I enjoyed this book but I wasn't fully invested. I think it was just my reading mood at the time but I really can see other's thoroughly enjoying it! I just don't think I'm the reader for this at this time

Title: Best of All Worlds   
Author: Kenneth Oppel         
Genre: Thriller, sci-fi  
Rating: 2.5

Xavier Oaks doesn't particularly want to go to the cabin with his dad and his dad's pregnant new wife, Nia. But family obligations are family obligations, and it's only for a short time. So he leaves his mom, his brother, and his other friends behind for a week in the woods. Only... one morning he wakes up and the house isn’t where it was before. It's like it's been lifted and placed... somewhere else.

When Xavier, his dad, and Nia go explore, they find they are inside a dome, trapped. And there's no one else around...

Until, three years later, another family arrives.

Is there any escape? Is there a reason they are stuck where they are? Different people have different answers -- and those different answers inexorably lead to tension, strife, and sacrifice.

This was mediocre at best. The author's political/personal bias was glaringly on display...most white people are apparently evil in his mind, not to mention narrow-minded, backwards, and prone to conspiracy theories. (As are Americans in general, apparently.) There honestly didn’t seem much point to this, and all the characters were one-dimensional. Decidedly not thrilling.

Kenneth Oppel is from Canada. Best of All Worlds is his newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Scholastic in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 6/24).

A really engaging and fast-paced YA sci-fi read. The premise, waking up in a world completely changed from the one you fell asleep in, is both strange and thought-provoking. It raises powerful questions: How long would you fight to return to your old life before adapting and doing whatever it takes to survive? There is some sexual content that may make it a borderline choice for my middle school library, but I believe it's appropriate for 8th grade and up. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

'Best of All Worlds' by Kenneth Oppel was a very quick read for me. I was compelled to keep reading to find out Xavier's fate and that of his family and eventually his new friends. This book checks off on several of my requirements for a good readable book. The timeline was straightforward and the character list was short. I understood this was a dystopian novel but was surprised by the conspiracy theory/doomsday themes. I also initially did not realize this was a age 12 and up novel. Considering my 13-year-old Grandson, I think 14 to 15 years old might be a better reader level due to some of the content and themes in the novel. I anticipated the outcome that resulted and am satisfied with Xavier's explanation of its appropriateness. "The only possible world for us... right now..... the best of all worlds." I give this novel four stars and would like to thank Scholastic Press and NetGalley for getting this ARC in my hands

This is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The concept of these characters all stuck together for some unknown reason in a dome was very well thought out. It brings to light a lot of ideas on how circumstances, environment and family all intertwine to create an individual's personality and beliefs. It was interesting to see how characters with such different outlooks could interact with one another. I think it was the author's intention to be purposeful when pitting characters opposing beliefs against one another, and I thought it was well written. I could see how some may think it was a bit mundane, as a lot of it is the day-to-day living of these families, but I was still invested throughout. Oppel does a nice job of depicting Xavier as a teenage boy and how one would react to being found in such circumstances. This novel would make a great book club choice as it would have some great discussion points. Overall, if you like Sci-Fi, want something that is going to make you think, and don't mind a story that is more character development than plot, you should give this one a read.

Xavier Oak along with his father and step-mother are spending a weekend away at the family cottage, but when they wake up the next morning their cottage with all the utilities still working seems to be in the middle of field with a barn and some goats and chickens. They soon discover that their not in Canada anymore and that they are inside some dome. They each have peculiar markings on their back, but their every need is taken care of. The story moves along to three years later and Xav discovers another house being created while he's standing inside of it. The next day another family arrives, the Jacksons from Tennessee, and the father Riley lets Xavier and his family know that he doesn't believe that they were abducted by aliens, but it's some for of government conspiracy that wants to keep them and control them, and Riley has a plan to try to get both families to escape. This book does a nice job of putting two politically and socially different families together as they try to figure out why they are in the situation they are experiencing. Xavier after three years is coming into his hormones while the Jackson's teenage daughter longs to be back with her boyfriend in Tennessee. My only disappointment with the book is ending seems a bit abrupt but it works. Must read for teens who like contemporary sci-fi that explores social and personal issues.

I read Best of All Worlds in less than 24 hours, but I think a lot of people, including myself, will be thinking about it long after they turn the final page.

Best of All Worlds comes out on June 3rd, 2025.

High School and Up

Thank you to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its publication.

This is not my usual preferred genre but MAN I was verrrrry invested! I couldn’t put it down, I finished it in a day.

I want to know more!!!!!! Would honestly read a sequel or other stories that take place in this universe if there ever was one.

Recommend to sci-fi lovers, post-apocalyptic readers, and reluctant teen readers.

Thank you Scholastic & NetGalley for an ARC!

Xavier didn’t want to go to his family’s cabin, but it was only going to be a short visit. That was the plan until he woke up and discovered that he was in their cabin, but their cabin had moved. They go outside to investigate their surroundings and learn that they are in a dome … and alone. They slowly learn how to live a subsistence life until a new family arrives three years later. Who put them in the dome? Is there a way out?

Best of All Worlds is a stand-alone science fiction story that hides the truth until the end. Many theories are presented as the characters learn about each other and their surroundings. Oppel has given his characters depth and variety while also working with a small world. I’m glad this isn’t a large volume or a multi-book story because I wanted to know what happened now and the ending was very satisfying.

Science fiction is not my usual genre, but I had been hearing so much about this novel and wanted to stretch my reading thoughts. The premise of Best of All Worlds sounded promising, and so I kept an open mind and began reading. The main character Xavier left me wanting more; he felt very flat. The idea that they can't escape and are being held by someone or some thing kept me reading, but the challenges the "new" family brought with them seemed forced. I did finish reading to see the outcome, but the ending felt rushed and unfinished. A missed opportunity for me.

Thank you to Scholastic, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
13 year old Xavier, his dad and his pregnant step mother plan on spending a few days at their lakeside cabin but when they arise that first morning, the lake is gone and has been replaced with a barn, chickens, and goats. After investigation they decide they are trapped in a domed environment with no way out. They grow and preserve food, care for the animals, repurpose clothing, and are stewards of the environment. After a few years, another family arrives, but the two families have different views of the world and their situation. One believes everything is a conspiracy theory and they are still on earth, while the other believes they are no longer on earth. Many themes and discussion points make this an exciting choice for young adults interested in post-apocalyptic fiction.

This was a very fun and engaging YA sci-fi that kept me entertained throughout the entire book. I was close to guessing the ending but I was a little off, which I’m happy about. I would love another story set in this universe!

A go-to author for quality writing that leaves me thinking about what just happened. I finished this a week ago and am still mulling it over. At first I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more ongoing sci fi. The story took a turn into more of a current day political analogy. I think. That's why I'm still thinking about this. It's not just the genre that has me reflecting, though, it's the nuances of all the characters. And why these families? Just crazy random happenstance, or is there a greater purpose? In an age where all books are part of a trilogy, I appreciate one that leaves open-ended with lots to ponder. Not sure my students will love that, though. They tend to like things that are sealed up by the end.

This book follows Xavier Oak, a 13-year-old boy who has a blended family. He and his family go on a trip to their lake cottage, and Xavier is not happy about it. He wanted to stay with his mom and brother, not go on a trip with his dad and pregnant stepmother. He wakes up on the second day of his trip to discover things are not as they were the night before: the whole area is under a dome and his stepmother has gone into labor. The biggest flaw in the book for me was the lack of answers about the whole dome situation.

This was my first time reading something by Kenneth Opel and I appreciated the opportunity.
So, here's my honest review of Best of All Worlds. First, I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it either. It gave me Under the Dome vibes but with less people. The majority of the character got on my nerves I spent so much time rolling my eyes. Nia got on my nerves with herself righteousness, Calaeb was a spineless husband, and then there is Zay where to even began. I gave him grace at first because he had been ripped away from his mother and his brother, he had no clue if he would be alone for the rest of his life. Then the Jacksons show up and he does anything Mackenzie asks of him whether it is right or wrong. He also knows at times that she is using him, and he still follows her like a lost puppy. Riley was the typical psycho conspiracy theorist whose family was scared of him, but they really tried to downplay all of his issues. Overall, this would be a good read for middle to high school kids.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. What a fantastic read. I was really invested in these characters. This novel gave me the same vibe as when I first read The Hunger Games. Totally into the story and read it so fast. Hope to see more from this author. Highly recommended.

10/10!! I tore through this book so fast. I needed to know what was going to happen next and was pleased with the ending. I loved the suspense that was built, the evolving relationships (between family and strangers), and the whole concept of being abducted. The way that Oppel came up with this unique storyline will fascinate and grip readers from page 1. It will be one of my go-to recommendations for Sci-Fi lovers.

The plot of Best of All Worlds was interesting, which was why I was interested to read this story. Honestly, I assumed it would have some similarities to Under the Dome by Stephen King solely based on the description. Unfortunately, this story was lackluster. The story is solely told from Xavier's point, which may not have been a bad thing but Xavier lacked personality. From the onset of the story, it was boring and I almost quit reading it early on. The characters really lacked personality. To make matters worse, the stereotypes were rampant. You have a peace loving French Canadian family versus a family of aggressive, paranoid hillbilly Americans from Tennessee who are toting guns and crossbows while being overly disagreeable the whole time. I laughed so hard while rolling my eyes because it was so ludicrous. There was an abysmal amount of character growth and the pacing was terrible. The best thing about this book was the cover and the description. I truly wish it would have lived up to the excitement of the book's description.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an interesting plot told from a boy’s point of view. A science fiction tale of a family being in one place and then being in a different place without knowing how they got there or why they are there. At first, I was disappointed because this is not the type of book I like to read. I decided to keep reading and it didn’t take long to get hooked and want to read to see what happens. I liked that the plot was not completely predictable, and it was an easy read.

Started promising but then….? The Jacksons were such a mess of stereotypes it felt lazy and ruined any potential meaning. Points for the world building at the start but I feel like I wasted a night when I could have read something else.