By: Julie L. Casey
Publisher: Amazing Things Press
Publication Date: March 2014
ISBN: 9780615986944
Reviewed By: Kristi Benedict
Review Date: May 2014
Living in a world without electricity was something Ben had never once thought about especially since his parent’s divorce occupied his mind at the time. However, when PF (Power Failure) Day comes, the power grids are completely wiped out by an electromagnetic surge from the sun forcing everyone to realize just what it is like to live without electricity. Chaos erupts everywhere as Ben and his father try desperately to find ways to survive, but the limited supply of water and food in the city is diminishing quickly, causing people to take desperate measures. As winter approaches, Ben’s father unfortunately becomes ill with the flu and Ben decides he has to go out and find food alone. Unfortunately, while he is gone, a fire erupts in their apartment building taking his father away in a sea of ashes.
Feeling completely lost and hopeless, Ben goes to find the only other person who he believes would care about him, his mom. He finally makes it to his mother’s house but only finds Lyle, her new husband, who informs him that his mother died just three days earlier from the flu. Ben’s last thread of hope is now gone, taken away by this devastating disaster that surrounds him. The only thing he knows for sure is he must leave this house where so many ghosts haunt his dreams but as to where he is going Ben has not a clue.
In the wake of utter despair a glimmer a light comes into Ben’s life as he meets Sara, a young woman who has also lost both of her parents. Feeling a connection between them, they decide that they would rather run away together and keep their freedom rather than be thrown into some foster home, school, or orphanage that would keep them confined. With the unrelenting will to survive, Ben and Sara head out on their own knowing that the only people they can truly trust is each other. However, with the increased crime, panic, and desperation of everyone around them will they really be able to survive?
As soon as I started this book there was absolutely no way I was going to put it down until I reached the very last page! Each chapter had me hanging on the edge of my seat wondering if Ben and Sara could truly survive after everything that had happened. It is wonderful to read a book that truly makes a reader think about what would happen if that situation was true. This book definitely had me thinking with every page I read and really showed the essence of human emotion when everything but the vital components of survival are all that is left. In addition, seeing this story from the viewpoint of two teenagers was intriguing as many times it is teenagers who get caught up in all of the material things of life instead of the small essential things. I applaud Julie L. Casey for creating a story that shows the renewed joy in finding a purpose in life even in the aftermath of destruction.
Quill says: A truly amazing story showing the perseverance of the human spirit!
