Warriors Rejoice! We have preordered this book for the library.

Wow. Okay, this book was so much more than I was expecting. Centering around a setting that's really a character all its own, Alcatraz 2.0, "Murder Trending" shows us a glimpse into a plausible future America where murderers are hunted and killed on an island and it's all streamed live for sport. What happens when the supposed convicted murderers are all claiming innocence? Five such innocents band together to survive and expose the corruption behind Alcatraz 2.0. Dee is our main protagonist. She's 18 and supposedly killed her stepsister (she didn't - not a spoiler). Through Dee's eyes, we inhabit the island with her and unravel the uncomfortable truths and outright lies in her path. Dee is dealing with so much trauma - her stepsister's death and its fallout, plus the kidnapping she survived years before. Dee is damaged and strong. I think she was an amazing character.

The story itself is heart-pounding. I was completely unable to put the book down. It left me unsettled and captivated and concerned for our future. Gretchen McNeil can WRITE. She's got action and death and brokenness down pat. Details are perfectly sprinkled throughout so the bigger reveals are obvious but also make complete sense. However, there is one thing that will divide her audience. Read the book. You'll figure out what it is in an instant.