Synopses & Reviews
Welcome to Mandrodage Meadow, a typical middle-class, close-knit community. The families here are drawn together by shared values and a commitment to living a peaceful life in a beautiful, somewhat insular suburban development. But there's a problem: you're actually not welcome—at all.
The last thing anyone inside the compound wants is attention from the outside world. For over ten years, the members have lived happily under the direction of Pioneer, the charismatic leader who took them away from their sad, damaged lives. So when Pioneer pinpoints the end of the world and plots a very specific and drastic course for his cult (they must arm themselves and prepare to move into an underground silo to save their community) everyone falls in line; even seventeen-year-old Lyla. At least she's trying to. Lyla wants to paint instead of take target practice. And she'd rather think about the possibilities and people outside the compound (like Cody, the cute son of the local sheriff) than imagine married life in the silo with her intended, Will. As the end of days draws closer, Lyla will have to do more than daydream—it's time to pick up a gun, take a side, and let her family know exactly where she stands.
Synopsis
She thought the evil lived outside the walls.She was wrong.
In the Community, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban development have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives.
Lyla Hamilton and her parents moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:
Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.
Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves and prepare to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.
Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the development than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But as the end of days draws near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.
Synopsis
She thought the evil lived outside the walls. She was wrong.Amy Christine Parker's deliciously chilling prose creates a fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.
In the Community, life seems perfect. Lyla Hamilton believes she is one of the chosen. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited her family to join the Community and escape the evil in the world. They've thrived under his strict, charismatic leadership. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:
Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.
Pioneer has visions of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must prepare to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the Silo, the underground shelter where the Community will wait out the apocalypse.
Lyla loves her family and friends, but a chance encounter with an unchosen boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community--everything. She needs time to figure out the truth. But with Pioneer's deadline for the end of days fast approaching, time is the one thing she doesn't have.
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.
Appearances can be deceiving.
In the Community, life seems perfect. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pioneer invited Lyla’s family to join his group and escape the evil in the world. They were happy to be chosen, happy to move away from New York and start over in such an idyllic gated community. Now seventeen, Lyla knows that Pioneer is more than just their charismatic leader, he is their prophet . . . but his visions have grown dark.
Lyla is a loyal member of the Community, but a chance encounter with an outsider boy has her questioning Pioneer, the Community—everything. And if there’s one thing not allowed in the Community, it’s doubt. Her family and friends are certain in their belief. Lyla wishes she could feel the same. As Pioneer begins to manipulate his flock toward disaster, the question remains: Will Lyla follow them over the edge?
From the outside looking in, it’s hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story of the Community from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker’s beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike.
"A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page."
—Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten
"An awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films while still being surprising."
—HelloGiggles.com
“Compelling. . . . This absorbing examination of a cult focuses on a teenage girl who begins to doubt their leader."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"I highly recommend Gated to fans of contemporary fiction with a twist. This one has a bit of everything—mystery, intense action, real life issues, and a bit of romance."
—My Book Addiction (blog)
"After the last page is turned, the question will linger: 'Could I ever be deceived like this?'"
—SLJ
"Highly recommended for fans of YA thrillers and contemporary fiction."
—A Dream Within a Dream (blog)
"Every once in a while a book comes along that leaves you reeling. Speechless. Shocked. Nothing you say will do it justice. Gated is that book. Chilling, horrifying, but beautiful. A MUST read."
—Lilybloombooks.com
"Action packed and full of suspense. . . . It's new and fresh, a step away from everything that’s out there right now."
—Me, My Shelf, and I (blog)
"A complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events."
—Publisher Weekly
"Mysterious, entrancing and dark, Gated brings in just the right amount of paced storytelling with the edge-of-your-reading-seats sense of suspense."
—TeenReads.com
"An absolutely enrapturing book . . . I couldn’t put it down."
—In Libris Veritas (blog)
"An entertaining and unique entry in a sea of generic YA novels."
—Fiction Frenzy (blog)
"If you need a summer thriller read with a smartly woven plot and a lamb-to-lion main character, then this book is for you."
—Great Imaginations (blog)
"An absolutely fascinating read with an original concept and an absolutely brilliant villain! Different with just the right touch of chilling."
—Fiction Freak (blog)
"Entertaining throughout."
—Examiner.com
From the Hardcover edition.