Captives is set in the Colorado Rockies after an apocalyptic water borne plague scours the earth, leaving behind small enclaves of survivors. Mason and his brothers, Omar and Levi live in the small village of Glenrock where this faith based community flourishes by hunting, farming and scavenging from deserted cities. Nearby a walled city called The Safe Lands encloses another population of people infected by a blood-borne version of the plague. Although technologically advanced, The Safe Lands has morally devolved, the Thin Plague has halved life spans and Safe Landers can no longer bear children. Feeling outcast and lured by the bright city lights, Omar betrays Glenrock to the Safe Lands whose soldiers attack his village, kidnap the women and kill most of the men, bringing the survivors into the city to propagate children. Surviving teens Levi and Mason must now plot to liberate the captives before it’s too late.
In the Safe Lands, fourteen-year-old Shaylinn and the other young women of Glenrock are tempted by the lure of beauty enhancements, exciting technology and romance devoid of commitment. However, Scripture, artfully disguised as traditional clan wisdom, guides the teens in their quest through the moral landmines of a society given over to pleasure-seeking, brutality and greed.
Multiple points of view provide excellent world building, but some readers may prefer a deeper relational connection to fewer characters. However, unlike The Hunger Games, in Captives, author, Jill Williamson, brings real hope and purpose into a dystopian world of futility and despair.
Age Range: 14 and up
Genre: Science Fiction-Dystopian
Zondervan 2013
Series: Yes
Available: Amazon, Christianbook.com Also ask for this book at your local library
