Book Review: Gated by Amy Christine Parker

Gated

By Amy Christine Parker

Release Date: August 6, 2013

Source: Publisher

Summary: Do the gates keep the unchosen out or the chosen in?

In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:

Pioneer is her leader.

Will is her Intended.

The end of the world is near.

Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.

Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.
Review: One look at this cover, and I knew this book was going to be a good one. I hadn't even read the synopsis before opening up this one, and boy was I in for a surprise!

For the past 10 years, Lyla's been living safely in Mandrodage Meadows under Pioneer's protection. After 9/11 Lyla and her family moved to the Meadows to escape the evils of the world and seek protection for the end of the world. Lyla has followed Pioneer's rules ever since her family moved, but with the end of the world quickly approaching, Lyla finds life in the meadows harder and harder to happily accept. 

I normally don't read books about the end of the world, but there was something about this one. As soon as I started to read it, I just couldn't put it down. Lyla's lifestyle sounds like a cult, and I was so intrigued to find out if things were real or not. Were they crazy or was the world really going to end? And when Cody shows up, things start getting even more questionable. 

From the first page, you know Lyla is different. She has problems with flat out killing a person, even if it's an order from the beloved Pioneer. Is she that weak? Or does she have an inkling that something is wrong? I love how she has to deal with all of the questions and doubts in her head, especially considering the Meadows is everything she's ever known. Her family is there and her intended, Will, who's been her best friend since she moved there. 

The beginning was a bit slow for my taste, and things didn't really start to pick up until more than halfway into the story, but once they started to pick up, things didn't stop until the end. They sped up so much, though, that I don't think everything was fully explained as much as I would have liked it in the end. But there were definitely heart pumping moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. 

I haven't read anything like Gated before, and I'm happy to say it was a pretty great read! Once you get through the slower parts, you won't want to put this book down. With so much doubt and questions that pop up along the way, Gated is an intriguing book you have to check out.