Swipe Review and Giveaway

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 8^th 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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