Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Resurrected super-soldiers find love in exciting adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Wren Connolly is a Reboot, shot in the chest five years ago, resurrected after 178 minutes, and turned into a fast-healing, super-strong, order-obeying soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation). Her job is to train new Reboots, but she meets her match in Callum Reyes, a new recruit only 22 minutes dead, easily the worst newbie she has ever met. But as Wren attempts to toughen up Callum so that he won't be \"eliminated,\" she begins to see how she and her fellow Reboots are being mistreated. And with that realization comes the terrifying possibility that she might disobey orders.
Is It Any Good?
REBOOT presents an interesting mix of dystopian science fiction and horror elements. Not quite a zombie love story, not exactly a hard-driving military adventure, it manages to blend disparate themes into a fast-paced, unpredictable tale full of action, conflict, and a dash of romance. Although she skimps a bit in fleshing out the logic of her Reboot-ridden near-future setting, author Amy Tintera does a good job of moving her protagonist from mindless obedience to agonized empathy, and sets up a launching pad for the next volume in the series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dystopian fiction in young adult literature. Why are teens attracted to science fiction stories about repressive governments and menacing technology?
Do governments ever hide secrets from their citizens? Are citizens ever justified in rebelling against repressive governments?
Would you be able to hurt another person if you were ordered to do so? Under what circumstances might you be able to use violence against someone?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTeen
- Publication date : May 7, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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