Title: Swipe
Series: Swipe
Author: Evan Angler
Genre: Apocalyptic dystopian fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication date: 08 May 2012
Online presence: http://www.tommynelson.com
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads Blurb:
Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?
Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, "Swipe" follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn't even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.
The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It's almost Logan Langly's 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn't been able to shake the feeling he's being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.
When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is "Left Behind" meets "Matched" for middle-grade readers.
My thoughts:
Logan’s thirteen’s birthday is coming up. Turning thirteen is a big event in everyone’s life now. Since the war changed life forever, everyone needs to Pledge on their thirteenth birthday. Your life depends on it. THE MARK allows you to get a job, to vote or even buy food. You can do nothing (legal) without it.
Logan is understandingly nervous. His sister never came back from the centre where she went for her pledge on her thirteenth birthday. A bad reaction was all that they were told but suddenly small things are making Logan wonder. Was it really an medical reaction or was it something more sinister.
Someone is watching Logan.
At the beginning of the new school term a new girl arrives at school. Erin is the daughter of “someone working for the government”. Soon Logan is confiding in Erin and she rebels by helping him “investigate” what he assumes is happening to him.
I enjoyed the dystopian world that was built with houses 20 stories tall (space is at a premium and rooms are built on top of each other not next to each other). It was all very believable and you could feel the tension throughout.
Logan was a likeable character and I soon started caring what happened to him. I am not sure that I really liked Erin – I felt suspicious of her throughout.
This was an easy read and will appeal to lovers of dystopian thrillers.
I am interested reading this book. I am curious what is this "Mark" the author is talking about. I want to know what's the hidden mystery about this. I can't wait to read it. You did a great review Chrizette.
ReplyDeleteThis is the 1st review i have read about this book. I downloaded it from Netgalley too after receiving the #2 book 'Sneak' which looks amazing! I have yet to read 'Swipe' but looking forward to it, i don't think this book has had much advertising as such, not seen it much on blogs etc. Will u be reading the 2nd book? x
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