I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The plot of The Seclusion is one that will feel familiar: in a sheltered/dystopian future, someone is exposed to books from our time and realizes that their world is wrong. Think Farenheit 451. I think book readers (and book writers) are a sucker for this plot in large part because it elevates the importance of the books we love. (Quick tangent: with declining reading rates, I wonder when old movies or tv shows will become the source of the hidden knowledge in these stories.)

So, because it feels familiar, a book like this tends to rise or fall on the writing, characterization, world-building, and plotting. I thought this book hit the mark in all of those phases. Patricia is an engaging, thoughtful main character, and Rexx works as both comic relief and love interest. The writing is good, and the pacing left no significant lulls. The future America she paints is a believable extension of the current political climate, and her depiction of the effects of being cut off from the rest of the world are a logical extension of the Cubas and North Koreas of today.

My only criticisms in the plotting would be if the book is intended to be a stand-alone. If that were the case, then the late appearance of a villain, and certain plot threads left unresolved, would be unsatisfying. However, the book is almost certainly intended to be the first in a series, so those critiques would be premature. This book is a fine debut. I hope there’s a sequel. Recommended.

I loved the set-up of a dystopian, resource scarce USA hidden behind a vast wall, and that world was richly imagined. Patch was an interesting character and I enjoyed her unfolding realisation that her world was a lie. However, I felt the story lost momentum after Patch escapes Tucson, and I found the ending unsatisfying.

In 2090, America has walled itself off to the North and South, and citizens are heavily monitored to ensure their safety from terrorism, outside forces, or non-patriots. Patricia (or Patch) is a young woman who has only known a post-wall America, and she's starting to question what she's been told her entire life about the totalitarian government supposedly keeping her safe from what lies beyond the wall.

This has some very strong dystopian world building, with heavy influences from Trumpian rhetoric and politics of fear. The exposition lacked some subtlety and I worried the concept didn't feel fresh, but by the time I reached the halfway point of the book, I was totally enthralled by Patch and Rexx's journey. The Seclusion has everything I want from a fast-paced dystopian novel. I hope book two isn't far behind!

This was a well written book that took you on a ride into what the future could be like. The characters were well developed and I loved "Patch", I was rooting for her all the way through the book. I am definitely going to recommend this to the YA students I work with and make sure that our librarian has a copy in our library. I am really hoping that there will be a book 2!!!!

What a fantastic concept! Not many writers are able to pull such a complete story together without the feeling that they've ignored any inconveniences that don't mesh with their story line. This was well done.

When I first found Jacqui Castle on Inkshares, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book. I knew I had to have it right away, backed it, and then I was lucky to get an early copy from NetGalley.

Patricia Collins lives in a world surrounded by walls. In this future, where America is run by a Board of Directors, she has lived her entire life knowing she is safe. The country has been protected ever since The Seclusion, when society retreated behind huge barriers at each of our borders. Her work assignment, apartment, and even what she watches on TV is all planned for her. She doesn't have to think about anything. But when she discovers that her family has a history of rebellion against the government, she starts to question her role in this world. And when she digs deeper, she finds that she's willing to risk everything she loves in order to find out what is beyond the walls.

At first, it took me some time to connect with Patch as a character. She seemed somewhat boring, a doormat. But then I learned that everyone in this society is a doormat - they're sheep people, prodded by the government to do what they "should" do. This book's strength is Patch's character arc - her slow realization that she is not a sheep. She has the power to change her life, and it's worth doing, despite the risk. It's hard to say much without giving up the full story, but by the end, I was fully rooting for her and with her on her journey.

Much like THE HANDMAID'S TALE, it was a bit terrifying to think about this book in the context of our current situation, but I'm hoping that this story can be a mirror for our country. And I'm hanging on to the hope that is ever-present throughout the novel.

Full disclosure - Jacqui is a fellow Inkshares author, and we have worked together on a few projects. Review is honest, though. While I give most books 4-5 stars, I don't usually finish books that I'm not connecting with. I know that authors work so hard on their manuscripts, so I want to review the ones that I truly feel passionate about.

This book is eerily prophetic. First they built the southern wall. They built the northern wall. Then America gave up every freedom for it's own "safety". Although sometimes heavy handed, with a bit of uninspired dialogue, this book was a horror story of the worst kind. Surely the beginning of a series, I am afraid of where it (and we) might end up in this narrative.

Patricia lives to work for the Board, a totalitarian government that rules a futuristic version of America surrounded by a giant wall. When she and her friend Rexx make a discovery from the past however, she starts to question everything she has ever believed…

The Seclusion for me is very reminiscent of 1984 or Equilibrium - not that that is particularly a bad thing as I enjoyed both of those stories, it just makes it a little predictable in places. An indoctrinated protagonist who find something that tears their vision of the regime to pieces and makes them question everything they have held dear – it’s very standard. I must admit it’s well written, engaging and easy to read which got me to power through and finish it in 2 days so I can’t really hold its predictability too much against it.

The plot describes a world not too dissimilar from our own – particularly when you consider Trump and his Mexican wall – which makes it all the more chilling to read. This book is very much the start of a series – it ends on a cliff hanger which inspires you to want to pick up the next in the series to find out more. I did think occasionally the plot skipped over certain parts of the history of the world which I would have perhaps wanted to find out more about – but I think this may be explored later in the series.

Whilst I enjoyed the world building, the characters lacked a bit of depth for me. I loved how we are introduced fully to Patricia in her indoctrinated state which can be glazed over in other dystopian stories but felt the character progression wasn’t as deep as it could have been – both her and Rex felt two dimensional in places. I was particularly sad that Oliver’s character wasn’t as explored as he could have been – I would have liked him to open up a little more as a character.

Overall I did enjoy reading The Seclusion; it’s well written and chillingly focused on a world so very close to ours, however it’s predictability and lack of character depth let it down in places. Thank you to NetGalley and Inkshares for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With what is going down at the moment in America, believing that a wall is erected around America to keep the rest of the world out is not a far stretch for the imagination. I can completely see what happens in The Seclusion as a glimpse of the not-to-distant future if the loud mouth, brutish orange tinged current president and his sycophants have their way.

Castle does a great job of setting the stage for a futuristic America that is monitored, manipulated and controlled by America One - the new terrifying branch of government. Its chilling in its description and, I for one, am totally glad that if that happened I would be wayyyyy over in Australia where the craziest things our Prime Minister’s have done is scull beers and eat raw onions like apples.

While the premise and the suspense is fantastic, I would have loved the book to go a little deeper in regards to the characters. Both Patch and Rexx are very two dimensional. I felt like everything we learned about them was superficial. I didn’t really know what was in their hearts and soul. The only things we have to work with is surface things, like eye colour, skin colour etc.

The Seclusion is an easy read for tweens, but lacks conviction for an older audience. For fans of 1984 or The Hunger Games, the story is sorely in need of giving the reader a reason to care about these characters.

If you love dystopian novels and you enjoy anti-government stories where the protagonists are fighting back then you will enjoy The Seclusion.

What have been some of your favourite Dystopian novels?

Why? Why create a 22-year old protagonist to lead what could have been an ideal YA novel. This story COULD have been a great match for fans of DIVERGENT, LEGEND, and THE TAKEN. Instead, Castle unnecessarily loaded this novel with overly-detailed descriptions of apartment life, gardening, and office-life. Reframe the heroine as a 16-year-old, set her back in the dormitory when she spent her earlier years, and the result would be a captivating and compelling page-turner for a broad audience of YA readers. Lisa Brennan @noveltalk ~ Netgalley ARC

This is a book for fans of books like Divergent or The Giver as it goes deep into the life of one young woman as she slowly awakens to a greater world around her.

Patricia is satisfied with life. She's got a better job than most with more freedoms than many and has a caring family. The Board, the ruling group, won't tolerate anything beyond their rules, but she's okay with that. Until her and her best friend, Rexx, make a discovery which turns everything they've been taught on its head. Suddenly, Patricia finds herself a fugitive, something she never wanted to be.

The is an engaging, dystopian read which takes many of the lovely aspects found in this genre and builds them around a character with great depth. The author lets the reader get to know Patricia in and out, not at the point right before everything starts falling apart as in most dystopians, but earlier on. Much of the first half of the book is spent getting to know the daily life, dreams, and fears of Patricia as she lives fairly satisfied and convinced of the country and its policies. The doctrines and brief moments of information give light to the society and regulations, but the real dirt comes later on. This makes for a bit of a slower read in the first chapters, but also gives the reader a deepened connection to Patricia and understanding of her plight.

As the story progresses, the tension grows. It's hard not to become invested in Patricia and her struggles, making this is read hard to put down, especially toward the last chapters. Emotions are evoked while the plot builds, and the entire thing leaves off with a cliff hanger, begging to head off into book two to see what happens next.

Food for thought peppers the pages as the problems fall in bit by bit. A couple background pieces are fuzzy, but most sits pretty firm and allows the reader to sink into the story.

Fans of YA dystopian are sure to enjoy this one, especially if they like having a little time to dig deeper into the main character and society first. I'm looking forward to seeing where the next book will take Patricia and her friends.

I received a complimentary copy and found it interesting and engaging enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.

Seclusion follows the story of Patricia and her friend Rexx. It's a dystopian book, set in America yr. 2090. The United States has walled itself off from the rest of the world in the name of safety. "The board" is in charge and they keep Patricia safe, she thinks. The board made changes in the past and Patricia never really questioned why or what happened. As far as she knows the rest of the world is a wicked, violent place and she is kept safe by this wall around America. Patricia works in the natural environment department. She tests the soil for contamination. She works with her best friend Rexx. One day while exploring they find an old rusted out van. Even exploring the inside of the van could be considered treason against the board. This one small finding changes their lives forever.

I really enjoyed the book but Patricia didn't have the emotional depth that I believe someone would have in her situations. After finding out the whole world you know isn't true you would think that her emotions would be so out of whack. But she just acts normal. Even when imprisoned, her emotional capacity is just not normal for someone in that situation. I wish the author would revise that a little bit. If there is a sequel I will definitely read it.

In real life, the idea of building a wall to keep people out illegally sounds like a good idea to some people. But what if they built a wall that kept you in? Everyone in a place of authority lied the same lie, only let you know what you needed to know to do your job, and you couldn't speak of it outside of work? And then you find evidence of the real truth...I need the next book! This was amazing, easy to relate to reality.

The Quick Cut: A girl discovers that their perfect society isn't what it seems and ends up on the run with her BFF attempting to find the truth and escape.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Inkshares for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

All their lives, Patricia has felt safe and happy within the well confined walls of America. Having walled the whole country off from the rest of the world, it has claimed to rid itself of corruption, bad influences, and dealt with the problem of crime in the years since it has begun its isolation. This is the only reality she has ever known from the moment she was born and has enjoyed her life with her best friend Rexx. They work together in the Natural Resource Department to confirm the toxicity of the soil, water, and other environmental factors in the multiple areas around the country. Due to this work, they have plenty of access and freedom within the closely monitored system they live within. Its in one of these less monitored moments they discover a van from before America created the walls - and the truth of how their current society came to exist.

This story starts out strong and quickly turns into a very frightening tale of how protection can easily be distorted into complete control and manipulation of a people. The world created by the author is so real you can taste it as its painted as this lovely, equality based society where everyone has a place to be, health coverage, and a job. It doesn't take long before that mirage is twisted into what it really is: that these people are a select few from those who were originally here, the age of those who live is much shorter than it used to be, and the "rehabilitation" of those who don't follow the society's rules isn't nearly as heroic as they make it seem.

Patricia, known as Patch, starts out as a believer in the system. Her world was perfect and she loved her place in America until that van appeared and than Rexx spilled his guts on what he knew to be shortly after. Everything about what she believed in falls apart and all she can do is run forward or face the consequences of going against the Board in control of America now. Realizing that your entire life is a fabricated lie is huge and somehow she takes it entirely in stride in a way thats almost unbelievable.

I had a lot of nit picky issues the more I read this book. There are moments where I started to tune out because the story got a bit slow and the section at the end felt very rushed to me. WIthout giving away too much - I had an issue with that last interaction between Patch and Rexx. I don't get where Rexx comes to that conclusion and it bugs me that's what he would say. Really? I don't agree here and that's going to bother me awhile.

With a dark story that sheds light into what it would be like to live in a country with boundaries, this book successfully scares and delights readers by bringing them into the lives of Patch and Rexx.

I This was everything I want in a post apocalypse book. The world was as we know it is gone and the one Particia or "patch" is living in is a world where everyone and everything they do is monitored the place she lives is surrounded by a giant wall and they are told by the "board" (government as we know it is gone) that everything on the other side of the wall is bad and will kill them.
To say during this time we are in this book is a possible future for the U.S. may still be a stretch but its far closer to being a possible reality then it was 3 years ago. The character building for Patch was perfect weak mild to brave was a steady build. I absolutely loved this book and can not wait for the next installment.

As we are living in a time where we are discussing the height and depth of a wall separating America from its southern neighbors, and we have a president focused on putting America First, there is definitely some timeliness to this piece. The story was well told and engaging, serving as a dystopian warning that if certain trends continue, the result may be something we should not encourage to continue.

I really love the concept of this novel and the overall plot is excellent but the novel as whole left me feeling frustrated and ultimately unsatisfied.

My biggest complaint is that the book is really shallow. The main character has her entire life and everything she believed ripped out from under her and she just accepts it with barely a blink. I think the book would have benefited from a slightly slower pace and a bit more exploration of the emotional journey Patch is on.

Overall this is a solid novel with some really good concepts but it's too 2 dimensional for my personal preference.

ARC via Netgalley.

This was a quick read for me because once I started it, I couldn't put it down! With the political themes it hit very close to home. I think it will be successful, I worry though since it isn't set very far into the future if it will be outdated in 5/10 years. I believe teens and adults that enjoy dystopian story lines will enjoy this book and those that see the comparisons with the current political climate in our country right now. I highly recommend the book.

This book was so scarily wonderful. I will be asking every teen and fan of YA to read this book when it comes out. While not intended as a cautionary tale, its premise is so plausible in today’s world that the dystopian setting does not seem that far in the future. The premise is engaging, the characters are wonderful and well developed and the writing flows. As soon as I finished reading it, I wanted to start it again, I cannot wait until others can read and start talking about this book! It has an ending that leaves the reader satisfied. I sure do hope that the author writes a sequel soon, though, because I want more more more!

"The Seclusion" had a very interesting premise, but in the end it just reminded me of too many other books which were much better. It would be unfair to compare it to dystopian classics such as "The Handmaid's Tale" but ultimately it shares the same kind of world where information is limited, controlled or forgotten and the discovery of books from earlier really is nothing new, and in fact is a pretty tired and well used formula, as is an all controlling government. We really have been here before, many times.

I've seen a few YA tags on this book, but I thought it was too slow paced for most teenagers, but stronger readers may well enjoy it. Although it starts slow, it picks up when the main characters hit the road and the author's vision of this very different America which has isolated itself from the rest of the world was strong and well developed. But on the downside there were too many descriptions, which really lessened the pace and I found myself losing the thread.

In parts it was tough to get through and this area of fiction is a crowded market and I do not think this novel had enough going for it to separate itself from the pack.