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Year Zero
The Second American Revolution is over. The old ways are swept away, and it is now Year Zero. The brutal dictatorship called The Corporation dominates the former United States. It uses fear, starvation, and the threat of death to turn citizen against citizen.
Sixteen-year-old Joey Cryer lost everything in the revolution’s aftermath. Everything but six-year-old Julia. Now Joey’s sole goal is to keep her safe until they can leave town and get across the northern wall, and to safety.
Joey’s former high school bully Harlan Grundy, eighteen, is a loyal captain in The Sons of Liberty, The Corporations ruthless police force. When he is betrayed by his superiors, he vows vengeance on his former masters, no matter the cost.
When a small band of rebels draws The Corporations’ most merciless soldiers to their hometown, these two enemies will discover an unlikely bond. A bond that will determine the fate of their friends, their town, and of six-year-old Julia.
Sixteen-year-old Joey Cryer lost everything in the revolution’s aftermath. Everything but six-year-old Julia. Now Joey’s sole goal is to keep her safe until they can leave town and get across the northern wall, and to safety.
Joey’s former high school bully Harlan Grundy, eighteen, is a loyal captain in The Sons of Liberty, The Corporations ruthless police force. When he is betrayed by his superiors, he vows vengeance on his former masters, no matter the cost.
When a small band of rebels draws The Corporations’ most merciless soldiers to their hometown, these two enemies will discover an unlikely bond. A bond that will determine the fate of their friends, their town, and of six-year-old Julia.
244 pages, Paperback
Published May 31, 2022
1540 people want to read
About the author
David Dean Lugo
3 books16 followersAuthor David Dean Lugo often gets ideas for his stories by wondering what if? In his new young adult dystopian novel, Year Zero, he probed this when writing about a future fascist America run by a governing body called The Corporation and its CEO. Lugo believes that today’s trend of people judging one another too harshly—whether based on their political party, gender identity, or something else—is causing people to drift too far away from one another. His story explores potential extreme ramifications of this.
Lugo believes a great book is one that has believable characters that readers can identify with and relate to. He hopes his stories evoke emotion and thinking from his readers long after the book is closed.
When he isn’t writing thought-provoking YA novels, Lugo enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, playing video/board games, and hanging out with his amazing family. He lives in southwest New Hampshire with his wife Meredith, son Jacob, and their rascally Labrador/Collie mix named Astrid. Year Zero is the first volume in his The Revolution’s Children trilogy.
Lugo believes a great book is one that has believable characters that readers can identify with and relate to. He hopes his stories evoke emotion and thinking from his readers long after the book is closed.
When he isn’t writing thought-provoking YA novels, Lugo enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, playing video/board games, and hanging out with his amazing family. He lives in southwest New Hampshire with his wife Meredith, son Jacob, and their rascally Labrador/Collie mix named Astrid. Year Zero is the first volume in his The Revolution’s Children trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 7, 2022
Former United States is now a communistic run nation.
The “Corporation” is in control and uses “threat mongering tactics” to control the citizens.
Lugo tells the story of 16yr old Joey Cryer, who ends up being the sole protector of his little sister, 6yr old Julia Cryer.
The head of the “Sons of Liberty” just happens to be Harlan Grundy. Now Harlan, is the same person who used to “Bully” Joey in school.
But when the tables get turned around for Harlan, Both Joey and Harlan will end up being an unlikely alliance. “Sharing the same goals” For Joey, Julia, and Harlan to “SURVIVE”
Lugo does a fantastic job portraying real life issues, such a Bullying.
The word building is dynamic and flows throughout effortlessly.
Lugo’s bewildering, picturesque, dystopian world felt all too real and terrifying.
The ending of the book was splendid, and I am looking forward to more of Lugo’s writing.
Excited for the next installment of “Year Zero (Revolution’s Children)”
Excellent Work!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways/David Dean Lugo/ For this copy of this book. My opinions are of my own volition.
The “Corporation” is in control and uses “threat mongering tactics” to control the citizens.
Lugo tells the story of 16yr old Joey Cryer, who ends up being the sole protector of his little sister, 6yr old Julia Cryer.
The head of the “Sons of Liberty” just happens to be Harlan Grundy. Now Harlan, is the same person who used to “Bully” Joey in school.
But when the tables get turned around for Harlan, Both Joey and Harlan will end up being an unlikely alliance. “Sharing the same goals” For Joey, Julia, and Harlan to “SURVIVE”
Lugo does a fantastic job portraying real life issues, such a Bullying.
The word building is dynamic and flows throughout effortlessly.
Lugo’s bewildering, picturesque, dystopian world felt all too real and terrifying.
The ending of the book was splendid, and I am looking forward to more of Lugo’s writing.
Excited for the next installment of “Year Zero (Revolution’s Children)”
Excellent Work!
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways/David Dean Lugo/ For this copy of this book. My opinions are of my own volition.
June 5, 2022
"America first. America last. America always."
"Year Zero" is the attention-grabbing tale of The Incorporated Precincts of America, where vigilance is obedience, and obedience is freedom. Set in a society where
martial law is in place, the Bill of Rights now spell out the corporation's rights, and there is a wall to our north, sixteen year old Joey will do whatever is necessary to keep his family safe.
Through flashbacks, the author establishes a frighteningly realistic and fascinating backstory. Narration from multiple points of view allowed me to connect to the characters in a more objective way. While this style of writing doesn't work for every book, it was ideal for "Year Zero" and made the book more enjoyable.
What sets "Year Zero" apart from other dystopian novels I've read is the story didn't occur in a fictional land controlled by laws and a government I know nothing about. I felt that allowed me to become completely absorbed in the material and made the book a more compelling read for me. I'm anxiously awaiting book two in this series, and in all honesty, would not be surprised if this makes it to the big screen one day!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Year Zero" is the attention-grabbing tale of The Incorporated Precincts of America, where vigilance is obedience, and obedience is freedom. Set in a society where
martial law is in place, the Bill of Rights now spell out the corporation's rights, and there is a wall to our north, sixteen year old Joey will do whatever is necessary to keep his family safe.
Through flashbacks, the author establishes a frighteningly realistic and fascinating backstory. Narration from multiple points of view allowed me to connect to the characters in a more objective way. While this style of writing doesn't work for every book, it was ideal for "Year Zero" and made the book more enjoyable.
What sets "Year Zero" apart from other dystopian novels I've read is the story didn't occur in a fictional land controlled by laws and a government I know nothing about. I felt that allowed me to become completely absorbed in the material and made the book a more compelling read for me. I'm anxiously awaiting book two in this series, and in all honesty, would not be surprised if this makes it to the big screen one day!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2022
A Dystopian story that tackles societal present day problems like bullying and cliques.
The story was told from the point of view of several of the key players which I found slightly disconcerting, however once I was in the action the different voices made sense.
Joey and Harlan are well portrayed as school opposites a kid caring for his young sister:Julia and the bully…
The theme of a totalitarian regime that controls the subjects by having a 'manhunt' is well portrayed … it had echoes of the gladiators of antiquity fighting to the death whilst people cheered the brutality on. This made me think - would some of us become feral should the world as we know it collapse?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story ends with some protagonists escaping and others maybe not….. so I look forward to the sequel.
The story was told from the point of view of several of the key players which I found slightly disconcerting, however once I was in the action the different voices made sense.
Joey and Harlan are well portrayed as school opposites a kid caring for his young sister:Julia and the bully…
The theme of a totalitarian regime that controls the subjects by having a 'manhunt' is well portrayed … it had echoes of the gladiators of antiquity fighting to the death whilst people cheered the brutality on. This made me think - would some of us become feral should the world as we know it collapse?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story ends with some protagonists escaping and others maybe not….. so I look forward to the sequel.
May 28, 2022
I am into dystopian type novels and this one was a quick read for me. It's a YA type book, which really doesn't hurt the story. The author did a good job on character building and didn't go over the top with detail. I found the story a cross between "1984" and the movie "Running Man." The story also dealt with real life issues younger people go through such as bullying, being noticed, and the groups or click's that are in high school. Although a brutal government runs the US, the author shows there is still hope in humanity to do the right thing. It ended on a cliff hanger for me, therefore I hope there will be a follow up to this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 2, 2022
A quick YA dystopian read, I enjoyed the story and the various character dynamics. I found myself liking how the protagonist wasn’t part of the rebels, instead an everyday citizen. It provided a different point of view on dystopian settings, one that I hadn’t read before. It was interesting and definitely shows how far one can go for family.
The only reason I cut a star is because the pacing was slightly uneven and the book got a bit boring when there was too much dialogue and too less action. Nonetheless, I do look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.
Note: I received an advance review copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The only reason I cut a star is because the pacing was slightly uneven and the book got a bit boring when there was too much dialogue and too less action. Nonetheless, I do look forward to reading the next two books in the trilogy.
Note: I received an advance review copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 19, 2022
I am a fan of dystopian novels and this one was no different.
From the beginning we follow Joey who is trying to look after his little sister and survive in this new world.
The Sons of Liberty are the corporations form of a police force except more brutal. The head of said police force, Harlan, Joey's old bully.
That is how we start the book and it is a fabulous story following a brother and sister just trying to survive together.
I received this ARC for free courtesy of BookSirens.
From the beginning we follow Joey who is trying to look after his little sister and survive in this new world.
The Sons of Liberty are the corporations form of a police force except more brutal. The head of said police force, Harlan, Joey's old bully.
That is how we start the book and it is a fabulous story following a brother and sister just trying to survive together.
I received this ARC for free courtesy of BookSirens.
August 28, 2022
Wow, reading this right now...it sends chills down your spine. I loved it! Corporations have officially taken over America, and obedience is the only safe option. I loved the flashbacks, showing us how things came to be, and the multiple POV which gave the reader more insight into what was happening. This really highlights a lot of the issues we have in society today, where corporations increasingly gain rights and citizens lose them. Highly recommend for dystopian and thriller lovers alike.
September 2, 2022
I love this book. This is a five star read for me. I love the characters; especially Joey and Harlan. The multiple POVs provide insight into the actions and thoughts of the characters in a future dystopian America that is a dictatorship.
The journey the characters are on is emotional and interesting. The journey also provided some surprises which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the book. The whole book is thought provoking and sucked me right in. I can't wait for the next book.
The journey the characters are on is emotional and interesting. The journey also provided some surprises which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the book. The whole book is thought provoking and sucked me right in. I can't wait for the next book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews