“Apocalyptic dystopian fiction at its best. Angler’s sharp wit and dexterity with political themes are matched only by the thrilling suspense on every page.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author and FOX News correspondent
Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong?
Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.
The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back.
When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.
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"A review copy was provided for an honest review. Swipe is the first book in a unexpectedly thrilling Dystopian series. Though the demographic aims for middle-graders I certainly didn't have a problem enjoying it. It's written expertly and maybe perhaps a little above the intended reading level as I myself had to look up some of the vocabulary. Regardless, it weaves together action-adventure, espionage, suspense, and futuristic elements wonderfully. I will admit I was extremely skeptical when I first started reading because it didn't hold my interest right away as it's a bit slow in the beginning but I pushed on and soon enough I forgot the slow pace it set because it picked up nicely toward the middle. The characters are interesting, their is a lot of POV swapping which can add some confusion but that eventually clears up enough to not be a reading obstacle. I didn't know how I felt about so many perspectives being thrown at you but once you get near the end of the story it all comes together and its understood as to why you needed to see other viewpoints. Logan, the leading protagonist of the story is paranoid, and scared for his life but when he meets Erin he finally comes out of his shell and starts being a person again. I liked seeing the character development and how Logan starts to act more mature and really grows from a kid into a teenager over the course of a few months. Erin is one of my favorite characters in the book. She's super smart - can hack almost any computer, tough, and resourceful. I thought all the high-tech equipment & technology was really neat, the world is very fascinating on so many levels - I'm excited to see more of it! Fantastic world-building - Evan Angler had a clear vision of the story and it really came through.
Ever since the worldwide unification people have no other choice but to receive the Mark. When you reach the age of thirteen that's when you are given it; it provides you citizenship benefits—everything you need to live in the world. Those who refuse it are left in the cold—to starve with no way to get food other than thievery, no currency to buy anything with, and no access to society. The Markless are shunned into a horrific existence but twelve-year-old Logan Langly is wary to receive his. After his sister turned 13 and never returned from getting the Mark he's had a difference of opinion as to the safety that it offers. He becomes withdrawn and afraid since his sister's disappearance he's felt like he's being watched every day 24/7. His parents think it's all in his head until he catches a Markless following him—then his worst fears are confirmed. Erin is thirteen and newly moved from Beacon—a wealthy division and more sophisticated city in comparison to Spokie—but she detests her new life. Things start to look up when she meets a boy named Logan who can possibly help her make her way back to her old home. After sharing stories Logan and Erin decide that they can work together to achieve their goals by unraveling the mystery of the Markless but they get in too deep and things don't go as planned...
Swipe is a lot better once you start to understand what is going on. It will take you by surprise multiple times, although some are easy to see coming other twists will shock you. The ending will leave you sitting with your mouth agape! I was really glad to have the next novel at hand so I could dive into what left me hanging in Swipe's conclusion. Swipe is not only well written but has an unusual fresh story that's engaging and impressively engrossing. I was glad to have read it and I'm even more psyched for the second book titled Sneak. A great mature middle-grade adventure that has a little of everything—it'll have you very intrigued."
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Seirra (4 out of 5 stars)