Jill Williamson's Captives ~ Reviewed

CAPTIVES

The Safe Lands, book I

By Jill Williamson

February 2013

Zondervan

0310724228 

Back Cover:

When eighteen-year-old Levi returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, he never imagined he’d find his village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many—including his fiancée, Jem—taken captive. Now alone, Levi is determined to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means entering the Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.

Omar knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away, but helping the enforcers was necessary. Living off the land and clinging to an outdated religion holds his village back. The Safe Lands has protected people since the plague decimated the world generations ago … and its rulers have promised power and wealth beyond Omar’s dreams.

Meanwhile, their brother Mason has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save not only the people of his village, but also possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands’ walls. Will Mason uncover the truth hidden behind the Safe Lands’ façade before it’s too late?

My Take:

Captives is a post-apocalyptic (as in deadly virus nails humanity) tale, full of fast-paced adventure and some touching romantic scenes. While marketed as a YA, adults will enjoy this read as well.

The setting is in the U.S., but nothing like the country we know today. There is a "Safe" land that is curiously not safe at all. That's where the killer virus runs rampant. Outlying the area are a few villages where people are not infected. The story takes off when Safelanders capture an entire village in the hopes of breeding their women to gain offspring that are not infected, which will hopefully revive their dying population.

While not overtly preachy, the message of hope and forgiveness are sprinkled throughout the story. Captives is a great summer read, so pick yourself up a copy and toss it in your beach bag.

You can thank me later.

Reviewed by: Michelle Griep