Grace Ellis Reviews “The Crash” by Isabelle Seams

The Crash follows the characters Phybe and Taelor as they navigate opposite ends of an emerging war, eventually coming together to save the ones they love. The setting of this book is a dystopian future where regular citizens are dependent on technology and an overlord/leader named Axworthy. After a catastrophic event that crashes every technological system, the world is thrown into chaos, and both Phybe and Taylor are dragged into the midst of it. Isabelle Sema’s thorough world-building helps to flesh-out the setting, giving the readers a clear sense of the daily life of upper class citizens and outcasts, otherwise known as Variables.

Sema does a great job highlighting the motivations of each character by providing compelling backstories for their individual relationships. Phybe is ultimately motivated to join the throes of the conflict in order to stay close to her newfound friend Greyson and her brother Merek, as well as to find her parents. Taylor is motivated to protect his brother and sister, not only from the collateral damage of war, but from his father and uncle. These relationships are written to be exceptionally strong and not only provide a realistic motive for the two main leads, but also make the readers genuinely invested in each relationship. 

This book also maintains a Christian moral message, so I definitely recommend this book for Christians interested in the dystopian genre. All throughout, the characters interact differently with each other based on their beliefs and their senses of faith and hope. The characters react realistically to these concepts, especially in the face of struggle and strife. Their beliefs also give more weight to the moral argument of taking a life, which is always fascinating to read about from different authors. This book will take you on a roller coaster of emotion, with enough anticipation, hope, and heartbreak for any voracious reader.