When an insect-borne plague begins to envelop the world, three sixteen-year-olds struggle to survive amongst the healthy “trues” and the infected “wickeds” in this gripping dystopian tale from the author of The Winter Place.
A plague, called Wickedness, is pulsing through the world; and in its wake, it’s dividing the population into thirds:
The WICKED: Already infected by the droves of Singers, the ultraviolet mosquito-like insects who carry the plague, the Wicked roam the world freely. They don’t want for much—only to maim and dismember you. But don’t worry: They always ask politely first.
The TRUE: The True live in contained, isolated communities. They’re the lucky ones; they found safety from the Singers. And while the threat of the Wicked may not be eliminated, for the True, the threat has certainly been contained…
The VEXED: The Vexed are the truly fortunate ones—they survived the sting of the Singers, leaving them immune. But they’re far from safe. The Vexed hold the key to a cure, and there are those who will do anything to get it.
In this brilliantly realized novel, three teens—Astrid, Hank, and Natalie—start to realize that the divisions of their world aren’t as clear as they seem, and are forced to question what being wicked truly means. **
From School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—Earth has met its apocalypse, and it involves insects. Mosquito-like hybrids carry the disease "wicked," and it spreads quickly. Victims gain a taste for violence, usually murdering their neighbors and family members with a childlike grin. Astrid has been raised in a glass-domed area, sheltered from the wicked, and protected by gallons of insecticide. When newcomers arrive in their encased town, they are asked The Question: What do you want? When asked repeatedly, those infected with wicked will invariably slip up and reveal their true intentions, like maybe seeing what you look like without skin. Astrid is uniquely immune to the disease. It was believed that if young children were exposed to the virus they would be "vexed," or immune. Unfortunately, this worked for only Astrid, and an entire generation of children, save two, died in the attempt, not to be replaced. Although her age-mate Hank did not die, he is not immune, and, like the other members of their community, must wear a bee suit whenever venturing out. Meanwhile, as Astrid and Hank delve into the history of the town, the lighthouse across the way springs to life, raising questions about possible other residents. This is a real page-turner, although jumps in perspective and time may prove problematic for reluctant readers. VERDICT Yates has spun a first-class sci-fi/horror story. The interactions with the wicked are truly macabre, but in the best way.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL
Review
"Yates skillfully crafts this dystopian horror, bringing together the parallel plotlines in a stunning, gut-punching fashion and twisting both stories with new revelations." (BCCB, starred review )
"A first-class sci-fi/horror story." (School Library Journal )
"The vividly imagined and haunting landscape is not unlike the post-apocalypse world of The Walking Dead.... A creative and philosophical take on a zombie-esque apocalypse with a perfectly executed final act twist. Promptly hand this one to lovers of smart, tense science fiction." (Booklist, starred review )
"This dystopian story contains all the plot twists, rebelliousness of youth, and bits of romance that will make it a popular read." (School Library Connection )