Title: Fallout
Author: Gwenda Bond
First published May 1, 2015
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781630790059 (ISBN10: 1630790052)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
Meet Lois Lane, a girl who has seen it all. From near-disasters to mysterious occurrences, she’s witnessed things that defy explanation.
Now, she’s starting a new life in Metropolis with her family, determined to fit in and fly straight. But things take a turn when she sees a group known as the Warheads making life miserable for another girl at school.
With her quick wit and new job as a reporter, Lois sets out to solve the mystery. But when it all becomes too overwhelming, she finds comfort in her online friend, SmallvilleGuy.
Join Lois in this thrilling adventure as she unravels the secrets of the Warheads and their high-tech immersive videogame.
About the Author
Gwenda Bond has authored numerous novels that have made it to the New York Times bestseller list. Notably, these include the Lois Lane and Cirque American trilogies, and the first official Stranger Things novel, Suspicious Minds.
Her recent works include the Match Made in Hell series, which includes Not Your Average Hot Guy and The Date from Hell, and standalone Mr. & Mrs. Witch.
In 2024, she is set to release The Frame-Up, a magical heist book, and the first volume in The Wayward Sisters historical romance series.
Beyond her writing, she has also cofounded Creators 4 Comics and the Lexington Writer’s Room, both focused on charitable efforts. Her nonfiction work can be found in publications such as Publishers Weekly, Locus Magazine, Salon, and the Los Angeles Times.
Gwenda has an MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and currently resides in a hundred-year-old house in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband and pets. Rumors have even circulated that she may have escaped from a screwball comedy!
For fans of Gwenda Bond, she also writes a newsletter that can be found at gwendabond.substack.com. You can connect with her online at @gwenda on Twitter.
Editoral Review
Fallout by Gwenda Bond is an intriguing depiction of the life of a teenage girl, wielding tremendous power in a world where she doesn’t fit in, literally. Published on May 1, 2015, the novel is a must-read for individuals who enjoy action, dystopian and young-adult fiction genres, and writing style similar to that of Suzanne Collins in the Hunger Games series.
The author, Gwenda Bond, is a critically acclaimed author of young adult fiction. Her debut novel, Blackwood, won the prestigious 2015 Locus Award for Best First Novel, among other nominations.
The book follows the journey of Lois Lane, who is a teenage girl with an overwhelming desire to protect the weak and marginalized. She is forced to move schools constantly, owing to her abilities, which don’t go unnoticed by the authorities.
However, she finds herself in a new school where she makes new friends and lands a role on the school newspaper team. Her investigative instincts lead her to uncover a sinister plot that ultimately puts her in the center of a dangerous conspiracy.
Bond brings an intense, dramatic flavor of storytelling to the novel, with action-packed scenes as Lois discovers that her gifts also bring her enemies, and the people in her life start to pay the price. Her character development is impeccable, and one can’t help but feel invested in her journey, from her awkwardness around her crushes to her rebellious nature when it comes to her own safety.
Lois Lane is a strong and resourceful character that girls and young women should aspire to be like. The pacing of the story is well-structured, and the setting is realistic, making Lois Lane’s world come to life.
The author cleverly integrates themes of family, friendship, love, and loyalty into the storyline, and the result is a book that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Although the book is a work of fiction, it touches on current events and issues of importance that are relevant in today’s world, particularly those concerning racism, inequality, and power dynamics.
The book’s underlying message is that every person has the power to make a difference, no matter their age, gender or abilities. One flaw of the book, however, is that the supporting characters seem underdeveloped at times, with their backstories and motivations not thoroughly explored.
However, this doesn’t detract much from the overall enjoyment of the book. In conclusion, I highly recommend Fallout by Gwenda Bond to young adults, especially females who are looking for a novel that combines adventure, hope, and inspiration.
The book is a piece of art that celebrates the resilience and strength of the marginalized and an excellent reminder that every person has a role to play in creating a better world for all. Given the book’s excellent writing, attention to detail, memorable characters, and themes, I give Fallout a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
