Review Detail

What worked: Intriguing dystopian tale told in the POV of three friends who live with their families underground. Dr. Imogen Moran is their leader who tells them that life above ground no longer exists. She's charismatic and a cult-like doctor who has endless rules for all in the bunker to follow.

There's hints of something sinister really happening and readers don't find out the 'truth' until later in the story. I admit the pacing was slow at the beginning, but realize this was in order to show the world these teens live in and the harshness of their living conditions.

The cult-like environment is shown in very realistic ways such as how easy the parents look the other way whenever one of their children dares to question Dr. Moran. So are the doctor's rules and punishments for those who defy her.

The pacing does pick up after Gabe finds out the doctor isn't being totally honest with them. Here's where a paranormal-like element comes into the storyline. The teens confront the doctor and then some harsh truths come to the surface.

At times I was on the edge of my seat, especially when the teens hear noises that Dr. Moran brushes off on faulty pipes. I only wished for more suspense and action earlier in this otherwise engaging story.

Psychological horror thriller where teens confront the truth of their existence while living underground for ten years.