Book Review: Blackout by Robison Wells

Book: Blackout by Robison Wells
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy/Supernatural
Rating:★★★★☆ (or 3 1/2 if I could)
For: Review
From: Edelweiss (released Oct. 1, 2013)


A new series (I'm assuming series since the book left us very much hanging!) by the author of Variant and Feedback, which takes us this time to a very recent apocalyptic America. In fact, if apocalyptic means AFTER a devastating event, I guess you'd have to say this is not apocalyptic because it takes place WHILE the event is actually getting going, and in a really crazy way.

So it appears that during this time, terrorist attacks are happening constantly...like major devastating things. The book opens with one in progress where they are hoping to collapse the Glen Canyon Dam. And, it appears these attacks are being done by kids. Something has gone really really wrong with the country's teenagers.

We then flip to another group of kids whose school dance is interrupted by the army coming and rounding them all up and taking them to some detox center to be tested and categorized because it appears that some kids have been infected with something that makes them suddenly have super powers.

Eventually, the paths of these two groups of kids collide and that's when we aren't sure who are the good guys and who are the bad. I love it when that happens. And these kids must figure that out and figure out who to trust and figure out how they will get themselves out of the mess they find themselves in.

It's crazy!

I totally enjoyed  it despite the military and gun talk that abounded. Many kids, I'm sure, will find that talk fascinating, but I found myself with the glazed over eyes in parts and anxious to just get to the other stuff, the character stuff. Also, there were a lot of questions that remain unanswered. This, I don't like!

However, a truly fun thing for me was that much of this book takes place right here in little old Utah, so picturing the scene and setting was really awesome and easy for me.

Bottom line: It was a fun and crazy ride!

Other Reviews:

It was a fun and fast read with a great premise. From Dark Faerie Tales

I'm just not a big fan of being strung along and still left so largely in the dark by the end of the story. That being said, the entire book kept me sucked in and I honestly couldn't put it down. From A Book Obsession

I'm hoping that its sequel vastly improves upon itself as far as story goes or at the very least moves the plot along at a quicker pace. From Blood, Sweat and Books

My ultimate favourite character was Jack. His personality was flawed without exceptions, yet his faith and simplicity were in great contrast to the general mood of Blackout which made him stand out. From YA Midnight Reads