Guide to Categories : YA Review – review of books for teens

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​Book Title:  DECEPTION IS OUR REMEDY by Alexandra Gavranovic
Category:  YA Fiction (Ages 13-17),  412 pages
Genre: YA dystopian; YA survival stories; Sci-fi Fantasy
Publisher: Dumetella Press
Release date:  March 2024
Content Rating:  PG: Some minimal fight scenes and acts of violence

What if everything you thought you knew about the world – and yourself – was a lie? What would you do?

For 17-year-old Callista, growing up in a world stripped of all its color after the great climate crisis, every day looks the same in her Neighborhood. There are no other kids her age except for her best friend, Reggie. There are no events or activities. And there is no leaving. Cal rarely even steps outside her house except to pick up the month’s worth of dry, rationed food courtesy of the Government or for her routine trip to the doctor, which always leaves her feeling groggy and depleted.

And while she knows that she should just accept this life, she can’t help but wonder if there is something she isn’t being told. From whispered conversations she overhears of her parents to nightmares that feel more like memories jarring her awake in the middle of the night, Cal finally decides to find out for herself if there is something beyond the towering gates of her Neighborhood. Something that can provide answers.

But what she finds is more shocking than she could have imagined. When a giant floating object of immense light transports her to an abandoned city, Cal meets more people her age who also grew up in Neighborhoods. And, like the orb of light she can suddenly summon with her mind, these other people are also gifted with special abilities.

Before she can determine what is going on, they are all herded to a special Academy for the gifted, where they will learn to hone their abilities with other students just like them.

​But as Cal unravels her nightmares, everything she thought she knew about her former life starts to rip at the seams. And, as she spends more time with her fellow students in the Academy, she begins to wonder if she really escaped the Neighborhood at all.

Deception is Our Remedy is a fast-paced, dystopian adventure that will leave you guessing at every turn.

My YA Review

Gavranovic, Alexandra. Deception is our Remedy. Dumetella Press, 2024.

Deception is our Remedy is the breakout novel for Alexandra Gavronovic. The book has an interesting concept – children bred to have special powers and then isolated from most other children (and their birth parents) and are given to other parents until their powers are about to emerge. They are then taken to an “academy” where things happen that shouldn’t (don’t want to give any spoilers).

One of the things that disappointed me about this novel was the liberal use of what many would consider vulgar or profane language. It didn’t add to the story and was unnecessary – especially the amount of it that was used. 

Other than the language issue the story was well-written and the characters are ones the readers will care about. There are “good” and “bad” characters and enough conflict to keep the story moving forward. 

The story ends in such a way that I wonder if there will be a book two. Gavronovic definitely leaves that possibility open with the plot line.

Because of the language problems mentioned above, I cannot recommend Deception is our Remedy for the K-12 Christian school audience. 

I received a complimentary copy or Deception is our Remedy. This is my honest review. 

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DECEPTION IS OUR REMEDY by Alexandra Gavranovic (a novel) Book Tour Giveaway