The Young World by Chris Weitz

The Young World The Young World Trilogy Book One
Written by Chris Weitz
Survival, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopian
Published August 1st 2014
352 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★☆
After a mysterious Sickness wipes out the rest of the population, the young survivors assemble into tightly run tribes. Jefferson, the reluctant leader of the Washington Square tribe, and Donna, the girl he's secretly in love with, have carved out a precarious existence among the chaos. But when another tribe member discovers a clue that may hold the cure to the Sickness, five teens set out on a life altering road trip to save humankind.

The tribe exchanges gunfire with enemy gangs, escapes cults and militias, braves the wilds of the subway and Central Park... And discovers truths they could never have imagined.
It was reported that the first case of the Sickness was found in Europe two years prior, before rapidly spreading throughout the United States. The flu like symptoms seemingly developing in children and adults, leaving teens the only age group that have escaped the deadly illness. They believe the virus is based on hormones, and the hundred on teens that now inhabit Washington Square in New York are surviving until they reach physical maturity at eighteen. The tribe is now looking towards Jefferson, brother of the former leader who had succumbed to the Sickness, a responsibility Jeff reluctantly accepts. It's been two long years, and the teens around New York have now segregated and who the Sickness doesn't take... Ethnic cleansing surely will.

Within the partially self sufficient environment, an important member of the tribe discovers what may be the key to the Sickness and a small group including Jefferson and Donna, make the journey to find information that they hope may lead to a cure. But navigating the mean streets of New York, is only the first step in making the treacherous distance in one piece. Rival communities are planning a violent takeover, and will stop at nothing until they monopolise what remains of society, while others seemingly thrive with off shore produce.

But one thing remains constant throughout New York, it's kill or be killed... If the Sickness doesn't strike you down first.

Kelly's Thoughts

The Young World was brilliant, a post apocalyptic fight for survival in which teens now rule New York. There are no adults or children, the teens believing that the Sickness lay dormant within their age group, then ensuring a quick death once a teen reaches physical maturity. None more so than Brainbox, the resident teen scientist who has his own theories about the deadly virus, but needs help to obtain proof. Their journey is incredibly dangerous, especially with the large community of Uptowners calling for blood after a failed trade attempt. During the journey, the group also come into contact with the Moles, kids who live underground, the racial divide between the African American teens and Hispanic, who are either vying for control or to simply survive.

Told in dual points of view, Jefferson is quiet, stoic and believes that those who remain can build a new society. He hopes for a future where the Sickness can be cured, and will either find a cure or die trying. Donna on the other hand is feisty, realistic and won't allow herself for anything more than seeing out each day. Friends since both were young, Jefferson secretly pines for Donna but can't bring himself to tell her. Their points of view are both incredibly diverse, and I loved seeing the same situation portrayed though both characters.

By far my favourite character was Peter, Donna's best friend and confidant. He's the token gay character, Christian, African American and incredibly snarky. His mild sexual innuendos and throw away one liners add a lightness to the storyline in an otherwise grim world.

The final Verdict

Overall, it's an awesome read, incredibly entertaining and had trouble putting this one down. Already I'm eagerly awaiting book two in the series. A brilliant debut author, Chris Weitz is definitely one to watch out for.

15 comments

  1. I mean, I'm not the BIGGEST fan of dystopian. I blame Allegiant. That book ruined the genre for me. *weeps* I'm still angry about that book. But this sounds really interesting! Interesting that the world is run by teens. Sounds like my kind of world. Although I'd be too old in a couple of years. That's a scary thought. Cait from Notebook Sisters gave this a good review as well so I might try to find myself a copy :)

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    1. You're still a wee poppet, you've got years to train for the world without adults. Being twice your age and then some doesn't bode well for me in terms of young adult world ending. Statistics say that I'll either be dead, a zombie or a bitch trying to take over the Capitol or Abnegation. This one is awesome, can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. Oh yes for fun characters! I think I am going to love Peter & Christian! Gotta love snarky & naughty characters :D I love post-apocalyptic books! And I this book will be no exception. I think I am going to give it a try since you and Cait both liked this!! :D Great review, Kelly!

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    1. Thanks Abby. I love dystopian and post apocalyptic too, I think they bring out the revolutionary survivalist in me. There's so few great dystopian series being made lately, so grab this one when you can, it's awesome.

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  3. Ohh this looks really good! I'm definitely going to add it to my to read now :) Sounds like such an interesting storyline, plus, I'm a sucker for post apocalyptic and dystopians hahaha

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    1. Me too, and publishers don't be seem to releasing too many anymore, I wonder if we're only a small few who aren't tired of the genre left. I loved it and it reached the point that I was so desperately trying to preserve the last few pages, I didn't want it to end.

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  4. Oh, man, I loved Peter, too. He was absolutely fabulous and it was such a blast reading about him. I liked that he was gay and Christian and African-American - that's like the diversity right there, and I liked how he was such a good support to the people around him. With regards to the story as a whole though, I thought it was pretty good, and I liked the varying writing style with the POVs, like the guy's reads like a normal one, and the girl's read as a script! :O

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. I loved that too Faye, and he wasn't a stereotype either, apart from being the gay best friend. He's so sassy, we need more Peter's in our young adult storylines.

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  5. I didn't like this one as much as you did unfortunately, but I completely agree with a lot of aspects about your review! I absolutely loved Peter too. He was such a breath of fresh air and I loved the diversity in his character. I think my problems were with Dana and Jefferson as characters, but I'm glad you liked them. Thanks for sharing and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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    1. Thanks Zoe. I think I'm just a pushover when it comes to dystopians, I seem to love them all. I definitely wanted more Peter, his bitchy snark was super funny.

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  6. I haven't heard many good things about this one lately, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! I knew you would, you apocalyptic hoover :)

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    1. I admit it, I suck this stuff up like it's chocolate. Even I thought that I would have been sick of dystopian and post apocalyptic by now too, but there are so few being release nowadays that as soon as a new one is released, I'm all over it like a cheap suit.

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  7. I don't even think I remembered to mention Peter in my review. BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. He was so the best. I love his humour. Why do the main characters never get to be that sassy?? I love sassy characters. I'm kind of thinking of Diana from the Gone series now. xD She was awesome. *whispers* Have you read all six books yet? *taps foot impatiently*

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    1. I'm guessing because either authors don't have that many sassy lines for a main character, or think the reading audience might find it a little old after a while. But Peter was a cracker, I'd totally read the adventures of Peter.

      I haven't finished them yet. Gina and I are planning on started book three Lies, fairly soon I hope. Hunger was disappointing for me, but you've said Lies is far better, so if we don't like it, we'll be 'round your blog causing mischief soon enough.

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  8. Woow another positive review! To be completely honest, I didn't want to read it because it looked like just another Dystopian. But the more I see it around, the more I want to read it. :3

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