Title: GatedPublisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: Won it in a giveaway
Rating: 4 out 5 stars
Synopsis: Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?
In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:
Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.
Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress - the Silo.
Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside of the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of the days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.
In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:
Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.
Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress - the Silo.
Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside of the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of the days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.
Review: This book was not what I expected and I don't mean that in a bad way! I thought that this book would begin with a huge apocalyptic event and the story would be about everyone surviving in this compound while the world around them is dying. I was completely off with that one! To start off with, this book is about a cult. I actually really enjoyed reading about a cult, it's a topic that doesn't get discussed often and I found it intriguing.
I really enjoyed Lyla as our MC. I felt that she was a girl that stood boldly for her rights in the way that she went against those norms that were required in the cult - such as learning how to shoot accurately - while those around her were shooting at human cardboard cutouts (I think one even had was a child) she refused to because she had a hard time shooting at any human, let alone one that is innocent. She had a kind heart, and a pure drive to what's right and to seek the truth. She also had this curiosity factor that made her really enjoyable to discover new things with as you are reading.
While this book isn't heavy on the romance, there is a slight romantic factor in this book. I usually like a little more romance (or potential for it) present in books I read, but this one I thought had just the right amount for the story. This story is about Lyla and her community - and that holds the interesting tale. I absolutely loved getting a new, fresh perspective from a world that you don't often get to read about in literature. This world of a community that follows one leader and has all these radical beliefs and rules that members must follow. This was a world set within a world and getting a glimpse inside of it fascinated me.
I would recommend this book for those that enjoy suspense and intrigue. If you're looking for a new take on a whole different world that similarly exists around us (in different ways) then you should check this book out. I really enjoyed this one and I liked that it was a stand-alone; I felt the story was a complete the way it was, and was a good one at that. : )
Gated has a really cool cover and the blurb is even more interesting. From your review, I can gather that I'll definitely love Lyla as the protagonist if I finally get my hands on this book.
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