Armageddon Summer

Reader reviewed by Tasmin

Bruce Coville and Jane Yolen combine forces to create a unique, sweet book about the supposed end of the world. Marina's mom and Jed's dad believe that the earth will end on Thursday, July 27th, 2000, so they drag the teenagers to the top of a mountain miles away from their home. Jed and Marina don't believe in the supposed end of the world, but what can they do? They can't leave. Literally. The "Believers" patrol the campgrounds electric fence with automatic rifles. So they deal. They don't understand why Marina's father and Jed's mother and sister, not to mention the rest of the world, should die, they don't understand why the world should end just as they've fallen in love for the first time, but they deal.

I loved this book. It was sweet and thought provoking and I thought it was very interesting how the authors switched back and forth between the two main character's perspectives. I liked seeing how both Jed and Marina felt. I'd read it again in a heartbeat.

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Jed and Marina have both followed Reverend Beelson to the mountaintop to await what he predicts will be the end of the world for different reasons. Jed was dragged along by his father. Marina, on the other hand, is an actual Believer, but only because she believes religion is the only thing that could possibly keep her family together.

I checked this book out of the library because I was looking for something that would be fun to read and could keep me entertained. It was, indeed, a very enjoyable read- from the moment I picked it up, I could not put it down. Jed and Marina are both strong characters, but overall I preferred Jed- Marina was a bit too religious for me.

I would be willing to bet, though, that some people would prefer Marina because she is a complex character, whereas Jed fits a bit too easily into the rebellious teenager mold.