When I read The Compound, by S.A. Bodeen, I was so riveted I barely even noticed when the flies whizzed about my face and the croaking sounds echoed in the distance. At the time, my brother had stuck me in a camp while he tried to visit six countries in a month, and I couldn't help bringing the book with me to every single meal, every activity. By toads, it was good!

Eli is the son of a millionaire technological genius, who built an underground compound so that his family could survive the nuclear war raging outside. At fifteen, Eli has been shut inside for nearly seven years -- socked in by a haunting silver door, never quite letting go of the memories of his twin brother and his gram, the two family members who didn't reach the compound before that horrid silver door was closed. Food and supplies are running out, tensions are tight, and Eli is making discoveries that will alter the very world as he knows it, not to mention the people he thought he understood. Everything is masked behind secrets and sabotage, and who Eli chooses to trust could mean the difference between life and death!

I absolutely, completely, TOAD-ALY, adored this book. Seriously, all my friends crowded with me as they read it too, and for the whole length of while I was reading it, there wasn't a second it was out of my mind. I would give it eleven toads out of five (yes, I did say that), and would advise absolutely anybody who likes adventure, mystery, and excited squeals to read it quick as they can. I loved this book!

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