The Hope Juvenile Treatment Center is ironically named. No one has hope for the delinquent teenagers who have been exiled there; the world barely acknowledges that they exist.
Then the guards at Hope start acting strange. And one day…they don’t show up. But when the teens band together to make a break from the facility, they encounter soldiers outside the gates. There’s a rapidly spreading infectious disease outside, and no one can leave their houses or travel without a permit. Which means that they’re stuck at Hope. And this time, no one is watching out for them at all.
As supplies quickly dwindle and a deadly plague tears through their ranks, the group has to decide whom among them they can trust and figure out how they can survive in a world that has never wanted them in the first place.
This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and she certainly doesn’t shy away from tough subjects. A deadly infectious disease is unleashed on the world in this novel – sound familiar?
When the teens at Hope Juvenile Treatment Center learn the guards are gone and the doors are unlocked, they’re unsure of what’s going on. After a group of them venture into town, they run into a road block and are informed by soldiers about the spread of a plague. People are sheltering in place, and even after explaining their situation to the soldiers, they’re told to return to the center. They’ve been forgotten about. Discarded. With pleas for outside help ignored, the teens have no one to rely on but themselves.
If you’re thinking this sounds like a difficult, dark read, you’re right. Parts are this novel are incredibly hard to get through. Some of these kids have been rejected and abandoned by their families and friends and have no one. A group of them embark on their own to take their chances in the outside world. Others choose to stay and take care of each other. Not everyone lives. The sections with phone call transcripts between parents and friends and lists of food inventory give more insight to what these teens are dealing with.
The story is told in three POVs – Grace, who is thrust into a leadership role, Logan, who is mute and uses a form a sign language only she and her infected twin understand, and Emerson, a nonbinary newcomer to the facility. Each character is very well-crafted and has tremendous character arcs, especially Grace. Those who choose to stay at the center take on jobs and responsibilities and become a family of sorts. It was heartwarming to see some characters’ self perceptions alter during the course of the story. You’re not trapped in the box others put you in – stars can be changed.
Although bleak and certainly sobering taking the last two years into account, this is also a story full of hope and demonstrates what people can do when they come together to help each other.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
It sounds like a difficult read. Compelling, but difficult. Thanks for sharing this one, though I don’t think it’s for me.
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It wasn’t easy, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it for everyone, but I fell in with these characters and wanted to know how they’d get through the plague. Parts of if are incredibly sad, but others very hopeful.
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I like the setup for this story. Logan sounds like a particularly interesting character. Good review, Teri!
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Thanks, Priscilla! I can’t remember ever reading first person POV of a deaf character, but it was done so well. Never confusing at all, and she was one of my favorites.
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Strange as it sounds, I usually like books about plagues, but this one sounds a bit too dark for me. Good review, Teri!
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I also enjoy books about plagues, but this one kicked me in the gut. Some of those kids already had self-esteem issues, had been kicked out by their parents/friends, etc., then were forgotten and ignored when the plague began. I just wanted to hug them. Thanks, Mae!
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This sounds interesting dystopia. What a terrible situation. I always feel for characters who has noone in world. Great review!
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Same here, Yesha. I really felt for these kids and their situation and cheered them on. They had no one but themselves and each other to rely on.
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Dealing with a lot of juveniles in my day job, this would be tough to read for me. Thanks for the terrific review, Teri!
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I’ve had a few difficult reads in the past couple months, Jill. Not sure how I got on that streak, but I’m currently reading and listening to two happier books. I needed to get away from the darkness!
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Thank you for sharing, Teri.
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This sounds like a great read, Teri. You describe it with such intensity, and I love really strong character arcs. Oh dear, another one for my teetering TBR pile. Lol
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I was hesitant about starting it, but I’ve read other books by this author and knew I’d be fine once I started. It’s such a dismal situation these kids are in.
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This one sounds really good. Seems similar to a favorite series I’ve read called ‘Quarantine’ by Lex Thomas. Thanks so much for all the reviews you do, as I’ve found a lot of interesting books after reading your reviews. 🙂
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I had to look up that series, and it sounds like one I’d really like – thanks for the rec, Barbara! And I’m happy I’ve added to your TBR!
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This sounds like a grim read, Teri, and almost too close to the truth to be fiction. Thank you for sharing!
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If I remember correctly, the author started writing it during Covid. Guess that explains the similarities. Thanks for dropping by, Jan!
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This does sound like one tough read. I know I’m seeing more and more books with a deadly infectious disease in the plot. I don’t know how I feel about that. I definitely have Covid-fatigue so I can’t say that it particularly appeals to me. Once we are on the other side maybe but not now. I applaud you for sticking with this difficult story so that you could see the hope that can come at the toughest of times. Excellent review!
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I’m seeing the same trend, Tessa, and I don’t know that many people are quite ready for infectious disease plots. The reviews I’ve seen seem to be split. I’ve read a few over the past couple months, and I’m ready for something lighter!
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I’ve noticed that. I think it would be hard to read so many dark books in such a short period of time.
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Covid has brought an awareness of our mortality as nothing else has. I think this would be a tough read.
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You’re right about that, Jacquie. It was the characters and their amazing arcs that got me through this book.
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It sounds like hope is not on their side. I’m afraid plagues come in many forms. It surely is a book that makes us think, Teri!
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It sure wasn’t, Miriam. These teens had to grow up in a matter of hours and learn to rely on each other. But their situation brought out the best in some of them.
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Sounds like a different spin on a specific kind of story.
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That’s a perfect description, Craig. I’ve read plenty of plaque stories, but nothing quite like this.
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Marijcke ‘s books are always hard to read but I love her writing so much.
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Same here, Sophie. She really deals with some tough subjects.
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This sounds rather excellent and heart breaking, Teri.
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Yes on both counts, Robbie. But also inspiring and hopeful. This author does a wonderful job of writing about tragic situations that bring out the best and worst in people.
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