The Loop, written by Ben Oliver, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary: After a world war, a world government was installed and put in charge of the rebuilding phase. It included a computerized system called HAPPY that advised the human government, solved international problems, cured disease and administered flawless and swift justice. It was effective, too effective. By curing the top 5 causes of death, this caused population explosion and food shortages. Sixteen year old Luka is in prison for admitting to an accidental death saving his sister from a life sentence. In the LOOP (prison) you can delay your execution by allowing unnatural experimentation on your body. Days run in a scheduled loop. Everything is scheduled and repetitive (meals, exercise, rain, etc) The LOOP can harvest your energy like a battery so Luka exercises hard so they don’t get much of his energy. A rebellion outside the LOOP against the government has started. Electricity is turned off and Luka escapes with other prisoners. Mass executions are happening all over the city by normal people who are dazed with silly smiles. Luka, the other escapees, and the army of resistors battle the government soldiers in a fight for their freedom and the freedom of the world. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: The storyline was unique and well written. Great book for high school students. EBB is a new drug taken in this society. Addicting like LSD, it brings on hallucinations, but these hallucinations are happy and peaceful. I can’t wait for the sequel. It leaves off on a cliff hanger and I am not one who waits well. The 2nd book is due out May 2021. I prefer to read a whole trilogy at one time.