The Chasm

Patch Collins has escaped from America into Canada, seeking refuge from a police state explored in Castle's last book, THE SECLUSION. The America Patch flees is surrounded by walls and governed by a corrupt Board, keeping Americans compliant by imposing strict rules and pumping propaganda into televisions. Canada seems like a dream at first--two counselors, Felix and Rose, are assigned to help Patch be comfortable. Patch is stunned by the level of freedom other countries enjoy as she finally sees the outside world.

But as Patch realizes she's been tapped to represent the faults of America to the rest of the world, she begins to understand that no country is perfect. And Canada hides even more secrets than she expected. Meanwhile, Patch's colleagues are trapped, held captive back in their home country. The narrative moves back and forth between them, as well as Robbie, a compliance officer with a soft heart and empathy beyond that of a typical Compo. Each of them are in danger, and safety is not guaranteed. Patch may have to summon the heroism that got her out once again.

In vivid, confident prose, Castle gives Patch and her friends a satisfying resolution after the traumatic events of book one. While nothing in this universe will ever be perfect--this is a dystopia, and the underbelly of human experience is exposed--Patch is irrevocably changed, headed for a better life, filled with hope she's never had before. If you haven't read THE SECLUSION, start with that and then head on over here for an impactful and thoughtful duology.

After reading Jacqui Castle’s book The Seclusion, I knew I needed to read her follow up novel The Chasm.
In The Chasm Patch Collins has crossed the Norther Security Border into Canada and escaped the dystopian world of 2090 United States. In Canada, she is astonished by the life that the rest of the world seems to be living. However, she is determined not to forget her objective to help save the United States and her loved ones there.
A very enjoyable read. Castle retains many of the main characters and introduces a few new characters. Along with Patch we also learn more about The Board and the ways a government can alter a society. It is also considers the reactions of the rest of the world that wants to help the American citizens but believes sitting back and taking a passive stance is a better solution.
A great conclusion and I highly recommend it to anyone who has read The Seclusion.

I very much enjoyed Jacqui Castle’s award-winning first novel, The Seclusion. She more than delivers on what she started there with The Chasm. This fast-paced follow up concludes the story of Patch Collins – a young woman raised in a brutal, tyrannical America of the future that has walled itself off from the rest of the world.

In The Chasm, Patch’s escape to Canada from the end of the first book has set in motion a sequence of events that will shake the rest of the world – a world that, until this point, has been reluctant to intervene against the tyrants on behalf of the American people.

The story is powerful, emotional and intelligent. Castle has rooted it in the very headlines we see today of the real risks we face from far right idealogues, without being heavy-handed or preachy about it.

While The Chasm finishes this story by Castle, I can’t wait to see what big issues threatening our future she chooses to explore in whatever she writes next!

(This review is based on a read of an advance reader copy – an ARC – of The Chasm, that was graciously provided by Netgalley.com and Castle’s publisher, Inkshares.)

This sequel picked up in a perfect place and continued at a fast pace! I thought the new characters were thought out perfectly and fit very well with the plot. There was still mystery to uncover which created a fast moving plot that was so addicting. This sequel also included chapters from other characters’ perspectives which allowed the reader to hypothesize about what might happen next. It was also a great conclusion to the set and wrapped up the story wonderfully! Perfect for fans of ya romance and ya dystopian.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to review this book. This is the sequel to The Selusion. I was not expecting this book but I am soo glad I got a chance to review this book. 5 stars read. This book is action pack and love this characters; Patch our main character is awesome and then it's Rexx and my Oliver ( Oliver is amazing). I highly recommend you to check out this book. Also, I could totally see this happening in real life and it's scary. So glad I got approved to read this and please check this duology out.