I have a hard time reading about pandemics while we're still in one, but was still able to enjoy this one. Though it's set in the future, fans of the classics will enjoy as well.

4.5 Stars

Gabe in the After is set after COVID-19. And the global pandemic in this book moves faster and is devastating. The book doesn’t focus too much on the physical suffering — in part because the illness moves so fast, people are gone in less than a week — rather it explores the emotional aftermath.

At the center of the story is Gabe, a teenager who was only 12 when he moved to the island. Now, he’s more adult than child. Sure, he still participates in school, and obeys Silvia, the sort of parent of the group. But he’s also working as the island’s doctor of sorts and has worries beyond that of a normal teenager.

Relle’s appearance ushers in Gabe’s first full-on crush. Author Shannon Doleski perfectly captures the confusion and joy and rush of emotion. It’s innocent and lovely and many youths will immediately relate.

Doleki finished writing Gabe in the After in March 2020. By the time the book went into edits, the US had been experiencing COVID-19 for more than a year. That changed details in the book, Doleski explains in her author’s note. But it also brought clearer parallels between real life and the book:

“New experiences don’t take away from our losses, but they give us hope,” Doleski says. “My wish for you, reader, is to experience hope — that beautiful, powerful thing — amid all the tragedy.”

Gabe in the After is a fast-moving, emotional read that perfectly marries harsh realities with beauty found in everyday moments.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest opinion.

This dystopian-ish, post-apocalyptic middle grade novel felt very current and all too real. While I enjoyed the plot, I didn’t love the book. I enjoyed Gabe’s character, but the other characters felt undeveloped. I also hated Relle, I’m so sorry! She was too much. I also felt like I was expecting more of a…point?…to traveling to the base. I didn’t get the purpose of some of the plot points. It did keep me reading, though, and the first half of the book was very solid. Just felt unfinished.

An interesting mashup of Anne of Green Gables and a post-apocalyptic setting. Gabe in the After fills the need for more upper middle grade stories that deal with relationships, crushes, and first (or second and third) kisses. Toss in the post world-ending pandemic and this unique book will engage older MG readers.