Quarantine: Book One – The Loners by Lex Thomas
Reviewed by: Joan Herron, Reference Assistant
Genre: Survival Fiction
Suggested Age: Mature Young Adult or Adult
What is the book about?: A normal day at McKinley High is literally blown apart by an explosion in the school. Loner David Thorpe is as confused as the other students when they are thrown headlong into a nightmare. Think Lord of the Flies on steroids. All the students are infected with a virus that is deadly to adults, causing the outside world to physically quarantine the school and all the students inside by blowing up part of the school and erecting elaborate physical barricades. David and his younger brother, Will, band together against the gangs that form as time passes. Every clique in a typical school is represented: the jocks, the cheerleaders, the geeks…each with their own unique form of leadership and method of control.
My review: I think the scariest part of this series is the comparison to today’s headlines. The paranoia and fear of being infected with the virus easily translates to our current world problems. Thinking of the school environment like a small community, which it actually is, all the fears and emotions that exist in the outside world exist in this “artificial world” as well. I was unprepared for the level of viciousness and violence that would breed in this environment, but also surprised at the level of ingenuity of the students faced with fighting for food at regular supply drops, maintaining the clothing on their backs for months and months, and keeping control of those citizens with all their personal problems. What would a school be like if every child on Ritalin ran out of medicine? Think of the resources in a school. Then think of dividing and controlling those resources in a hostile society. It isn’t that big a stretch of the imagination to envision the chaos. This series is along the lines of many “end of the world as we know it” series, but the situations are not as unbelievable as they used to seem. The second and third books, The Saints and The Burnouts, follow the evolution of the virus and the status of the outside world. There is intense language, sexual situations, and extreme violence. I recommend this series for those who like a fast-paced read that can get your heart pumping. Even though classed as a Young Adult book, I’d suggest it for mature readers only. Much food for thought and discussion.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each Tuesday at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!