Title: Swipe
Author: Evan Angler
Book Summary:
“Everyone gets the Mark. It
gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet
if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?
Set
in a future North America that is struggling
to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict
they didn’t even know existed. United
under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union
is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the
benefits of citizenship.
The
Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from
employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he
should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the
feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five
years ago . . . and never came back.
When
Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be
able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this
exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.”
Logan Langly has been paranoid that
he is being followed and watched ever since his sister was killed a few years
ago when she went to get her Mark. His
paranoia starts to escalate as the time approaches for him to get his own Mark. When Logan
discovers that he might not be as paranoid as everyone thinks, he must soon
learn how to juggle all of the new challenges in his life. First, he must try to survive 8th
grade. Then, throw in dealing with a
jealous best friend, a mysterious, adventurous new girl and some people out to
get him, and suddenly Swipe becomes a
fast-paced action-packed story!
The premise for this book grips me
from the first paragraph. I really like books
that deal with undiscovered elements and possible futuristic things, and Swipe definitely sounds like my type of
book. The whole idea of a “Mark” being used
to allow people to do things, much like licenses and social security numbers
today, is a fascinating concept. I
really like how dependent people are on these Marks because it seems completely
believable… just look at how dependant we are on electronics today!
The first thing I notice when I
start reading Swipe is that the story
changes perspective… a lot. That’s not a
big problem, and it is not poorly written or anything. However, varying points of view are not usually
as easy for me to read – taking the time to figure out whom we are jumping to
slows me down. After I get into the
rhythm of the book, I really sit back and enjoy myself! Swipe
is very action filled, and I really think the ideas are quite evolved and the
plot line well thought out. I am completely blown away with the amount of
unique plot twists that Angler incorporated.
Logan is one of the biggest connections I
have with Swipe. I start out seeing this scrawny little kid
who really has no idea what he’s doing.
This kid is scared of his own shadow, the wind, even the monsters under
his bed. To watch THAT kid grow into an
independent person who willingly does things that might put himself in danger
for the people he cares about is HUGE. I
really grow to care about Logan
and respect his decisions… even if I simultaneously lose almost all of my
respect for his parents.
I do think Swipe would have been improved by spending a little more time on
family relations. With the exception of Logan’s dad in the beginning and Heather’s (one of Logan’s friends) mom, all
of the parents are flat and completely uncaring. I almost feel like they are intentionally
written as uncaring jerks so that they would be out of the picture for the kids
to go do stuff. I personally think it
would have added much more to the story if there were adults that the kids could
trust and confide in and who could love and be there for them!
Overall this is a really great read
that I thoroughly enjoy and recommend, especially for middle school and high
school students! I cannot wait for book
two, Sneak.
The Cover:
When I first see the cover, I have
NO idea what the book cab possibly be about that would match this cover at
all. Then, I read the premise and it makes
sense. I think the black and red is
appropriately dramatic, and it gives it a cool edgy feel!
I give Swipe 4 out of 5 hearts:
Great Book!
This giveaway is open to the US and Canada only!
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i'm in love with the cover! this is exactly the kind of book I like to read! thanks for the giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear it!! :)
DeleteNice Review... make me curious with the book..
ReplyDeleteThank's for the Giveaway...
Glad the review got you curious! :)
DeleteIs this open intl.?
ReplyDeleteNope I'm sorry! I made that more clear now!
DeleteWow, this sounds something like the last book I read, Unwind, and since I liked that one, I have a feeling I'll like this one too! Nice review, and can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteUnwind sounds good too... I'll have to check it out :)
DeleteThe cover is what caught my eye but I would never picture the story to be what it is. Thank you for your review...can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteGlad it looks good to you!! :)
Delete