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Jan 20, 2017chelseasc rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
An engrossing read that will have middle graders hooked from page 1. Zylynn's reactions to a world that she has been taught is fundamentally evil are carefully balanced to show her naivete without ignoring her age and her realistically teenage confidence in right vs. wrong. The plot moves quickly, with frequent flashbacks to her life in the compound, and Carter does a nice job of making both narrative strands engaging, parceling out details slowly to keep readers intrigued. The resolution is satisfying and empowering for Zylynn, allowing her to reach a point of understanding and a place where she can begin to ask the questions she has been suppressing for so long. That said, Carter never really delves below the surface - characters are pretty much as they appear, and larger questions about faith and the culture of consumption are never addressed with any complexity. Still, the intriguing premise should make it a good candidate for booktalks, and most young readers will enjoy the ride.