Publisher: Atom Books
Source: Review copy
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Blurb: Young people on the Midwich Estate don't have much hope for their futures. Keisha has lived there her whole life, and has been working hard to escape it; others have just accepted their lot.
But change is coming...
One night everyone inside Midwich Tower falls mysteriously unconscious in one inexplicable 'Nightout'. No one can explain what happened during those lost hours, but soon afterwards Keisha and three other girls find they're pregnant - and the babies are growing at an alarming rate.
As the news spreads around the tower its residents turn against them and the situation spirals toward violence. Keisha's life unravels as she realises that the pregnancy may not have just ruined her hopes for the future: she might be mother to the end of the world.
This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. The book is based on The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. I've not read TMC but this YA retelling of it was so creepy and utterly captivating. Also there are 360 different covers of this novel, all in different colours and colour combinations which I think is such a cool idea!
After being in a little bit of a reading slump for a while, I was looking for a book that would completely suck me in and make me want to read again. This was the perfect book.
The novel focuses around Keisha, Maida, Olivia and Siobhan who, following a mysterious night where all residents of their apartment block fall unconscious for a few hours, discover they have become pregnant. As the girls begin to realise that this is no ordinary pregnancy and search for answers, the more sinister and creepy the novel becomes.
The characters in this novel were absolutely amazing. They were written so well and came as being so realistic. Keisha was a definite favourite of the novel. She had spent a long time trying to work hard to prove she was not another "apartment block" girl who just fell into trouble and had no future. She was such a strong, independent and persistent character that it was hard not to sympathise with her as she struggled to escape others expectations. Her relationship with Morris, who I completely and utterly loved, was also really nice and heart warming to read about. I loved reading from his point of view also.
Maida was also an interesting character. Growing up in a very strict household where your future has been set out for you and you have no say in it what so ever, it was easy to sympathies with her seeing this pregnancy as something she had control over and that age her a future she cold choose. A really interesting character.
The writing style was so flawless and captivating. The novel had such a realistic tone and setting so even when things were getting a little spooky and creepy it still came off with such a realistic edge. This novel had me scared but not wanting to stop reading. The children freaked me out so much, so creepy!
The novel deals with unrealistic plot themes but what makes the novel so stand out is its realistic aspects. The characters in the novel are all so realistic that you can find yourself relating to them or knowing someone who is just like them. The novel also deals with themes that are very relevant such as expectations of other, being looked down upon because of where you are from, guilt and shame, young people being looked down upon and flawed characters.
Honestly the novel was just amazing. I found it so creepy and haunting but in the best possible way. Such an addicting read and I hope so much that there will be a sequel, but if not an overall incredibly enjoyable and mesmerizing novel. I will definitely be re-reading this in the future. Highly recommend.
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