A Dream Within A Dream: Gated Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the official blog tour for GATED! Today I have my review of the book and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the tour wide giveaway!

Gated

Author: Amy Christine Parker

Genre: YA Contemporary Thriller

Release Date: August 6, 2013

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Description:

Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?

In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.

Will is her Intended.

The end of the world is near.

Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.

Gated is a taut and electrifying young adult contemporary thriller. If follows the life of Lyla Hamilton and her family after their move to Mandrodage Meadows - a small suburban community set apart from the rest of society in the prairie. Things seem perfect at Mandrodage - Lyla has her family, friends, and her Intended - her best friend Will. They are all about clean living and community. The leader of Mandrodage Meadows is Pioneer - the one who keeps them safe and protected from the violence and evil of the outside world. There's only one downside to life here - the end of the world is coming and fast. Pioneer has been blessed with visions from the Brethren to gather those they have Chosen to survive the end times. They have been preparing for years now and have a giant underground bunker, the Silo, ready for when the Pioneer tells them it's time. Lyla has never questioned her life at Mandrodage or the Pioneer and his beliefs, until the handsome son of the local sheriff - Cody - comes to the community with his father and Lyla feels an instant connection with him. After Cody reveals some disturbing facts about the Pioneer's past and the false evidence he's been showing them come to light, Lyla starts to think that maybe life at Mandrodage isn't what they all though it was or what she wants any more.

This novel was exceptionally written and had me instantly hooked from the beginning paragraphs. The plot was original and unique, but yet it was still familiar. Almost all of us have heard about the doomsday cults that have popped up around the country and what life is like there. Now, through Lyla, we get an inside look at what happens on the inside. Lyla is a great main character. She's smart, loves to paint and ride her horse Indy, and she loves her friends and family more than anything. She's known for being a bit timid, especially during shooting practice, but she can't bring herself to think about actually shooting a real person. When it comes down to what needs to be done though, Lyla's character shows real growth and maturity. She realizes that she can no longer be the timid girl she's always been - she has to stand up and do what's right - even if it puts her in danger. The story line was really fascinating to read. As I mentioned, it goes inside a "communal living" situation that is really a cult and shows the reader what happens behind the scenes. I was captivated and completely engrossed in the story and the characters - I couldn't put the book down. I was revolted yet intrigued to read about Mandrodage and the Pioneer. The writing was incredibly well done with vivid imagery and descriptions that had me feeling like I was experiencing everything right alongside Lyla. The really scary and creepy thing about this book was that things and places like this exist every day in our country. It's not a fantasy world or science fiction - these things have happened before and continue to happen to this day. That made the story all the more real and suspenseful for me. Highly recommended for fans of YA thrillers and contemporary fiction.

AMY CHRISTINE PARKER earned her degree in elementary education at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and then proceeded to try out many different jobs, including collectible doll maker, fondue waitress, and inner-city schoolteacher. It wasn’t until she became a mom and began making up bedtime stories for her children that she finally realized what she was meant to do. Now Amy writes full-time from her home near Tampa, Florida, where she lives with her husband, their two daughters, and one ridiculously fat cat. Her first novel, GATED, debuts with Random House Children’s August 6, 2013. Visit her at amychristineparker.blogspot.com.

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