Title: Accidental Tribes
Author: C.S. Pascoal
Publisher: Prospera Books
ISBN: 979-8995829829
Pages: 203
Genre: Teen & Young Adult Detective Story
Reviewer: Anthony Avina

Read Book Review

In the age of advanced technology and social media, one would think that it is easier than ever to stay connected and be together with friends and loved ones, and for some, that can be the case. Yet for many, technology can consume young people’s time and isolate them from one another, making it even more vital than ever to find ways of harnessing this technology for good while also encouraging young people to find their community, for it is within those communities they find the social skills and understanding which can keep them on a better path in life.

Community and technology drive author C.S. Pascoal’s Accidental Tribes. The novel follows a group of eight kids who are brought together after each face expulsion from school. Their last chance to stay in school involves an experiment that brings them together in an isolated room, but the test does more than unite these outcast children; it tests the tension among them and their resolve as they uncover hidden secrets within the school. They must learn to trust one another and uncover the truth to save themselves before it’s too late.

This is a compelling and gripping read. The author does an incredible job building suspense and a chilling atmosphere that matches the story’s tone, from social experimentation to outcast teens, and how a good mystery can bring them together. The world-building and character development were astonishing, as the author balanced the story with both humorous and deeply emotional dialogue, along with the social dynamics of young people in modern school life. The exploration of how young people connect with one another and how the foundation of a true community can bring even the most socially outcast individuals together was heartfelt and compelling to see come to life on the pages.

Readers who enjoy teen and YA books, especially YA books that blend mystery, suspense, and thriller elements into a detective-like story, will be enthralled by this narrative. The book also has strong themes of technology, and the author uses it effectively as a storytelling device to drive the journey these eight kids take. The use of tech-related offenses to bring these kids together, and their skills as hackers and tech experts to uncover the mystery, was a great way to show both the good and bad aspects of technology’s evolution.  With suspense and a strong sense of adventure, this novel invites readers to follow the clues and uncover the truth.