Ignite: A YA Dystopian Thriller

Teens

synopsis

Synopsis

Tommy and Careen have been vilified in the media for the Resistance's failed attempt to take down the Office of Civilian Safety and Defense. Both teens struggle to survive the circumstances that thrust them into the national spotlight, and this time, they don't have each other to lean on. They're on opposite sides. Even though both the OCSD and the Resistance believe Careen's convincing defection, Tommy refuses to believe her loyalties have shifted. How can she be in favor of the OCSD's latest plan to monitor all minors with the Cerberean Link, a device that will track their every move?

bio

Author Biography

Once upon a time, Tracy Lawson was a little girl with a big imagination who wanted to write books when she grew up. Her interests in dance, theater, and other forms of make-believe led to a career in the performing arts, where “work” means she gets to do things like tap dance, choreograph musicals, and weave stories.

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Author Insight

How Much Freedom Can You Take?

The public outcry to flatten the curve has turned into demands to reopen the country and get back to business--and predictably, opinions are sharply divided on whether or not that's a smart move. This division made me think of a scene from the third book in my YA dystopian series. (You can download Counteract, the first book in the series free on Amazon, btw!) In Ignite, the Office of Civilian Safety and Defense has passed ever-more-restrictive edicts in the name of safety, until the population is on virtual lockdown. No one is allowed to shop for food--it's provided by the Essential Services department. (is any of this sounding familiar? I certainly didn't envision any of this coming true, but here we are...) Cash transactions are prohibited (yep) The government has a hand in every aspect of the people's lives. Anyway, a group of students on a college campus decides to rebel--because people only have as much freedom as they have the courage to take. The scene opens with television coverage of the campus sit-in.

Book Excerpt

Ignite: A YA Dystopian Thriller

Pete chimed in. “Jeremy, I see a large gathering behind you. Can I assume it’s some kind of vigil for the dead marshal?”

The reporter looked over his shoulder at hundreds of students sitting cross-legged on the green. “I’ve been told they’re here to honor the victims; I understand someone is about to say a few words.”

Eduardo recognized the curly haired young man who’d led the chanting at the barrier the night before as he stood up and came forward. He’d traded in his CXD-emblazoned sweatshirt for a button-down shirt and navy blazer and seemed subdued and respectful. The reporter offered him the microphone.

“I’m Jude Monroe, president of the Interfraternity Council and Communications Chair for the Student Senate. We, representatives of the student body of this university, send our condolences to the family of the marshal who died. But we cannot ignore that this explosion was planned—meant to distract us from the food shortages that continue nationwide and especially to turn our attention from the civilian deaths that occurred during the food riot last week in our neighbor quadrant, OP-441. This tragedy happened on our campus, and it’s our duty as citizens to call attention to the real problem.

“The marshals at OP-441 were more concerned about having enough food for themselves than about helping the people who were there to claim the food that was rightfully theirs.”

The hapless Jeremy Howard tried to retrieve his microphone, but several members of the crowd rose to hold him back.

“Essential Services still hasn’t resumed deliveries here, so no one’s getting any food except through markets like the one over on the green. The president lifted the Restriction, so the QM can’t legally shut it down, but they’re trying to intimidate us and keep us away. Without the market, how are we supposed to eat? This emergency has prompted us to take action. We will occupy this space and declare the university green a Restriction-Free Zone!”

He raised his clenched left fist to show the CXD symbol written on his hand. At his signal, people in the crowd raised banners and signs showing the CXD symbol and everyone began to chant, “Enough for us!”

The reporter broke free from his captors as Jude shouted over the crowd, “Anyone who wants to trade is welcome here!”

After a brief tussle, he reclaimed the microphone. “Umm … this is Jeremy Howard reporting live in OP-439. Back to you, Pete.”