Half Lives by Sara Grant 

Published: 2014

Present day: Icie is a typical high school teenager – until disaster strikes and her parents send her to find shelter inside a mountain near Las Vegas.

The future: Beckett lives on The Mountain – a sacred place devoted to the Great I AM. He must soon become the leader of his people. But Beckett is forced to break one of the sacred laws, and when the Great I AM does not strike him down, Beckett finds himself starting to question his beliefs.

As Beckett investigates The Mountain’s history, Icie’s story is revealed – along with the terrifying truth of what lies at the heart of The Mountain.

Sara Grant’s HALF LIVES is a dystopian chronicle of the journeys of two unlikely heroes in their race against time to save future generations

After reading the first few chapters I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. It was oddly paced. The first few chapters were fun, and the reader got to know the protagonist, Icie. Then there was a bit of a lull, then it picked back up again.

I am glad I decided to finish. The dual narration added excitement in moments that weren’t as intriguing. I particularly liked how two stories were unfolding throughout the book. It was neat to see the past and present intertwined in one story. As we learn about Icie and her circumstances, we see the story of Beckett unfolding parallel to hers.

This book could actually serve as two separate stories. The reader could simply just read Icie’s story, or Beckett’s.

Many of the dystopian/apocalyptic reads in the YA genre are not believable, they are great fantastical novels—but, not believable. What was disturbing about Half Lives? I really could see events like these actually unfolding in our world.

Icie was the perfect protagonist. She wanted so badly to live, and so badly to help others. The reader feels her emotions, which automatically makes this novel a great read. When an author is capable of triggering emotions from their readers, they are a success.

Thanks to Hachette Canada for the review copy.