ATTENTION READING PASSENGERS, THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING!

This is a YA dystopian novel you DO NOT want to miss! Jump on board for the cruise ship ride of your life where you will cruise in... ummm... yeah, you will cruise to destination nowhere for the mere price of your whole entire life.

Forty years after biological warfare, there are 16 stranded cruise ships being told they can not dock anywhere due to possibility of contagion. There is a split within the United States during the war with states seceding and forming their own country, The Federated States. Life on the ship is tough. The ship is breaking down and there are food rations being implemented. There is a small class being held for medics and the chance at getting to be allowed to come ashore and live on land. Things seem very bleak.

Told from multiple viewpoints of passengers on the ship, this novel takes off not like a cruise ship, but rather a rocket ship--blasting off at full speed. There are nods to current situations in the world, making this a fun, fast, relatable read. I can not say enough good things about how this book sets the pace for a sure to be exciting series!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers #Sourcebooks, and the talented author #SarahDaniels for extending an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions

My full review will be posted on all my social media sites, blogs and retail sites upon release day in January of 2023.

<i>The Stranded</i> was an incredibly fun YA dystopian novel. Told from multiple perspectives, we learn why the Arcadia, previously a luxury cruise ship, is docked along what remains of the United States and how very few people are permitted to leave the ship for a better life on land. Life on the ship is rough, with it slowly breaking down after so many years 'at sea', and the inhabitants' lives are still a debated political matter. I enjoyed our main characters and seeing Esther's character growth in particular. Our villain had an interesting and fleshed out backstory, that showed (rather than told) tidbits of the situation in the Federated States.

Well-written and fast-paced from the start, <i>The Stranded</i> was a ride. There was little expanse on the state of the world, which was fitting for this first novel as it takes place on the ship where news is heavily regulated by the Federated States. I think this will turn out to be an excellent series and I look forward to learning more about the world in the next book. Loved it, and I'm looking forward to book two!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oooooohhhhhhh this book was so so good!! WOW. The plot was so interesting and creative and left me on the edge of my seat. I could not wait to see what happened. I really hope that this is going to be a series because I need to know what happens next. Without giving you too much information: Imagine being stranded on a cruise ship for 40ish years, You might have even been born on the ship. You are not permitted to leave the ship, the powers that be have everyone on a tight lease. You can’t talk about what’s happening on other ships - it could get you killed. How long would you live in those conditions?!?

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I don’t typically like dystopian novels, but this one was amazing! It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. The action for me was just the right amount and man there were a few characters I couldn’t stand and some made me want to scream at them to get moving. That to me makes a great book! I felt like I was right in the action and seeing and smelling what was really happening. Great character development and the scenes were drawn so richly I could see everything.

This was a great read from the first word to the very last word.

The Stranded is a YA dystopian fiction set in the near distant future on board a stranded cruise ship. Forty years after a biological war in Europe, several cruise ship sit along the coast of the Federated States, under quarantine and strict government rule. The story follows sixteen year old Nik, a member of the resistance - the group trying to end the ships' quarantine and free its residents - and sixteen year old Esther who unwillingly gets swept up into the resistance's plans. We also follow Hadley, the commander of the soldiers who are sent onto the ship to keep the residents in line.
I did enjoy this book, it was fast paced, with lots of action moments in the plot. I liked the alternating POVs between the three characters. Hadley's chapters gave an interesting look into the villain's choices and actions. .
I do think I could have used a little bit more world building; The Federated States are part of the former United States, but it's never fully explained what parts - there's talk of a "southern border wall" but there wasn't much more of a geographical description, so I had a hard time visualizing what area of the country the story was taking place in. Also, the events are taking place 40 years after the war, but there seems to be nobody alive who was on the ship when it originally left Europe. Esther's grandparents were on their honeymoon, and her parents were born on the ship, so in theory her grandparents could be in their 60s, but are all dead with little discussion as to what happened to the original passengers of the ship.
Overall, I found The Stranded to be an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of dystopian thrillers. It is the first in a duology, and I look forward to reading the second half of this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dystopian YA is a beloved genre, but often falls victim to overused tropes. This story struck me as a bit more unique. I was so impressed by the near-future apocalyptic world debut author Sarah Daniels created on what was once a luxury cruise ship called the Arcadia. In the aftermath of a war the passengers and now their offspring have been forced to live at sea, essentially as refugees, for 40 years. We've got lots of action, sophisticated sci-fi tech, gangs, secret loyalties, an evil government, and the rebels who set out to liberate the people of the Arcadia. Definitely looking forward to the conclusion of the duology!

Short synopsis: A stranded cruise ship The Arcadia, has been floating off the coast (full of passengers for 40 years to avoid the spread of a deadly virus.

My thoughts: It’s been awhile since I’ve read a dystopian novel and this was the perfect one to jump into. Action packed from the first pages all the way through to the cliffhanger ending. I will be anxiously awaiting July 2023 when the second book in this duology is published.

Ester is training to be a medic and hoping to get sent to land to complete her training and Nik is a rebel planning to overthrow the Arcadia’s government. And we also get the point of view from Hadley, with glimpses into why he makes the decisions he makes.

I loved the multiple POV and how they all interconnected with each other. There were so many twists it left me constantly questioning everyone’s intentions. The characters were developed nicely and the atmosphere was laid out so realistically.

Read if you love:
* YA Dystopian novels
* Rebels and loyal citizens
* Corrupt government
* Unique settings
* Brave heroines

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book! Publication date is Jan 3, 2023 so grab it for your next thrilling adventure.

This is a great near-future dystopian adventure. I’ve never read a book set on a cruise ship, never been on a cruise ship, but this painted such a gloomy, rusty, believable picture. I liked the interesting plot and complex dynamics between the people groups that have formed on the ship over time. The amount of bickering and mood swings of the characters got a tad annoying but I suppose that is accurate for the teenage characters. Sometimes YA books pound you over the head with angsty teenage romance but I feel like this one was less heavy handed and actually bearable.

I could totally see this being turned into a movie. I’m excited to check out the sequel whenever that comes out!

Set in a near future dystopia, The Stranded was an excellent read. The world was built slowly over time the characters were well developed. Fans of the Hunger Games and Divergent would probably enjoy this one.

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels - 4.5 stars

The Stranded is the type of story that easily grabs your attention and keeps it until the very last page. This is a story built on the backbone of a dystopian action-packed world that leaves you invested in each character and their journey.

An old cruise ship, The Arcadia, has been stranded out on the sea for decades, but it's not empty. The passengers on the ship and the characters who make this story. I love the different point of views and how each one is doing what they can to reach their own personal end goal, whether that be to get off the ship or to help correct others wrong doings.

This is a great read and it left me in a daze days after finishing it. The Stranded is a book to remember.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOK Fire for the ARC

There are books geared towards a younger audience I really enjoy. This wasn't it.
I think because there is SO MUCH going on as soon as we started off that I couldn't find a handhold for my attention in the book. I do think a younger person would enjoy this story and even students who need to do book reports in school, this would be a good choice.

honestly, this was fun! very classic YA dystopia which is the only reason to give it the hunger games comp because it is otherwise nothing like it lmao.

Life aboard a cruise ship turned refugee camp is less than luxurious, especially with governmental regulations and oversight placing strict restrictions on the residents who already have few options available to them, making conditions particularly ripe for a rebellion in The Stranded by Sarah Daniels.

Aboard the Arcadia are residents descended from European refugees from an apocalyptic war that featured the dangerous spread of a virus; floating near the coastline of the Federated States, which fractured from the United States, there are limited ways to make if off the ship and finally reach land, and a potentially freer life: becoming a medic or cadet for the Federated States. Esther, a loyal citizen, has been working and studying hard to become a medic alongside her boyfriend Alex with the goal to make it to dry land shortly after her cadet sister May does but her entire life’s plan is drastically altered when events occur that bring her sphere together with Nik’s, who is a rebel deeply involved in the long-developing plans to liberate the Arcadia and its residents from the oppressive control of the Federated States, dished out on the ship by head of security, Hadley, and his prolific amount of spying drones. As Esther, unknowingly at first, becomes more deeply intwined with the rebellion after her initial interaction with Nik alliances begin to morph and priorities quickly change, the results of which will impact everyone aboard the ship.

Within a socially stratified society contained in a limited amount of space on a decrepit ship and in a surveillance state led by corrupted governmental powers, a dystopian world with advanced technology is detailed and the narrative has a propulsive momentum throughout moments of action where suspicions that had been slowly developing are eventually revealed as part of a much larger plot. While the characters themselves easily (if too overtly) fit within stereotypical roles common of the genre, they serve the purpose of quickly delineating for readers the “sides” of the fight yet to come to a head without reliance on more nuance to their development and potential growth, they were afforded some emotional complexities, through their backstories and interactions with one another as told through the chapter perspectives of Esther, Nik, and Hadley, that helped to make them feel a bit less like a generic placeholder. Though leaving endings of stories within dystopian societies open-ended is common and allows for readers to envision what might happen next, the conclusion of this narrative instead came across as abrupt and incomplete, without an adequate amount of resolution for the fate of the ship and its residents, and instead is heavily reliant on a sequel to complete and address the loose threads.

Overall, I’d give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Stranded by Sarah Daniels is an action packed dystopian novel that you will definitely have a hard time putting down! It is the first book in a duology and I am very excited for the next book!
The Arcadia is an old cruise ship that has been stuck at sea for decades - including it's residents. Esther is a teenage girl who is working as hard as she can to earn herself a place back on land. Nik is a risk taking rebel who will do anything to bring an end to the oppression and unfair treatment of those on the Arcadia. When Esther is forced to help the rebellion, she at first wants nothing to do with it. But soon, she starts to find herself entangled deeper and deeper - and she must decide for herself what is really worth fighting for.
Overall, I really liked this book. It was fast paced, full of action, and had some good grit to it. I liked the overall premise and it made for a really fun read! I did feel that towards the end of the book, the change in certain characters emotions and feelings felt a bit sudden considering how intense they had been just prior. But I can't wait for the second book to see what is going to happen next and how it all will end!

The way I was invested in this book is crazy. It was on my mind all the time. The Stranded grabbed my attention from the start with the unique setting. Having the character be stuck on a cruise ship was such a good concept, it created a claustrophobic energy to the story. I could also picture it so vividly in my mind ; the boat, the different levels, the little café at the start, the market, it was perfectly build.

I love having all 3 POV. I think they all brought something really interesting to the plot. Esther, i think, was my least favorite. Mostly because i found her very dull at first, but the more the story unfolded the more shades were added to her character and by the end i was really rooting for her. Nik was an awesome character, his chapters were usually my favorite. His struggles hurt me the most. But i think what really adds to the story was Hadley's POV. I absolutely ADORE having the villain's side of the story. It brings some really interesting elements to the storyline. The relationship between all of the characters was an other aspect I really enjoyed. It's messy and sad and complicated and i was alllll in for it.

This book was filled with action, it starts right away and doesn't stop until the last page. it's fast paced, and you never get a dull moment.

I want more.

Highly recommend picking up this one when it comes out, it was such a fun ride! I'm just going to sit in a corner and wait for the sequel, because after that ending, i seriously need more.

I received an advanced copy of this ebook from the publisher for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. ⚠️⚠️⚠️TRIGGER WARNING DRUG ABUSE ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️I enjoyed Esther, Nik and Hadley's characters. This is a good dystopian. This book will be in stores on January 3rd, and I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone and everyone.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the copy of this ARC!

I haven't read Dystopian YA for awhile, but The Stranded took me right back to my Hunger Games / Divergent days where I just didn't want to put a book down! This book takes place aboard a cruise ship-turned-refugee quarantine ship, The Arcadia, which has glaring classism, a strained good citizen/rebel dynamic, and terrifying enforcement officers. Anxiety levels were HIGH while reading this action-packed piece, and I loved the multiple POVs from characters in various parts of the ship. Everything came together so well, the twists were good, and I can't wait for book two!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release.

Okay let me say, this book was SO unique. I love myself a book about a ship, plagues, future technology, so roll that all up into one and I'm a happy girl. The Stranded had a solid plot, and a consistent pace that kept me interested the whole time. Only thing I would have liked would be a touch more of a wrapped up conclusion, I had so many questions!!!

I don’t read/ watch much dystopian so my comparisons are quite narrow, but this really did give me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes.

Synopsis: In 2051 luxury cruise ship known as The Arcadia was set to leave Liverpool when a deadly virus broke out. People took refugee on the ship but were never allowed to disembark for fear that the virus that has wiped out most of Europe and the world will resurface, despite not seeing cases aboard for a long time. It’s now 2094 and The Arcadia has been stranded for 15,934 days at sea. After years of meticulous planning, a rebellion group begins an uprising to finally get the people to land and what follows is an action-packed sequence of events that will have your heart racing.

Thoughts: I loved how from the very first page we were drawn into this dystopian society and how easy it was to be transported there. The futuristic technology set against an old, rotting ship made a nice contrast, and Daniel’s descriptions of the sights, smells, and people made it easy to vision the social and political divides. This story was told through three unique POVs, and I love how each character brought a new perspective on each event, even the horrific villain Hadley. There were times where I felt the action scenes could have been a bit shorter but besides that, I am very happy I took a chance on a book outside my comfort zone.

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC! Pub date: 1/3/23

A dystopian novel on a cruise ship? Yes please!

Short Synopsis:
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. Ester is training to be a medic to one day leave the ship, but then gets caught up in her sisters secrets.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one! The characters were well developed. The twists were great. It has everything you want in a dystopian YA novel - corrupt government, brave heroine, drama, rebellion, relatable social issues and action. So much action.

It’s like Black Mirror meets The Hunger Games. And now I have to impatiently wait to read the conclusion of this duology.