Brighton, B.B. The Neverborn. 2023.

The Never Trio

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

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Summary

Babies in the year 2048 receive a chip at birth with their social security number and identification–unless you’re a Neverborn like Kekoa. His life was saved by an abortionist without the consent or knowledge of the mother. Kekoa first discovers his plight on a pig hunt in a remote canyon on the island of Kauai. Now he must leave to protect the couple who raised him. But he was trained in survival in the wilderness, not to face thieves and murderers who want to use him as a scapegoat for their crimes. His only choices are to be a fugitive or live and die in the country’s war. It will take a mountain of courage and an ocean of faith to create a life and find love in this world.

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My YA Review

B.B. Brighton had an interesting concept for The Neverborn. Babies are given a chip at birth. They need the chip to buy and sell and attend school – basically participate in society. Kekoa, Kana, and Canyon were raised by three sets of older adults away from society. 

One of the boys finds a news story about an abortionist who is arrested for not killing the babies. It turns out the boys were rescued by that abortionist. The three sets of parents had already raised their families and were willing to “escape” with the three boys and raise them. Because they are not chipped they can not go to college. If they are caught they will be sent to the military and trained for war – and will probably die soon after. 

The chips to me were a symbol of the mark of the beast in Revelation – needed for buying and selling. I was a bit disappointed that one of the boys is chipped at the end of the book, but I understand why the author chose to have that happen.

When Kekoa finds out that his parents could be arrested if they are found out, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He meets a man, Clint, at the market who seems to want to trade places with him so Kekoa agrees. It ends up being a mistake. The book tells of his life as “Clint.”

The story is well-written and as enjoyable as a dystopian novel can be. There were many points that I thought could be close to the reality of the not-to-distant future, which is scary. I really liked the reliance on God exhibited by Kekoa.

I look forward to future books in this series.

The Neverborn would be a good addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for high school and maybe some middle school students. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Neverborn. This is my honest review. 

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