Wool by Hugh Howey

The world outside has become lethal. Humanity's sole survivors live in the Silo - a massive underground structure built centuries ago for the very purpose of sustaining people. To the residents of the Silo, it is all they know. Mentioning the outer world is taboo, and thinking of leaving the compound is punishable by exactly that - exile to the toxic outside, where the perpetrator succumbs within minutes. These people are called "cleaners" - for their final job is to clean the lenses of the one camera that shows the outer world. When the Sheriff of the Silo expresses the desire to leave the Silo and subsequently dies, a mechanic named Juliette is unexpectedly promoted to take his job. Her research into the previous Sheriff's death uncovers a trail of deception and conspiracy, and ideas about the world around them that only the elite know.

I really enjoyed reading this novel. The story was very well-written, and the idea of all of humanity living in an underground silo was intriguing. Howey put his own unique spin on the popular post-apocalypse genre. The book was honestly hard to put down and made for great reading. It was thrilling and balanced action and mystery well with more mundane aspects. People who like books from the science fiction genre would probably enjoy this book as well. Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 10

Montrose Library