*thank you to Netgalley and Kennedy Plumb for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


4 stars!


Oohhhhh I really enjoyed this. At first I wasn't sure I was going to but it turned out to be pretty good! There was enough happen to keep you interested through so it didn't get 'slow and boring' in parts. I think though that my favourite part was really something mild. It was Sam, the main character's sense of humour. His sarcastic nature. I wanted more of that. But his little sister, Ella, was just as enjoyable. She got a few giggles from me and she was one character I could easily picture.

Each character was interesting to me and further into the story there is a surprising twist to it and ohh wow. Reading that scene made me so excited and happy for the characters. The chapters also have a nice touch to them by starting off with a few sarcastic (normally) words. This was also one of my favourite things about the book. These 'little' details make it much more fun to read.

Now. The cliffhanger. Dam it! I didn't know it was going to be a series so I wish book 2 was already available. I'm gonna have to find out how far away it is because I am most definitely interested to find out what happens next and about Vegas, the villain.

I would recommend this.

This follows the story of Sam (think of him like a very young 16 years old Marty McFly) and the story is told by him in first person style. He is a teen, but older than his age, because since he was 8 he was the male figure of this family, his father was drafted to fight in a war that he doesn’t know nothing about, and his mother (doctor) was told that she had to come to work almost immediately after Sam sister was born… all this is a bit fuzzy but during the book we learn more about what happened at this time…

Eventually Sam tell his sister (Ella) about her birth and after this the story really begins, and this is when I think the story drags a bit, but its like going in a roller coast. 😉

Of course, I won’t give any spoilers, and I do think this is a good YA adventure with a very dystopian feel to it, its like wool and a very young crew of brave new world mixed and both gave birth to buried. I just think that it could have been made a shorter book, but I still liked it, and someone who loves YA dystopian stories will probably like this.

I got an ARC of this book through Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Despite our current times feeling like a dystopian novel, I still find myself drawn to them when they pop up in my suggested reads. At least it's a different dystopian reality!

War has forced all over-18s into conscripted military service. Under-18s are forced to live in underground communities. We meet Sam in one of these communities with his little sister, Ella. Their parents are gone and Sam's one priority is to keep his sister safe. When she disappears after an argument, he is drawn into a conspiracy plot that goes a lot deeper than he could've imagined and he starts his quest to try and bring her back to safety.

I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of a mix of Hunger Games and the Wool trilogy by Hugh Howey. It also finished on a cliffhanger which is something I love to hate and, of course, leaves me looking forward to the next book.

Buried by Kennedy Plumb begins like most other dystopian books; teenagers are given a challenging world that they must overcome. In this world, we are underground in a massive city built to protect humanity from itself. Children, the elderly, and the wealthy are split between different districts representing the different classes. Whilst the Adults are sent to fight in the war. Quickly we are sent on a journey to save our lead character Sam’s younger sister. Along the way, Sam meets an unusual crew of people that soon become like a family to him and help him on his quest.

This book was very interesting and took a unique spin on the usual dystopian tale. The pictures, graphs, and memories in between chapters helped to bring the story and characters to life.

Our lead character Sam is sarcastic, awkward, and funny. A very loveable character all around. I wish there had been more of an opportunity to get to know the other characters in the story. It felt like every time we started to learn about someone new they would disappear and never make a reappearance in the story.

The only major negative I have is that the plot kind of dragged on, I personally prefer dystopian novels that are fast-paced. Some of the scenes felt unnecessary especially considering we really don’t get any answers about anything by the time the book ends. Maybe we could have learned more about why, when, and how the underground was created, or what was happening above ground.

Overall, this was a fun read. Although, I definitely wouldn’t say that this was my favourite dystopian read I would still recommend this book to any YA and dystopian fans.

I loved this book!!! I wasn't too sure what to expect at the beginning, but the world building and storyline is just amazing. Highly recommend

Buried has an enticing cover revealing a very good part 1 of a sure to be a popular dystopian series.

This is one of those books where the story slips back and forth between the time before Samuel and Ella were taken to the underground and the present. In the “before” Ella hasn’t even been born, and the account is told from Samuel’s point of view. He vividly remembers the day his father, Henry Carmichael left him and his then pregnant mother, Dr Annie Carmichael. Henry didn’t want to leave his family but in accordance with the Executive Order 153 all those over the 18 are to be conscripted and sent to fight in the war which is turning the United States to rubble, wreck and ruin.
Samuel realizes things are really bad when he overhears his dad and mom talking quietly when they think he is asleep. To further his fears, his dad has a serious talk with young Samuel, telling him that he is to look after his mom and the new baby sister when she arrives. Henry tells Samuel he is to be the man of the house when he has gone. Then the men come to take his father but it’s clear his father doesn’t want to leave his wife and son and soon to be baby girl.
Henry is instructed that he has only 5 minutes to say his goodbyes. Henry hugs Sam, kisses Annie and stoops to hug her pregnant stomach, turning and hugging Sam again until he is abruptly told his time is up, and he is escorted away. Then unbelievably one of the men informs Annie, she has just 7 days to self report to Phoenix HQ or they will be back to force her. Annie tries to reason with them telling them it took her 5 whole weeks to recover from her C-Section when she had Sam. The man indifferently shrugs and says he doesn’t make the rules.

The book then fast forwards to the present leaving the reader with many questions which get answered later. It’s 8 years later where the siblings are well into the underground of life in zone C9. Samuel really does keep his word to his parents to look after Ella and Sam has done a pretty good job raising a newborn to a ripe eight years. But alas, Ella and friend Eddie are mischievous and are always teaming up to play pranks. All in fun maybe, but the consequences in the underground turn severe one fateful day. Ella and Eddie play a prank on the guards, but, this time the authorities make a cruel and harsh example involving a vicious lashing where Samuel and Ella end up incarcerated. Here Samuel makes a life changing decision, He finally reveals the truth around exactly what happened at Ella’s birth. Shocked and upset as soon as the pair are released, Ella runs off and refuses to talk to her brother who has only done what he felt was best for his sister.

Here the story takes on a new vibe as Samual leaves C9 to search for Ella whom he fears could be severely hurt by a villain we come to know as Vegas. He meets a ragtag group who make deliveries to all the underground zones. He suspects Ella is now in E2 so this suspicious group may be his best chance at reclaiming Ella. The group is covert and go by nicknames to hide their identity… Steele, Red, Beardsley, Layla, Q and a young likeable disabled boy who goes by Ponyboy. And of course everybody’s favorite, Luna the lovable and faithful dog. A note of humor in an otherwise serious situation, Samuel is dismayed to learn they have nicknamed him Pretty Boy.

This book covers difficult subjects, one in particular is the way those with disabilities are treated. They are basically slaves to those in the Elite zones, and sometimes are beaten for what can only be described as the amusement of the elite.
The book is fairly fast paced and kept this reader engaged until the end. From what I previously knew about the book is that it has an unsatisfying in my opinion and abrupt ending so the reader must await the sequel. Oh well that’s my problem.

I did want to know more about the aspects of life underground. How did they get the canopy of trees to grow, lighting that resembles day snd night food and supplies.., you know the basics? When was the underground established?Was it before Sam and newborn Ella arrived 8 years earlier. Also, a little more as to why all the children are basically prisoners. What is going in the above? I guess that’s for the second book to reveal.

I've been on a huge dystopian kick lately and this book did not disappoint. The world building is amazing. There are a lot of original ideas going on and I love that. It was little slow going and drug in parts but overall it's a solid read. It did end on cliffhanger which is frustrating but patiently waiting on book 2.

Loved this book although I am a bit annoyed with the author.
The author knows why so no spoilers here.
I can't wait for the next book of this series fingers crossed its out this year. I need to find out what happens next.
Was given a copy of this from netgalley.

This was a great book! As a middle school teacher I appreciate that it was written with middle schoolers in mind and I think my students will love it. It has action and drama with several edge of your seat moments but also humor mixed in to ease the tension. The author leaves you with a huge cliffhanger and the promise of a sequel.

After I started reading the book I just couldn't stop reading, because I found immediately in the storyline and I loved that it was so unique. It is good that there are many description and details that tell the story. I really thought that the characters like the Main character was interesting. It is definitly a very good dystopian story and I really enjoyed reading this book.

Firstly thank you to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Also thank you to @kenn_plumb for writing such a fantastic story! This was my first ever dystopian novel and I can definitely say I will now read so many more.

At first I was intrigued by the cover of the book. That's mainly what made me request to review it. The circular, dark landscape that shows one of the zones really got me wondering what it all represented.

Between the chapters I came across graphs, memories and pictures which aided me to visualise more of the world Sam & his sister reside in. This was definitely an added bonus and added character to the already enticing storyline.

The characters each had their own personalities and their traits were made clear through the authors story-telling. Some characters were definitely more likable then others. I found myself rooting for Sam and mission to find his sister.

The plot of the story was similar in ways to those we live in or have lived through and I found it quite easy to relate to on the whole.

@kenn_plumb is there a number 2 coming soon? (Sitting here fingers crossed) 🤞

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an arc.

I love a good dystopian book and this just hit the mark for me. World War 3 happened and as a result every adult is drafted to aid in the war and the children are sent to live underground. Sounds great, right?

We follow the story of Sam Carmichael, 16 and his sister, Ella, 8. Unknown to Ella, Sam is harbouring a deep secret which leaves him with nightmares every night. A secret he doesn't want to tell her about because he longs to keep the hope in his sisters heart that their parents are alive and well.

When he finally tells her the truth she runs away from him, understandably upset, and becomes the next minor to go missing in a line of missing children, Ella being the sixth. Sam's desperation to find his sister leads him to discovering a government operation, but what is they want? And why do they need children to do it?

Aided by an unlikely friend, Sam makes his escape from C9, the zone he lives in, to find his sister and bring her home. Along the way he saves a group of nomads from security guards and with their help he makes his way to E2, one of the elite zones, but nothing will prepare him for what he'll discover along the way.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: EXECUTIVE ORDER 153.

Burried by K.P. follows protagonist Samuel and his sister Ella, who are living in Underground zones. 8 years ago, due to war and ex. order 153, all men and women living as citizens of USA between ages 18 and 65 are drafted for involuntary military deployment. You guested it - leaving children in the hands of US government.

After their father is taken away from home and his mother.. (*sobs uncontrollably while reading chapter 9) well, you will find out.. Sam is trying his best to take care of Ella, while enduring grey life in C9 zone. Despite grim surroundings and drafting getting closer, Sam hasn't lost his humor to lighten up mood while interacting with batman/Ella and their friends - Teo and Eddie.

''What can I say, sometimes my sarcastic tongue just gets the better of me''.
You and me both Sam, you and me both.

Without spoilers: after some unfortunate prank, unfair consequences (Chief, you absolute d***) and heartbreaking revelation to Ella about their mother, Sam has to embark on journey, to find his missing sister.

This YA dystopian book (that has beautiful cover btw) gave me tad Hunger Games vibes. Especially when world building in E1 and E2 is introduced. Book also includes horrible treatment for people of disabilities, and situation, where dog is hurt (would love to actually punch certain characters).

Overall this was a quick and entertaining read. I finished this book in a heartbeat. There were scenes that I wished could be shorter and not dragged as much. Plot is there, yes. But strangely, somehow story felt slow and rushed at the same time. Some parts were bit clichéd, but as I said, I did enjoy this story and will be waiting to read next book.
Oh, and I loved illustrations, that occasionally appeared for context. That was refreshing :)

*** So, if you enjoy dystopian setting, difficult subjects, rag tag group of people and sarcastic humor -this book is for you. ***

Thank you, NetGalley and Kennedy Plumb, for the ARC. This was my honest review.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A new dystopian United States (with excellent world building) - Check
An oppressed teen desperately trying to hold his family together - Check
A smart, brave German Shepherd named Luna - Check
A rag-tag group of semi-outlaws who try to help - Check
A surprising villain - Check
A cliffhanger ending that leaves you impatiently waiting for the next book - Check

I really enjoyed Kennedy Plumb's Buried. Since he was just 8 years old, Sam has protected his little sister Ella. With their parents gone and all the children being forced to live in Zones underground Sam does what he can to make life a little easier for Ella. When Ella disappears, Sam must work with a surprising ally to break out of the Zone and save her.
There is very little language and no sex. There is some graphic violence against a child, and some deaths described in detail.
I recommend this for students 7th-12th grade.

It was definitely the cover that first drew my attention to this book. The silvery grey metallic colour of the cover with the circular black landscape-esque cut out that shows the dark but vibrant blue representing one of the zones of the underground described in the book. I think this book cover should really make this book standout on a bookstore shelf. IT would certainly make me want to pick it up and learn more.
Then the blurb tells you just enough about the society and world they are living (suffering in) to encourage you to be eager to learn more.



The book goes back and forth between “before” Samuel & Ella were taken to C9 and the “present” where they are “now”. In the “before” Ella hasn’t even been born, and it is told through Samuels eyes from his point of view. He remembers clearly the day his father, Henry Carmichael left him and his then pregnant mother, Dr Annie Carmichael. Henry didn’t want to leave his family but in accordance with the Executive Order 153 all those over the 18 are to be conscripted and sent to fight in the war which is turning the United States to rubble, wreck and ruin.
Samuel realises something bad is about to happen as he hears his dad and pregnant mum talking quietly when they think he is asleep. Later his dad Henry has a serious talk with young Samuel, telling him that he is to look after his mum and the new baby girl when she arrives. Henry tells Samuel he is to be the man of the house when he has gone. When the men come to collect his father it’s clear his father doesn’t really want to go. One of the men tells Henry he has just 5 minutes to says his goodbyes. Henry hugs Sam, kisses Annie and stoops to hug her pregnant stomach, turning and hugging Sam again until he is abruptly told his time is up, and he is escorted away. Another man approaches Annie, informing her she has just 7 days to self report to Phoenix HQ or they will be back! Annie tries to reason with them telling them it took her 5 whole weeks to recover from her C-Section when she had Sam. The man simply shrugs and replies saying he doesn’t make the rules!
It’s in a flash-back to the “before C9” later in the book we discover that Annie goes into labour earlier than she expected with no one around to help her but Samuel. Luckily as Annie is a Dr she can instruct Samuel to do the emergency C-section she needs to save Ella’s life. Sadly, Annie dies, leaving Samuel with little baby Ella to care for. We then learn, in accordance with the Executive Order 153 they are taken into one of the underground zones. The one they end up in together is C9.

The book in the “present” is set around 8 years later after the sibling’s arrival at C9. Samuel really does keep his word to his parents to look after Ella as best as he can. When they first arrive at C9, those in charge try to separate the, taking Ella to a nursery to be cared for. Ella will not settle for anyone else other than her brother Samuel, so they have to allow him to care for her. Samuel and Ella share a room with two brothers, Teo and Eddie. Ella and Eddie are always teaming up to play pranks on their older brothers, and despite the language barrier the two sets of siblings soon find a way to teach each other words in each other’s native languages to communicate. When Ella and Eddie play a prank on the somewhat miserable guards and the whole of C9 is being punished it seems highly likely someone will turn her in. Before this can happen, Samuel who is no stranger to being punished admits that he is the guilty party despite him knowing and everyone else knowing it is Ella. Shockingly a decision to punish Ella in the place of Samuel who they see as a repeat offender is made. It hurts Samuel more, watching and hearing his younger sister whom he has always protected being lashed than if it were him being beaten.
When they pair are put in a punishment cell, Samuel ends up revealing the truth around exactly what happened when Ella was born. Shocked an upset as soon as the pair are released, Ella she runs off away from Samuel refusing to talk to him.

I really don’t want to reveal much more but it turns out Ella has been kidnapped, and with a little help from an old friend of his fathers, Samuel is released from C9 to go find his sister. The only information Samuel has is that the kidnapping is all part of a big plan by someone called Vegas and that his sister is probably in E2. Samuel meets up with a rather rag tag group of people who live outside the zones making deliveries to all the different zones. It takes some convincing but they eventually seem to accept Samuel into their group. Though infuriatingly for Samuel he is given a nickname as none of the group go by their real names anymore and he is now being referred to as “Pretty boy.” The others in the group are leader and driver Beardsley, then there’s a man named Red, and a young disabled boy called Ponyboy. The females in the group are Steele, Lala and Q and her faithful dog Luna. In an ironic twist it turns out that Samuel knows Lala’s sons from C9 the zone he “escaped” from.

This book covers some really difficult subjects, one in particular that really resembles real life to me is the way those with disabilities are treat. They are basically slaves to those in the Elite zones, and treat no better than animals really and sometimes are beaten for what can only be described as the amusement of the elite.

There really are some fantastic characters in this book, both on the “good guy” side and the “bad guy” side too. Each of the rag tag bunch of characters have their own stories, such as Lala wanting to find and reunite with her sons. I felt almost immediately attached and concerned about the welfare and lives of the main characters of Samuel & Ella Carmichael. Though I equally warmed to the characters of Q, Lala, Steele, Ponyboy and the others too.

I honestly adored this book and hated having to put it down, even to sleep! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting more, as the next book is definitely on my must read list already.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this book were Wow! How could it end right there? Amazing book cover, brilliant book, I can't wait to read more!!

Summing up, this book has great characters, world building & plot too!! I highly recommend reading this one. What a fantastic book to finish up 2021 with!!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A really good read, good characters, great plot good storytelling. Recommended.

Slow start, and there are a lot of gaps in the world-building, but the premise of the book is solid and sets up nicely for a sequel (of course - do any YA books come as stand-alones anymore?). I liked the relationship between Sam and his sister Ella, and enjoyed the plot twists throughout the book, but I'm not sure I'd pick up the second book. I love a good YA dystopia, but there wasn't enough connection for me to care about what happens to the characters next.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I went into this with zero expectations and ended up really enjoying the book. There is so much to admire here: the worldbuilding is phenomenal, so many interesting ideas are integrated into the world and I liked that the world wasn’t so far removed from our own, which made it more believable. Dystopian novels have been done to death and I have read a lot of them. I was afraid that this novel would just borrow from other books in the genre but I didn’t get that idea at all. A lot of the ideas here feel fresh and original.

I also liked that the characters acted their age, especially our main character Sam. It really felt like I was reading about a teenage boy. so often in these novels I feel like I’m really reading about much older people. The way they talk and act often do not fit their ages. Teenagers say and do dumb things sometimes, and they don’t always think things through. This book really felt like I was reading about a character that was about sixteen years old.

The plot was interesting and had moments that I didn’t see coming. My main gripe with the novel is that I feel like it was a little too long. I think there are some scenes at the beginning and towards the middle that could have been shortened or maybe even cut altogether. It really takes a while for the story to get going and I would have loved for the action to start a little sooner.

As far as the writing goes, I am not really a fan of present tense so I had to get used to that. I also felt like the author was using a lot of telling instead of showing. Although there are some instances in which I prefer telling, I mostly like authors that show us things with the text. At the same time I liked a lot of the dialogue in the book, and the inner turmoil the main character experienced was palpable!

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I’m definitely among those that will check out the second installment when it’s released. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy this specific genre.

I really enjoyed the first 2/3rds of this book. Unfortunately, at that point, it started to rush and became a bit of a garbled mess. I'm disappointed, because it was really good at first.