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Summary
Summary
A thrilling tale of adventure, romance, and one girl's unyielding courage through the darkest of nightmares.
Epidemics, floods, droughts--for sixteen-year-old Lucy, the end of the world came and went, taking 99% of the population with it. As the weather continues to rage out of control, and Sweepers clean the streets of plague victims, Lucy survives alone in the wilds of Central Park. But when she's rescued from a pack of hunting dogs by a mysterious boy named Aidan, she reluctantly realizes she can't continue on her own. She joins his band of survivors, yet a new danger awaits her: the Sweepers are looking for her. There's something special about Lucy, and they will stop at nothing to have her.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-Lucy has survived environmental catastrophes and an epidemic that killed most of the population in Jo Treggiari's dystopian novel (Scholastic, 2011) set in a post-apocalyptic New York City. The girl lost her entire family in the last wave of the plague and now lives alone, hunting and scavenging for food. She's attacked by wild dogs and rescued by a boy named Aidan, a member of the Scavengers, a group of survivors who have banded together for safety and companionship. But just as she joins the group, Sweepers kidnap several of the members, and it becomes apparent that they are inoculating their victims with the Plague in an attempt at medical experimentation. It appears that Lucy is immune to the disease, and her blood could be used to develop an antidote. Although the story starts a bit slowly, it gathers speed and tension as Lucy, Aidan, and others confront the director of the medical experimentation program. Cassandra Clare contributes to that tension through her narration and suspenseful voicing of each character. A better than average dystopian adventure.-Ann Brownson, Ballenger Teachers Center, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this lovingly detailed adventure, Treggiari (The Curious Misadventures of Feltus Ovalton) hits a postapocalyptic trifecta: environmental disasters, plague, and amoral scientists. After five years of floods, weather gone mad, and a mutated smallpox epidemic, the vast majority of humanity has been wiped out, leaving tiny bands of survivors to roam the devastated remnants of civilization. With everyone she knew dead, 16-year-old Lucy has been living in what's left of New York City's Central Park, foraging off the land. After a tsunami wipes out her camp, she seeks refuge with the handsome Aidan and his ragtag group of scavengers, who are routinely plagued by ruthless Sweepers, who kidnap the healthy for experimentation. No sooner has Lucy started to settle in with her new friends then the Sweepers strike again. The tense plot, cinematic moments, and highly capable protagonists make this a fast, gripping read. And although it's long on descriptive passages regarding the nuts and bolts of existing in this nightmarish world, and short on resolution, this thriller reads like a love letter to wilderness survival guides and disaster movies. Ages 12-up. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
After surviving alone following climate disasters and a global plague that wipes out everyone she knows, Lucy must confront her prejudice against the diseased when she stumbles upon a ragtag community--including love interest Aidan. Rich backstory aligns readers with Lucy while the vivid post-apocalyptic New York setting draws them along. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Fifteen-year-old Lucy, orphaned by the plague, lives alone in a bramble-protected, rough camp in postapocalyptic Manhattan until she is rescued from a wild dog attack by Aidan, who reminds her what it is like to be around people. After a tsunami obliterates her camp, Lucy finds Aidan and his group of survivors just in time for hazmat-suited Sweepers to abduct several members of the group. The Sweepers eventually get Lucy and Aidan, and it appears that Lucy's blood may be the start of an antidote for the plague whether she is alive to give it or not. Strongly reminiscent of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet (1987) and Will Weaver's Memory Boy (2001) but with a female protagonist and urban setting, the focus here is on action rather than introspection. Treggiari's writing is smooth and even vivid at times the turtle-soup-preparation scene may make some folks a little queasy but it isn't gratuitous. Meshed well into the main narrative are well-incorporated subplots about the acceptance of difference (of folks who were ravaged by the plague), romance, and loyalty.--Welch, Cind. Copyright 2010 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Global warming finally has melted the polar ice caps, causing society to collapse as floods, droughts, and smallpox epidemics kill nearly everyone. Lucy is an anomaly, surviving the disasters that took her family, friends, and neighbors. At 16, she's already subsisted on her own for three years. But now a pack of wild dogs is closing in, until Aidan, a mysterious young boy, rescues Lucy and asks her to join his band of survivors. Danger remains as scary survivors known as the Sweepers descend on the camp, also trying to capture Lucy. This is an entertaining, if a bit predictable, young adult story that contrasts the strength of individual courage with the value of working in a group, all against the backdrop of this apocalypse. Cassandra Campbell provides capable narration. Recommended primarily for YA audiences.-Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.-Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.