Set in a post-nuclear war future, the United States has devolved into the American Union - a union of three remaining cities: Beacon (built on the site where Washington D.C. once stood), New Chicago, and Sierra (down in what was Arizona). The Government that rose from the ashes of war has eradicated all religion, politics, and any literature that it has deemed polarizing in an attempt to never have global war again. This new government has instituted the Mark - a tattoo that every citizen must get in order to buy food, use transportation, and legally own anything. Without the mark, a citizen isn’t considered legally within the country, they cannot work, and are pushed to the edges of society, becoming the poor and homeless. The mark seems to be good for everyone who gets it - but is there a more sinister reason for this institutionalized system that replaced currency? What could be bad about a paperless society?
Logan, the main character, is about to turn thirteen - the age all citizens receive their mark. He should be excited as he gets closer to this important life event (and potential freedom that comes with it), but over the past five years he’s grown paranoid that he’s being watched… Ever since his sister went to get the mark and never came back. Now he’s on a quest to find out who’s been watching him, and what the truth behind the mark really is.
If you like novels such as Divergent or The Hunger Games, then this is right up your alley. It’s a dystopian series told from a Christian perspective, and while the Christian themes aren’t as apparent in the first book, they become more so as the series progresses. I absolutely love the first book and can’t wait to read the next two. It’s Young Adult fiction, and I’d recommend it for everyone in Middle School and up. Spark, the fourth book in the series will be released on November 5th.
Watch the trailer for Swipe here:
