
"Half Lives" is a gripping young adult science fiction adventure that spans centuries. It follows Icie, who survives a viral attack in a secret bunker, and Beckett, a teen living in a mysterious mountain cult generations later. The narrative skillfully weaves between their two timelines as they both uncover and fight to protect a devastating secret connected to the bunker and the future of their worlds. Parents should know this book explores themes of survival, resilience, and the consequences of past actions, offering a thought-provoking read for mature teens.
I've learned that surviving isn't all it's cracked up to be. NOW: Icie's parents gave her $10,000 in cash, a map of a top-secret bunker, and instructions to get there by any means necessary. They have news of an imminent viral attack and know that the bunker is Icie's only hope for survival. She and three other teens live locked away for months, not knowing what's happening in the outside world or who has survived. Then one day, Icie discovers a shocking secret deep in the bunker. Are they really safe there after all? THEN: Generations in the future, the world has changed, and a mysterious cult worships the very mountain where Icie's secret bunker was built. The people never leave the mountain, they're ruled by Beckett, a teenager...and they have surprising ties to Icie. Icie and Beckett must both fight to survive while protecting a secret that could destroy their civilizations. This high-stakes, original, and thought-provoking adventure follows two unlikely heroes, hundreds of years apart.