The Dark Intercept

Gr 7 Up—Violet Crowley lives on New Earth and works at Protocol Hall and when necessary, she initiates the use of the Intercept, which tracks the feelings of all citizens via an embedded chip. The Intercept has the power to use those feelings against them. Old Earth remains, in ruins and mostly abandoned, while a small population struggles to survive or escape. Meanwhile, a rebel faction seeks to eliminate the use of the Intercept, threatening the safety of New Earth. The story starts slow, warms up quickly, and then rushes to the conclusion. Readers will identify with the narrative's focus on emotions and the ways in which the Intercept tracks feelings and uses them to control the population. This plot point is well deployed and thoughtfully executed, while a series of last-minute plot twists and reveals challenge readers to finish the tale. Violet's character is well written, but the motivations and actions of the other characters are thinly drawn. Keller admirably establishes how Old and New Earth exist, but fails to expand on the larger political aspects or the personal history of the Crowley family. Despite these flaws in the story line, the ending packs an emotional punch and provides a satisfying wrap-up.