In the labyrinth of literary genres, dystopian thrillers have carved out a distinct and increasingly popular niche among young adult (YA) readers. This genre, characterised by its exploration of societies in decline alongside government control and oppression, offers more than just a bleak outlook on the future; it provides a canvas for young adults to explore complex themes and emotions. The Outlaws by Emory Faith, the first in a trilogy, is one such novel. It takes readers into the year 2100 with a group of 20 year olds, to a future world emerging from the brink of extinction.
It’s the year 2100 and the world has been decimated by war after the world’s oil was depleted, followed by a devastating flood, leaving in its wake only 3 major cities ruled by King George from London. The world has been rebuilt but not as before: strict laws and rationing have allowed humanity to survive, everybody has a job and are assigned Roles. But peace is fragile, at risk from the Outlaws that live outside the city walls.
The Outlaws follows the Knight brothers, Johnny and Mike, and their friends who have just graduated from school. Mike has been assigned a Role in Engineering Tech, while Johnny has been given a Role in Guards (not what he wanted). While settling into their new Roles, Mike’s scientific genius leads him to a ground-breaking discovery that could revolutionise their world’s depleted energy resources. But with that discovery comes danger, not just for himself but for the peace of the world.
Overall, The Outlaws is a good fast-paced dystopian thriller that is more than just a story of survival and conflict; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of the choices we make and the power those choices hold. It is packed with action, adventure, fighting, betrayal and relationships, everything that will draw the reader into narrative that is as authentic as it is imaginative.
The story is told in the first person narrative from the point of view of Johnny and the story is told very well. It will challenge your perceptions of power, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with knowledge.
Set about 75 years in the future where war and flood have destroyed a good majority of the world, food is rationed, not to the point of being hungry but implanted chips determine how much food you require per day, alcohol is banned and tech is advanced, creating a peaceful society within the city walls. Outside the walls is a different matter, a place where The Outlaws rule, led by a very dramatic, brutal leader. A new war is about to start between the two factions.
The group of main characters; of Johnny, Mike, Cal, Scarlet and Winter are all well-crafted, each bringing something unique and different to the story, representing the internal and external struggles that define their world.
This is an action-packed adventure set in London ravaged by war and flood, a world that is actually very believable. With themes of war, climate change, the reliance on oil and plastics, it is a very relevant and thought-provoking read.
This is a story that will keep readers engrossed, a story where you find it quite difficult to find a good stopping point as you just want more. While it is a fictional story, it is founded in some very real environmental and social issues, wrapped in the thrill of a well-crafted adventure.
I loved reading The Outlaws and because I couldn’t put it down I found it a quick and very enjoyable read. I can’t wait for the second (and third) part of the trilogy.
The Outlaws delivers some very powerful messages, entwined in an exhilarating adventure that will resonate with young readers and adults alike. It has the perfect blend of action, betrayal, science, and moral dilemmas.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.99 (Paperback) / £4.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit emoryfaith.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
