The Cyclopes’ Eye
Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius
NineStar Press (2024)
ISBN: 978-1648907524
Reviewed by Shawna Thompson for Reader Views (11/2024)
Henry Youngwell tries to be an ordinary kid, however his life is anything but typical. He lives in a chaotic household where his father struggles with alcoholism, often drowning his sorrows in a bottle instead of being present for his family. His mother is a convict, serving time for decisions that have left their family fragmented and struggling. Then there’s his twin sister, who recently lost her eye, and that haunts Henry’s memories.
Axiom, a health insurance company, has created a monopoly in healthcare by merging with several providers in the state. The company aims to advance scientific understanding and find cures for diseases, believing that the human eye is essential. They have suggested that a significant sacrifice is necessary to achieve their goals, symbolically giving up one eye. One day a month, they infiltrate schools to select a candidate to literally give up one of their eyes.
Today is Drill Day, and Henry feels a familiar knot of fear tighten in his stomach. As he stands among two thousand peers gathered, he can’t help but notice the tension etched on their faces. It’s as if they are a herd of cattle, each one mirroring the anxiety and uncertainty that hangs heavy in the air. There’s an unspoken understanding among them, a collective awareness of what this day signifies. The thought that looms over them is stark and chilling: when the day concludes, one of their own will face an unimaginable loss and join the ranks of the one-eyed Cyclopes. Henry can’t shake the thought that he could be next, and his heart aches for the fear that binds them all together.
In “The Cyclops Eye,” the first book in an inspiring series of the same name by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius, we follow Henry and his courageous LGBTQ friends as they rise against a powerful pharmaceutical company to protect the vision of their peers. The narrative powerfully captures Henry’s journey. It bravely addresses critical issues such as alcoholism, incarceration, sexual identity, and death, inviting readers to connect deeply with the characters’ experiences and triumphs.
This dystopian novel invites teen and young adult readers on an engaging journey that resonates deeply, encouraging late-night page-turning. Haskey-Valerius’ raw and moving writing style enables you to share in the emotional highs and lows of the characters. Through their experiences, you are reminded of the strength of the human spirit and the power of solidarity in the face of adversity.
I eagerly anticipate the second installment’s release in The Cyclopes’ Eye series, as Haskey-Valerius has constructed a remarkable ending that compels readers to seek further engagement. I strongly recommend this book to individuals of all ages who love dystopia and futuristic young adult books. I am happy to give it a well-deserved rating of five stars.