The Cage (The Cage #1)
Publication: 26th May 2015
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 400
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Appropriate: Young Adult
The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughtertrilogy.
When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.
Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.
As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?
When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.
Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.
As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?
My Thoughts.
I have been a huge fan of Megan's ever since I read The Madman's Daughter, when I first learnt about what this book was about I was beyond intrigued, The Cage has such a fresh and unique plot that was carried out in a way that was suspenseful, mysterious and heart-pounding.Told in multiple perspectives with the emphasis on Cora as our main protagonist, she is joined by two other girls and three boys all strangers, finding themselves in a strange place, held captive in a menagerie by aliens known as the Kindred they are an experiment being tested and observed.
With rules to follow including procreation with their designated partner, Cora is determined to escape before she'll ever let that happen, with a connection to their alien caretaker Cassian who she finds herself developing feelings for, and with conflict being engineered by the Kindred between Cora and the other five over the favoritism that is more than evidently shown her way tensions are high, with threats of violence and constant fights breaking out some captives are close to the breaking point and are willing to do whatever it takes to get their way.
With a shocking twist that will leave you in disbelief and eager to get your grubby hands on the next book, this story is sure to entertain and keep you on the edge of you seat as we traverse this strange and unusual world where it's survival of the fittest.
Another outstanding read from Megan, definitely an auto-buy author for me, with a writing style that will at once enchant and captivate I recommend everybody check out her books.
Loved it!
I give this 5/5 stars.
