iQHQ

by Kerrin Tarr

On Halloween in 2011, the population of the world reached a new milestone which sparked off a need for immediate attention. Several members of Mensa, the High IQ Society, wanted to take matters into their own hands but under a different name. Dolan Hampden and Evie Hannah continue to cross paths under the all-seeing eye of the founders belonging to IQHQ. With the entire population of the world under its complete control, sacrifices have been made in order to boost their national average. However, things are often overlooked. In order to survive, they must outsmart the smart and avoid falling into the bottom ranks. Limits and boundaries are in place but progress can be made with anything. The question is what can they do with the time they have been given once it has been taken away . . .

216 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2016

Reviews

[Katherine Philbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

IQHQ is a dystopian novel by Kerrin Tarr. This novel is all about IQHQ, aka the Intelligence Quotient Head Quarters. Located in Greenland, the head-quarters is controlled by Mensa, the High IQ Society. However, they wish to operate under the name IQHQ to keep their identity a secret. On Halloween, the world enters a major population problem. In return, Mensa creates IQHQ in order to handle this population problem for themselves. Soon the world’s population is under IQHQ’S control and they must scope out certain people to determine who is and who is not worthy within humanity. Suddenly two not-so ordinary people named Don Hampden and Evie Hannah are wanted by IQHQ. They must put everything on the line to outsmart all of IQHQ’s tricks and tests so they can live. Will Don and Evie be able to save humanity and save themselves?

IQHQ is intriguing and intense the whole way through. Honestly, this story never stops being exciting. Although the rich storyline of IQHQ can be confusing as you are first reading about it, you become caught up in the middle of the novel and it suddenly hits a homerun. I do believe some people could be turned off to the book from the confusion and I will admit that I did have a hard time following the storyline at first. But when I got caught up to speed, I was very immersed in Dons life. All of the things he had to do were sincerely brave and I admired seeing this character figure out what the right thing to do was. I think this story is deep and in a good way, it makes you question who or what exactly is controlling our lives. In my opinion, a good dystopia makes you question the world around you and thinks about the fact, as Kerrin Tarr says, you should “trust no one…”

In general, I enjoyed this book. Its fast-pace complements the intense storyline that drives the novel. Kerrin Tarr is a talented storyteller and writer, the way he writes slowly invites you into this great story and before you know you can’t seem to want to escape it! It is almost, in a way, intoxicating. I could have easily read this book in one sitting. I think people who loves dystopias and mysteries will enjoy and will want to take the time to uncover the secrets that lie behind IQHQ. In my mind, it is definitely a book that you don’t want to miss.