Gated
Amy Christine Parker
Language: English
Pages: 368
ISBN: 0449816001
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
A fast-paced, nerve-fraying contemporary thriller that questions loyalties and twists truths.
Appearances can be deceiving.
Lyla Hamilton is a loyal member of the Community. Her family was happy to be chosen by Pioneer to join such an lovely gated neighborhood. Here, life seems perfect.
But after meeting Cody, an outsider boy, Lyla starts questioning Pioneer, her friends, her family--everything. And if there's one thing not allowed in the Community, it's doubt. As Pioneer cleverly manipulates his flock toward disaster, the real question is: Will Lyla follow her heart or follow Pioneer over the edge?
From the outside looking in, it's hard to understand why anyone would join a cult. But Gated tells the story from the inside looking out, and from behind the gates things are not quite so simple. Amy Christine Parker's beautiful writing creates a chilling, utterly unique YA story. Perfect for fans of creepy thrillers and contemporary fiction alike.
"A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for breath as you race to the very last page." --Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten
HelloGiggles.com, August 3, 2013:
"When I found out that there was a YA book about cults, of course I had to read it. As it turns out, Amy Christine Parker’s Gated is an awesome, creepy book that reminds me of my favorite cult films while still being surprising."
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2013:
"Parker doesn’t pull punches, indicating a level of brutality that will appropriately disturb even as it successfully conveys Lyla’s complete entrapment in the Community. Compelling and not that distant from real-world cults that have ended in tragedy."
Publishers Weekly, June 10, 2013:
"Parker skillfully explores the mindset and inner workings of an apocalyptic cult, steadily building toward the inevitable moment of truth...As for the apocalypse itself, Parker keeps things suitably ambiguous, resulting in a complex, intriguing tale rooted in real-world events."
School Library Journal, October 2013:
"This well-plotted tale will allow readers a glimpse into the possible world of a doomsday cult...The language is accessible, making it a good choice for reluctant readers. After the last page is turned, the question will linger: 'Could I ever be deceived like this?'"
Examiner.com
"A well-rounded and thorough look into cults while still remaining entertaining throughout. I look forward to reading more of Parker's works in the future."
From the Hardcover edition.
doesn’t seem to notice the strange tension between us. He won’t look at me now. His eyes are glued to the stalls on his side of the stable and the horses inside them. “Um, I’m not exactly a big fan of these guys,” he says, and his face goes pink. “Really? Why?” I stop just before Indy’s stall and drop Cody’s arm. Cody stays in the middle of the walkway. He still won’t turn fully to face me. It hits me then. “You’re afraid of them,” I say slowly. I have to work at keeping my face straight
hay and horse manure after this morning’s ride—not nearly as pleasant a combination as his is. I put a little space between us. I show him everything but the orchards. He doesn’t seem to care when we pass the road that leads into them without stopping. We finish up by the pond and settle into the grass to wait for his father. I’m surprised we’ve been left alone this long. A few other members of the Community are out in the garden, and there were a few others by the stables, but mostly the entire
Asteroids. Solar flares. He read us the story of Noah. He said that we were just like Noah and his family. Their god had told them that something was coming, something most of humanity wouldn’t survive, and so Noah prepared his people. He braved the chiding and disbelief of the rest of his community, gathered those few who did believe to him, and built them an ark to ride out the coming storm, just as Pioneer had us build the Silo. When Noah’s flood finally came, the scoffers finally saw the
We have at least ten large fans blowing, but the breeze is no cooler and my shirt feels like a second skin. My entire body is grainy, like the sandpaper in my hand. I adjust my face mask and try to take a breath, but between the heat and the dust, I’m slowly suffocating. Marie and I are supposed to be sanding down the carved areas of a couple of dressers with fine-grit sandpaper before they’re taken to be stained. At first we work feverishly, but with the heat as bad as it is, it isn’t long
looks it over. I tell him about the horses and about Pioneer locking me in the cell and about Marie. By the time I stop talking, he’s not the only one listening. All the men in the stable are staring at me. The sheriff looks over at one of the other men and then takes the map from my hand. “How long ago did he do this, Lyla?” I try to think back, but I don’t have an answer. I was in the supply room cell long enough to lose track of time completely. I’m still not entirely sure what day it is or
