First and foremost, if there is ever a sci-fi/dystopian book, you will most definitely catch me requesting it. Why? Because they are fun and cool and always get me out of my reading slump. And that is exactly what this book did, it got me out of my long-overdue reading slump! And I'm forever grateful.

If you love small chapters, a quick read, and a super-fast-paced standalone, then this is the book for you! Personally, the only fault I had with the book was how cringey it was at parts - one example being the love interests talking to each other, despite meeting three days ago, as if they have the right to say how the other person is. To make it rather simple, I disliked how unreal the romance was -- too underdeveloped, with the characters being a little too black and white.

Overall, it was quite enjoyable but not my favorite, unfortunately. I absolutely adored the idea of a pandemic based society, and it had extremely high potential but it did not live up to the standards I wished for.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Fast paced adventure following two teenagers, Maisie Rojas and Lennon Pierce. Maisie is one of the first kids born in the walled off area near Austin, Texas after it was made into a quarantine zone almost twenty years ago. No one is allowed to leave The Q as the pandemic changes too fast to make a vaccine. The Q is run by rival gangs and a turf war is about to happen. Lennon is the son of a presidential candidate and is kidnapped and parachutes into the Q. Maisie has three days to get Lennon out and back with his family.

Lots of adventure ensue with the help of some old and new friends. A quick fun read.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's Publishing Group for allowing me to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I've been reading Amy Tintera's books for years and each book sets the bar higher than the last. The Q is no exception! I absolutely LOVE this book and Tintera's writing. The pacing is super quick as you read the switching POVs of Maisie and Lennon.

The Q is a walled-off quarantine zone set in an alternative version of Texas. Maisie and a few others were born and raised in the Q. The Q is separated between two turfs: the Spencer family in the North and the Lopez family of the South. Lennon Pierce is the son of a Presidential candidate. After being kidnapped, he is pushed out of a plane flying over the Q and lands inbetween borders. The South takes him in and Maisie gives Lennon a 72 hour vaccine to help keep him from getting the virus. Within the 72 hour time frame Lennon is given the chance to leave the Q and Maisie unwillingly has to help him while also trying to steal back a shipment of supplies being held hostage from the North.

The Q is an adventurous, action packed story with a hint of romantic tension between the two MCs.

I enjoyed the story, the characters and Amy Tintera has, again, raised the bar for her own books. The humor is expertly written and the book's originality is creative and suspenseful.

5 stars

As a librarian, I'm always on the lookout for books with action for my students. When I saw that Amy Tintera had written another book, I was intrigued. Her earlier work Reboot is a favorite of students. Whenever I booktalked Reboot, it would fly off the shelves. I have a feeling that I will be able to sell The Q in the same way.

What I appreciated about this book and what I think will appeal to students are the following:

1. Short chapters that alternate POVs and end in suspense.
2. Two POVs
3. Action and just enough of appropriate level of dystopian romance
4. Intriguing setting
5. Power plays

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital arc to preview. This is definitely on my list of what to buy next semester.