Book Review: Strangelets by Michelle Gagnon

Genre: YA Mystery Sci-fi Paranormal
Publication: April 2013 by Soho Press
Acquisition: bought

Synopsis:

17-year-old Sophie lies on her deathbed in California, awaiting the inevitable loss of her battle with cancer…

17-year-old Declan stares down two armed thugs in a back alley in Galway, Ireland…

18-year-old Anat attempts to traverse a booby-trapped tunnel between Israel and Egypt…

All three strangers should have died at the exact same moment, thousands of miles apart. Instead, they awaken together in an abandoned hospital—only to discover that they’re not alone. Three other teens from different places on the globe are trapped with them. Somebody or something seems to be pulling the strings. With their individual clocks ticking, they must band together if they’re to have any hope of surviving.

Soon they discover that they've been trapped in a future that isn't of their making: a deadly, desolate world at once entirely familiar and utterly strange. Each teen harbors a secret, but only one holds the key that could get them home. As the truth comes to light Sophie, Declan, Anat, and the rest must decide what to do with a second chance at life—if they can survive to claim it.

(from Goodreads)

4 / 5 Stars

This book was weird - in a good way! And it takes place on Long Island! Not in Long Island!

("On" being 100% correct and "In" being 100% wrong -- it's the little things like this that make me happy cause I'm ridiculous - Ha!)

Anywho!

Yes! This book is good!

Seriously though, I really really enjoyed Strangelets.

Right from the start it pulls you in. It's a fantastic ride and for the most part you can't tell which way is up. The characters were interesting. The setting was detailed, which helped set the tone, and it was also a little vague, which helped fuel my imagination.

We get some small insights into the lives of the team of characters before they are all thrown together in an impossible situation. As a reader, you don't know any more then they do. They are trying to figure things out and you're right there with them. Love when suspense stories work this way.

On - and the ending? I'm still not sure I really know what it all was. But! I love this aspect of the book! It wasn't a frustrating ending, rather, it was the type of ending that left things open for a lot of possibilities. I don't think there is a second book planned, which means your imagination is free! Kinda love when standalones do this.

If anything, I wish it were longer - I was craving a bit more details and maybe more explanations. As a thriller / mystery it's great but there isn't as much closure as I would have liked.

It's still a pretty fantastic standalone that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.