Thank you, Guppy Books and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of Kenneth Oppel’s, Best of All Worlds.

Kenneth Oppel’s, Best of All Worlds, is thought-provoking and well balanced YA science fiction. It explores the fine line between conspiracy theory and doubt. Two families, two opposing believes, heels dug in, in a seemingly impossible situation. Main character, 16-year-old Xavier, is caught in the middle. Great plot, good pace. A brilliant ending, which begs for a sequel.

My only criticism might be that, in the opening I found Xavier’s voice a bit young for YA. Although in those chapters, which introduce the events, he is three years younger than the sixteen he is in the rest of the book.

As an aside: Gorgeous cover.

Five stars for Best of All Worlds, without hesitation.

Best of All Worlds: Kenneth Oppell

After reading the blurb I was so excited to read this novel. And as an ARC reader I’m very definitely in the can't-wait-to-talk-about-it-with-someone category!

It’s incredibly hard to say anything without giving away details! That Xavier and his family are kidnapped is both shocking and terrible; unless of course those in control know something he doesn’t. And then, three years later, another family arrives, and with it 17-year-old Mackenzie. At last Xavier has someone that understands his struggles and eases his pain. Until her father decides on a plan that’s both exciting and terrifying, in equal amounts.

Xavier’s desire to get back home is finally matched. But is it safe to go exploring? And is he willing to risk everything for the wonderful new life he’s enjoying?

It is hard to tell an engaging story in a confined space but books such as Room show it’s possible. Whilst this doesn’t match Room’s can’t-put-it-down-ability, I was constantly turning the page to see what happened next. It definitely edges towards literary fiction, to me, in pacing and style. It did, however, make me ponder all of life’s technology and its impact. I’d far rather a good story every time!

3 1/2 stars out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

It is a sci-fi novel with a very original idea. It was the prologue page that got me hooked. I did get a bit lost in the first chapter but then things picked up pace. It is a story that teenagers would love.

Astounding, intelligent sci-fi thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, entertained and guessing right up to the very end. I've always admired Oppel's writing. His world-building is vivid, his pacing perfect and his characters are always unique and complex. He writes teenage boys particularly well I think- always with a sense of humour, understanding and love for them which is too often absent in depictions of young men. I can't really say much about the plot without spoilers only to say that the Oak family find themselves in a mysterious dome world, cut off from the outside and with only three small puncture wounds on their backs. It's exciting and it's funny as well as deeply disturbing and I just can't thinking about it. I feel as though I need to discuss this book with others so I will be recommending it to everyone once it is published.

I really enjoyed this book, it hooked me in the second the Oaks woke up to a completely different landscape. I enjoyed the characters ans i enjoyed the tension each character brought. It's well written, with small chapters which I think aids in moving the story along. I'm not sure if it's just the copy I read but there were a few grammatical errors - no space between a period and beginning of a word, that kind of thing. Overall I would give this book a 4 star rating. The story is well thought out and throughout some parts of it i was getting 'Hunger Games' vibes. I would love for there to be more of these books following the same characters and see where the story takes them next!

I love it when a new to me author just blows me away, and that's exactly what happened here! Intriguing, captivating and absolute ride of a book - loved it!