashed. Escaping Europe, a cruise ship anchored and eventually broke down in the waters along the fractured Americas. Due to the threat of illness the refugees were quarantined despite never having any outbreaks. Generations have come and gone and still the ship bound are stranded, unable to sail elsewhere, and barred from coming onto the Federation’s soil.

Readers follow a group of teens as they navigate life aboard their vessel, work towards their hopes and dreams- be it freedom from oppression, or settling on land at long last.

I LOVED the premise, but the story definitely stalled and stagnated multiple times in an effort to increase the page count with nothing really going on. When fighting, action, intense scenes happen it’s a thrilling read. The characters were your basic YA bunch.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The premise of this grabbed my attention right away. I'm a fan of dystopian novels with viruses that wipe out the population. It feels so realistic, especially after the last couple of years. This has a lot of action and with three points of view, things are constantly in motion. There are the Coalies, aka the soldiers on board that keep the population in line, then the rebels who resist all the rules and are fighting for freedom. Tensions are high and I was kept on my toes as I rooted for Esther and Nik to make it off the ship.

I did think the rebel's plan was a bit simple and after all those years on the ship, you'd think they could come up with something more. For all that Hadley, the main villain, knows about the rebels, I also thought he would have suspected some people as being spies or guessed at their plan. The ending was chaotic and a bit hard to follow in a couple of places. With almost nothing wrapped up, I wonder if there are plans for a sequel?

This was a fun read and I flew through it with all the action and fast pacing. I think this would be a fun tv show and I hope to see more of the characters in a future book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the copy