I just don’t know about this series. Part of me wants to give it the benefit of the doubt as a youth action series and that it’s target audience would find it enjoyable, but the other part thinks who IS this written for exactly? It jumps from simple giddy naive characters and kissing, to describing slaves on leashes and straight up descriptive murder. The age I’m picturing that would actually gain something from reading this would be far too young for some of the extreme violence that shows up so abruptly. Or maybe I’m out of touch with what being a young teen is anymore and should just let the book exist for those that want it.

Because honestly, I get it. There’s a plot that moves you forward, and at some level there’s entertainment. And this world has soo many possibilities. Im still running off the interest I had when I first heard the idea, and there’s parts of the world that have kept me reading on. I may not feel like I’m growing as a reader from the material, but as I’m reading I realize someone out there must, and they shouldn’t feel lesser for it. There’s without a doubt much better YA series out there to recommend, but there’s probably worse ones as well.

As for it being the 2nd book in the series, definitely disappointed it didn’t take off in quality like I hoped. It stayed predictable most of the way, and even when it feels like a twist might happen, it’s exactly the twist you’d expect. The ending wrapped up rather quickly, but I think it sets up the opportunity to recharge the series and regain some quality. At least I’m praying it does because I’m trying to get through the next two books with my sanity.

I've always loved this series, ever since first reading them as they came out. It has a very wrapped-up feeling by the end of the book. No loose ends, and no real mystery. On the other hand, that is very symptomatic of Scholastic, and of children's fiction in general.

Fantastically done. A beautiful book to be your child's first foray into dystopia.

Great world building. Complex characters for a YA series. Very good sequel, will keep reading

Buon proseguimento, anche se la trama del primo era superiore. Un po' tirato a tratti, ma quando leggi una serie non stai tanto a farne una questione di principio. Avanti verso il terzo libro.

Hester Shaw might be a war criminal but she’s also the love of my life

Listen, I very much enjoy this story and am already attached to the characters. SPOILERS SPRINKLED HERE AND THERE, BEWARE.

Spoiler

/rant ON But I could live without Jon's Yeah Hesta is ugly, but... and the same explective from EVERYONE. Is it really necessary? What more could we say about such a rich character, with such a moving backstory, who overcomes A LOT in her past AND her present? The solution is to call her UGLY to her face and her back? Even by her BOYFRIEND?

Also, WHY is Jon such a pushover? Grow a spine, dear.

Freya is a product of her upbringing and did A LOT of growing throughout the book. You should learn a thing or two from her, Jon.

Pennyroyal was an interesting character, absolutely one we love to hate.

/rant OFF

Although some could say this story dragged, I rather think it took its sweet time to pace a lot of stuff and bring us to book 3. Many things happened, and I needed the time between them to digest properly. I mean, the Jenny Haniver being stolen? Hesta acting as a scorned woman? Caul almost dying? STALKER FANG???

Severely disturbing, though, is Hesta getting pregnant at the age of fifteen. Well, if you don't mind Paul and the girl from Dune, this won't be a problem.

Sorry if I got some of the names wrong, I listened to it.

I *loved* the first book, so I came into this one with high hopes. There were definitely some great parts, like the parasites and the part at the end with the creation of the new Anna Fang, but the whole Anchorage/Love Triangle thing had me kinda dragging through, which sucks because the writing is still very engaging, but it just felt sloggy. Anyway, still a great book and if you liked the first one you'll probably like this. Just be prepared to mentally smack Tom (and to some level, Hester) around a bit :p