Barbed Wire and Daisies

DYSTOPIAN:  What would happen to the world if the oil supply stopped overnight? Hunger strikes, looting and violence take over, and the cities are overrun by people who would stop at nothing to get some food in their bellies. The world has turned to chaos, and despite living on a rural farm in New Zealand, Gen and her husband will soon face that chaos too. Gen’s Nana, Heather, has prepared them for this event for years, and even gifted Gen’s children with things like crossbows and knives as birthday presents during that time. But will it be enough to prepare them for the nightmare that is about to be unleashed? 

This book focuses mostly on survival, and Gen and her family have to go to great lengths to do just that. Each character is strong in their own right, and has at least one ability that makes them stand out from the others. Gen and her husband Nate are two protective parents who will stop at nothing to protect their children. In this dire world, they’re faced with some horrible choices, and the book features a lot of heartache. Despite all of this, there’s some humor too, and the family tries to keep looking on the bright side. They won’t give up. The writing is fast-paced and the action is relentless, making this an engaging, thrilling novel that demands to be read in one sitting. 

Majanka Verstraete