Zero Day by Jan Gangsei
Published on January 12, 2016
by Disney-Hyperion
Source: Thanks to the author for sending me a copy for review
Plot Summary of Zero Day by Jan Gangsei
Eight years ago, Addie Webster was the victim of the most notorious kidnapping case of the decade. Addie vanished—and her high-profile parents were forced to move on.
Mark Webster is now president of the United States, fighting to keep the oval office after a tumultuous first term. Then, the unthinkable happens: the president’s daughter resurfaces.
Addie is brought back into her family’s fold, but who is this sixteen-year-old girl with a quiet, burning intelligence now living in the White House? There are those in the president’s political circle who find her timely return suspicious.
When the NSA approaches Darrow Fergusson, Addie’s childhood best friend and the son of the president’s chief of staff, he doesn't know what to think. How could this slip of a girl be a threat to national security? But at the risk of having his own secrets exposed by the powerful government agency, Darrow agrees to spy on Addie. It soon becomes apparent that Addie is much more than the traumatized victim of a sick political fringe group. Addie has come with a mission.
Review of Zero Day by Jan Gangsei
I really enjoyed Zero Day. I've seen it compared by other reviewers to Scandal, which I understand, because both the show and the book have a Washington D.C. setting and characters that include a President and his family.Zero Day's premise is simple yet intriguing. A prominent politician's daughter is kidnapped but never found. Eight years later, Addie is retuned to her parents, now the President and First Lady. So the first question I had was: is this really Addie? (As a veteran thriller reader, I I've learned to question everything and everyone.)
Zero Day is told from several close-third person POV's: mainly Addie's and Darrow's, but a few others as well. While I'm a multi-person POV isn't always my favorite, this works well in thrillers because is creates and intensifies suspense.
I had a (completely outlandish) theory of Addie and her return that did not turn out to be accurate. But I thought that the resolution of the story was fittingly dramatic and that nearly every loose end was nicely tied up. (To me, it seemed like Zero Day might be one of those "possible series" books, as one loose end remains enticingly dangly...)
I had a lot of fun reading Zero Day and recommend this book to YA readers who are fans of Scandal, Homeland, and The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter.
I read a review yesterday that mentioned Scandal, but I'm still undecided. I mean, Scandal is one of my favorite shows, but it's hard for me to picture a YA sort of version. I may give this a go one day soon. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI've only watched the first couple seasons of Scandal, but beyond the setting and political themes, I don't see a huge parallel. But hope you try it!
DeleteSounds really good. Great review. Adding it to my list. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you like it - let me know!
DeleteThis sounds like a great mystery/thriller! I'm always looking for more of these :D
ReplyDeleteIt worked really well for me. Glad to find another thriller fan :)
DeleteI haven't heard much about this book, but this year I'm decided to read more thrillers, so I'm sure I'll be reading this one soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jen.
Yay - I'll have to do a post of some of my favorites!
DeleteI'm not much of a mystery reader, but this one sounds oh so intriguing. Still, I'm not sure if it's something I'd like, since you said it is more plot-driven than character-driven. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteTo me, most thrillers are plot-driven. I sort of feel like mysteries have a little more breathing room to explore character because the crime has already been committed, while in a thriller, something terrible is about to happen and it must be stopped.
DeleteI do think there are more character driven thrillers, where an everyman (or woman) is the main character, but because Addie is such an enigma, she doesn't really fall in that category to me...
I'm kiiind of curious because I like thrillers and that cover is awesome. XD But American politics are basically lost to me, heheh. And I haven't read/seen any of the comparative things there. Gah. So, probably not the best book for me but I LOVE unreliable narrators so that has got me intrigued!!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't really delve deeply into the arcane stuff about American politics at all.There's an international flair to the political stuff, too. Really, you'd be fine!
DeleteThis sounds like exactly my kind of book. I'm dying to know the ending now!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I'll tell you if you want. But just read it and then we can discuss!
Deleteoh this sounds good. I have to admit never seen scandal or homeland but hear lots of good things about them. I do think however, I will read this book. It sounds amazing. Sorry your theory was correct. Mine hardly ever are. :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this sounds so utterly intriguing! And it's great that most of the loose-ends were tied up nicely.
ReplyDeleteI want this books so badly that I'm willing to go on a special trip to the bookstore just to pick it up. I requested it on NG many moons ago, but I never did get any response. Oh what is this life?!
ReplyDeletethis sounds like an intriguing read especially with a heroine whose place you're not exactly sure.. since I'm also not a fan of romance on books that should better focus on mysteries (or other things), it makes me really want to read this!
ReplyDeleteI watch Homeland - I think it's an extremely good series that deals with relevant issues without holding anything back. I'm not sure how much I would enjoy a book in the same vein though... But I am curious about this one.
ReplyDelete