This fits squarely into the dystopian genre, but it is misleading as at times it feels comfortable and paints a picture of a good life. There are many themes that run throughout this story including blended families, nature/farming, sustainability, conspiracy theories, racism and love - both romantic and familial.
It's a richly woven story which centers on Xavier - a warm, questioning lead character who loves Dungeons and Dragons, loves his family, and uses his skills to support his family. His growth and development throughout the book is central; and it is good to see this kind of strong but soft masculinity.
It's not always a comfortable read, and questions are raised throughout, not all of which are neatly answered, but there is a solid ending so the reader is not left disappointed.
Likeable characters make the reader want the best for them even if you're unsure what that is at times. The world is well created and it's tightly plotted. The chapters are not overly long which gives a sense of pace. A great read for teens.