Maladapted

Cillian, a 16 year old maths genius, is on his way to university in Foundation City when terrorists strike the Metro. Showing superhuman strength he didn't know he had, Cillian survives and brings his father out from the destruction around him. His father dies soon afterwards, but manages to pass on a mysterious message to his son, the single word 'Gilgamesh'. Tess follows The Faith, whose followers looked after her as an orphaned child, and is against everything that the high-tech world around Foundation City stands for. Fiercely loyal to The Faith, she belongs to Revelation, the group behind the attack. Appalled and confused at the loss of life she has helped cause, she is asked to target Cillian and find out more about him. Tess engineers a meeting with Cillian and they become firends. As they set out together to find out the truth about Cillian's father's mysterious message and about Cillian's true identity, they make disturbing discoveries which lead them both to question their beliefs and backgrounds. This is a fast-paced, exciting book set in a futuristic world, which is made believable by being recognisably our own 21st century world with scientific advances which are easy for us to imagine. Lots of action and chase scenes would easily translate to the big screen. The two main characters are caught between two powerful and dangerous factions and the reader is led to consider the science versus religion debate whilst enjoying the twists and turns of the plot. This would appeal to 12+ readers who have enjoyed other dystopian fiction like The Maze Runner. 307 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Karen Poolton, college librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+