Reboot

Gr 7 Up—Wren 178 is a Reboot-one of the lucky (or unlucky) few who rise from the dead following contamination from the virus KDH. The disease kills most people, but the young and strong come back, although they don't come back quite human. After dying five years ago at the age of 12, Wren is now a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation). Because she was dead for 178 minutes, the longest time on record, she is stronger and deadlier than all other Reboots in her center, which entitles her to first choice of each new batch of trainees. Generally, she chooses the kids who also have high numbers, but there's just something about Callum that speaks to her. As a 22, he is almost still human. He's slow and fragile, he questions everything, and he cares too much. Although he creeps Wren out, she finds herself becoming attracted to him and wanting to do everything in her power to keep him alive—to the point of disobeying a direct order to eliminate him when he refuses to kill a prisoner. The first half of this novel is engaging as readers are introduced to this dystopian culture, but the second half begins to drag a bit and some readers may lose interest. There is a nice setup for a sequel, but teens may not care by the time they reach that point. Better dystopian novels abound.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK