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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
The trope of disfigured sociopath is reinforced constantly through this book. The story is OK but rated down due to the uncomfortable focus on Hester's scar that continues into this book.
Damn, these books are so good! Reeve is really moving out of the YA genre, despite the playfulness of the language and world-building, and the focus on a teenage main character (sort of). Hester and Tom's relationship is being treated with a real attention to how the events of their past and the mismatched personalities in their present idyllic life in Vineland might actually play out. What, realistically speaking, would happen when two thirty-somethings, who are each other's first and only love interests, discover that there are fundamental differences of temperament that come to the fore when danger comes to their haven and forces them to take action? Hester discovers that she would rather be out having adventures and is quite good at killing people, and has been plagued by a growing resentment and boredom at the peace and contentment that surrounds her adult life, including, heartbreakingly, her daughter. But this leads her to act with appalling callousness towards other people, even when she's not outright murdering them, which horrifies Tom. And Tom is sweet and gentle and nurturing, but he has, as Hester sees it, lost the spark and adventurousness that she found so exciting in him when they were young. This growing friction between Tom and Hester, combined with their very real love and devotion to each other, and the creaking strain that results from it, adds a depth to the book that really lifts it well out of the domain of YA, despite the bits with Wren, which are entertaining romps about a teenage girl being extremely dumb and impulsive, as teenage girls are.
But despite this undercurrent of darkness, which is quite a bit darker, I think, than the earlier books, or at least more adult, Reeve's delightful attention to detail in the narrative, the characters, the names (Nimrod Pennyroyal and Nabisco Shkin are two excellent ones) and the running motif of aspiring artists being not terribly popular or successful in Brighton, make this an utter joy.
Be warned: It does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to dive right into Book IV!
But despite this undercurrent of darkness, which is quite a bit darker, I think, than the earlier books, or at least more adult, Reeve's delightful attention to detail in the narrative, the characters, the names (Nimrod Pennyroyal and Nabisco Shkin are two excellent ones) and the running motif of aspiring artists being not terribly popular or successful in Brighton, make this an utter joy.
Be warned: It does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared to dive right into Book IV!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took me a little longer to get into this book than with the previous two because of the time jump. I was looking forward to some more Hester Shaw growth, and that 16 year time skip robbed me of that.
That being said, after 100 pages or so, the story picked up again, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was great, as usual, the characters compelling enough, and the plot kept me hooked.
I do wish we’d had a little less romance, but I did like where we left Tom and Hester at the end.
I’m looking forward to the next volume, though, again, I could deal with minimal romance.
That being said, after 100 pages or so, the story picked up again, and I really enjoyed it. The writing was great, as usual, the characters compelling enough, and the plot kept me hooked.
I do wish we’d had a little less romance, but I did like where we left Tom and Hester at the end.
I’m looking forward to the next volume, though, again, I could deal with minimal romance.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence
The brutal story of the traction cities continues many years after our harrowed characters finally settled. The past doesn’t stay gone for long, and soon, the hard-won peace is shaken and the heartless chaos of Reeve’s apocalyptic world once again engulfs the Natsworthies. Poignant, relentless, and heartbreaking.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this book. Better than Predator’s Gold but I couldn’t give it four stars because one character just made me mad. They wouldn’t have acted that way, no matter their past. However it does set up nicely for an interesting book four with many opposing parties clashing and issues to be resolved (or not).