Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

Set in 2097, Kellen lives in a world where the male population has be decimated by the Elisha's Bear plague that struck in 2067. There is about one male for every 19 females. The world is now a better place with no war, hunger, poverty, and violence and run totally by women. Men can only hold certain jobs where they can do "no damage" to society and must have "minders" to be out and about. Most of the surviving men have become "loners", living is isolated towns or up in the wilderness away from the women who run world. Kellen overhears his mom and Aunt Paige arguing over something having to do with his father, Charlie. Piecing things together, he knows Elisha's Bear isn't just a some naturally occuring plague but created to be used whenever the women feel a justification for its use. Right now the place that will be hit is Afterlight, the settlement where Kellen's dad lives. Kellen, and two girl cousins, Tia and Sunday, head out to warn Kellen's dad. Once there, they uncover a terrifying secret about Elisha's Bear - there isn't just one.

Eerie, terrifying, and all too possible. As the story unwinds and betrayal unfolds, Kellen's world is turned upside down. This story is definitely draws the reader in and grows more terrifying as the story unfolds. A great story of what human kind does to itself in the name of a better world. This is a must read!