The Unknowns

by Abby Summers

Taken from the only life they've ever known, to be placed where nothing should exist, Alex and five other teenagers struggle to understand this odd change in their lives after they awaken in a forest and travel together to Ataxia. Things seem to be real, but those things are unheard of by the six who seem to have been chosen for a reason. After Alex is taken to be trained as an Ataxian Traitor and is betrayed by those around her, she still hasn't found the reason why she is so important in the foreshadow of Ataxia and Malum's war. No one is trustworthy. No longer can she risk anything more. Alex places her trust in no one's hands and she takes it upon herself to decide right from wrong in this place. When the reason why she and the others were brought to Ataxia is revealed to her, Alex realizes the danger in being who she is, and it is far greater than she had imagined. The months of training and readying for war couldn't have prepared Alex for the things she knows, now. Why she was sent here, why she's needed, and why the Unknowns are such a danger to others, all begins to seem like a game they have all been trying to play for their whole time spent in Ataxia when they discover that the war they've attempted to prevent has already begun.

234 pages, Paperback

First published June 12, 2014

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off this book is written by a 15 year old girl! That alone earns her a four star rating. Overall, I was impressed with the story. It was interesting, unique, yet trendy (dystopian style) and had great plot development.
My few criticisms are really for Ms. Summers benefit In her future career as a writer.
1. Watch mundane details. In effort to be descriptive sometime the details were so much that you forgot what you were reading by the time it was all described.
2. Beware of using too much angst and sarcasm. There are at least 7 times where "Alex" stops listening or begins ignoring people because they are "boring." There is also a lot of sarcasm amongst the characters. While this happens in real life in print form it became annoying.
3. Avoid overusing modal stacking i.e.; might could and might would. Although not necessarily grammatically incorrect and often common in southern dialect (author is from Arkansas) - it felt overused and made me cringe just a little to see it so often.
Abby I am so impressed with this book and hope you consider my suggestions but also continue working on your craft. You are a true inspiration!

[David Insell]

Wow

I'm amazed at the imagination of such a young girl. I am looking forward to her next book. I hope she keeps writing. I think she will have an amazing career.