The Only Boy
Author: Jordan Locke
Genre: YA Dystopia
Release Date: December 17, 2013
Description:
Mary is stuck in Section
One, living with three hundred women in a crumbling hospital. She
wonders what life was like two centuries ago, before the Cleansing wiped
out all the men. But the rules—the Matriarch's senseless rules—prevent
her from exploring the vacant city to find out.Taylor's got a dangerous secret: he's a boy. His compound's been destroyed, and he's been relocated to Section One. Living under the Matriarch means giving up possessions, eating canned food and avoiding all physical contact. Baggy clothes hide his flat chest and skinny legs, but if anyone discovers what lies beneath, he'll be exiled. Maybe even executed.
Mary's never seen a boy—the Matriarch cut the pictures of men from the textbooks—and she doesn't suspect Taylor's secret. If she knew, she might understand the need to stop the girls from teasing him. If she knew, she might realize why she breaks the rules, just to be near him. Then again, she might be frightened to death of him.
Taylor should go. The Matriarch is watching his every move. But running means leaving Mary—and braving the land beyond the compound's boundaries.
From Mary’s Point of View
I hoped a new arrival—someone who hadn’t spent every day locked inside—might bring a sense of adventure, or at least have interesting stories. But Taylor doesn’t even want to talk to me. What a letdown.
After lunch, I go back to class. When I see who’s sitting at the desk next to mine, my face grows hot. It’s bad enough I have to suffer through another of the Matriarch’s lectures, but to have Taylor beside me the whole time, that’s going to be torture. I sit at my desk and face the front wall—painted black, with lines of chalk dust ground into the cracks.
Taylor speaks in a faint mumble. “Sorry.”
When I can no longer stop myself from looking, I turn my head. Taylor’s eyes catch mine. Blue eyes. Haunting eyes. I open my mouth to speak, to accept the apology, but can’t even breathe.
The Matriarch steps inside the room and flashes one of her fake smiles. “Taylor, would you come to the front of the class?”
The girls whisper as Taylor inches forward. Hanging above is an Emergency Room sign. A piece has broken off, and some of the letters have peeled away. Now, the sign reads EMERGE.
I hoped a new arrival—someone who hadn’t spent every day locked inside—might bring a sense of adventure, or at least have interesting stories. But Taylor doesn’t even want to talk to me. What a letdown.
After lunch, I go back to class. When I see who’s sitting at the desk next to mine, my face grows hot. It’s bad enough I have to suffer through another of the Matriarch’s lectures, but to have Taylor beside me the whole time, that’s going to be torture. I sit at my desk and face the front wall—painted black, with lines of chalk dust ground into the cracks.
Taylor speaks in a faint mumble. “Sorry.”
When I can no longer stop myself from looking, I turn my head. Taylor’s eyes catch mine. Blue eyes. Haunting eyes. I open my mouth to speak, to accept the apology, but can’t even breathe.
The Matriarch steps inside the room and flashes one of her fake smiles. “Taylor, would you come to the front of the class?”
The girls whisper as Taylor inches forward. Hanging above is an Emergency Room sign. A piece has broken off, and some of the letters have peeled away. Now, the sign reads EMERGE.
Jordan Locke lives in Connecticut with his wife, two lively
daughters and a well-behaved whippet. A graphic designer by trade, his
creativity spilled over into the literary world. After years of writing,
reading and learning the craft, his fifth novel, The Only Boy, brought
him offers of representation from two well-known agents. Now, after the
dog is fed and the kids are in bed, you will find him tapping away at
the keyboard.
Author Links:
Blitz-Wide Giveaway Prizes - Open INT:
-A $50 Amazon gift card
-A signed copy
-10 e-book copies
thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very interesting story. It appeals to me because I have a son with the same name!! Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds perfect for my dsytopian reading challenge. Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting premise!
ReplyDeleteI haven't really seen a book recently with this theme so It has peaked my interest Thanks
ReplyDeleteI love Dystopian books and this one sounds great. Definitely added to my TBR.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this book...so unique!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete