Gr 11 Up
In a not too distant future, America has undergone its second civil war. New Jersey and inland have deemed themselves "the Free States," while Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island are still known as "The United States of America." Stuck in the middle of these warring sides is Manhattan, now known as the DMZ. Fledgling photojournalist Matty Roth is sent with a news crew to film the story from the inside-something no news organization has been able to do. Once his aircraft lands, his crewmates are slaughtered and their helicopter blown up. Matty, committed to revealing the horrors of living in a war zone, must learn to survive if he wants to expose the truth. Readers will be riveted by Matty's story of not only physical survival, but also of his determination to keep his emotional health stable. Dark, engaging, and addictive, this story line will create instant fans of its readers. Wood's depiction of a war-ravaged Manhattan spares nothing-the horrors, the brutality, and the senselessness of war are clearly depicted. This volume should be of high consideration in public libraries looking for solid titles for older teens. Give it to fans of Brian K. Vaughan's "Ex Machina" series (Wildstorm). They will appreciate the mix of action and smart political commentary.
—Jennifer FeigelmanCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
