... versus Amy & Roger's Epic Detour.Joanne and I both feel that this one is not the winner. It is basically an attempt at kid-lit recreating "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. A kid and an older man set out on a survival mission as a war ravages the countryside. They meet travelers and stuff happens - a really good idea that is not developed as thoroughly as it could have been. The kid is overly philosophical to the point that his thoughts - and a lot of the imagery - feel largely contrived. It tries to be touching but the author is too guarded and doesn't allow the characters to ever reach a true point of vulnerability. I think teens would feel that it is "fake." There are some tender moments in it that start to work but fall short. It needs a few more rewrites to loosen it up.
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