Laybourne, Emily. Monument 14: Sky on Fire.

Laybourne, Emily.  Monument 14: Sky on Fire.    Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends    2013  215p  ISBN 978-0-312-56904-4  ms/hs  Hardback    E-BN  Science fiction 

This post-apocalyptic YA novel is a sequel to Monument 14.  Brothers Dean and Alex and the others have survived so far by working together. This the story of Alex taking off to get help and Dean staying behind to protect the little kids. Escalating disasters make this a gritty, tension-filled read.     Having learned to work together to survive, the optimistic kids realize that someone needs to attempt to get news of their survival to Denver International Airport, where the army is evacuating survivors.  The answer to who goes and who stays is dependent upon each individual’s blood type.  It has been decided that type O’s (who became bloodthirsty and mean) and AB’s (who became paranoid and delusional) would stay behind.  The five-year-old twins are included in this group.  The other group, lead by Niko (the oldest and himself an AB) and Dean, are blood types A (who blister and die upon contact with air) and B (who exhibit reproductive failure and become sterile).

The two groups are resourceful and improvise as the situation warrants the need to do so.  The travelers encounter hardships and individuals who steal their equipment and their bus.  They also meet an old man who helps them out when the situation becomes dire.  The group that stays behind has to deal with intruders (the army guys who stole the bus) and a lot of emotional issues.  With all of the drama going on around them, the older ones manage to keep the five-year-old twins safe and secure.

The author has written a raw and dramatic novel showing what things might be like after a nuclear holocaust.  The story line includes pregnancy, self-defense, killing, theft, kindness, and a group of optimistic problem-solving children.  This is a very well-written book that will appeal to many young readers.  It is recommended as a basic book for any middle- or high-school library.  It would make an excellent selection for a basic books list for school libraries.   

Summary: This post-apocalyptic YA novel is a sequel to Monument 14.  Brothers Dean and Alex and the others have survived so far by working together. This the story of Alex taking off to get help and Dean staying behind to protect the little kids. Escalating disasters make this a gritty, tension-filled read.    

Dystopian novels, Survival-Fiction                                --Linda McNeil