About the Book:

Title: Agnes at the End of the World

Author: Kelly McWilliams

Publisher: Little Brown Books For Young Readers

Release Date: June 9, 2020

Pages: 432

Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Dystopian

Synopsis:

The Handmaid’s Tale meets Wilder Girls in this unique, voice-driven novel from Kelly McWilliams.

Agnes loves her home of Red Creek–its quiet, sunny mornings, its dusty roads, and its God. There, she cares tirelessly for her younger siblings and follows the town’s strict laws. What she doesn’t know is that Red Creek is a cult, controlled by a madman who calls himself a prophet.

Then Agnes meets Danny, an Outsider boy, and begins to question what is and isn’t a sin. Her younger brother, Ezekiel, will die without the insulin she barters for once a month, even though medicine is considered outlawed. Is she a sinner for saving him? Is her sister, Beth, a sinner for dreaming of the world beyond Red Creek?

As the Prophet grows more dangerous, Agnes realizes she must escape with Ezekiel and leave everyone else, including Beth, behind. But it isn’t safe Outside, either: A viral pandemic is burning through the population at a terrifying rate. As Agnes ventures forth, a mysterious connection grows between her and the Virus. But in a world where faith, miracles, and cruelty have long been indistinguishable, will Agnes be able to choose between saving her family and saving the world?

Review:

*I received an e-arc from the author and Netgalley for an honest review*

If you love dystopian or fantasy books, you’ll love Agnes! This book pleasantly took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed it. It’s an amazing story that depicts a religious cult and a viral pandemic, while ultimately giving a message of courage and hope.

I was hooked from the moment that Agnes snuck out of her trailer at Red Creek to meet with an “Outsider” to get the insulin so desperately needed for her baby brother, Ezekiel. I absolutely fell for Danny, the Outsider that Agnes meets. I loved the relationship between Agnes and her sister Beth, and it was interesting having the story told from both of their individual points of view. There’s actually an amazing cast of characters in this story, but I don’t want to spoil too much. I found myself cheering along for Agnes. She’s truly a unique character, and I loved how she held onto hope and faith throughout everything she endured.

Agnes at the End of the World releases on June 9, 2020, so there’s still time to preorder and request your preorder goodies! Further information on Kelly’s website and social media accounts. Also be sure to request it at your local library. This was truly a rare gem of a story, and I definitely recommend it.

 About the Author:

Kelly is the author of the upcoming young adult novel, AGNES AT THE END OF THE WORLD (June, 2020, Little, Brown Young Readers), which benefitted from a We Need Diverse Books Mentorship. She lives in Colorado with her partner and young daughter.
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