Doomed by Tracy Deebs

Doomed by Tracy Deebs

Doomed

Author: Tracy Deebs

Book Length: 481 pages

Release Date January 8, 2013

Content notes: YA grades 7-12 some violence and a very few off-color words

“I’ve been struggling with why anyone would do something so deliberately hurtful—especially if they ended up getting hurt themselves…I’m afraid my father is that man, only he’s set fire to the world. Is he sitting back somewhere, enjoying the show? Watching everything burn, even knowing that he’ll end up torched with the rest of us?”

Brief synopsis:

Honor student Pandora Walker is turning seventeen. Unfortunately, her workaholic mother is away and does not notice. So, when she receives an unexpected birthday email from her father, who she has not seen in ten years, she can not resist opening it even though she has been warned to never interact with him. Then, it turns out that her father is a cyber terrorist and is using Pandora to unleash a technology killing computer worm. Pandora and her two new friends (also honor students) Theo and Eli race against the clock to play her father's video game aptly named “Pandora’s Box” in order to save the world from this worm. They do this while being chased by homeland security and other authorities while following the clues to the game while civilization rapidly deteriorates.

My thoughts: 

This book is fast paced with a great plot. So many YA dystopian books I read take place years after some dystopian-causing event happens. This book is a dystopian setting in the making. Pandora is a normal hardworking student who suddenly finds herself in big trouble when she inadvertently causes world chaos. Also, she feels cornered and threatened by the authorities who should be asking her for help instead of brow-beating and terrifying her. I found that part a little strange, but frighteningly possible considering what was about to happen. The escaping, the running, and the danger make this book exciting and hard to put down. When I borrowed this book from the library, I thought I would not particularly like this book because of the computer game bit. And, I have to say that the computer game part is not bad, but is my least favorite part. However, the real-world part is fascinating. I liked reading Deeb’s ideas of how the world might fall apart during a crisis like this. I also liked how Pandora found one town that was not panicking, but dealing quietly and kindly with each other during the mess.

The characters:

I loved Pandora. She is scared, strong, and sometimes threatens to come unglued. She has a great sense-of-humor that helps her to keep going even when she is afraid of crumbling to pieces. When she gets in a plane, formerly housed inside a barn, with a seventeen year old pilot who just says “trust me” she wonders “about all the things that normally go into a flight—the ground controllers, air traffic controllers, the little guys with the orange sticks in their hands.” I had to smile at her thoughts. Pandora, even though her name is a little too … obvious… is very human in her thinking while showing great strength and character in her actions.

Eli:

The typical gets-anything-he-wants with a smile teenage boy (except he is an honor student). However, the teenage girl inside of me likes him.

Theo:

The typical “deep, brooding, and intelligent” teenage boy. It is not a surprise that he is an honor student. Also, the teenage girl inside of me likes him too.

More thoughts:

With the two boys, (who happen to be new step-brothers), and one girl triangle complete, you might think there is some competing with each other for the girl and you are right. However, this is not a huge part of the story. The action, the “game,” and saving the world are the story. No sappiness here, and I appreciate that.

This story has an interesting setting, lots of action, three likable characters, and a great idea for a great story. However I have to say that the plot sort of winds up quickly, and is not as satisfying as I would have liked… a little too sudden. However, I am glad I read this book because it was great fun, and it gave me lots to think about.