0.4 Review

0.4

    -    Mike A. Lancaster        

Publisher: Egmont

It's a brave new world.
'My name is Kyle Straker. And I don't exist anymore.'
So begins the story of Kyle Straker, recorded onto old audiotapes. You might think these tapes are a hoax, but perhaps they contain the history of a past world....If what the tapes say is true, it means that everything we think we know is a lie.
And if everything we know is a lie, does that mean that we are, too?

This book is written as a transcript of some audiotapes discovered and describes how the world changed drastically one day. This is Kyle’s story and his voice, his character comes over beautifully. He is a teenager just on brink of adulthood – suffering with family problems and girls. All that changes though on the day of the annual village talent contest... The writing is simple but extremely effective, creating a world that you recognise – at least at first with popular culture references. Then slowly the familiar becomes creepy and downright scary as everything changes – leaving Kyle and his friends lost and confused. There is a large portion of time when you’re not sure what is really happening – is it all in Kyle’s head?

If I could describe this book in one word? Amazing! 0.4 may not be a long novel, but it is one that will keep you thinking long after you close the pages. There is a sophisticated plot which meshes well with the teen angst. The mystery is intriguing and the reveal is not disappointing. This is pretty much the perfect anecdote to anyone who wants a YA book that’s different, but doesn’t involve vampires, demons, mermaids or werewolves. Or if you just want a well written, intelligent and exciting YA story.

Recommended for fans of Cat Patrick and Johnathan Maberry. 9 out of 10.