Review by Booklist Review
Life at the Refuge is strict, but that's exactly what keeps everyone alive. Since the Great Poisoning, exposed humans turned vicious and must be kept outside the compound walls at all costs. As a result, Razzi and the other children aren't allowed outdoors, but they make the most of the small, safe world their parents have made them. A pervasive sense of unease filters through the narrative as the kids move through their days and details are dropped that something is amiss with this whole setup. Razzi is known for being the responsible one, but after receiving a heart transplant, she begins pushing back on the rules and yearning to venture beyond the Refuge. Seen through Razzi's eyes, Holm's near-future world feels threatening and plausible, and when Razzi finally steps outside the Refuge's confines, her discoveries are viscerally shocking. The story's one questionable element is the supernatural connection Razzi feels with her heart donor--a greyhound named Wind. Whether or not readers buy into this part of the tale, they will find Razzi's journey thrilling and find comfort in its hopeful conclusion.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Holm is a best-seller with more than one Newbery Honor under her belt for a reason. She brings the goods, and readers know it.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this riveting survival novel by Newbery Honoree Holm, a white-cued 12-year-old ventures for the first time beyond her secluded doorstep. A decade before this book's start, "some stupid country decided to start a war" via venomous missile, prompting Razzi's parents to create an isolated compound called the Refuge. As the oldest, Razzi is expected to set an example for other kids, a responsibility she takes seriously. But the death of a peer, Ollie, a few months prior weighs heavy on her mind: desperate to see outside the Refuge's walls, Ollie scaled and fell from the building's roof. When a doctor's visit reveals that Razzi needs a heart transplant, she receives the heart of a greyhound named Wind, and she soon feels that the surgery has changed her, prompting her to forgo her typical rule-abiding tendencies. Upon stowing away on a Refuge truck bound for a supply run, she makes a discovery that changes everything. Fascinating, intimately detailed characterization and worldbuilding makes everything from Razzi's motivations and reactions to the children's carefree games to the community's fear of the outside world feel palpable across a white-knuckled adventure about autonomy and cultivating one's own inner strength. Ages 9--12. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A spirited 12-year-old contends with her cloistered life after an apocalypse. Over 10 years ago, the Great Poisoning killed most humans. Razzi lives in an old mansion named the Refuge with her parents, 7-year-old brother, Bing, and a handful of other adults and children. The kids are rarely allowed Outside, especially not since 12-year-old Ollie, a curious risk-taker, had a terrible accident and died while trying to explore. Razzi injures her knee during a game of Chase, which leads to a checkup and a serious diagnosis--she learns that she must have a heart transplant. Luckily, Refuge resident Saul is a Surgeon, and he successfully implants a greyhound's heart into Razzi. After the surgery, Razzi feels different: Her senses of hearing and smell are keener, and foods she used to love, like chocolate, now sicken her. When Razzi makes the momentous decision to run away, she learns that the world outside the Refuge is bigger than she could ever have imagined. Holm's adventure is riveting and appealing, featuring a relatable cast of characters and unfolding against a post-apocalyptic backdrop with zombie story vibes. Holm's mastery of pacing and her explorations of intergenerational trauma and forgiveness resonate, ensuring that they'll stay with readers long after the final pages. Razzi presents white, and names cue ethnic diversity in the supporting cast. An ambitious and thrilling examination of survival, trauma, and connection. (author's note)(Speculative thriller. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
