Published by Atria Books Genres: Dystopian, Fiction, Mystery, suspense
Format: ARC, eBook
Be careful what you wish for! Looking for a better life does not always equal a better world, or does it?
Linda, Russell, and their teen twins moved to Plymouth Valley when Russel is hired to work there. Plymouth Valley is touted as being a safe place. It is a company town that boasts fresh air, top schools, and plenty of food. It’s an elite place. Everything is taken care of for you – a home, a car, a job, etc. If you have a chance to live in this community, you would be a fool to turn it down as the outside world is falling apart. Sure, you must put up with horrific hazing, the many festivals, and bizarre friendships, but it’s worth it, right??? Things might be free but then again, everything comes with a price as the saying goes.
What happens when you rock the boat?
A Better World was a gripping, creepy, and thought provoking dystopian book that reminded me to a small degree of The Stepford Wives and the movie Midsommar. Everyone must act in a certain way, participate fully in festivals and not voice what you are thinking. Is that the cost of breathing fresh air???
I enjoyed the creepy and eerie feel of the book. I kept trying to figure out what was happening and what was going to happen next! I enjoyed the mounting tension and sense of danger that grew as the book progressed. I also enjoyed how the book had themes of power, bullying, popularity, privilege, conformity, and the environment.
I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. The ending was shocking and went a little off the rails, but overall, this was an enjoyable and interesting read. I could see this book being made into a movie.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.