Best of All Worlds

When Xavier wakes up on the first morning of a family weekend with his pregnant step-mum, Nia, and dad, Caleb, which he doesn't want to be on, he doesn't recognise where they are. Everything inside seems the same - but it's as if the house has been transported to a different location. Having thoroughly explored their new surroundings, the family discover that they are trapped in what appears to be an invisible, self-healing dome from which they cannot escape and have mysterious markings on their lower backs. When the birth of Nia's baby proves complicated, it becomes apparent that they are being monitored by a benevolent, unseen power which intervenes when they need help.

Three years later, although he still desperately misses his real mother and older brother, Sam, who were left behind, Xavier and his family, including his little brother, Noah, have adapted to life on the farm which they have been given, adopting a self-sufficient lifestyle and living off the land. Suddenly, another farm and then a new family - the Jacksons - appear in the dome. A family with very different views, a family with weapons…and a teenage daughter. Tension mounts on many levels as these differences drive a wedge between the two families as the actions of one seems to bring consequences for the other, creating an impossible situation.

Best of All Worlds is an utterly absorbing read which is both thought-provoking and enjoyable. On one level, it is an intriguing dystopian novel, with people trapped, controlled and isolated, forced to live their lives according to the 'rules' imposed upon them. However, it is also a provocative, challenging read, designed to spark discussion - argument even!

Once Xavier's family - the Oaks - have explored all possibilities for escape, they have become resigned to their fate and adapted to their new lives, believing they have been victims of an alien abduction. For Xavier - known as Zay - things are different. 13 when first trapped,  16 when the Jacksons arrive, there are things which he struggles with - missing his mother and brother, his friends, gaming, no sex; however, he too has fallen into the new daily rhythm of life. The appearance of a teenage girl, albeit one with a boyfriend, is unsettling enough, but he is also presented with the government conspiracy theories of Riley Jackson, father of the new family, and someone who is determined to escape. Zay finds himself caught between the two families.

There are other differences. The Oaks are pacifists, environmentally aware, whilst the Jacksons are weapon-owning, deeply religious and hold some extreme racial views. This gulf between them highlights many political and social divides, encouraging exploration of human nature and disparate viewpoints.

There is so much to explore here, not least the hints at the reasons behind the abduction, making this an excellent read for a book group. Well written and engaging, Best of All Worlds is a real page turner which leaves the reader with much to mull over, long after they close the book.

245 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 14+

When Xavier Oak wakes up on his weekend away with his father and heavily pregnant step-mother he expects his usual vista; the clear water of the lake and the harbour. Instead their entire cottage seems to have been transported to a farm, replete with bleating goats demanding to be milked. Stunned and confused the three of them try to make sense of their surroundings - are they dreaming? Is this heaven? Have they been abducted by aliens??

As they begin to make sense of their new environment and all attempts at escape fail, they realise they are enclosed in some sort of dome. But is it for their protection or are they trapped? As the days roll into months and years, the Oak family adapt to their new lives but still hanker for lost family and friends. When suddenly a new family arrives with familiar feelings of confusion, anger and frustration, the Oaks' precariously-balanced world begins to crumble.

Best of All Worlds is a completely riveting read. Think the Truman Show with added menace. The families have to fashion a life without knowing where they are or who put them there. They can guess at motives but are never sure who the controlling 'they' are. With a fractured family, a baby born in captivity and a hormonal teenager, things could get dangerously messy.

Teenage Xavier is the lynchpin and is a just brilliant character - wise beyond his years, hardworking, witty and hopelessly controlled by his infatuation with the girl next door. No-one's perfect in this world, they are all just trying to deal with their circumstances as best they can. There are tense moments, acts of kindness and times when characters veer dangerously out of control.

I could go on to say an awful lot more about this book but the best thing to do is just read it!

256 pages / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+