Swipe (Swipe, #1)

by Evan Angler

 

“Apocalyptic dystopian fiction at its best. Angler’s sharp wit and dexterity with political themes are matched only by the thrilling suspense on every page.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author and FOX News correspondent

 

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong? 

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.  

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back. 

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

• ISBN10: 140031836X
• ISBN13: 9781400318360
• Publish Date: 1 May 2012 (first published 30 April 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tommy Nelson
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Charli G.]

Try for a moment to imagine living in a world that has been war-ravaged. One brilliant, or possibly evil, man has come up with a way to unify everyone on the planet – by having them take a Mark that is placed on their hand. This Mark allows them to be a citizen of the Union, allows them to get jobs, have access to medical care, basically gives them the right to live a life – and you get this Mark at 13 years of age.

This is the world in which Logan Langly lives. While not as violent as The Hunger Games is, it definitely gives one a chance to think of what our world would be like if the entire world were to be ravaged by wars and natural disasters. And trust me when I say that Logan is not particularly fond of the way things work in this world. He would rather not participate in the Marking if he does not have to, which of course, he does if he wants to have a life.

Logan is a great character. Very well fleshed out – you get a sense of what he feels is right and wrong almost immediately which is wonderful. Erin Arbitor is a great foil for him – she embodies the other side of the coin and fights for what she believes is right.

Once the scene setting is completed, the action starts right away – and when the swerve happens, you’ll never see it coming first. Swipe is the first book in the Swipe series and when you get to the end, you’ll be glad to know that the story doesn’t end there. This is a book that must be read to be believed – a great read for children, young adults, and adults.

I give this 5 out of 5 stars.