Eight years ago, Addie Webster was kidnapped. Her governor father and tech CEO mother were devastated but went on with their lives; now her father is president of the U.S. When Addie escapes her kidnappers and reappears at age 16, she is joyously welcomed back, with great concern for what may have happened to her. Addie's childhood friend Darrow, whose mother is chief of staff, is blackmailed by a national security adviser to spy on Addie, who does indeed have new (hidden) allegiances. Gangsei's debut clearly benefits from her Washington, D.C., experience and although settings and time periods shift frequently, it's always easy to follow the swift-paced plot. Set in the very near future, this has refreshing multicultural elements (both Addie and Darrow are biracial), realistic instances of terrorism, and what feels like an insider's look at the White House. Savvy readers will likely figure out early the secret it takes Addie too long to discover, but should be suitably diverted as they stay up late to finish.

Gr 7 Up-It's been eight hellish years since little Addie, daughter of then governor Webster, disappeared without a trace, leaving a raw and gaping hole in the lives of her family and her best friend, Darrow. While her family grieved and eventually moved on with their lives, Darrow continues to blame himself for Addie's disappearance, obsessively following dead-end leads and alleged sightings. Suddenly, a 16-year-old girl shows up, claiming she's Addie Webster, but is this just a coincidence, or is she somehow tied to the national security threat that President Webster is grappling with? This thriller doesn't let up its unrelenting pace until the breathless conclusion, which hints at a sequel. Throughout, teens will see glimpses into Addie's haunted past via flashbacks and begin to figure out what's really happening with the troubled girl. Addie isn't the only character whose complex persona fuels the action. In his search to understand Addie, Darrow takes a number of risks that threaten his life; Addie's sister has a complicated history with Darrow and has just returned from a stint in rehab; and even Addie's parents are not who they seem. The writing is complex enough to satisfy more sophisticated YA readers yet fast-paced enough to keep the attention of reluctant readers. VERDICT Gangsei's killer political novel is a must-read for those who enjoy a tight plot in their psychological thrillers. Leighanne Law, Scriber Lake High School, WA

When eight-year-old Addie Webster was kidnapped, her father was governor. When she returns at sixteen, he is president. Addie claims to have escaped from an off-the-grid couple, and while DNA proves her identity, not everyone believes her storyincluding her old friend Darrow, who has never forgiven himself for not protecting her. It is an unsettled time in Washington. An organization called Cerberus is staging "warning" terrorist attacks to force the president into ordering more Internet surveillance, which he refuses to do. Addie, meanwhile, has a mission of her own. Although back with her family, she knows she is never safethat no one is ever safe. How far will she go to get that message across? And can Darrow do anything to help her?This all-too-believable thriller is perfectly paced, gradually unfolding Addie's true story and her mission. Action scenes alternate with less intense sections, including behind-the-scenes views of the White House and a mild AddieûDarrow romance. Characters are complex and flawed. The story explores big questions of loyalty, ethics, truth, and the lengths to which people will go to prove a point. Is it worth a life? Many lives? Readers will be on the edge of their seats to find out. On the down side, the story may initially confuse readers, as they need to sort out time frame, characters, and truth. In addition, a lack of consequences in some instances seems unbelievable. A semiûcliff-hanger ending, combined with unexplored character backstories, hints at a sequel.Rebecca Moore.With its fast-paced action and constant betrayal, Gangsei's first novel leaves readers wanting more. Combining mystery and realistic fiction, Zero Day is a bit hard to understand in the beginning, but once immersed in the world of Adele Webster, nothing in the world could get a reader to turn away. For a book filled with spies, hacking, and impending doom, look to Zero Day. 3Q, 4P.Anna Lindberg, Teen Reviewer.