“The Barriers” is the fifth and second to last full instalment in Katie French’s YA/NA dystopian series “Breeders”, which is set in a future version of the US at the end of the twenty first century, in world where women account just for 10% of the total population. The main character (Riley Meemick) is one of the last free surviving females, as her own mother escaped the Breeders, the group of scientist intended on ‘fixing’ the male/female ration discordance and repopulate society by very unethical and cruel methods.
This story takes places two months after the events of Book 3 (while Book 4 starts with Riley looking for Riley and Ethan, it changes perspective to tell the backstory of Janine, Riley’s mother). Riley is still looking for both her brother and her boyfriend, fearing for their lives in the violence ridden country. As she arrives at Kirtland Air Force Base, she gets some hopeful news about their whereabouts. Apparently, they are trying to reach the Free Colonies, and there is even someone who could help her to get there herself, if she manages not to let him kill her first . We also learn how the boys are faring in their journey to freedom.
This is very well-written series, with credible and relatable characters, and an exceptionally complex, realistic dystopian world, that is nevertheless easy to follow. The arc-story is action-packed in fast-paced, with very interesting plots and subplots, unexpected twist and turns, and good balanced mix between character development, action, dystopia, and romance. An interesting read for all fans of “The Hunger Games”, “Divergent”, “The Gender Game” and “The Thaw Series”.