The Chaos Walking Series

As you know, I like to keep abreast of my popular YA lit.  The Chaos Walking: Book One series is one of the most popular series right now, and it is on its way to a big film franchise adaptation.

I read the first book in the series a few days ago, and I can see why readers enjoy it so much.  The pacing of the story and the nonstop action make it such an exciting read, your eager readers will tear through it pretty quickly.

The story (due to language and violence, I think it's appropriate for teenagers and adults) involves a young boy, Todd, who is on the cusp of manhood living in a world where everyone's thoughts are audible.  And I mean everyone, including animals (such as his lovable dog Manchee).  The character describes what it's like to always know everyone's thoughts; whether awake or asleep, intentional or not, people's minds are bombarded with images and words from others' minds.  No one's thoughts are private.  Not a single thought can be held in isolation.  Even the most private desires and fears are as public as shouting them from the rooftops.  The book calls this phenomenon, the outpouring of thoughts everywhere, as Noise.  The way it is described throughout the book is really a fascinating analysis of how the mind works.  Even animals have a voice because their thoughts are audible as well.

Todd was born into a world like this but, soon after the book begins, his whole world is tossed in an upheaval that destroys everything he has ever known, including the way he understands the world and the people he trusts.  He sets out on an adventure that causes him to question the strange society of his origin, the outside world, and what it truly means to be a man.

The story has all the works:  evil villains, a boy and his dog facing a rugged terrain through the wilderness, alien wars and crashing spaceships, hints of romance and the strong bonds of friendship.  It's a really moving story and sets the tone for what I'm sure will be an engrossing series.

Recommend it to your older readers!