Review of Breaking the Curfew Book One: Pandemic in Your Face!

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Breaking the Curfew Book One: Pandemic in Your Face!" by Mazen Homsi.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Pandemic in Your Face! Breaking the Curfew at World’s End Book One by Mazen Homsi is a fictional novel for young adults. The book journeys through a worldwide pandemic and the resulting lockdown through the eyes of a teenage boy.

Paul Yamamoto is a teenage boy disillusioned by high school. He wakes one morning with a bang as he hits his head on the metal frame of his bed. Tired and lacking motivation, he gets ready for the day ahead. Paul is frustrated with waking up at 5:30 every morning to catch the bus to school to arrive well before his classes begin. Most of his lessons seem tedious and unnecessary to Paul, who is intelligent but disillusioned. On this day, the students are interested in the latest global news. A farmer in Delhi, India, was bitten by an ant and became seriously ill with a virus. The farmer passed the virus on to his wife and daughter, and by walking to the nearest hospital, the virus had the opportunity to spread. Within 12 hours, the entire metropolis of Delhi became infected. The virus is named Antavirus, and almost every country around the world reports cases, some seriously ill and some cases proving fatal. With cases soaring, all the students wonder if school will close and what the future will hold in the uncertain time of a world pandemic.

This book describes the effects of a pandemic on a teenager. The author has highlighted the difficulties of online schooling, isolation, and the fear a pandemic causes to a young person. Teenage years are crucial for social and educational development, and I think the book helps the readers understand the consequences of quarantine. I enjoyed the main character, Paul. He is an awkward and anxious teenager who is generally unhappy at school. The story is interesting as it shows that the wish of not having to go to school is not the blessing imagined. I also appreciated the fears and uncertainty Paul and his family felt as they progressed into the period of uncertainty. As much as they fear health and safety issues, all the family unite in the anxiety of racial, social, financial, and political unrest.

The book is influenced by what the world went through in the coronavirus pandemic. Reading this story brings back strong memories and emotions associated with living through this time. All readers will relate to this reminder of what the world went through and how far we have come. Reading this story feels like a fantasy, but it is a situation that transpired in recent times. Young readers will understand more deeply how the pandemic affected the world and how we are still recovering.

The book offers immense detail. Many pages describe mundane activities, such as using the bathroom and logging onto online learning resources. I found the book too long and sometimes tedious because of this. There is an interesting premise, but not much happens in the book. The book should be more concise, as young adult readers could become bored whilst reading, as there is little action and excitement.

The book needs another round of professional editing as I found typographical errors. I enjoyed the insight into Paul’s view of the pandemic and how online schooling can be isolating. I found the story reminiscent of the coronavirus lockdown and a reminder of those unsettled times. I did think the book was slow in parts and contained too much detail about uninspiring events. The book was lengthy, and not too much happened. This instalment is the first book in the series, so I hope more exciting things are to follow. All things considered, I give the book 3 out of 5 stars.

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Breaking the Curfew Book One: Pandemic in Your Face!
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[Kelvin Omollo]

I love your honest and descriptive review. The book reminds me of COVID—it was terrible. I don't know how lockdown can affect a teen, so I guess I'll have to give the book a try to know.

[Louis Donald]

The premise of following a teenager through a pandemic and lockdown sounds interesting, but the lack of action and too much detail on mundane events might make it hard for me to stay engaged. I’m curious about the next book in the series but not sure I’ll pick this one up.

[Shaniz Tobiaz]

This book reminds of Covid-19 when there was curfew all over the country. The author did an amazing job, and your review is well organized. Thank you for this

[Pearl Flourish]

The review of “Breaking the Curfew Book One: Pandemic in Your Face!” by Mazen Homsi highlights the protagonist, Paul Yamamoto, a teenager navigating the challenges of a global pandemic and lockdown. The narrative delves into his experiences with online schooling, isolation, and the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. While the book offers a detailed portrayal of pandemic life, some readers might find the extensive descriptions of daily activities a bit monotonous. Additionally, the presence of typographical errors suggests that further editing could enhance the reading experience. Overall, the story provides a relatable perspective on the impact of a pandemic on a young individual’s life.