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Reviewed by Christopher Solaas for Readers' Favorite
"Efficiency is key for productivity, and productivity is key for safety." This is the mind-numbing mantra of Leadership, which tries to control the masses by curtailing their rights and freedom. In the Leadership Lands, the government controls everything you do, all in the name of efficiency. Before by Molly McNamara Carter is a dystopian tale of a teen’s flight with her mute little brother from a totalitarian state to a land of freedom. When Leadership announces that children who require special care will be forcibly removed from their homes for re-education, permanently, Wren realizes she will lose her little brother Kael, who is unable to speak. Under cover of night, Wren is forced to flee the city with Kael, and cross many miles of forbidding desert while pursued by the agents ordered to prevent their escape at any cost.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure-packed YA dystopian thriller. Wren faces drones, soldiers, coyotes, scorpions, deadly heat, and terrifying storms. The threats to Wren and her little brother are tangible. There were multiple points in the book when my pulse was pounding, and I was fully invested in the story, and hiding there in the dark with them. Wren transforms during the adventure from a slightly rebellious, carefree teen to a responsible and determined young adult. It is a well-written, action-packed ride, but it’s more than that. This novel is a thought-provoking dive into a possible future devoid of freedom, all for the sake of efficiency. The world-building was immersive, the character development realistic, and the outlook hopeful. The cover art by Denitsa Shopova was stunning. Before by Molly McNamara Carter is perfect for lovers of dystopian teen fiction and coming-of-age adventures.
