I don't normally do dystopian books, minus The Hunger Games and maybe one or two others. However the setting of this one was really unique! The pacing and story were also both good. Would definitely recommend.

This was perhaps not my best choice to read shortly before we go on a cruise! It’s been decades since the passengers on the cruise ship Arcadia have floated near the coastline of the Federated States, left isolated because of possible exposure to a deadly virus. In that time, life aboard the ship has devolved to the haves and have-nots, to the upper and lower decks, to gangs and military police. Esther has never stepped out of line and is studying to become a medic with the hopes of being one of just a few citizens who are granted land access. But then she finds herself unwillingly drawn into a plot to rebel against the order of the ship, and is forced to make choices she never thought she’d have to.

I found my thoughts wandering a lot during this read, as the pacing was a little slow for me and I wanted more character development. I think this was definitely a case where the YA novel is more to be enjoyed by its age-appropriate audience

This was such a well-done novel and I have to give a huge shout-out to Sarah Daniels for the amazing world-building and the hard-hitting issues that were brought up in the novel. I love a good multiple POV book and this is delivered in the best possible way. I know some can find it hard to keep track of the characters and the storyline in multiple POV books but this was done immaculately. This book has all the typical YA hit points like drama and action, but ties in social issues and governmental issues that are faced after the virus outbreak. The only issue I found with this book is that it was a bit of a slow starter but I can look past that due to the book itself being so fantastic. If you love dystopian and futuristic novels I highly suggest picking up this book because you will not be disappointed.

This was such a cool dystopian novel, and I think it stands out from all the others because of the isolated setting. Being set on a cruise ship was such a unique addition, and I think it made everything more intense because you knew there was no escaping. The bad guys were always with you on the ship. I loved that this was multi POV, and another unique thing about this story was that we got the POV of the villain. Getting the POV of the villain in this story offered such a unique insight and made you read root against him. I loved that we followed multiple relationships in this book, and wow, was it a stab in the heart. I enjoyed the main characters, Ester and Nik, as well. This was such a cool take on the dystopian genre!

Wow, this was a really interesting futuristic dystopian book,. If you enjoy Hunger Games, Maze Runner then this will likely appeal.

I wasn't sure at first as had taken me a while to start the book, but the more I read, the more I enjoyed it and wished I'd read it sooner. I picked this up on Audible to catch up on my reviews and really enjoyed the different narrators, so look forward to listening to book 2 in the series,

The Arcadia, was once an luxurious cruise ship, now has become a refugee camp following a war and now floats near the coastline of the Federated States (part of the former USA) The ship has been prohibited from making landfall for 40 years and houses many people, far more than was originally built for, with all kinds of factors, gangs on board on the different levels.

This book is about Esther a trainee medic awaiting the chance to leave the ship and further her career on dry land but becomes involved with a rebel.

A really interesting book, which I could easily imagine as a movie or tv show. Its listed as a young adult, scifi, thriller, dystopian thriller but I think will be enjoyed by many adults if made more freely available or advertised more could become very popular.

This isn't my typical genre of reading, but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the plot & the pace of the book, the multi-POV aspect is very beneficial to the story and understanding the characters. I feel like Esther gives off Katniss Everdeen vibes. Will definitely be on the lookout for more books by this author in the future.

This was decidedly middle of the road for me. It was...fine? But I found the plot derivative of too many other dystopian novels and I felt like the main characters and energy of the book never quite took off for me. I would likely consider purchasing this if my students were more interested in this kind of science fiction, but as its not super popular at the moment I don't think this is a book I'm likely to purchase.

I think this had a really interesting premise and I really wanted to know what happened. I think this is a good debut but could have used some work. I also don't love how it ended - a lot of unanswered questions.

The Stranded is a super interesting premise, and was one of those books that sucked me in bit by bit until I just had to see how things turned out. There were a few interesting characters, but overall, my favourite part of this book was the worldbuilding. There were a lot of cool details that made this one an enjoyable read.

An engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend and will purchase several physical and digital copies for library collections. Thank you!!

The Stranded takes place on a once luxurious cruise ship that has not allowed its passengers to disembark for forty years because of risk of exposure to a deadly virus. Esther is one of these people. She is sixteen and working for the rare chance to be a medic on land. Her plan goes awry when she saves an injured boy named Nik, who is a rebel with the goal of liberating everyone.

I liked the different perspectives this story is told through, including both Esther and Nik. The setting was definitely what intrigued me to pick up this book.

DNF. I tried repeatedly to read this book and I just couldnt get into it. It's just not for me. I'm sorry. If/when I finally finish it, i may come back here and revise my review.

The Stranded isn't as action packed as I thought it was going to be off the snyopsis. I still honestly enjoyed this book for what it was, but it wasn't something over the top amazing.

I didn't love any of the characters, which always makes it hard for me to truly get into the book.

I think this could have been better if some things were tweaked, but it was a good YA dystopian novel

THE STRANDED – by Sarah Daniels

‘Good evening. It is 17:00 hours on Sunday 24 October 2094. This is the captain of the cruise ship Arcadia . . . . All passengers please be prepared for high seas. Daily reported Virus cases: zero. Days at sea: 15,934 . . . .

‘The Arcadia’s isolation has lasted four decades. Long enough for my grandparents to die and my parents to grow up here. Every generation hoping that the Federated States will finally believe we’re not Virus carriers and let us go ashore. But, even after all this time without an outbreak, we can’t shake the infectious label. Some people in the Federated States still campaign to send us back to the wastelands of Europe, or to some barren, rocky island to be forgotten.’

My Heart! That ending was INTENSE and leaves me hoping for a sequel centered around these bad*** women!

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire, for providing me with an eBook of THE STRANDED at the request of an honest review.

"The Stranded" by Sarah Daniels is a riveting near-future dystopian novel that captures the essence of human resilience, the complexity of societal structures, and the indomitable will to seek freedom and justice. Melding the intense survival scenarios reminiscent of "The Hunger Games" with the post-apocalyptic resilience found in "Station Eleven," Daniels crafts a world that is both terrifyingly plausible and fascinatingly unique.

Set aboard the Arcadia, a once-luxurious cruise ship turned refugee camp, the narrative explores the lives of its inhabitants who have been marooned at sea for forty years, forbidden from making landfall. This setting—a microcosm of a society that has developed its own class system, complete with the haves and have-nots, gangs, and makeshift shelters—serves as a poignant backdrop for exploring themes of power, inequality, and rebellion.

Esther, a loyal and dedicated citizen of the Arcadia, dreams of a life beyond her constricting reality, aspiring to become a medic and earn the rare privilege of living on dry land. Her character represents the hope and aspiration of many within the Arcadia, clinging to the belief in a system that promises advancement for the hardworking and diligent. Her journey is one of awakening and realization, as she comes to understand the true nature of the society she inhabits.

Nik, on the other hand, is the embodiment of defiance and rebellion. Planning something monumental to liberate the Arcadia's residents, his character introduces the themes of revolution and change. His determination and willingness to fight for a better future challenge not only the oppressive structures in place but also the beliefs and loyalties of those around him, including Esther.

The beauty of "The Stranded" lies in Daniels' ability to weave together the personal growth and evolving relationships of her characters with the broader struggle for freedom and equality. The romance that blossoms between Esther and Nik serves as a powerful narrative drive, symbolizing the merging of different ideologies and approaches to fighting for justice. Their relationship, fraught with challenges and shaped by the harsh realities of their world, adds a deeply human element to the story, making it both a heart-pounding adventure and a poignant love story.

Daniels' world-building is meticulous and immersive, drawing readers into the life aboard the Arcadia with vivid descriptions and a keen sense of the desperation and hope that coexist among its residents. The novel raises important questions about authority, rebellion, and the ethics of survival, making readers ponder what it means to be truly free and how far one should go in the quest for justice.

Described as Snowpiercer meets The Hunger Games in a gripping near-future dystopian... That got me interested!

The story started slow for me but it builds a bit, ultimately I felt it too lagging to continue.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2023. I was obsessed with the description and the cover. I loved the books, I loved the characters and the storyline. I cannot wait to continue on!

Honest review in exchange for arc. This book took awhile for get me into it. It was good at times but other scenes just felt dragged out. The writing style was good and what kept me going. The characters were mostly likable. The ending is what made me glad I stuck with it

I liked the premise but couldn't get into this one enough to finish it. It was just too long I think. If it were about half the length, it would have been great.

The Arcadia has been floating for forty years. The residents aren’t allowed on land for fear that they carry a virus that hasn’t existed for decades. Esther is training to be a medic to one day leave the ship but then gets caught up in her sister's secrets.

This book was an excellent post-apocalyptic dystopian novel that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. The point of view switches between Esther, Nik, and Hadley, which can sometimes be confusing, but I appreciated how readers could gain a new perspective throughout the book. The storyline kept me interested, and the pacing was perfect. The claustrophobia and horror of the situation were perfectly established by the author. They also managed to portray how the challenges faced by the characters in the story could easily occur in reality. I recommend this great debut!

Thank you to NetGallery and do Sourcebooks Fire for my copy of the book.