Book Review

Review: Gated By Amy Christine Parker

Title: Gated 
Author: Amy Christine Parker
Series: No series
Book #: 1
Pages: 352
Book Rating:
Goodreads Rating: 3.82

Published: August 6th 2013

In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.

Will is her Intended.

The end of the world is near.

Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.

 This book is incredible! I was expecting a dystopian novel but it wasn't. Since I have read about Jonestown I started figuring out where this book was going towards. This is not a happy book. It's bittersweet. I thought that the characters were great it made feel as if I was walking right beside them. 

The first part of the story was kind of slow, but that's what I loved about it because it wasn't too slow. It describes the Community which makes you feel part of it. It tells you about the people in the Community and how Lyla and her family got there. It shows how Pioneer is a nice, charismatic leader. In some books the authors have trouble catching the leader's charisma, but not Parker. I seriously believed that Pioneer was a nice man, he made me believe in him. 

 In the second part the pre-chapters quotes change from Pioneer's to quotes from people like Jim Jones. That's when you know that something bad is going to happen. I literally read this whole book in one day! The thriller just makes you keep on going. You won't be able to put it down till you have read the whole book. You become hook! What I like is that Lyla is not portrayed as a kickass heroine. She is strong I admit, she has to make really hard decisions. But the thing about her is that she is just a child and she is scared because everything that she believed in is suddenly questioned and it turns out it was all a lie. When she learns about the lies she still goes with Pioneer, which shows how much he has brainwashed the people at the community. I was literally shaking the book because I thought it was stupid that after Lyla learns the truth she still goes to stand next to Pioneer. But I understand why she did it, that was a natural reaction for her since she had always felt safe with Pioneer. Lyla saves the people in the Community but the author doesn't write her as a hero. And the worst part is that people in the Community blame her. Like Lyla's mom, when Lyla told her the truth she still believed that Pioneer was a nice person. She was broken and afraid of the world and Pioneer used that to exploit her. 

 The romance also is incredible! There's a love triangle, but at the same time it's not really a love triangle because Lyla and Will knew since the beginning that Lyla only loved Will as a friend. It was only because of Pioneer that they were going out. I love Cody he is just a simple guy, nothing incredible about him which just makes him right for Lyla. It was a really great change of reading about guys that have powers and are badboys to just a simple town boy trying to make the character realize the truth. So yeah I recommend this book go buy it now! Oh and do a little research about Jim Jones and Jonestown it was a really horrible event, and you should be informed about it.