Book: Epitaph Road by David Patneaude
Release date: March 23, 2010
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Egmont USA
From: Publisher
Summary:
2097 is a transformed world. Thirty years earlier, a mysterious plague wiped out 97 percent of the male population, devastating every world system from governments to sports teams, and causing both universal and unimaginable grief. In the face of such massive despair, women were forced to take over control of the planet–and in doing so they eliminated all of Earth’s most pressing issues. Poverty, crime, warfare, hunger . . . all gone.
But there’s a price to pay for this new “utopia,” which fourteen-year-old Kellen is all too familiar with. Every day, he deals with life as part of a tiny minority that is purposefully kept subservient and small in numbers. His career choices and relationship options are severely limited and controlled. He also lives under the threat of scattered recurrences of the plague, which seem to pop up wherever small pockets of men begin to regroup and grow in numbers.
And then one day, his mother’s boss, an iconic political figure, shows up at his home. Kellen overhears something he shouldn’t–another outbreak seems to be headed for Afterlight, the rural community where his father and a small group of men live separately from the female-dominated society. Along with a few other suspicious events, like the mysterious disappearances of Kellen’s progressive teacher and his Aunt Paige, Kellen is starting to wonder whether the plague recurrences are even accidental. No matter what the truth is, Kellen cares only about one thing–he has to save his father.
*****
Epitaph Road was a strange book. I liked it but it was different than other post-apocalyptic books I have read. I have never thought about how it would be if women rules the world and now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it. Things would definitely be different.
Epitaph Road had some evil characters in it. Rebecca Mack is kind of in charge of things and she was twisted. She hated all men and believed that they deserved to die. Kellen was no exception but his mom protected him. Well, actually she was pretty evil too but not towards Kellen. I found Kellen, Tia, and Sunday to be great characters. They were very brave and kind. I liked them a lot.
The plot of Epitaph Road was fast-paced. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t mention the actual story. I will say that there was never a dull moment and there were so many shockers. Most of the events in the book I never saw coming. =]
Overall, Epitaph Road is a great, unique story. If you like post-apocalyptic books, check this one out. I’m hoping there may be a sequel!
First line: Charlie frowned as muted sunlight leaked through the ragged umbrella of evergreen boughs overhead.
Writing: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Ending: 4/5
Originality: 5/5
Overall: 22/25=B+
Cover: 3/5=C-
i’ve been in a futuristic book-loving phase for a while 🙂 this has been on my wishlist for a while, the premise sounds really cool.
nice review!
I do love a good post-apocalypse, and this one sounds interesting. I’ll have to add it to my To-Buy list =) Good review!
Definately a new twist. What a great idea. Thanks for the review.
I kind of want to read this, but I’m not so sure. I love your honesty in your reviews =)
Wow this definitely sounds very interesting and different from
anything I’ve read before. Great review, Katie. I will look out for
this one. =)
Never seen this book before in my life!! Interesting Synopsis. Awesome Review XD
I’m really glad you liked this and I can’t wait to read it for myself. Thanks for the review. 😀
~Briana
Thanks for the insightful thoughtful (and nice!) review, Katie. Your interest in seeing a sequel got my attention, because I have some thoughts for one. I’m glad you liked EPITAPH ROAD, and I hope your readers/followers/fans will too!