Inspection

Inspection
by Josh Malerman

J is one of twenty-six students, named A-Z.  They all call the same man D.A.D.  The school is all they know, they know nothing of an outside world.  Soon J is starting to wonder if there is more out there, but to think like that he can get into trouble and get put into the corner and disappear, never to be seen again. 

Next you meet K, a girl in a similar school across the forest.  She is a talented artist, wondering the same questions as J.

What J and K also both have in common is that neither have ever seen the opposite sex or is even aware there is such a thing as a boy or girl.  J has never seen a girl and K has never seen a boy.  

Why are boys and girls separated?  What is the point of making each other unaware of the other's presence.  How does the knowledge that the other even exists spoil them?

I have read a few Josh Malerman books now, and what they all seem to have in common is they are very imaginative and take you into a different world.  He's a good storyteller.  So far my favorite by him has been Bird Box, but I would say so far, this is probably his next best book. I haven't read all his books yet, so that could change down the road.