What do you think?
Rate this book
El mejor de los mundos
Xavier Oaks doesn't particularly want to go to the cabin with his dad and his dad's pregnant new wife, Nia. But family obligations are family obligations, and it's only for a short time. So he leaves his mom, his brother, and his other friends behind for a week in the woods. Only... one morning he wakes up and the house isn’t where it was before. It's like it's been lifted and placed... somewhere else.
When Xavier, his dad, and Nia go explore, they find they are inside a dome, trapped. And there's no one else around...
Until, three years later, another family arrives.
Is there any escape? Is there a reason they are stuck where they are? Different people have different answers -- and those different answers inexorably lead to tension, strife, and sacrifice.
When Xavier, his dad, and Nia go explore, they find they are inside a dome, trapped. And there's no one else around...
Until, three years later, another family arrives.
Is there any escape? Is there a reason they are stuck where they are? Different people have different answers -- and those different answers inexorably lead to tension, strife, and sacrifice.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2025
89 people are currently reading
9328 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth Oppel
75 books2,725 followersI was born in 1967 in Port Alberni, a mill town on Vancouver Island, British Columbia but spent the bulk of my childhood in Victoria, B.C. and on the opposite coast, in Halifax, Nova Scotia...At around twelve I decided I wanted to be a writer (this came after deciding I wanted to be a scientist, and then an architect). I started out writing sci-fi epics (my Star Wars phase) then went on to swords and sorcery tales (my Dungeons and Dragons phase) and then, during the summer holiday when I was fourteen, started on a humorous story about a boy addicted to video games (written, of course, during my video game phase). It turned out to be quite a long story, really a short novel, and I rewrote it the next summer. We had a family friend who knew Roald Dahl - one of my favourite authors - and this friend offered to show Dahl my story. I was paralysed with excitement. I never heard back from Roald Dahl directly, but he read my story, and liked it enough to pass on to his own literary agent. I got a letter from them, saying they wanted to take me on, and try to sell my story. And they did.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
December 15, 2025
4.5 ⭐
I first met Kenneth Oppel in the Fall of 1997 when he did a book signing for his debut novel. I had just started to work full-time with teenagers and needed something different that I hoped would spark a love of reading. My students gobbled up his Silverwing series and I learned to appreciate Oppel’s tendency to defy the boundaries of genre. I’m sad to be missing him at the Vancouver Writers’ Festival this Fall. If you live locally, make it a priority to get tickets for his author event this October. It’s not one to be missed.
I’m anxious by nature and therefore a BIG planner. I have ‘alphabet plans’ and exit strategies for EVERYTHING. I loved this Teen survival thriller because it forced me to think about what choices I’d make if I had very little agency.
One morning, teenager Xavier Oaks wakes to discover that his family’s cottage has been picked up from its location and placed somewhere completely different. When he explores, Xavier discovers that his family has been relocated to a farm … trapped inside a Dome. Not only that, they’re alone. Survival depends on their ingenuity. After some time, another family arrives under similar conditions….and they have a teenage daughter! The Jacksons have very different values from the Oaks and tension ensues when the two families realize that with escape not being an option, they need to learn to work together.
I loved thinking about the Dome being parallel to countries the world over - learning to work together for the betterment of the whole is essential. As each family hypothesized and orchestrated an escape plan, I was rushing ahead in my mind and wanting to warn them about why it wouldn’t work. Oppel’s worldbuilding skills are stellar!
This part dystopian, part escape story, part psychological thriller, part science fiction story is a compelling read. I sure wished I had someone to discuss it with as I read - you might want to consider a buddy read with someone. I do caution you that this is a YA fiction book - Xavier is a sex-crazed teen; his thoughts are dominated by girls and he views the world through these age-specific rose-tinted glasses!
Welcome to the Dome. I hope you enjoy your stay!
Did you know that one of Oppel’s books has been read in Space? What a voyage.
I first met Kenneth Oppel in the Fall of 1997 when he did a book signing for his debut novel. I had just started to work full-time with teenagers and needed something different that I hoped would spark a love of reading. My students gobbled up his Silverwing series and I learned to appreciate Oppel’s tendency to defy the boundaries of genre. I’m sad to be missing him at the Vancouver Writers’ Festival this Fall. If you live locally, make it a priority to get tickets for his author event this October. It’s not one to be missed.
I’m anxious by nature and therefore a BIG planner. I have ‘alphabet plans’ and exit strategies for EVERYTHING. I loved this Teen survival thriller because it forced me to think about what choices I’d make if I had very little agency.
One morning, teenager Xavier Oaks wakes to discover that his family’s cottage has been picked up from its location and placed somewhere completely different. When he explores, Xavier discovers that his family has been relocated to a farm … trapped inside a Dome. Not only that, they’re alone. Survival depends on their ingenuity. After some time, another family arrives under similar conditions….and they have a teenage daughter! The Jacksons have very different values from the Oaks and tension ensues when the two families realize that with escape not being an option, they need to learn to work together.
I loved thinking about the Dome being parallel to countries the world over - learning to work together for the betterment of the whole is essential. As each family hypothesized and orchestrated an escape plan, I was rushing ahead in my mind and wanting to warn them about why it wouldn’t work. Oppel’s worldbuilding skills are stellar!
This part dystopian, part escape story, part psychological thriller, part science fiction story is a compelling read. I sure wished I had someone to discuss it with as I read - you might want to consider a buddy read with someone. I do caution you that this is a YA fiction book - Xavier is a sex-crazed teen; his thoughts are dominated by girls and he views the world through these age-specific rose-tinted glasses!
Welcome to the Dome. I hope you enjoy your stay!
Did you know that one of Oppel’s books has been read in Space? What a voyage.
March 28, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for a chance to read an ARC; all opinions are my own
One of the worst reading experiences is a great introduction to a story that only loses itself immediately afterward, and BEST OF ALL WORLDS is the most recent example for me. We don't tread much new ground regarding the plot but the setup was still fun enough that I found myself engaged and eager to continue on, but as we continue on, I almost wish I was a person capable of DNFing. The story really suffers from two major elements:
1. Limiting the POV to Xavier;
2. The eye-rolling and cringeworthy "passive, liberal Canadian" vs. "Aggressive, bigoted American" stereotypes.
As for the first point, normally I'm the first to defend children in stories being "annoying", since they're hardly ever actually 'annoying' because they're just kids, but Xavier really is insufferable. I get that spending three years in a bubble isolated from society at critical development years is a hinderance but it doesn't excuse a lot of his behavior from the moment the second family is introduced. His immediate and unrelenting sexualization of Mackenzie before they even meet, and the story's insistence on indulging this and effectively reducing her to love interest is a really odd and detrimental choice. This book tries to delve into social and political topics but it mishandles most of them, and the dynamics of sex and gender is near the top of the list. None of the women feel like real characters at all, but rather accessories for the men they're paired to, and none ever display any real depth; as stated, Mackenzie is essentially a love interest for Xavier, though he is very incel-adjacent about her past relationships and promiscuity; Charleze, her mother, is cardboard, vaguely displaying her own opinions but always acquiescing to her husband; Nia, Xavier's stepmom, is constantly disrespected by Xavier and mostly limited to her role as Stepmom To Xavier and Birth Mom To Noah; even Alyssa, the four year old girl, isn't exempt from discussions 'pairing' her with Noah, the three year old boy (there is some pushback in the narrative from the toddlers, who insist they don't want to get married, but the issue is with the immediate and unflinching cisheteronormativity on display. It's essentially stated it's a 'given' that all present are cishet, even the actual toddlers, and it's weird). The complete lack of discussions about gender and sexuality is such a missed opportunity, especially given the isolated setting, and there are stories with similar premises that actually handle these topics in a much better way, so it's really disappointing that a book published in 2025 that is going to dare to discuss politics doesn't touch on one of the most prominent and pressing issues of our current socio-political climate.
As for point two, it's just annoying to see Southern characters constantly stereotype as gun-crazed, Bible-thumping bigots, without any room for any kind of character work outside of that, especially when contrasted with the false notion of Canadian politeness, as if Canada is in any way exempt from Western ideology re: racism, sexism, etc. Being from Tennessee, it's even more frustrating that my home state is named and specifically brought up as a point 'against' them, before the main family has even met them. Are there bigots in Tennessee? Yes. But the South as a whole does not really have more of a problem with bigotry than anyone else in America, and I think choosing to have the caricature of Southern people in this book does such a disservice to the story because it's really lazy. It would have been much more interesting to subvert the trope and have them be from California or something and slowly reveal themselves to be conspiracy theorists* to confront the geographic stereotypes and actually have a discussion about bigotry and the assumption that just because someone is from a certain area that they're "safe".
*and something to note about the conspiracy theories in this book: there's all the big, common points, but there's an interesting point where it's "revealed" that the Jacksons (the Southern family) believe in a concept called "the Great Surge", which is essentially a fictionalized version of The Great Replacement Theory mixed with theories about "reptilian DNA". If everything else is essentially the same theories we deal with today, why change/combine these theories? Bringing up "reptilian DNA" and never discussing the antisemitism that drives it is a weird choice to me.
I think some of these issues could have been alleviated if we got more perspectives for the story - most notably Mackenzie. I would have loved for her to be a real character and not just an object of desire for Xavier, who kind of dehumanizes her at multiple points in the story, while still sexualizing her. And I get he's an isolated teen going through puberty (which is the excuse he gives on-page, too), but it's just really grating to have him and his entire family act holier-than-thou and more evolved because they don't like guns while he doesn't allow Mackenzie to be a real person because he doesn't like that she gets put into the dome and isn't immediately and wholly "his". She gets an attempt to push back against the concept of being a "breeding partner" for him (her phrasing), but she pretty much immediately goes back to being physically intimate with him, and it's just like, I would love for her to have some self respect too??? She's just denied any and all agency.
It's impossible to enjoy the core story when it relies on so much stereotyping and misogyny and it sucks because the start is SO good. It's a shame it goes downhill so quickly.
One of the worst reading experiences is a great introduction to a story that only loses itself immediately afterward, and BEST OF ALL WORLDS is the most recent example for me. We don't tread much new ground regarding the plot but the setup was still fun enough that I found myself engaged and eager to continue on, but as we continue on, I almost wish I was a person capable of DNFing. The story really suffers from two major elements:
1. Limiting the POV to Xavier;
2. The eye-rolling and cringeworthy "passive, liberal Canadian" vs. "Aggressive, bigoted American" stereotypes.
As for the first point, normally I'm the first to defend children in stories being "annoying", since they're hardly ever actually 'annoying' because they're just kids, but Xavier really is insufferable. I get that spending three years in a bubble isolated from society at critical development years is a hinderance but it doesn't excuse a lot of his behavior from the moment the second family is introduced. His immediate and unrelenting sexualization of Mackenzie before they even meet, and the story's insistence on indulging this and effectively reducing her to love interest is a really odd and detrimental choice. This book tries to delve into social and political topics but it mishandles most of them, and the dynamics of sex and gender is near the top of the list. None of the women feel like real characters at all, but rather accessories for the men they're paired to, and none ever display any real depth; as stated, Mackenzie is essentially a love interest for Xavier, though he is very incel-adjacent about her past relationships and promiscuity; Charleze, her mother, is cardboard, vaguely displaying her own opinions but always acquiescing to her husband; Nia, Xavier's stepmom, is constantly disrespected by Xavier and mostly limited to her role as Stepmom To Xavier and Birth Mom To Noah; even Alyssa, the four year old girl, isn't exempt from discussions 'pairing' her with Noah, the three year old boy (there is some pushback in the narrative from the toddlers, who insist they don't want to get married, but the issue is with the immediate and unflinching cisheteronormativity on display. It's essentially stated it's a 'given' that all present are cishet, even the actual toddlers, and it's weird). The complete lack of discussions about gender and sexuality is such a missed opportunity, especially given the isolated setting, and there are stories with similar premises that actually handle these topics in a much better way, so it's really disappointing that a book published in 2025 that is going to dare to discuss politics doesn't touch on one of the most prominent and pressing issues of our current socio-political climate.
As for point two, it's just annoying to see Southern characters constantly stereotype as gun-crazed, Bible-thumping bigots, without any room for any kind of character work outside of that, especially when contrasted with the false notion of Canadian politeness, as if Canada is in any way exempt from Western ideology re: racism, sexism, etc. Being from Tennessee, it's even more frustrating that my home state is named and specifically brought up as a point 'against' them, before the main family has even met them. Are there bigots in Tennessee? Yes. But the South as a whole does not really have more of a problem with bigotry than anyone else in America, and I think choosing to have the caricature of Southern people in this book does such a disservice to the story because it's really lazy. It would have been much more interesting to subvert the trope and have them be from California or something and slowly reveal themselves to be conspiracy theorists* to confront the geographic stereotypes and actually have a discussion about bigotry and the assumption that just because someone is from a certain area that they're "safe".
*and something to note about the conspiracy theories in this book: there's all the big, common points, but there's an interesting point where it's "revealed" that the Jacksons (the Southern family) believe in a concept called "the Great Surge", which is essentially a fictionalized version of The Great Replacement Theory mixed with theories about "reptilian DNA". If everything else is essentially the same theories we deal with today, why change/combine these theories? Bringing up "reptilian DNA" and never discussing the antisemitism that drives it is a weird choice to me.
I think some of these issues could have been alleviated if we got more perspectives for the story - most notably Mackenzie. I would have loved for her to be a real character and not just an object of desire for Xavier, who kind of dehumanizes her at multiple points in the story, while still sexualizing her. And I get he's an isolated teen going through puberty (which is the excuse he gives on-page, too), but it's just really grating to have him and his entire family act holier-than-thou and more evolved because they don't like guns while he doesn't allow Mackenzie to be a real person because he doesn't like that she gets put into the dome and isn't immediately and wholly "his". She gets an attempt to push back against the concept of being a "breeding partner" for him (her phrasing), but she pretty much immediately goes back to being physically intimate with him, and it's just like, I would love for her to have some self respect too??? She's just denied any and all agency.
It's impossible to enjoy the core story when it relies on so much stereotyping and misogyny and it sucks because the start is SO good. It's a shame it goes downhill so quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2025
* 4⭐️ 1🌶️
* YA horror/thriller, climate change, government conspiracies, left vs right, aliens, racism
* Got me out of the biggest reading slump.
* Xavier, his dad and step mom who is pregnant go to their summer cabin to spend the weekend and wake up in a completely different area but in the same cabin. They all have weird marks on their back and they have went over all the bizarre and worst case scenarios that could have possibly happened- but they missed one.
* I wish the ending was a little different but otherwise amazing book.
* YA horror/thriller, climate change, government conspiracies, left vs right, aliens, racism
* Got me out of the biggest reading slump.
* Xavier, his dad and step mom who is pregnant go to their summer cabin to spend the weekend and wake up in a completely different area but in the same cabin. They all have weird marks on their back and they have went over all the bizarre and worst case scenarios that could have possibly happened- but they missed one.
* I wish the ending was a little different but otherwise amazing book.
February 10, 2025
Welcome to THE DOME
dun dun dun
SUMMARY:
We follow Xavier Oak, a 13 year old boy with a blended family. He is currently on a summer trip with his father and pregnant stepmother at their lake cottage. He is NOT happy with this as he wanted to stay home with his mother and brother and play D&D with notable Cool Girl Serena. So he wakes up on the second day of the trip ready to text Serena about their campaign.
BLEHEHEHEHEH
That's right. There is a whole goat outside. The lake? Gone.
They wander around for a few days. They manage to figure out that they are in a dome due to rocks and math. UHOH! Right when you thought things couldn't get worse, stepmom goes into labor.
Three years pass.
Another family arrives in the dome. And they are the worst kind of monsters you could imagine. They are white people from the south.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book got WAY more political than I could have imagined. Which is great! I love a book that has something to say. However this felt super heavy-handed. It kinda took over the entire plot, which I was invested in at the beginning! But it became a little bit of a slog to get through somewhere in the middle. Very much became look at these redneck people what with their conspiracy theories and racism and balloons. Like man I just wanna know more about this dome. I don't care that you are scared of this mostly reasonable man because of his *checks notes* ultra scary PTSD. Like yeah he sucks but like honestly his reaction to The Dome is much more realistic.
FINAL OPINION:
Overall this book was a bit of a nothing burger. Not much happens. I was expecting more of a mystery, or at least some suspense, since this is a survival thriller. The ending happens and you are just like. Oh. So it was...ok. The characters are pretty shallow and unlikable. Like, I wish we learned a bit more about who these people were pre-dome. You don't really see why any of them would want to get out, and honestly they don't seem to worked up about it either. I guess the book was fine. Not a recommend, but there are much worse books out there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for providing an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
dun dun dun
SUMMARY:
We follow Xavier Oak, a 13 year old boy with a blended family. He is currently on a summer trip with his father and pregnant stepmother at their lake cottage. He is NOT happy with this as he wanted to stay home with his mother and brother and play D&D with notable Cool Girl Serena. So he wakes up on the second day of the trip ready to text Serena about their campaign.
BLEHEHEHEHEH
That's right. There is a whole goat outside. The lake? Gone.
They wander around for a few days. They manage to figure out that they are in a dome due to rocks and math. UHOH! Right when you thought things couldn't get worse, stepmom goes into labor.
Three years pass.
Another family arrives in the dome. And they are the worst kind of monsters you could imagine. They are white people from the south.
MY THOUGHTS:
This book got WAY more political than I could have imagined. Which is great! I love a book that has something to say. However this felt super heavy-handed. It kinda took over the entire plot, which I was invested in at the beginning! But it became a little bit of a slog to get through somewhere in the middle. Very much became look at these redneck people what with their conspiracy theories and racism and balloons. Like man I just wanna know more about this dome. I don't care that you are scared of this mostly reasonable man because of his *checks notes* ultra scary PTSD. Like yeah he sucks but like honestly his reaction to The Dome is much more realistic.
FINAL OPINION:
Overall this book was a bit of a nothing burger. Not much happens. I was expecting more of a mystery, or at least some suspense, since this is a survival thriller. The ending happens and you are just like. Oh. So it was...ok. The characters are pretty shallow and unlikable. Like, I wish we learned a bit more about who these people were pre-dome. You don't really see why any of them would want to get out, and honestly they don't seem to worked up about it either. I guess the book was fine. Not a recommend, but there are much worse books out there.
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for providing an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
February 17, 2025
Well, this was an interesting little sci-fi read.
A teenager and his blended family are on vacation by the lake. When they wake up, the lake is gone and they find themselves alone on a curiously contained farm. Is it a fever dream? Alien abduction? A parallel universe? A government conspiracy? They have no idea. All they know is they can't get out for three long years.
Then, another family arrives.
The teen and his family are pacifist, intellectual, mixed-race Canadians. The other family is American, led by their racist, conspiracy theorist, gun-toting, mentally unstable father.
The story is not about the sci-fi elements, or the mystery behind who kidnapped these people. It never really answers the worldbuilding questions, though it does heavily hint at the answers. Instead, it's about the conflict among the cast. Should they choose to content themselves with their domesticated life within the strict parameters of their captors (holy Canadians), or risk punishment and worse by rebelling against their captors (debased Americans) and trying to escape?
Xavier, our main character, is torn between the two worlds. It's a compelling scenario, and I was interested the whole time.
The only thing is, the message of this book left me slightly baffled. What is it saying? That the intolerance of captivity, no matter how benevolent the bondage, is a destructive impulse antithetical to the greater good of humanity? Maybe I'm too much of a debased American to be satisfied with this.
A teenager and his blended family are on vacation by the lake. When they wake up, the lake is gone and they find themselves alone on a curiously contained farm. Is it a fever dream? Alien abduction? A parallel universe? A government conspiracy? They have no idea. All they know is they can't get out for three long years.
Then, another family arrives.
The teen and his family are pacifist, intellectual, mixed-race Canadians. The other family is American, led by their racist, conspiracy theorist, gun-toting, mentally unstable father.
The story is not about the sci-fi elements, or the mystery behind who kidnapped these people. It never really answers the worldbuilding questions, though it does heavily hint at the answers. Instead, it's about the conflict among the cast. Should they choose to content themselves with their domesticated life within the strict parameters of their captors (holy Canadians), or risk punishment and worse by rebelling against their captors (debased Americans) and trying to escape?
Xavier, our main character, is torn between the two worlds. It's a compelling scenario, and I was interested the whole time.
The only thing is, the message of this book left me slightly baffled. What is it saying? That the intolerance of captivity, no matter how benevolent the bondage, is a destructive impulse antithetical to the greater good of humanity? Maybe I'm too much of a debased American to be satisfied with this.
October 26, 2025
No está mal. Entretenido y ligero
October 28, 2025
Interesting sci-fi concept, overshadowed by the family's apathy to their situation and the clunky handling of discussions of racism by the author.
June 30, 2025
Oh boy, a book proclaiming to be one normal thing but is actually just riddled with politics and shitty societal observations thAT IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.
Nowhere in this book was I ever entertained- the characters are unlikable morons, the plot was garbage, the dialog was ass, and the shitty commentary was unnecessary. I wasn't even impressed at the start, but I waited it out. By the time I seriously wanted to quit, I was already half way through, where we are introduced to the most stereotypically Southern American family you could fathom. In case you don't know what that means, they're a bunch of racist fucks that go too hard in on the conspiracy theories, to which the main, Canadian family look at with their noses in the air. In the author's (a Canadian) attempts at forcing his ~obviously~ superior belief system through the main family, he has shown them to ALSO be small minded twats in their own way.
Y'all are trapped in some unknown other world by unknown forces, this isn't necessarily NOT the time for conspiracy theories! At least the American family wants to fucking TRY to get out!
And the protagonist Xavier was written by someone who I can't believe was ever a teenager himself. I'm so tired about hearing how horny he is. Teenage boys can be horndogs, but CHRIST ON A BIKE, READ THE ROOM! "My family has been kidnapped by who knows what, and we're trapped who knows where, and I may never see my mom and brother again, and I have to work our farm everyday... but SEX!" No wonder this kid had no friends pre-story, he's a fucking loser. I hope he dies a virgin.
Also, Xavier has never fired a gun in his life. Not only does he kill a coyote after practicing for .002 seconds, but the author describes it being easy because it's "just like a video game." NO. IT. IS. NOT.
Nothing in the story is ever explained, so it's more irritating than suspenseful. The plot is just ~there.~
Thanks, Kenneth Oppel. I haven't hate rated a book in a hot minute, you hack.
Nowhere in this book was I ever entertained- the characters are unlikable morons, the plot was garbage, the dialog was ass, and the shitty commentary was unnecessary. I wasn't even impressed at the start, but I waited it out. By the time I seriously wanted to quit, I was already half way through, where we are introduced to the most stereotypically Southern American family you could fathom. In case you don't know what that means, they're a bunch of racist fucks that go too hard in on the conspiracy theories, to which the main, Canadian family look at with their noses in the air. In the author's (a Canadian) attempts at forcing his ~obviously~ superior belief system through the main family, he has shown them to ALSO be small minded twats in their own way.
Y'all are trapped in some unknown other world by unknown forces, this isn't necessarily NOT the time for conspiracy theories! At least the American family wants to fucking TRY to get out!
And the protagonist Xavier was written by someone who I can't believe was ever a teenager himself. I'm so tired about hearing how horny he is. Teenage boys can be horndogs, but CHRIST ON A BIKE, READ THE ROOM! "My family has been kidnapped by who knows what, and we're trapped who knows where, and I may never see my mom and brother again, and I have to work our farm everyday... but SEX!" No wonder this kid had no friends pre-story, he's a fucking loser. I hope he dies a virgin.
Also, Xavier has never fired a gun in his life. Not only does he kill a coyote after practicing for .002 seconds, but the author describes it being easy because it's "just like a video game." NO. IT. IS. NOT.
Nothing in the story is ever explained, so it's more irritating than suspenseful. The plot is just ~there.~
Thanks, Kenneth Oppel. I haven't hate rated a book in a hot minute, you hack.
December 27, 2025
Seems Max is starting a new tradition of getting me a Kenneth Oppel book for Christmas. Not my favourite, but was an interesting concept!
Read
May 21, 2025Thanks to Tundra Book Group, Penguin Teen Canada, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: 3 June 2025
When I saw this book being compared to Leave the World Behind, I knew I had to read it—it's one of my all-time favourites (I know, controversial). That comparison is definitely valid, largely because both books feature the sudden arrival of an unexpected family. One of my favourite aspects of Leave the World Behind is its refusal to offer clear answers. The ambiguity, the sense of looming but unexplained catastrophe—it all lingers in a way that’s deeply unsettling. This novel captures that same unsettling vagueness. There are moments where you're desperate for clarity, for explanation, but the narrative resists closure. It’s more about mood, atmosphere, and the psychological toll of uncertainty than it is about resolution.
I also think it's fair to compare this book to The Wall by Marlen Haushofer and Under the Dome by Stephen King. Like those novels, this one explores isolation and the fragility of human relationships under strange and possibly supernatural circumstances. There's a growing sense of claustrophobia and emotional deterioration that fans of those works will likely appreciate.
I don't think this book will be for everyone—especially adult readers expecting straightforward plotlines or clear genre conventions—but for the right reader, it’ll really land. Those who appreciate quiet dread, interpersonal tension, and open-ended storytelling will find a lot to love here.
Pub date: 3 June 2025
When I saw this book being compared to Leave the World Behind, I knew I had to read it—it's one of my all-time favourites (I know, controversial). That comparison is definitely valid, largely because both books feature the sudden arrival of an unexpected family. One of my favourite aspects of Leave the World Behind is its refusal to offer clear answers. The ambiguity, the sense of looming but unexplained catastrophe—it all lingers in a way that’s deeply unsettling. This novel captures that same unsettling vagueness. There are moments where you're desperate for clarity, for explanation, but the narrative resists closure. It’s more about mood, atmosphere, and the psychological toll of uncertainty than it is about resolution.
I also think it's fair to compare this book to The Wall by Marlen Haushofer and Under the Dome by Stephen King. Like those novels, this one explores isolation and the fragility of human relationships under strange and possibly supernatural circumstances. There's a growing sense of claustrophobia and emotional deterioration that fans of those works will likely appreciate.
I don't think this book will be for everyone—especially adult readers expecting straightforward plotlines or clear genre conventions—but for the right reader, it’ll really land. Those who appreciate quiet dread, interpersonal tension, and open-ended storytelling will find a lot to love here.
July 4, 2025
finished this last night but wanted to sleep on my review because I had some scathing thoughts
i know i have no more business reading kenneth oppel's books for tweens as a 23 year old but i will be seated every time for a hate read
i think he plays it too safe with his plots, characters and dynamics so it just becomes a little too predictable and boring :(
also does not know how to write women :((( why are they always sexualized and reduced to the love interest /accessory to men? theyre teenagers .. it was weirder in this one compared to the others. idk it just really icked me out. i think oppel has repressed something .. i know thats really harsh but he has done this multiple times now and its weird af ! not to sound like an old geezer shaking my fist into the sky but this is for children ! stop doing that !
also tried to be a wider commentary on climate change and climate change deniers/conspiracy theorists but idk it falls short without saying anything of substance. oppel is blinded by how high his horse is, sat all the way up in canada. oooh look liberal canadians vs redneck idiot americans ! we're not any better just because ... trump isn't directly in charge here
kenneth oppel knows his audience and keeps them there without ever inviting them to read wider points of view. how disappointing
i know i have no more business reading kenneth oppel's books for tweens as a 23 year old but i will be seated every time for a hate read
i think he plays it too safe with his plots, characters and dynamics so it just becomes a little too predictable and boring :(
also does not know how to write women :((( why are they always sexualized and reduced to the love interest /accessory to men? theyre teenagers .. it was weirder in this one compared to the others. idk it just really icked me out. i think oppel has repressed something .. i know thats really harsh but he has done this multiple times now and its weird af ! not to sound like an old geezer shaking my fist into the sky but this is for children ! stop doing that !
also tried to be a wider commentary on climate change and climate change deniers/conspiracy theorists but idk it falls short without saying anything of substance. oppel is blinded by how high his horse is, sat all the way up in canada. oooh look liberal canadians vs redneck idiot americans ! we're not any better just because ... trump isn't directly in charge here
kenneth oppel knows his audience and keeps them there without ever inviting them to read wider points of view. how disappointing
February 11, 2025
An extremely thought-provoking read tackling concepts both youth and adults are struggling with now more than ever. How do we know what we know, how do we communicate with those who have different truths than us, how do we know what is right, what is wrong, or what can only be accepted as unknown? Ultimately, I think this book's conclusion left me wanting more, but I had to accept that sometimes the "more" we want isn't possible in both life and fiction.
November 17, 2025
Three Words That Describe This Book: Existentially Terrifying, Thought Provoking, Unique Band of Survivors story
Psychological horror
I put this YA horror novel on hold for 2 reasons. 1-- it's Oppel and he is a legend (and former Summer Scares author) and 2-- Mallory O'Meara mentioned it on Reading Glasses and I was hooked.
I do not want to give away more than the description because it is exactly the right amount. But a few things to know-- Oppel takes left leaning stereotypes and beliefs and makes readers come to turn with their own biases.
This is a speculative thriller. It is intense and original. But it is also easy for readers to see themselves in the story-- a little too easy because the decline of life back where Zay and his family came from (Erf as his baby brother says) is realistically portrayed. And the fact that readers can see themselves in this speculative thriller adds an extra layer of existential fear.
Zay as the MC is very realistic. His experience as a D&D player is very important here. He is well built but also realistic.
The ending (like all the best speculative stories) has resolution of the main conflict but leaves the bigger issues open.
This is a YA horror story that is meant for anyone 13 and up to read. There as much for adults to get out of this as a teen. In fact, I feel like it is being marketed as YA because ultimately it is BUT it is a great read for any horror fan, even apocalyptic or dystopian adult readers too.
For adults as readalikes I suggest-- Cabin at the End of the World by Tremblay, Bird Box by Malerman, Sundial by Ward, Stranded by Bracken McLeod, S.A. Barnes as well.
Psychological horror
I put this YA horror novel on hold for 2 reasons. 1-- it's Oppel and he is a legend (and former Summer Scares author) and 2-- Mallory O'Meara mentioned it on Reading Glasses and I was hooked.
I do not want to give away more than the description because it is exactly the right amount. But a few things to know-- Oppel takes left leaning stereotypes and beliefs and makes readers come to turn with their own biases.
This is a speculative thriller. It is intense and original. But it is also easy for readers to see themselves in the story-- a little too easy because the decline of life back where Zay and his family came from (Erf as his baby brother says) is realistically portrayed. And the fact that readers can see themselves in this speculative thriller adds an extra layer of existential fear.
Zay as the MC is very realistic. His experience as a D&D player is very important here. He is well built but also realistic.
The ending (like all the best speculative stories) has resolution of the main conflict but leaves the bigger issues open.
This is a YA horror story that is meant for anyone 13 and up to read. There as much for adults to get out of this as a teen. In fact, I feel like it is being marketed as YA because ultimately it is BUT it is a great read for any horror fan, even apocalyptic or dystopian adult readers too.
For adults as readalikes I suggest-- Cabin at the End of the World by Tremblay, Bird Box by Malerman, Sundial by Ward, Stranded by Bracken McLeod, S.A. Barnes as well.
July 8, 2025
I really enjoyed the sci fy feel of this book, while still being coming of age fiction.
that ending was crazyyyy
that ending was crazyyyy
October 28, 2025
TL;DR: Half the characters believed in eugenics and were really racist. The female characters had no personality and the MMC was just a horny teenage boy. There was no ending or conclusion or big reveal. Very bad book. Not worth your time, do not read if you value your time.
This is the first ever book I've rated 1 star. It was just a really bad book.
First of all, Xavier was very annoying. When the new family arrived he was immediately sexualising Mackenzie and he did so throughout the book even as their relationship progressed (even though it hardly did). This solidified my decision to never read a book written by a straight man with the POV of a straight, white teenage boy. Also, when the new family (I can't remember their names and I'm not going to look it up) kept being all Conservative and making those sorts of comments, why the hell was he taking their side??? Well, it was clearly to impress Mackenzie and her dad, but oh my god I couldn't cope with him.
Second of all, the stereotype of the Liberal Canadians vs the Conservative Americans. The Americans were very racist, saying things like (this is a rough interpretation of the conversation from what I can remember) "Where are you from?" then Nia replying "Canada" then the dad saying "I meant originally". So obviously I'm not complaining about having these characters because it made for a good plot point and there are people in the world like that. No, I'm complaining about Xavier's reaction to this conversation. He essentially thinks "Why is Nia getting so annoyed with him it's a legitimate question?" WHAT THE HELL, XAVIER????? Why the hell would you think that is an acceptable question to ask people??? And no, he doesn't have a realisation later on in the book about how wrong that is. But, anyway that's just another reason I couldn't stand him.
Side note: After writing this review, it is here that I decide to change my rating from 2 stars to 1 star.
Thirdly, Mackenzie and her mum and sister had no personality. None whatsoever. Mackenzie was literally just there for Xavier to be with and the other two had no personality at all or anything. I don't mean that Mackenzie being with Xavier is an aspect of her personality.
Lastly, there was no satisfying ending and the plot did not tie up at all. So, Xavier and Mackenzie's dad go up in a hot air balloon to this point in the dome where they can break through to the other side and the dad dies in thr process, blah blah blah. You'd think this was the part where they find out why they're stuck in the dome, right? Wrong. There are 15 pages left and all that happens is they go up and then Xavier gets knocked out then wakes up back in the dome without the dad. We don't find out why they are stuck in the dome and it seems like they'll just be stuck there until they die.
Overall, this was such a bad book that had bad characters, bad romance and a bad ending. At least I got a free proof copy from school and didn't spend close to £10 on this absolute mockery of a dystopian book.
This is the first ever book I've rated 1 star. It was just a really bad book.
First of all, Xavier was very annoying. When the new family arrived he was immediately sexualising Mackenzie and he did so throughout the book even as their relationship progressed (even though it hardly did). This solidified my decision to never read a book written by a straight man with the POV of a straight, white teenage boy. Also, when the new family (I can't remember their names and I'm not going to look it up) kept being all Conservative and making those sorts of comments, why the hell was he taking their side??? Well, it was clearly to impress Mackenzie and her dad, but oh my god I couldn't cope with him.
Second of all, the stereotype of the Liberal Canadians vs the Conservative Americans. The Americans were very racist, saying things like (this is a rough interpretation of the conversation from what I can remember) "Where are you from?" then Nia replying "Canada" then the dad saying "I meant originally". So obviously I'm not complaining about having these characters because it made for a good plot point and there are people in the world like that. No, I'm complaining about Xavier's reaction to this conversation. He essentially thinks "Why is Nia getting so annoyed with him it's a legitimate question?" WHAT THE HELL, XAVIER????? Why the hell would you think that is an acceptable question to ask people??? And no, he doesn't have a realisation later on in the book about how wrong that is. But, anyway that's just another reason I couldn't stand him.
Side note: After writing this review, it is here that I decide to change my rating from 2 stars to 1 star.
Thirdly, Mackenzie and her mum and sister had no personality. None whatsoever. Mackenzie was literally just there for Xavier to be with and the other two had no personality at all or anything. I don't mean that Mackenzie being with Xavier is an aspect of her personality.
Lastly, there was no satisfying ending and the plot did not tie up at all. So, Xavier and Mackenzie's dad go up in a hot air balloon to this point in the dome where they can break through to the other side and the dad dies in thr process, blah blah blah. You'd think this was the part where they find out why they're stuck in the dome, right? Wrong. There are 15 pages left and all that happens is they go up and then Xavier gets knocked out then wakes up back in the dome without the dad. We don't find out why they are stuck in the dome and it seems like they'll just be stuck there until they die.
Overall, this was such a bad book that had bad characters, bad romance and a bad ending. At least I got a free proof copy from school and didn't spend close to £10 on this absolute mockery of a dystopian book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2025
I really really loved this. A true page-turner that felt like watching a movie! While the characters weren't the richest for me, the story and what it is exploring was more than enough to keep me hooked up until the very end.
April 13, 2025
The plot of Best of All Worlds was interesting, which was why I was interested to read this story. Honestly, I assumed it would have some similarities to Under the Dome by Stephen King solely based on the description. Unfortunately, this story was lackluster. The story is solely told from Xavier's point, which may not have been a bad thing but Xavier lacked personality. From the onset of the story, it was boring and I almost quit reading it early on. The characters really lacked personality. To make matters worse, the stereotypes were rampant. You have a peace loving French Canadian family versus a family of aggressive, paranoid hillbilly Americans from Tennessee who are toting guns and crossbows while being overly disagreeable the whole time. I laughed so hard while rolling my eyes because it was so ludicrous. There was an abysmal amount of character growth and the pacing was terrible. The best thing about this book was the cover and the description. I truly wish it would have lived up to the excitement of the book's description.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
This book gave me serious “Vivarium” movie vibes (which is a good thing) Books and movies about people being trapped and can’t escape are of my fave sub-genres of horror/scifi, and completely freak me out more than ghosts and masked killers.
I thought the author did a superb job of world building, especially for a YA audience. You’re mad to feel just as claustrophobic and confused as Xavier and his family. I do wish we could have also gotten parts of the story from Mackenzie’s perspective leading up to their arrival, because that would have also leaned into the book’s title “Best of ALL Worlds”. Of course I wish the ending was different for Xavier, but just like in those movies I mentioned, they never have a happy ending
I thought the author did a superb job of world building, especially for a YA audience. You’re mad to feel just as claustrophobic and confused as Xavier and his family. I do wish we could have also gotten parts of the story from Mackenzie’s perspective leading up to their arrival, because that would have also leaned into the book’s title “Best of ALL Worlds”. Of course I wish the ending was different for Xavier, but just like in those movies I mentioned, they never have a happy ending
October 28, 2024
I was given a manuscript to read from Scholastic. The rep told me that this is going to be the next “Hunger Games.” I think she’s right! Without giving anything away, I can see this being the beginning of something new. What can I possibly mean? I guess you’ll just have to read it!
Thank you, David Levitan and Scholastic, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to get into the hands of readers!
Thank you, David Levitan and Scholastic, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I can’t wait to get into the hands of readers!
January 10, 2025
This books is kind of great, the ending is definitely the shining star here.
May 11, 2025
Surprisingly horny
September 24, 2025
Creepy, creepy romantic relationship. It’s addressed in one heated conversation and then never brought up again, left to fester in the back of your mind
October 11, 2025
4.5 stars
No spoilers if you’ve read the blurb/synopsis.
This is a tense and fascinating read. And, for me, the tension and fascination lasted pretty much the whole length of the book.
Imagine going to bed in a holiday home one night then waking to find a completely different view when you open the curtains. Not the result of storms or another natural disaster: you’ve woken up in an entirely new place, as if transplanted. No explanation. No evidence of how you got there, or indeed, who might have put you there. This is the freaky and gripping opening premise for Kenneth Oppel’s dystopian sci fi thriller.
I won’t say any more because the surprises along the way bring further dimensions to the book, variably bringing possibilities, challenges, risk and terror! And for the reader: intrigue and tension!
Anyway, a great YA read. Do yourself a favour and give it a go!
No spoilers if you’ve read the blurb/synopsis.
This is a tense and fascinating read. And, for me, the tension and fascination lasted pretty much the whole length of the book.
Imagine going to bed in a holiday home one night then waking to find a completely different view when you open the curtains. Not the result of storms or another natural disaster: you’ve woken up in an entirely new place, as if transplanted. No explanation. No evidence of how you got there, or indeed, who might have put you there. This is the freaky and gripping opening premise for Kenneth Oppel’s dystopian sci fi thriller.
I won’t say any more because the surprises along the way bring further dimensions to the book, variably bringing possibilities, challenges, risk and terror! And for the reader: intrigue and tension!
Anyway, a great YA read. Do yourself a favour and give it a go!
August 21, 2025
Imagine waking up one day in your home but not the world you went to sleep in? That's what happens to the Oaks. They learn to survive in a world that's rural filled with goats, chickens, and farming crops, a kitchen garden, woods, water, etc. AND a dome that encloses them.
At first, I thought this was a remake of "Under the Dome" but it's not. Don't cheat by reading the ending which is startling and well, an interesting, surprising ending.
Take the time to savor this one. It's not dystopian, it's a vision of what the future could be.
Once I got the book going, it couldn't put it down.
Thanks to Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com for an excellent read. Happy to review!
At first, I thought this was a remake of "Under the Dome" but it's not. Don't cheat by reading the ending which is startling and well, an interesting, surprising ending.
Take the time to savor this one. It's not dystopian, it's a vision of what the future could be.
Once I got the book going, it couldn't put it down.
Thanks to Scholastic http://www.scholastic.com for an excellent read. Happy to review!
September 16, 2025
Well written, clever YA book. The unknown and unanswered creates a constant underlying tension throughout the story that leaves the reader on edge. It constantly makes the reader think ‘what would I do in this situation’ which makes the book more absorbing and engaging. It’s thoughtful, well paced and a very clever representation of how the increasingly exaggerated and extreme ideologies in our current society are causing such tension and trouble at the moment.
July 16, 2025
I couldn't get into this one... All the characters were unlikable to me. The 16 year old boy POV got really annoying as his sole purpose and motivation was "get girlfriend". The concept was interesting but I felt like there could have been more action or intrigue. The ending also fell flat for me . It was just ok. Not my favorite Oppel story.
September 30, 2025
I really like this weird little novel. Without giving anything away - the book is a perfect sci fi mystery. You are working through it along side the family and namely, Xavier. Enjoyed every page.
June 21, 2025
First, I have to thank Tandem Collective Global, Tundra Books, and Pemguin Random House for the book and read along! They made me discover a new Canadian author, and I loved Best of All Worlds!
☆ From start to finish, I couldn't put the book down. The mystery and tension got me by the throat, and I had to know what was going to happen next.
☆ The writing is extremely simple, even for YA. But for this book, it works. It's as if the writing reflected the simple life of the trapped family. Wake up, take care of the animals, and then the farm. And repeat.
☆ Aliens vs. Conspiracy. Two families butting head-on who is their captor while the two teenagers develop feelings for each other. It's quite fascinating because none have proof, and yet both are all so stubborn in their beliefs.
Overall, once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. It was so easy to read and relate to both families. The ending was amazing, and there'll maybe be a book 2? Fan of dystopia sci-fi looking for a fun and easy read, this is for you!
☆ From start to finish, I couldn't put the book down. The mystery and tension got me by the throat, and I had to know what was going to happen next.
☆ The writing is extremely simple, even for YA. But for this book, it works. It's as if the writing reflected the simple life of the trapped family. Wake up, take care of the animals, and then the farm. And repeat.
☆ Aliens vs. Conspiracy. Two families butting head-on who is their captor while the two teenagers develop feelings for each other. It's quite fascinating because none have proof, and yet both are all so stubborn in their beliefs.
Overall, once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. It was so easy to read and relate to both families. The ending was amazing, and there'll maybe be a book 2? Fan of dystopia sci-fi looking for a fun and easy read, this is for you!
August 22, 2025
Really interesting premise but I wish we got more than just the perspective of the horny tennage boy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews