The Rains, by Gregg Hurwitz | Book Review

The Children’s Book Review | November 27, 2016

The Rains

Written by Gregg Hurwitz

Paperback: 352 pages

Age Range: 12-16

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC (2016)

ISBN: 978-0765382672

What to expect: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Alien Invasion

From an author already well known for his best-selling young adult fiction, Gregg Hurwitz’s latest novel is a masterful exploration of the best themes in classic science fiction dystopia: chaos, survival, and the dangers of human complacency.

When a meteorite strikes the sleepy, close-knit community of Creek’s Cause, few of the residents allow it to disrupt the utopian rhythms of their daily life – not even when the strike sites begin to sprout strange and unearthly plants. However, when the plants burst and infect the adult population, orphaned brothers Chance and Patrick find themselves in the middle of a war in which the children of the town fight desperately to protect themselves from parents, neighbors and friends who have turned into violent, inhuman attackers. Infected by the extraterrestrial spores brought by the meteorite, these adults now have one aim only: to capture children and infect others. Bereft of responsible adult help, Chase and Patrick struggle to find out the truth about the parasites before Patrick – only weeks away from his eighteenth birthday – becomes susceptible to the disease himself. What they will find out will pitch humanity into a deadly war beyond the borders of the Earth itself.

From the very first page, The Rains is an adrenaline-packed read, dragging readers along as it hurtles through one terrifying event after another. Hurwitz is not only a master at creating suspense, however; he also excels in depicting with photographic intensity the realities of small-town rural American life. From domestic rivalries and human failings, to the strength of family love, community support, and the human capacity for survival, Hurwitz utilizes his tension-filled plot line to plumb the depths of human nature – not only in its darkest moment, but also when it shines the brightest. For lovers of young adult dystopia, this novel is a must-read.

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About Gregg Hurwitz

GREGG HURWITZ is a New York Times bestselling thriller author. His novels, including They’re Watching, Trust No One, The Crime Writer,Troubleshooting, and Orphan X, have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been translated into over two dozen languages. He is also a New York Times bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel and DC. Additionally, he’s written screenplays for many major studios and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Hurwitz resides in Los Angeles.

The Rains: A Novel, by Greg Hurwitz, was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like The Rains: A Novel by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Aliens, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Young Adult Fiction.