by Lyndsey Lewellen
publisher’s synopsis
Cross the grid. Survive the storms. Let your destiny burn.
When mankind’s attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge.
Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper’s family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland.
Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love.
Buckle up, because The Chaos Grid will take you on a wild ride.
Lewellen did a good job with Juniper’s character development, keeping her relatable and likable even with her hatred of Plex City. She was fun to read about. I struggled to keep the shipper crew members distinct at times, but that was mostly likely because I was reading the novel at night. 🙂
SPOILER ALERT!
I do wish that the twist with Tori’s character had been foreshadowed more, or more reason had been given behind it. I kind of wanted more closure on that part.
END SPOILER
The world building was fun, a blend of sci-fi, dystopian, and post-apocalyptic all blended together. Add in some mutant creatures and unpredictable weather, and you’ve got yourself a setting to be reckoned with.
The plot kept me eagerly reading. Although The Chaos Grid isn’t marketed as a reimagining of any sort, it definitely echoes a certain story. I won’t spoil what tale though–you’ll have to read it to find out.
While The Chaos Grid is currently a standalone novel, it has potential for a series or companion novels. But it still works well as a standalone. (I have to admit though, I’m not opposed to more books–there’s a certain character I now need to know more about.)
A solid debut from Lyndsey Lewellen!
Cautions: light romance; brief attempted assault; semi-graphic descriptions; moderate, semi-graphic violence
(The Chaos Grid releases in April 2024 from Enclave Publishing.)
Hailey Huntington 
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