3.5/5 stars
Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2012
424 pages
YA Dystopia
Book 2 in the Dust Lands Trilogy
Source: Library
First book Blood Red Road was a surprise hit for me last year so I am pleased to be reviewing its sequel today. I had a bit of trouble getting back into the world but was soon flying through it until...a certain part, which will be discussed at the very bottom in a spoiler section because it cause me great dissatisfaction and is intensely spoiler-y.
The sequel picks up shortly after the end of Blood Red Road with Saba, Lugh, Emmi (the reunited family), and their other companions traveling west looking for a better future. Then Saba receives devastating news about Jack that nevertheless sends her plunging straight back into danger with the rest of her companions following her.
Lugh was a tremendous douche in this book, treating Saba and a potential love interest particularly poorly. I wish we had more insight into his head because this guy barely seems worth all the effort Saba went through to save him. Emmi meanwhile continues to be a sweetheart-she has several great scenes and I loved her. Besides the details mentioned in the spoiler, my least favorite part of the book was the lack of Jack who's only there in the very beginning and end, not nearly enough for my liking.
Saba is in a bad head space for much of the book. She is haunted by some of her decisions and actions from book one (she went through some dark stuff so no surprise there). Although she has been reunited with her family, no one is very happy. I was mostly onboard with her decisions until the spoiler, which just pissed me off. Sorry but the spoiler really is integral to understanding my perspective on this book.
Cover: Redesign! This definitely looks like a masculine person, which is displeasing to me as Saba is definitely still the lead. I'm not sure if it's Lugh or Jack but neither possibility makes me happy. In my mind, this is Saba's story and the cover should reflect that.
Other Opinions:
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In Bed With Books
Lisa is Busy Nerding
SPOILER ALERT:
So it's bad enough that Jack is barely present in this book and that we are led to think he's betrayed Saba (or us the reader really) but then I cannot believe she goes and sleeps with DeMalo! It almost seems like she is in a trance when she does this and obviously if she was thinking clearly, she would not have (right?) Needless to say I hated this plot development and it really ruined the book for me. The only part I might dislike more is the very ending when it sounds as if Tommo is watching the thankfully reunited Saba and Jack and possibly plotting something dark. Also we've got three guys lusting after Saba? I like her, sure, but that seems a bit much.
END SPOILER
I think that part with DeMalo pissed EVERYBODY off. Ha! But at the same time, I understand why she did it. She wasn't thinking clearly and her head was messed up at the time. She thought Jack had betrayed her. She was lonely and DeMalo IS charming. And I think there is more to him than what we know. That said, totally Team Jack and I hope this doesn't turn into a love triangle.
ReplyDeleteI just could not believe it and that is my main takeaway from the book unfortunately-I wish it was something more positive!
DeleteI started reading the first book but couldn't finish it. I found Saba to be... too Xena, the warrior princes out of the blue. So I guess I'll never get to this one :-(
ReplyDeleteWell not every book is for everyone. I hope you are enjoying what you are reading now.
DeleteSorry that you had a harder time getting back into this world, but at least you seemed to enjoy once you did besides lack of that character.
ReplyDeleteBrandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I did like seeing Saba and Emmi again and the action was gripping.
DeleteI tried the first book but the voice/writing style is really unique and I decided to come back to it later when I had more time. that hasn't happened … yet.
ReplyDeleteI went ahead and read the spoilers because I forget everything anyway by the time I read the book.
Jen @ YA Romantics
When I read the first book I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the narrative voice because usually I hate dialect like that.
DeleteUgh, I still haven't read the first book yet. I read your spoiler anyway. I'll have to brace myself for that plot development.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the first book and it can be read as a standalone, I think if you want to avoid that spoiler.
DeleteI still haven't read the first one in this series. Sorry you had a hard time getting back into this. 3 guy all after Saba, I have to say that is a little new. ;) Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
I thought the first book was really good so I definitely still recommend that; it was just this second book that gave me problems.
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