The Rule of Three by Eric Walters is a classic dystopian novel, which depicts 16-year-old Adam Daley’s life as it is turned upside down by a severe power and electrical outage. The story then develops as Adam and his community band together to form a sanctuary within their neighbourhood. They struggle to continue on with life, but an ugly truth is revealed as the veneer of their “society” is peeled away. As the weeks pass, the obstacles increase and the fundamental questions of humanity are questioned: “Are we living, or just surviving?” Luckily, Adam, his mother, and his close confidant Herb manage to maintain the community’s basic morals, and survive at the same time.

The biggest threat comes from the outside, as the community prepares to confront a large, well-armed and ruthless group. Throughout the story, Adam and Herb have struggled to build a civilized community in a storm of chaos. And now they are being threatened by a force that could destroy everything they have created. The community unites together under one cause, and their efforts culminate in a single strike against the enemy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, as it follows the life of a teenager much like myself. It also questions the distinction between survival and living that can be blurred in life-or-death situations. Another interesting point was the fact that the book takes place in Canada, possibly near Walters’ own neighbourhood in Toronto. Overall I would recommend the book to teenagers above the age of 12. If you enjoy this book, I would also recommend the other books in the series: The Power of Three and Will to Survive.