Anomaly by Emma Lord | Review
An electrifying new dystopian YA
Title: Anomaly
Author: Emma Lord
Publisher: Affirm Press
Released: 1 May, 2024
This review may contain mild spoilers.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: YA dystopia is making a comeback and I’m totally here for it. Anomaly by Emma Lord came onto my radar when the publicist reached out and likened it to The Darkest Minds. I was immediately sold. It has the makings of a classic, and it really made me feel the way Maze Runner, Divergent, and The Hunger Games did the first time I read them or watched the films (it’s all about the vibes) and I’m absolutely living for it.
The story follows young adult Piper who now lives on her own after the world collapsed in a 2020 pandemic. (No, not the one you’re thinking of. It went a little differently and I love how its relatable but also not.) She’s just trying to survive and work out the weird power the illness left her with. But everything changes with the arrival of a strange boy called Seth, who was injured by a monster that is now after Piper, too.
The writing was incredibly engaging, I can’t believe this is a debut book. There’s so much mystery through the story, so you’re drawn in straight away to find out what happened and you stay engaged with the pacing. A really excellent touch (and something I’m proud of picking up because I don’t normally) is that the flashbacks are written in the present tense. I loved it, because the past was never far for Piper… or for any of us, really. But for Piper, her past is a thread throughout the story that finally culminates into a heart-wrenching ending.
Some things you don’t bounce back from. Some things rewrite who you are.
Highly, highly recommend as some great OzYA, especially if you’re a dystopian fan or you like your fantasies a little on the dark side! I also think this will be great for those who want to get into fantasy but feel overwhelmed by heavy worldbuilding.