The Boy Who Learned to Live - by D N Moore (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From award-winning author D.N. Moore comes a dystopian psychological thriller set in the year 2085, perfect for fans of The Giver and The Maze Runner.

Seventeen-year-old Oliver Mc'Neil has never been outside. Like everyone else in the Fifth City in the year 2085, he and his mother live in an apartment where the air and water are sterile, their food is couriered to them, and all their activities are done indoors on sims, machines that simulate life using computer monitors, virtual reality headsets, and holograms.

When Oliver wakes up in the middle of the woods drugged and delirious, he has no idea how he got there, but he is certain it is a death sentence. He is taken in by the rugged and beautiful Autumn, whose family is loud, rambunctious, and three children over the legal birth limit. They are outlaws, living with thousands of others in a network of underground caves, where modern technology is forbidden and secrecy is paramount. Oliver must learn to survive in a land that is wild and dangerous, while battling voices in his head that haunt him day and night. He doesn't know if the hallucinations are due to withdrawals from the mind-numbing medication he has taken every day of his life, or if he truly is the monster he appears to be. One thing he is certain of: he will do whatever it takes to protect Autumn, the girl who saved his life.

Cave sentries begin to go missing, leading to a series of disasters and growing suspicion about Oliver's appearance in the caves. Now his choices will either save or endanger his friends. Will he ever be able to trust himself in this strange new life?

Review Quotes

"Moore delivers enthralling set pieces... the entire cast is outstanding... a wholly absorbing, character-driven dystopian tale."

-Kirkus Reviews

"A visceral dystopian tale about the fight to live a full, free life. The book's contrast between sun-bright hope and intense, violent shocks are compelling elements that make this story leap from the page. The Boy Who Learned to Live abounds with simple yet deep scenes that wouldn't feel out of place in Anne of Green Gables. They're passages to savor."

-Independent Book Review

"In The Boy Who Learned to Live, Oliver goes on a fantastic journey that ends up teaching him what freedom really means. This book is a wild adventure that teens will enjoy. It's fast-paced and compares a life controlled by technology to one that is more hands-on with nature. Young people and adults will enjoy the characters and setting in this creative tale."

-City Book Review (16-year-old reviewer)

"A taut and compelling exploration of identity and freedom, set against the backdrop of a dystopian future. In a society ruled by technology and conformity, Oliver finds salvation in human connection and nature. Moore deftly portrays his internal struggle and transformation, crafting a haunting journey that asks not just how we survive in a fractured world, but how we rediscover ourselves within it. Simply un-put-downable."

-The Prairie's Book Review

"The Boy Who Learned to Live is a thought-provoking novel that delves into timely themes of isolation, the consequences of over-reliance on technology, and the rediscovery of what it means to be alive in a world that has lost touch with its roots. The novel is perfect for readers who enjoy dystopian fiction with a psychological edge, especially those who are fans of books like The Giver or The Maze Runner. Moore's characters are relatable and the story's emotional core makes it worth the read."

-Literary Titan