The premise of people being forced to live aboard a cruise ship for more than 40 years due to a lethal virus spreading around the world is what pulled me to this book. It's dystopian in a recent and relevant way, and I was curious to see how Daniels handled it.

For the most part, I think the book worked. Esther is the goody tw0-shoes who only thinks about getting off the ship to attend med school. Her older sister, May, is a cadet who is also a rare person who is on her way off the ship to join the military. Alex is Esther's ambitious boyfriend who will be joining her in med school. Nik is supposed to stay on the ship as a worker, but is secretly a part of a large and growing rebellion.

The 'world' of the Arcadia is well done. Daniels answers questions about how they get food, medical supplies, clothing, and get rid of waste. She has gangs, black markets, an oppressive and violent military, and a murderous malcontent running that military who is doing his best to make the Arcadia the next one the government will blow up.

The book opens with Esther taking a chance by reading a piece of propaganda and then being chased by the Coalies (the military) and narrowly escaping. She doesn't take risks so she's scared out of her wits and hides what she did from everyone. May and friend Nick turn out to be the keystone to the rebellion's plan to save the people of Arcadia. Alex is not the golden boy that he appears to be, and shows his true face soon enough. Adults who seem to be part of the system are not, and a much larger group outside the Arcadia is leading the rebels.

The book is definitely an adventure, and the story moves quickly. I came to dislike Esther. She's selfish, whiney, and ridiculously obtuse. She refuses to see what is right in front of her. When she finds out about May, all she thinks about is how it will impact her life. She barely spares a thought for her parents or the reasons behind the rebellion. She makes the wrong and selfish decision over and over again, and as a result, people die.

My dislike of Esther aside, I enjoyed the book. The ending sets you up for a sequel, and I would like to read it. If that sequel delved into the origin of the pandemic and United States' initial actions, that would be even better. I spent this book wishing I knew more about how everything got to the miserable place it was in The Stranded.

Overall, a good dystopian entry that I will be buying for my library.

I haven't read and liked a dystopian story in about ten years. In my old age, I don't like characters with crazy names or extreme world building that really requires a lot of brain work just to picture it. At first it was a bit hard to get into because of how many POV's we start out with. However, once you get used to the change of views it really starts to get interesting.

What I really liked about The Stranded is how realistic this future could be for us. After COVID, it isn't hard to imagine people being stranded on cruise ships so they can't come into the country and infect others. It's also not that hard to imagine the complete abuse of power by officials.

Esther's growth really stood out to me. She went from just living her life in a bubble to having everything turned upside down within a few days. Everything she thought she knew wasn't real. Once the curtain fell she had to choose to break down and cry over it or put on her big girls pants and take charge.

My favorite side character was, hands down, Enid. I can't wait for the second book to see how her character develops and hopefully becomes more of a main character.

Man, I haven't read a thriller this gripping in a while. I loved this, especially given the past few years, the premise was believable, the characters well rounded, and the plot tight as a bow string. Definitely recommend.

I thought this spin on the dystopia was great. Between the internal conflict of Arcadia and the external conflict between Arcadia and other settlements, there is a lot of antagonization to explore. I thought that the world building was well done without having too much filler. You are able to quickly get a sense of what the world looks like in this state. The main characters were pretty well done and I enjoyed them.

A solid YA/New Adult dystopian Sci-Fi novel that definitely reminds readers of Snowpiercer and a few YA series from a decade ago. It includes a unique setting and atmosphere that's just realistic enough to be plausible. I love the background story and hope the readers learn more in the next book. It's action-packed, fast-paced, and is told from the viewpoints of multiple characters. The nove incorporates several interesting characters, MCs and supporting ones alike. For YA dystopia fans looking for something new.

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Absolutely engrossing dystopian story. Reminds me of a mix between Snowpiercer and the Thousandth Floor series. I was just so fascinated by the ship and the lives/details of those who live there. I NEED there to be another book!

I really enjoyed this near future dystopian with elements of sci-fi story. I definitely agree with other reviewers who got Divergent and Hunger Games vibes. This was a great YA debut, and I’m glad I read it. I’m looking forward to the next entry in the series.

My thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I liked this book. A lot. In fact, I plan to recommend it as one of the four titles we will use in our summer reading program next summer. In this program, all of our high school students have the option to pick one title for their summer reading. I think this book will make a great addition. It has action, romance, vengeance, betrayal, and a fantastic setting - everything a high school student could want. That is not to say it is perfect. The villain is a little too one-dimensional and the resolution dealing with him is a little too abrupt. I also felt like the background information on the virus and devastation in Europe could have been better detailed. Most readers will want to have a better understanding of why the Arcadia is in the position it is in. However, these a minor quibbles. For most, this will be an enjoyable read and they will eagerly wait for the sequel, which the ending clearly hints toward.

Snowpiercer meets the Hunger Games? Sign me up! I immediately wanted to read this book based on this one line synopsis as I love both of those. A luxury cruise ship is turned into a refugee camp after being driven from Europe after an apocalyptic war. The Arcadia has been stuck in the ocean off the coast of the Federated States for the past forty years; not being able to make landfall. We follow Esther who is working to get off the ship and become a medic for the Federated States and a chance to live a semi-normal life. However, she is sucked into a rebellion that is happening on the ship and she needs to decide what team she will choose. Will the Arcadia be liberated or will everything crash and burn?

I definitely enjoyed this book! I loved the dystopian feel and I enjoyed the fact that I could see this happening in real life. This is a multi perspective story which I always enjoy as well. The character development is a little lacking in my opinion but I do understand that it is a YA book and those tend to not have as much development. I am excited to find out that this is going to be a series and there is going to be another book coming out soon. If you do enjoy The Hunger Games and/or Snowpiercer, then I highly recommend checking this book out.

*Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.*

I received a digital ARC from Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley.

I appreciated the premise of this book, but the story fell flat for me. There were too many characters to keep track of. I wish there was more about their lives on the ship. There was a lot of action, but I did not care about the characters enough.

A fun YA dystopian story! The cover alone caught my attention, thank you Netgalley and Source Books Fire for my gifted copy for review!

For forty years, residents of the Arcadia have been prohibited from making landfall. It is a world of extreme haves and have nots, gangs and make-shift shelters.

Esther is a loyal citizen, working flat-out to have the rare chance to live a normal life as a medic on dry land. Nik is a rebel, planning something big to liberate the Arcadia once and for all.

When events throw them both together, their lives, and the lives of everyone on the ship, will change forever . . .

Imagine being trapped on a cruise ship, living in constant fear of being arrested and the trouble that comes along with that. Great descriptions of how places on the ship transformed from luxury cruise line to a city. From the cafe to the market, very easy to imagine what it would look like.

I loved hearing the POV from several characters. A normal citizen, the rebellion, the citizen secretly helping the rebellion, and the villain. Knowing all sides just added more to the story. All the wild technology and action keeps you up turning pages!

I wish there was more background information on the virus. Like, are we talking Outbreak, Walking Dead, Covid? I just wanted more on what happened when the virus hit, what it caused, and why they were being isolated on the ship for 40+ years. Maybe that will come out in what I’m hoping will be book 2. Daniels leaves this one with quite the cliffhanger!

The Stranded is a good choice for readers who want lots of nail biting action, gut dropping thrills and plenty of unexpected danger. Short chapters propel the action; a solid plot twist keeps the pages turning; and the strong braided narrative, including the villain’s voice: a sadistic tyrant himself a prisoner, keeps readers compelled. Appropriate for grade 7-12 collections with no excessive violence or adult situations to prevent both teens and middle grade readers from enjoying this thriller. Adult readers will see through some plot holes and immature decision making but teen readers looking for escapist adventure will love this high intensity near-future dystopia. Teen library and High School Library collections will want multiple copies of this tense, gripping story full of secrecy, threats of violence, betrayal, revenge, secret plots, and dramatic rebellion. The world building and conclusion will have readers clambering for another volume.

Summary: The Arcadia has been stranded off the coast of what used to be the United States for over 100 years. Plague virus and destructive warfare have rewritten the North American map, decimated Europe, and trapped thousands on the ship permanently. Nik and Esther are fighting to survive, escape and secure a future off the ship. But nothing is predictable, everyone is untrustworthy and no one is coming to help them.

Thanks #Netgalley #SourceFireBooks for the opportunity to preview this title that publishes 1.3.23

Overall this was an interesting return to dystopian for the YA genre. I had trouble rating it for a few reasons, among them that it is impossible not to compare this to the Hunger Games dystopian wave and I was not aware this was a duology going into the story.

While knowing this is a two part story gave context to some of the pacing issues, I would have liked a more clear resolution to this first installment, rather than ending on a cliffhanger.

Overall the strengths of this novel were the concept and the conflict that kept me reading. The worldbuilding was interesting, but feel story of atmospheric to me. I enjoyed the character, but didn’t feel as attached them as I wanted to be, especially given what they experience in the course of the book.

I will likely read the sequel to see how the author concludes the series, but this isn’t a stand out title for me.

ATTENTION READING PASSENGERS, THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING!

This is a YA dystopian novel you DO NOT want to miss! Jump on board for the cruise ship ride of your life where you will cruise in... ummm... yeah, you will cruise to destination nowhere for the mere price of your whole entire life.

Forty years after biological warfare, there are 16 stranded cruise ships being told they can not dock anywhere due to possibility of contagion. There is a split within the United States during the war with states seceding and forming their own country, The Federated States. Life on the ship is tough. The ship is breaking down and there are food rations being implemented. There is a small class being held for medics and the chance at getting to be allowed to come ashore and live on land. Things seem very bleak.

Told from multiple viewpoints of passengers on the ship, this novel takes off not like a cruise ship, but rather a rocket ship--blasting off at full speed. There are nods to current situations in the world, making this a fun, fast, relatable read. I can not say enough good things about how this book sets the pace for a sure to be exciting series!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers #Sourcebooks, and the talented author #SarahDaniels for extending an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions

My full review will be posted on all my social media sites, blogs and retail sites upon release day in January of 2023.

<i>The Stranded</i> was an incredibly fun YA dystopian novel. Told from multiple perspectives, we learn why the Arcadia, previously a luxury cruise ship, is docked along what remains of the United States and how very few people are permitted to leave the ship for a better life on land. Life on the ship is rough, with it slowly breaking down after so many years 'at sea', and the inhabitants' lives are still a debated political matter. I enjoyed our main characters and seeing Esther's character growth in particular. Our villain had an interesting and fleshed out backstory, that showed (rather than told) tidbits of the situation in the Federated States.

Well-written and fast-paced from the start, <i>The Stranded</i> was a ride. There was little expanse on the state of the world, which was fitting for this first novel as it takes place on the ship where news is heavily regulated by the Federated States. I think this will turn out to be an excellent series and I look forward to learning more about the world in the next book. Loved it, and I'm looking forward to book two!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oooooohhhhhhh this book was so so good!! WOW. The plot was so interesting and creative and left me on the edge of my seat. I could not wait to see what happened. I really hope that this is going to be a series because I need to know what happens next. Without giving you too much information: Imagine being stranded on a cruise ship for 40ish years, You might have even been born on the ship. You are not permitted to leave the ship, the powers that be have everyone on a tight lease. You can’t talk about what’s happening on other ships - it could get you killed. How long would you live in those conditions?!?

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I don’t typically like dystopian novels, but this one was amazing! It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. The action for me was just the right amount and man there were a few characters I couldn’t stand and some made me want to scream at them to get moving. That to me makes a great book! I felt like I was right in the action and seeing and smelling what was really happening. Great character development and the scenes were drawn so richly I could see everything.

This was a great read from the first word to the very last word.

The Stranded is a YA dystopian fiction set in the near distant future on board a stranded cruise ship. Forty years after a biological war in Europe, several cruise ship sit along the coast of the Federated States, under quarantine and strict government rule. The story follows sixteen year old Nik, a member of the resistance - the group trying to end the ships' quarantine and free its residents - and sixteen year old Esther who unwillingly gets swept up into the resistance's plans. We also follow Hadley, the commander of the soldiers who are sent onto the ship to keep the residents in line.
I did enjoy this book, it was fast paced, with lots of action moments in the plot. I liked the alternating POVs between the three characters. Hadley's chapters gave an interesting look into the villain's choices and actions. .
I do think I could have used a little bit more world building; The Federated States are part of the former United States, but it's never fully explained what parts - there's talk of a "southern border wall" but there wasn't much more of a geographical description, so I had a hard time visualizing what area of the country the story was taking place in. Also, the events are taking place 40 years after the war, but there seems to be nobody alive who was on the ship when it originally left Europe. Esther's grandparents were on their honeymoon, and her parents were born on the ship, so in theory her grandparents could be in their 60s, but are all dead with little discussion as to what happened to the original passengers of the ship.
Overall, I found The Stranded to be an enjoyable read that I would recommend to fans of dystopian thrillers. It is the first in a duology, and I look forward to reading the second half of this story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Dystopian YA is a beloved genre, but often falls victim to overused tropes. This story struck me as a bit more unique. I was so impressed by the near-future apocalyptic world debut author Sarah Daniels created on what was once a luxury cruise ship called the Arcadia. In the aftermath of a war the passengers and now their offspring have been forced to live at sea, essentially as refugees, for 40 years. We've got lots of action, sophisticated sci-fi tech, gangs, secret loyalties, an evil government, and the rebels who set out to liberate the people of the Arcadia. Definitely looking forward to the conclusion of the duology!

Short synopsis: A stranded cruise ship The Arcadia, has been floating off the coast (full of passengers for 40 years to avoid the spread of a deadly virus.

My thoughts: It’s been awhile since I’ve read a dystopian novel and this was the perfect one to jump into. Action packed from the first pages all the way through to the cliffhanger ending. I will be anxiously awaiting July 2023 when the second book in this duology is published.

Ester is training to be a medic and hoping to get sent to land to complete her training and Nik is a rebel planning to overthrow the Arcadia’s government. And we also get the point of view from Hadley, with glimpses into why he makes the decisions he makes.

I loved the multiple POV and how they all interconnected with each other. There were so many twists it left me constantly questioning everyone’s intentions. The characters were developed nicely and the atmosphere was laid out so realistically.

Read if you love:
* YA Dystopian novels
* Rebels and loyal citizens
* Corrupt government
* Unique settings
* Brave heroines

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book! Publication date is Jan 3, 2023 so grab it for your next thrilling adventure.