BOOK REVIEW: The Stranded by Sarah Daniels

You might what to think twice before booking a trip on this cruise ship.

Besides fantasies, I am a sucker for dystopian novels, so I was excited to have had the opportunity to read this book as an advanced copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was first drawn to the premise. Set in the future, a catasphrophic virus breaks out in Europe leading survivors and escapees to fill up cruise ships seeking refuge. The ships sail across the Atlantic and end up anchored off the coast of what is now referred to as the Federated States (apparently the US had a little dismantling). Anyways, fast forward 40 years, and no one has been allowed to leave these ships except to go to labor/prison camps or in death. Esther has lived all her 16 years on the ship as has her older sister, May. Esther and May are some of the lucky ones, chosen to train as members of the Federated States. Once they complete their training, they will be allowed to leave the ship and continue their training on land; Esther’s path will take her to medical school.

Such a great setting! Literally 97% of the book takes place on this rusted, out of commission cruise ship, The Arcadia. In the belly of the ship, a rebellion grows with the goal to get off the ship and get to land. This book had so much potential and while I enjoyed the book and totally recommend it, I’m a little up and down on how I feel about a few different aspects of it.

While the setting is essential to the plot of the book, there feels to be a limited amount of character driven plot movement. May keeps her secrets, Nik is reckless, both cause Esther’s life to be turned upside and shaken up. Alex is a great character with such complexity. However, at the end of the book, I am left with some many questions about him. This is one of my issues. He was responsible for several moments that catapulted events, but we never really get clear explanations of certain aspects of him. Like the lifeboat.  How did he get that? Who is he really? There is only the superficial level information, but I really want to see him under a microscope.

Hadley, I feel, was the only other complex and dynamic character in this story. We get his back story, and it really supports and develops his motivation for his behavior and decisions. However, is Celeste who I think she is? That wasn’t answered. What happened to Nik’s dad? That wasn’t answered. There were so many questions not answered that I am so thankful there will be a book 2, otherwise, this would be going much differently right now. This leads me right into the end of the book.

Ugh… really?  There is no conclusion. What happens? I get there is another book coming, but this was a brick wall ending. We are in the midst of quite a bit and bam. Done!

I wasn't quite done talking about characters; apologies for the conclusion tangent. Back to characters real quick. I think for the most part we all hate when author’s kill big, important characters, but here there were some deaths that felt so casual, that I was like. Wait, hold up. We need to process this, and we weren’t able to. It was like, “Let’s kill this person real quick.” Part of me appreciated the fact that Daniels wasn’t so attached to characters that she wouldn’t kill them, but still! Another part of me was disappointed that I didn’t care more. When taking into account who died I feel like there should have been something more. I’m not sure what, but I just felt lacking.

For the first half of the book, I was a little up and down on interest and overall connection to the story. There were moments that felt a little slow, but I still loved how thoroughly the world on this ship was built. We have world building taking place in a very confined space, but I really felt that I could picture every level of the ship - from the upper deck to the flotilla. Great description and imagery. But when it came to the action, the peaks and valleys felt a little too stretched out. That is until you get to about the last third. Then, I really struggled to put the book down. This is part of why I’m frustrated with the ending. It was like it just ended. Daniels just decided to stop writing. My hope is that book 2 starts on a helicopter; as if no time has passed.

Although Esther annoyed me at times, I can appreciate the internal, moral dilemma that she was faced with. Everyone was keeping secrets from her and as a result, she wasn’t able to fully understand and comprehend what was happening to her. One moment she was struggling with the idea of getting married at 16 and the next she was being ‘kidnapped’ to save the life of her sister’s fellow rebel friend without having any idea of how anyone knew who she was. She always wanted to do what was right and what was best. She was so focused the red flags from both her sister and Alex were missed. The book really focuses on the determination and resourcefulness people can demonstrate when faced with adversity. Even putting differences aside to achieve a common goal.

What I liked:

• The setting and world creation - The ship's evolution from a ship to a city. The class system, the ‘dictatorship’, the gangs, the desperation created from poverty.

• Some of the characters - Hadley was a great and flawed antagonist. I did like Enid and Corps as well. 

• The fast pace final push to the climax.

• The premise of the plot - so much potential and such a creative and fresh storyline with a definite look at social and political structures.

What left me a little disappointed:

• The other characters - While I liked them, I didn’t feel completely invested in them. I wasn’t overly moved when some died or got injured.

• The ending. Conclusions can be a make it or break it element for me. Kudos on a great cliffhanger ending resulting in so many questions. I will definitely be back for book 2, how can I not? I have so many questions. Like a lot, a lot!

• The moments between the  peaks of action at times felt a little too long and slow moving.

Where does this land on my bookshelf?

I’d place it on the middle shelf. I really did enjoy the process of reading this book. If it wasn’t for the conclusion, I may have even placed it on the top shelf. Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait until January 3, 2023 to read it for yourself, but it is one that you should put on your radar. The world building alone - the market, the neaths, the cafe, all of it drives the plot. I love character driven plots, but here is a very successful setting driven plot. There were some parts where you just have to overlook the questions on “how is that even possible?”, but remember, this is a work of fiction to be enjoyed. There are always elements that might not seem super believable. It’s a fun adventure. There is quite a bit of political and social undercurrents woven throughout that really focus on the value of a person’s life. If you enjoy a good dystopian book add this one to your list so you don’t forget about it! And let’s begin talking about book 2!

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