The Only Boy

by Jordan Locke

• ISBN10: 1494415593
• ISBN13: 9781494415594
• Publish Date: 17 December 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 268
• Language: English

Reviews

[shannonmiz]

When I first read the premise of this, I was thinking it could go one of two ways: really great and interesting, or totally unbelievable. I wanted to give it a try, and luckily, it turned out to be pretty good. Sometimes it is really hard for me to get behind a premise in which an entire group is taken out of the equation (like adults are all killed off, or in this case, an entire sex is eradicated). And while there were parts that bugged me, overall I did enjoy this one!

What I liked: Obviously, you know that Mary and Taylor are going to be in some kind of relationship. The insta-love did not bother me, especially on Mary's end (obviously, everyone would be vying for the only known living male!). I also liked that Mary was a bit of a rabble rouser from the beginning. It makes it more believable to me when a character is rebellious by nature rather than changing their whole personality for a cause. The plot moved quite quickly as well, and the action was pretty much constant- no lagging, no boring parts. I especially enjoyed that there were some really good plot twists that I absolutely did not see coming.

What I didn't: While the plot (and the book in general) was fast-moving, it left little time for world building and character development. I really, really needed more backstory. I think that is what was mainly lacking for me. It was hard to feel connected with the characters when I was uncertain of a lot of things going on in their world. While I do enjoy a quick pace and a lot of action, this book would have been better served by a few more details.

Bottom Line: While I did have some issues with the book, I did quite enjoy it, and the plot definitely kept me entertained and wanting to find out what happened next!

3.5 stars, rounded up

[Angie]

The Only Boy was a very quick and interesting read. Short chapters and a fast paced plot had me finishing it in no time. Although I do think it moved too fast in places, so at times I felt like I had missed something. It takes place in the nearish future after a disease has killed all of the men, some women, and a bunch of animals. Mary lives in an old hospital with 300 other women who must follow a rigid set of rules that supposedly keep them safe and healthy (no touching!). Then Taylor is brought in from another compound that had been bombed. Mary is fascinated by the outside world, and immediately wants to befriend Taylor. Well, Taylor is trying to keep under the radar, since she's actually a boy.

Taylor's secret comes out fairly early, which I wasn't expecting, but was kind of glad that it did. He has long hair and makes sure to wear lose clothes, so he does pass, but really, how long can a teenage boy pose as a girl? He needs to shave his face and doesn't get a period. Both of which are timed events that will crop up sometime! The Matriarch discovers that he's a boy, and now he must be killed! From here The Only Boy takes on a kind of exciting survivalist tone, which I really enjoyed for awhile.

The world is a very different place, and I loved learning more about it as Taylor and Mary try to start their own lives, and then eventually end up with the Earthers, who are women living off the land rather than in compounds. However, The Only Boy did start to lose me around this point, too. The characters are constantly on the move, and the situation is always changing. Sometimes being fast paced can be a bad thing, since I had to go back and reread some passages in case I missed something. Also, this supposedly spans a six month period, but it felt like only a few weeks! Maybe that's why I felt lost at times.

In the end, I did like The Only Boy. I don't know that I ever really bought into this future that's been devastated by a mysterious illness, especially after that odd and convenient ending. But it was a great premise and I enjoyed reading it.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.