The Thousandth Floor

Author: Katharine McGee Publisher: Harper ISBN: 9780062564801

THE BOOK begins with a young girl plunging to her death off a skyscraper. Then the scene, set in the year 2118, shifts to the events that led up to this tragedy.

The story revolves around a group of teenagers who live in a giant skyscraper called the Tower that has 1,000 floors. The richer you are, the higher your apartment located.

Living on the highest floor is Avery, who is genetically designed by her parents to look perfect. But life is not perfect for Avery. She is worried about her adopted brother Atlas who has suddenly gone on a trip without telling anyone.

Her small group of friends also seem to is have their own set of problems.

Best friend Leda has just got out of rehab for substance abuse. Unknown to Avery, Leda had a one-night stand with Atlas before he took off.

Another friend Eris loses all her privileges when her parents divorce.

There are other sub-plots involving the poorer denizens of the Tower such as Rylin who works as a maid for rich guy Cord but has been stealing his medication to sell on the black market; and Watt, a hacker, who created a device, called Nadia, that communicates to him in his head.

All their lives end up somewhat intertwined, with some family secrets thrown in.

This is an interesting read with an explosive ending, and I can’t wait for book two. – S. Indra Sathiabalan