Swipe [Paperback]

Evan Angler (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 6, 2012 | Age Range: 8 - 11 years | Series: Swipe

“Apocalyptic dystopian fiction at its best. Angler’s sharp wit and dexterity with political themes are matched only by the thrilling suspense on every page.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author and FOX News correspondent

Everyone gets the Mark. It gives all the benefits of citizenship. Yet if getting the Mark is such a good thing, then why does it feel so wrong? 

Set in a future North America that is struggling to recover after famine and global war, Swipe follows the lives of three kids caught in the middle of a conflict they didn’t even know existed. United under a charismatic leader, every citizen of the American Union is required to get the Mark on their 13th birthday in order to gain the benefits of citizenship.  

The Mark is a tattoo that must be swiped by special scanners for everything from employment to transportation to shopping. It’s almost Logan Langly’s 13th birthday and he knows he should be excited about getting the Mark, but he hasn’t been able to shake the feeling he’s being watched. Not since his sister went to get her Mark five years ago . . . and never came back. 

When Logan and his friends discover the truth behind the Mark, will they ever be able to go back to being normal teenagers? Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is Left Behind meets Matched for middle-grade readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-Evan Angler's futuristic novel (Thomas Nelson, 2012) is set in North America where everyone is struggling to recover from famine and global war. Logan Langly is about to turn 13, and he is not really looking forward to receiving the Mark, even though it is basically a rite of passage that most kids are anticipating. His reluctance stems from the fact that his sister previously left to get her Mark and never returned. The Mark, a tattoo that can be swiped, is a sign of independence. Those with the tattoo become citizens of the Union, and they are permitted to get jobs, use public transportation, receive medical care, and shop for themselves. Logan feels like he is being watched and followed. He becomes friends with Erin, the new girl in town, and they work together to find out the truth behind the Mark. Narrator Barrie Buckner does a great job of evoking the emotions of the three main characters and his reading helps to build suspense. Sure to be a hit with fans of dystopian fiction. Listeners will eagerly await the next title in the series.-Sheila Acosta, Ed Cody Public Library, San Antonio, TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

“Apocalyptic dystopian fiction at its best. Angler’s sharp wit and dexterity with political themes are matched only by the thrilling suspense on every page.” —Lis Wiehl, New York Times bestselling author and FOX News correspondent --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 - 11 years
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 6, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781400318360
• ISBN-13: 978-1400318360
• ASIN: 140031836X
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Dystopian. What More Could you Need? September 10, 2012

By anaavu

Format:Paperback

You know why I loved this book? It was classic dystopian. It didn't have love diseases like delirium or fights to the death like (well, you know which book I'm talking about) or even evil monsters like Enclave or Ashes. It was plain old normal people realizing that their world, however high-tech and comfortable, is without the freedoms and choices the old world had, that there was something wrong with the current system and risking everything to change it. It's good old action and suspense and a tad bit of fluff romance.

The suspense builds slowly but surely to a point where I just wasn't sure what was real anymore. Up until the last 50 pages, I had the Dust (think Divergent's factionless) pegged as the bad guys... and a whirlwind of kidnapping, running, and conversation later, the roles are reversed. I didn't even know what to think! So many questions are brought up, so many people to suddenly see in a new light. Betrayal as well as Logan doing some unimaginable things. Just... wow. You don't know how glad I was I had Book 2 at hand or I would have done something violent LOL.

P.S. Although it's pubbed by Thomas Nelson, it doesn't refer to God as their savior or anything. So breathe a sigh of relief or frustration, whatever the case may be.

I do love Logan as a character and Erin as a character (she plays a pivotal role) and Hailey and others as characters but I can't necessarily believe that they're 13. Thirteen! At this point in our lives, most of us are getting our first crushes and griping at our homework and popping pimples (good times). We are NOT understanding the evil consequences of the leaders' actions, fighting to learn more about our presumed-dead sisters or finding true love. Name one normal teenager who might successfully go through this as well as evade specialized federal agents for days. BUT I'm trying to overlook that one flaw in favor of all the other pros this series has to offer.

I'm currently on Sneak (Book 2) and Erin gets progressively worse (read: sides with the government) and I just want to scream considering she was the perfect love interest in the beginning (of Swipe) and I can understand her intentions and she just doesn't get it. Erin! Open your eyes!!!

Basically.... GET THIS BOOK!

**I was provided a gratis review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put the thing down June 12, 2012

By Novel Teen

Format:Paperback

Review by Jill Williamson

Logan Langly is starting school and is only a few months away from his thirteenth birthday. That's the day when he can get the Mark, which will give him the full benefits of citizenship. He'll be able to get a job, to buy things, to take the trains. But Logan isn't sure he wants the Mark. Because when his sister went in to get it, she never came back.

What if Logan goes in and never comes back?

Plus, people are following him and he doesn't know why. When a new girl starts school and Logan befriends her, they start investigating, and what they discover is the beginning of something huge. Something that will change everything. Forever.

This book is so much fun! I couldn't put the thing down. It's a fun and clever dystopian story. It will get you thinking about how people tend to conform without asking questions. And it will leave you wanting to read the next book. I liked the unfolding mystery of what was going on, and the storyworld was so much fun. A lot of thought went into creating this dystopian future of what our country might have done to gain peace after a global war. I highly recommend this one for readers aged eight and up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun book for Adults too, not just middle school readers!! September 11, 2012

By Naomi Hop

Format:Paperback

I was a bit unsure about starting this book as it is a middle-grade novel and the main characters are 12/13 years old, but once I started reading I was stuck! It was a fantastic read and I was glued to the book right until the last page! I want to dive into the second book, Sneak, straight away, but I wanted to share my thoughts about Swipe first.

Evan Angler has created a fabulous world set in the future where life as we know it no longer exists. If you want to do anything in this new world you must swipe your tattoo, which you don't get until your 13th birthday.

But the whole operation behind the tattoo and the organisation may not be as foolproof as it's made out to be. Logan is very nervous about the whole process and is starting to question all that he has been taught. Especially since the new girl, Erin moved to town and she believes all his theories. Together they set out on an adventure to discover the truth while keeping an eye on their backs as they feel as though they are being watched.

We meet a number of characters in Swipe. Logan is a shy character and doesn't have many friends. He is quite withdrawn and very suspicious of everything. His best friend Dane is the more outgoing type and he tries to put more confidence into Logan and encourages him to approach Erin. Erin is the new girl and she is a confident person. She has had to grow up a lot earlier than most teenage girls as her parents are very focused on their work.

There are other characters too, but I don't want to share too much as it may spoil the plot too much. To watch all these characters come together and see how the story unfolds is just amazing! I love what Evan Angler has done with this novel and the characters. It was a captivating read and I'm keen to jump into Sneak!!