When you consider the state of the world today, it’s not exactly far fetched to have a scenario where one company takes over virtually an entire industry and becomes one of the top employers. It’s scary to imagine, but entirely plausible, that all media will one day be run by Disney, all technology by Apple and all retail by Amazon. And it’s that last idea that’s behind Rob Hart’s novel The Warehouse. 

Set in a post-major disaster world where people seldom leave their houses, the novel follows two people, Paxton and Zinnia, who manage to get employed by Cloud, a massive tech and retail company that is pretty much the only game in town when it comes to jobs. And not only does Cloud provide a job, it also provides living quarters and, of course, all of the goods and services you could possibly require. Everything and everyone is monitored for maximum efficiency – and anyone falling below expectations is fired.

Obviously, not everything is as perfect as it seems. Zinnia didn’t get herself hired because she needed the work – she’s trying to pull back the curtain and find out what’s really going on. And though Paxton did need the job, he begins to wonder whether Cloud cares at all about either it’s employees or its customers. But is it worth putting his livelihood – and possibly his life – at risk to find out the truth for his own piece of mind?

There’s an unquestionable “look what Amazon could become” vibe underlying the plot of The Warehouse and the influences of Orwell are throughout. Plus, you have an extension of present day technology tying people down more than freeing them – even down to the wristbands that not only monitor performance and health (Fitbit, anyone?), but also allow you to make purchases (Apple watch?) and even unlock your apartment door (Disney Magicband?). But the author has done a good job of creating a future that’s obviously being run by an overlord of sorts, but in an apparently caring, providing and nice way. As long as you do your job and don’t try to cause any trouble, of course.

Though not an action-packed page turner (except when you get about 50 pages from the end), the plot moves along well and you do want to keep reading to find out what’s really behind everything. It’s easy to see why this was optioned for a movie before it was even published – not just for the sake of the plot, but the character development and the overall atmosphere. It’s definitely a good read and might just make you think the next time you’re making that online purchase.