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The Seclusion #2
The Chasm
Two months have passed since Patch Collins narrowly escaped the Board, leaving her loved ones behind to navigate the escalating tensions in America. Patch finds herself in an unfamiliar world, struggling with her mental health, and surrounded by those who abandoned the very idea of American diplomacy long ago.
When a familiar enemy resurfaces and she learns the previously unknown fate of a loved one, Patch must make a choice: stay and live a life of relative safety, or risk everything to expose the Board’s actions to the world.
When a familiar enemy resurfaces and she learns the previously unknown fate of a loved one, Patch must make a choice: stay and live a life of relative safety, or risk everything to expose the Board’s actions to the world.
298 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2022
12 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Jacqui Castle
3 books133 followersJacqui Castle is a novelist living and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. She is the 2020 Indie Author of the Year through the Indie Author Project(in collaboration with Library Journal and Biblioboard). Her debut novel, The Seclusion, is a Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award winner in Science Fiction and winner of the North Carolina Author Project. The sequel to The Seclusion, The Chasm, will be released on March 29, 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 30, 2022
After reading Jacqui Castle’s book The Seclusion, I knew I needed to read her follow up novel The Chasm.
In The Chasm Patch Collins has crossed the Norther Security Border into Canada and escaped the dystopian world of 2090 United States. In Canada, she is astonished by the life that the rest of the world seems to be living. However, she is determined not to forget her objective to help save the United States and her loved ones there.
A very enjoyable read. Castle retains many of the main characters and introduces a few new characters. Along with Patch we also learn more about The Board and the ways a government can alter a society. It is also considers the reactions of the rest of the world that wants to help the American citizens but believes sitting back and taking a passive stance is a better solution.
A great conclusion and I highly recommend it to anyone who has read The Seclusion.
In The Chasm Patch Collins has crossed the Norther Security Border into Canada and escaped the dystopian world of 2090 United States. In Canada, she is astonished by the life that the rest of the world seems to be living. However, she is determined not to forget her objective to help save the United States and her loved ones there.
A very enjoyable read. Castle retains many of the main characters and introduces a few new characters. Along with Patch we also learn more about The Board and the ways a government can alter a society. It is also considers the reactions of the rest of the world that wants to help the American citizens but believes sitting back and taking a passive stance is a better solution.
A great conclusion and I highly recommend it to anyone who has read The Seclusion.
July 12, 2022
A great follow up to The Seclusion!
February 21, 2022
I very much enjoyed Jacqui Castle’s award-winning first novel, The Seclusion. She more than delivers on what she started there with The Chasm. This fast-paced follow up concludes the story of Patch Collins – a young woman raised in a brutal, tyrannical America of the future that has walled itself off from the rest of the world.
In The Chasm, Patch’s escape to Canada from the end of the first book has set in motion a sequence of events that will shake the rest of the world – a world that, until this point, has been reluctant to intervene against the tyrants on behalf of the American people.
The story is powerful, emotional and intelligent. Castle has rooted it in the very headlines we see today of the real risks we face from far right idealogues, without being heavy-handed or preachy about it.
While The Chasm finishes this story by Castle, I can’t wait to see what big issues threatening our future she chooses to explore in whatever she writes next!
(This review is based on a read of an advance reader copy – an ARC – of The Chasm, that was graciously provided by Netgalley.com and Castle’s publisher, Inkshares.)
In The Chasm, Patch’s escape to Canada from the end of the first book has set in motion a sequence of events that will shake the rest of the world – a world that, until this point, has been reluctant to intervene against the tyrants on behalf of the American people.
The story is powerful, emotional and intelligent. Castle has rooted it in the very headlines we see today of the real risks we face from far right idealogues, without being heavy-handed or preachy about it.
While The Chasm finishes this story by Castle, I can’t wait to see what big issues threatening our future she chooses to explore in whatever she writes next!
(This review is based on a read of an advance reader copy – an ARC – of The Chasm, that was graciously provided by Netgalley.com and Castle’s publisher, Inkshares.)
March 26, 2025
The Chasm starter to måneder efter Patch Collins’ flugt til nabolandet Canada. Hun er sluppet væk fra The Board og deres totalitære styre, men har i processen måtte efterlade vennen (og kæresten) Rexx til en uvis skæbne i hænderne på landets øverste ledelse. Det samme gælder Oliver Shelling, som Patch og Rexx mødte i et afspærret og afsidesliggende område af Amerika. Han tilbageholdes nu i en af styrets opdragelsesanstalter for dissidenter.
Imens er Compo-betjenten Robbie Webb stadig på fri fod, men med sin nyfundne viden omkring det samfund han bor i, har Webb tyet til alkohol og selvmedlidenhed. Han drømmer om at gøre op med The Board og deres jerngreb, men frygter for sin datters liv.
Hvor The Seclusion både var kvælende, tempofyldt og fascinerende, føles The Chasm mere ordinær og ligetil. Patch Collins’ får naturligvis en masse åbenbaringer omkring verdenen udenfor Amerika, kyndigt vejledt af den canadiske regerings to forstående embedsmænd Rose og Felix, men der er bare ikke historie nok til 300 sider i The Chasm.
Kapitlerne, hvor vi hører mere om Webb, Oliver og ikke mindst Rexx, står for det meste helt stille. Rexx er sengeliggende hele fortællingen igennem, Oliver fængslet og Robbie Webb plaget af melankoli og selvmedlidenhed i en grad, der gør at han bare glider gennem dagene i det totalitære styre. Jeg sad lidt og håbede på, at de alle ville få centrale roller i en eller anden ulmende revolution, men det sker aldrig.
Værst af alt er dog tempoet. Jacqui Castle bruger en anseelig del af siderne på Patchs oplevelser i det frie og højteknologiske Canada, mens hun så - lettere forceret - forsøger at fylde de resterende 100 med selve angrebet på Amerika og The Board – noget der både virker for let og belejligt. Bevæbnet med en masse flyvende kameraer og nogle projektorer lykkes det dem hurtigt at få befolkningen til at vågne op. Og det store showdown? Det er tomt og skuffende.
Jeg ved ikke om The Seclusion blev et hit blandt ældre skolebørn og gymnasieelever i USA efter lanceringen, men det virker som om The Chasm bevæger sig langt mere mod YA-genren med sin lette tilgang til historien, karaktererne og en slutning, der binder en alt for enkel og pæn sløjfe på det hele.
Jacqui Castle er, rent sprogligt, blevet en bedre forfatter, men opfølgeren lever aldrig rigtig op til debuten, desværre.
Imens er Compo-betjenten Robbie Webb stadig på fri fod, men med sin nyfundne viden omkring det samfund han bor i, har Webb tyet til alkohol og selvmedlidenhed. Han drømmer om at gøre op med The Board og deres jerngreb, men frygter for sin datters liv.
Hvor The Seclusion både var kvælende, tempofyldt og fascinerende, føles The Chasm mere ordinær og ligetil. Patch Collins’ får naturligvis en masse åbenbaringer omkring verdenen udenfor Amerika, kyndigt vejledt af den canadiske regerings to forstående embedsmænd Rose og Felix, men der er bare ikke historie nok til 300 sider i The Chasm.
Kapitlerne, hvor vi hører mere om Webb, Oliver og ikke mindst Rexx, står for det meste helt stille. Rexx er sengeliggende hele fortællingen igennem, Oliver fængslet og Robbie Webb plaget af melankoli og selvmedlidenhed i en grad, der gør at han bare glider gennem dagene i det totalitære styre. Jeg sad lidt og håbede på, at de alle ville få centrale roller i en eller anden ulmende revolution, men det sker aldrig.
Værst af alt er dog tempoet. Jacqui Castle bruger en anseelig del af siderne på Patchs oplevelser i det frie og højteknologiske Canada, mens hun så - lettere forceret - forsøger at fylde de resterende 100 med selve angrebet på Amerika og The Board – noget der både virker for let og belejligt. Bevæbnet med en masse flyvende kameraer og nogle projektorer lykkes det dem hurtigt at få befolkningen til at vågne op. Og det store showdown? Det er tomt og skuffende.
Jeg ved ikke om The Seclusion blev et hit blandt ældre skolebørn og gymnasieelever i USA efter lanceringen, men det virker som om The Chasm bevæger sig langt mere mod YA-genren med sin lette tilgang til historien, karaktererne og en slutning, der binder en alt for enkel og pæn sløjfe på det hele.
Jacqui Castle er, rent sprogligt, blevet en bedre forfatter, men opfølgeren lever aldrig rigtig op til debuten, desværre.
January 14, 2022
Patch Collins has escaped from America into Canada, seeking refuge from a police state explored in Castle's last book, THE SECLUSION. The America Patch flees is surrounded by walls and governed by a corrupt Board, keeping Americans compliant by imposing strict rules and pumping propaganda into televisions. Canada seems like a dream at first--two counselors, Felix and Rose, are assigned to help Patch be comfortable. Patch is stunned by the level of freedom other countries enjoy as she finally sees the outside world.
But as Patch realizes she's been tapped to represent the faults of America to the rest of the world, she begins to understand that no country is perfect. And Canada hides even more secrets than she expected. Meanwhile, Patch's colleagues are trapped, held captive back in their home country. The narrative moves back and forth between them, as well as Robbie, a compliance officer with a soft heart and empathy beyond that of a typical Compo. Each of them are in danger, and safety is not guaranteed. Patch may have to summon the heroism that got her out once again.
In vivid, confident prose, Castle gives Patch and her friends a satisfying resolution after the traumatic events of book one. While nothing in this universe will ever be perfect--this is a dystopia, and the underbelly of human experience is exposed--Patch is irrevocably changed, headed for a better life, filled with hope she's never had before. If you haven't read THE SECLUSION, start with that and then head on over here for an impactful and thoughtful duology.
But as Patch realizes she's been tapped to represent the faults of America to the rest of the world, she begins to understand that no country is perfect. And Canada hides even more secrets than she expected. Meanwhile, Patch's colleagues are trapped, held captive back in their home country. The narrative moves back and forth between them, as well as Robbie, a compliance officer with a soft heart and empathy beyond that of a typical Compo. Each of them are in danger, and safety is not guaranteed. Patch may have to summon the heroism that got her out once again.
In vivid, confident prose, Castle gives Patch and her friends a satisfying resolution after the traumatic events of book one. While nothing in this universe will ever be perfect--this is a dystopia, and the underbelly of human experience is exposed--Patch is irrevocably changed, headed for a better life, filled with hope she's never had before. If you haven't read THE SECLUSION, start with that and then head on over here for an impactful and thoughtful duology.
February 7, 2022
Another unputdownable thrill from Castle! Castle's terrifyingly plausible speculative fiction is sharper than ever in this second installment. I couldn't stop reading to find out what would happen to Patch, Rexx, Oliver, Rose, and Felix.
Now that Patch has escaped to Canada, she could ease in to a cushy life across the border, but that's not what Patch Collins does. I was turning page after page to find out how she reacts to learning uncomfortable truths about her home country and what she plans to do about it.
Reminiscent of the Handmaid's Tale (and a national broadcasting effort that gives off serious Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games vibes) this series is ultimately about coming to terms with disillusionment--how once your eyes open to the atrocties of America you must reconcile again and again its promise and hope with the realities of its history and violence.
Now that Patch has escaped to Canada, she could ease in to a cushy life across the border, but that's not what Patch Collins does. I was turning page after page to find out how she reacts to learning uncomfortable truths about her home country and what she plans to do about it.
Reminiscent of the Handmaid's Tale (and a national broadcasting effort that gives off serious Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games vibes) this series is ultimately about coming to terms with disillusionment--how once your eyes open to the atrocties of America you must reconcile again and again its promise and hope with the realities of its history and violence.
April 1, 2022
I loved the first book in this series, so eagerly awaited the second one! Just like the first, I enjoyed the plot so much that I tore through it in a couple of sittings. The action was well-paced through most of it, although I thought the final quarter of the book was rushed. I also think multiple perspectives can be hard to pull off, and I don’t think it was executed flawlessly in this case. The other storylines were a bit underdeveloped, and it left less room to develop the new characters (Rose and Felix) in Patch’s storyline. Overall, it was a good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and kept me on the edge of my seat! I look forward to reading more from this author.
March 2, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to review this book. This is the sequel to The Selusion. I was not expecting this book but I am soo glad I got a chance to review this book. 5 stars read. This book is action pack and love this characters; Patch our main character is awesome and then it's Rexx and my Oliver ( Oliver is amazing). I highly recommend you to check out this book. Also, I could totally see this happening in real life and it's scary. So glad I got approved to read this and please check this duology out.
May 17, 2022
The minute I finished The Seclusion I had to know what happened next, so to be fair this is a review of both The Seclusion and The Chasm, book two.
What a poignant reflection of democracy and the various threats to it. These books are a thrilling tribute to science, nature, literature, patriotism, the human condition, and to freedom. It’s a widely applicable glimpse into the not-so-far removed “what if” and ultimately a story of good over evil. An easy 5 stars to such smart, insightful storytelling.
What a poignant reflection of democracy and the various threats to it. These books are a thrilling tribute to science, nature, literature, patriotism, the human condition, and to freedom. It’s a widely applicable glimpse into the not-so-far removed “what if” and ultimately a story of good over evil. An easy 5 stars to such smart, insightful storytelling.
February 2, 2023
I want More!
What a devastating America I've just come out of. The America I am in today has to hold strong to never allow life without our Constitution and a lose of our Freedoms. The thought or vision of this future of our America is scary, but could be a reality. Reading The Suclusion and The Chasm bith kept me awake a night wanting to keep reading yet I didn't want these books to end. Hopefully we will have atleast one more book about how Patch, Rexx, Webb's new America revolves the secluded past.
What a devastating America I've just come out of. The America I am in today has to hold strong to never allow life without our Constitution and a lose of our Freedoms. The thought or vision of this future of our America is scary, but could be a reality. Reading The Suclusion and The Chasm bith kept me awake a night wanting to keep reading yet I didn't want these books to end. Hopefully we will have atleast one more book about how Patch, Rexx, Webb's new America revolves the secluded past.
February 27, 2022
This sequel picked up in a perfect place and continued at a fast pace! I thought the new characters were thought out perfectly and fit very well with the plot. There was still mystery to uncover which created a fast moving plot that was so addicting. This sequel also included chapters from other characters’ perspectives which allowed the reader to hypothesize about what might happen next. Perfect for fans of ya romance and ya dystopian.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐.
May 16, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED this book! However, I do think the first one was better. I wish this book was a little longer because I felt the ending was a bit rushed. The plot picks up right where the first book left off and I could not have been happier about that. Patch planning her revenge and what to do next, amazing! I think this will be one of the best books this year for me and I really hope Jacqui writes another book soon! Her work is phenomenal!
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED this book! However, I do think the first one was better. I wish this book was a little longer because I felt the ending was a bit rushed. The plot picks up right where the first book left off and I could not have been happier about that. Patch planning her revenge and what to do next, amazing! I think this will be one of the best books this year for me and I really hope Jacqui writes another book soon! Her work is phenomenal!
December 11, 2021
As a fan of the first book, it was awesome to revisit Patch and the other characters in this fitting conclusion to her adventure and dealings with The Board. Really enjoyed the new allies and locations The Chasm explores as well as the gripping escapes and turns of fate for Patch. Also enjoyed hearing more about the political positioning and global reactions to the totalitarian United States.
May 16, 2024
Loved this dystopian series!!!
Read
October 19, 20242024- Just read to finish the series. It was pretty forgettable.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews