An excellent choice for anyone that enjoys dystopian fiction.
Fifteen-year-old Nestor Hardy, having grown up in an isolated countryside ranch with his aunt, has only experienced the outside world through second-hand stories. When his aunt dies, Nestor determines to make the arduous trek to the city so that he can find a doctor that can treat his blinding migraines. A cunning escape from some novice kidnappers is only the beginning of the dangers that this intuitive young man encounters. This becomes especially evident when an expert at abducting even the most clever of kids, the capable though damaged Kuntryve, leads a gang of teens known as the scarboys in a hunt for Nestor. With the help of some other teens and a couple of more mature mentors, Nestor evades threats against him and also learns some life-altering revelations about himself. However, Nestor may have to learn to trust in others and overcome his doubts if he hopes to survive in the cruel world that he is only now truly experiencing for the first time.
Taking place in a deteriorating post-apocalyptic landscape, Scarboys highlights some of the worst-feared outcomes associated with climate change and global warfare. With vivid expressions, A.J. Smee skillfully builds a desperate, yet fully conceivable, dystopian setting where food and water are as hard to come by as a friendly face. Nestor and his fellow protagonists share a strong bond among themselves and a hard fought sense of loyalty, making them an easy group to root for. But it is the far more volatile and deranged Kuntryve whose personality really jumps from the pages. Throughout the story, suspense builds as readers join Nestor in slowly finding out the sinister reason why youths are being taken. The plot builds steadily and includes plenty of action and surprises to keep readers absorbed. Smee’s well-composed young adult novel will be devoured by fans of James Dashner and is an excellent choice for anyone that enjoys dystopian fiction. Scarboys is an intelligently written story about friendship and freedom, delivered through the engaging tale of a boy coming of age in a bleak and challenging world.
