Taken

Book: Taken
Author: Edward Bloor
Audience: Teen
In a Nutshell: what's next, Kidnappers R Us?

In the year 2035, the economic divide between the Haves and the Have Nots has become even more pronounced, and kidnapping has become a growth industry for the underclass. It's becoming a well-established, if still illegal, way to make quick money, and if parents follow instructions closely, children are usually returned intact. Mostly.

Charity lives with her father and almost-ex-stepmother in The Highlands, an exclusive gated community in Florida. Like the rest of the kids there, she goes to "satschool" remotely and almost never leaves The Highlands, except under heavy guard. When she becomes ill, kidnappers disguised as an ambulance come, and she is taken.

From her gurney in the ambulance, she gradually gets to know the young man who's guarding her, and the two of them argue and challenge each other about the rights and wrongs of the system, kidnapping, racism, etc. Eventually Charity is shocked by the identity of her kidnappers and must make a choice between returning to her old life or living a new way.

Great concept, good fodder for book club debate, but I wasn't as impressed with the writing itself- ideas felt too clearly laid out sometimes, like the characters were sharing position papers rather than having a conversation. Still, lots of action, plot twists and interesting ideas make it a good choice.

One or more of the different major plot twists may strike some readers as stretching credulity, or maybe it won't bother you at all. I usually just go with the flow when I'm reading, but even I thought the surprise twists were getting to be a bit much. Still, overall I liked it.