Through flashbacks, it becomes clear that the siblings had developed a physical attraction and were deeply troubled by their feelings for each other.

Near the end of the book their mother reveals that one of them was adopted, rendering their relationship star-crossed rather than taboo.

[3] Critics praised Wasteland for its effective portrayal of a potentially difficult topic, but often found the narrative itself inconsistent.

Hazel Rochman of Booklist comments that "A plot surprise at the end seems patched on, and a long quote from T.S.

"[4] Catherine Ensley writes for School Library Journal, "...chapters switch abruptly...while parental flakes aren't unusual in Block's fiction, readers may have a difficult time buying into the mother's reason for not telling her children about the adoption.