[Guest Review] The Remedy by Suzanne Young

Title: The Remedy
Series: The Program #0.5

Author: Suzanne Young [Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Simon Pulse, an imprint of Simon & Schuster 

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian

Release Date: April 21, 2015

Source: ARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and the reader's own. – review policy here.

A huge thank you to Meghann for sending me this ARC and letting me review it!

I was a bit nervous to read this because I LOVED The Program but The Treatment let me down a bit. I was wondering which way this book would go. The synopsis immediately intrigued me though. 

Here it is:Quinlan McKee is a closer. Since the age of seven, Quinn has held the responsibility of providing closure to grieving families with a special skill—she can “become” anyone.

Recommended by grief counselors, Quinn is hired by families to take on the short-term role of a deceased loved one between the ages of fifteen and twenty. She’s not an exact copy, of course, but she wears their clothes and changes her hair, studies them through pictures and videos, and soon, Quinn can act like them, smell like them, and be them for all intents and purposes. But to do her job successfully, she can’t get attached.

Now seventeen, Quinn is deft at recreating herself, sometimes confusing her own past with those of the people she’s portrayed. When she’s given her longest assignment, playing the role of Catalina Barnes, Quinn begins to bond with the deceased girl’s boyfriend. But that’s only the beginning of the complications, especially when Quinn finds out the truth about Catalina’s death. And the epidemic it could start.

THIS BOOK. I loved it even more than The Program. I was on an emotional rollercoaster the whole time! I loved the relationship between Quinn and Deacon, her former partner and former boyfriend turned best friend. The humor between them was fun and reminded me of Sloane and James. On the actual "closer" job, I was somewhere in the middle. I can see how this could be a beneficial therapy but I also found the idea SUPER creepy and unhealthy for the grieving families. Quinn was such an interesting character. We essentially follow her tailspin into insanity. It was awful to watch but so addicting. My favorite thing about this book was how psychologically intense it was! There was a point in the book where she stopped investigating some of Catalina's mysteries and that bummed me out. This cooling off period didn't last too long. I won't spoil it, but after her assignment with the Barnes and Isaac, she had a few mysteries of her own to unravel along with getting back to Catalina's. THE END OF THIS BOOK HAD MY HEART RACING. It was still racing after I finished! I couldn't help myself and HAD to ask the author on Twitter if we will get more Quinn and she said yes! *happy dance* My only complaint about this book would have to be some of the character's physical descriptions. I feel like I didn't get enough to form clear pictures of them in my mind. I mostly just made them up myself.

Otherwise, I loved this book and I am definitely ready for more! Five out of five stars!

5 Stars from Harlee Rose (@Harlee_S)

[Guest Review] Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer

Title: Proof of Forever

Author: Lexa Hillyer [Twitter | Website]

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary, Science Fiction

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Source: ARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and the reader's own. – review policy here.

Proof of Forever follows four former best friends---Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe--that end up reuniting in a very bizarre way. At their camp reunion, they step into a photo-booth that transports them back in time. To be specific, they travel back to the summer they were fifteen. Pretty out there, right?

This just screams summer read. Camp, friendships, drama...what else could you ask for? I've been campaigning for more stories about friendship so I was very excited to read this book. I think I can say this is a pretty solid friendship story. Well, kind of.

This story is very captivating. I was drawn to the plot from the very beginning. You're not sure why the main characters are not friends anymore so the mystery kept me reading. The time travel element was unique and I really enjoyed reading the craziness that ensued. I have to get technical for a second and say that this novel is beautifully written. Every description is vivid, the four points of views are very unique, and the prose is so lyrical. I can't say enough nice things about this. Just gorgeous.

To be honest, I did find the story boring at times. I had a hard time at the beginning but it does improve (quite a lot actually) so stick with it if you feel like you want to stop. Also, I have a hard time connecting with characters when the narrative is written in third person. I wasn't as invested in the story because of it but this is more of a personal issue than anything else. The way the story is written works well since the author is juggling four points of view. I just prefer books that are not in third person.

Overall, I enjoyed this book enough to recommend it. If you're looking for a well-written summer read, definitely picked this one up!

3 Stars from Paola at

[Mini Guest Review] The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Cage
Series: The Cage #1

Author: Megan Shepherd [Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopia

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Source: ARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and the reader's own. – review policy here.

This book reminded of few other books that i read recently that are along the same lines kids are kidnapped, some rules are set in place, you got the leaders, those that want to escape, those that want stay extra. Don't get me wrong that not a bad or a good thing it just a standard format i seen in a few books the Maze Runner, Alive, and Hunger Games. It a format that works it keeps you guessing you never quite sure what going to happen. The Cage kept me guessing on who the bad guys where and the fact that it aliens and your not sure if Earth is gone or not is a pretty interesting concept. I like all the twists and turns in the story and excited to see what happens in book two, also liked the ending as it was not cliff hanger but makes me want to read the rest of the series.

4 Stars from Jan at J.R.'s Book Reviews

[Guest Review] The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith

Title: The Alex Crow

Author: Andrew Smith [Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Books

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction

Release Date: March 10, 2015

Source: ARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and the reader's own. – review policy here.

This was my first Andrew Smith novel. I have heard all sorts of things about his work, mainly that it’s amazing, so I was excited to find out for myself. And it did not let me down. It was definitely a strange experience, but one I still enjoyed.

So what’s this book about, then? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it. A refugee, a bionic crow, a failed Arctic exploration team, a melting man. ...yep. This is one of those stories that’s told in parts, in different narratives, all seemingly different things that have nothing to do with each other…until they do. There’s 1) Ariel and his present-day narration of the boys’ camp he is sent to; 2) Ariel telling his brother the story of him becoming a refugee in flashback; 3) Journal articles from one of the Arctic explorers hundreds of years ago; and 4) the schizophrenic bomber. It seems a little confusing, but it wasn’t really.

Smith’s writing is like magic. He has such a way with words that just draws you in and hooks you from the beginning. Yes, he has all these different narratives, but each had their own distinct and unique voice. They didn’t sound the same, and it wasn’t confusing. And then you get to the part where you start to see how all these separate stories start to tie in to each other. I was flying through the pages just to see if things were what I thought they were.

Smith also touches on a whole slew of different subjects. This book is filled with so many WTF moments, like did I really just read that? Or what in the world is going on? Serious and horrifying moments from Ariel’s time in the refugee camp, kinda gross moments with the burning man, and teenage boy humor from Max and his euphemisms. But it all worked together to create a deep and complex story.

I realize I probably haven’t been clear on what the book is about, but it’s one of those things that just cannot be explained. But it was one of those books that I fell in love with, and highly recommend. Smith is an incredible writer, and one that I will definitely be reading more from.

5 Stars

thenerdherdreads.blogspot.com

[Review] Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Red Queen
Series: Red Queen Trilogy #1

Author: Victoria Aveyard [Instagram | Twitter | Website]

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Fantasy, Science Fiction

Release Date: February 10, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Am I the black sheep? 

I got nervous as Red Queen inched its way up my queue. All of Twitter had been raving and so I started reading. The beginning moved really slow for me, I find this to be common when I read fantasy. I just didn't get it, I didn't understand how the book was going to earn its namesake, Red Queen. Lucky for me I'm not the black sheep and lucky for you (and me) the pacing picks up around the 15-20% mark. 

What's going down...

This is a fantasy/science fiction world where people are divided into two classes, Reds and Silvers. Reds are "normal" and bleed... you guessed it, red. Silvers bleed silver but that's not what makes them "special," they each have an ability that is passed down their family lines. Some can manipulate elements, others can read minds, etc. There's a little inconsistency in the use of the abilities but nothing to raise your nose at. Overall it's a really interesting world that is similar to a lot of other fictional worlds but the characters make up for the similarities setting Red Queen in a class of her own. 

Mare Barrow 

Honestly, the only thing I disliked about Red Queen is this girl's name. I keep reading Bone Marrow instead of her actual name. So I did take quickly to her "royal" name. 

Two Brothers... wait half brothers. One good, one bad...
I know these guys! They're Thor and Loki, I mean, Cal and Maven. One is heir to the throne, handsome, big, a warrior. The other is lanky, smart, and his mother's son. I cannot picture them any other way. I like both brothers for what they bring to the table and their value to the story. Cannot wait to see how they grow and develop after this epic conclusion and leading into book two.

Romance because it has to be covered.
There are a lot of prospects for Miss Barrow here. There's both brothers and Kilgorn, her childhood friend. It's complicated because really there's no time for romantic foolishness. There's hints of it but if you're looking for major swoons... well, they're not really here. It does set up some interesting possibilities for book two.

She said it once, she'll say it again.
The foreshadowing is strong with this one. Mare learns a phrase during her Lessons with Julian and even though she recalls it like clockwork it doesn't really sink in. She trusts too easily. Even as she gets stronger physically her mental toughness wanes through the last pages. Since it's a trilogy I'm looking for book two to round her out with some solid character development.

When -ish hits the fan... literally.
So a lot of stuff goes down, including the electric dome above the arena and there's a major cliffhanger. Thank goodness Victoria gives us a short epilogue to deter major Twitter stalking however it leaves a lot of anticipation for book two. I can't wait!!!!

You will like Red Queen if you enjoy high fantasy, superheroes, mutants, good v. evil... basically if you like reading you should read this. 

4.5 Stars – It's on!!!!!!! Bring me book two, like, yesterday.

[Review] The Prey by Tom Isbell

Title: The Prey
Series: The Hatchery #1

Author: Tom Isbell [Twitter]

Publisher: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian, Thriller

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Source: eARC provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Run!!!!!!!

Immediately we kick off with folks hiding in caves and almost dying in deserts, oddly called the No Water. There's the potential for high action and we know there are some bad and suspicious people in this world. They're called Brown Shirts. They wear Brown Shirts. Be aware of the Brown Shirts.

Twists and Turns
Interestingly we have two POVs, one is first person past/present through Books who is an LT at a boy's camp, and the second is a third person present showcasing Hope. This makes things a bit hard to follow, despite the change in tenses, but more so the change in narratives. I'm really curious why Hope's POV isn't also first person. If there's going to be a third person narrative I'm looking for a lot more regarding world building and character development.

For the first half of the book the world building is laid out depicting a post-apocalyptic US in which the boys and girls have been separated, some people have defects due to, what I can guess is, radiation exposure.

The plot really is the driving force here. The concept of hunting people for sport and using the population for scientific testing is all very intriguing. Tell me more. How did this start? Once the boys and the girls come together in part three things really get moving and the action packed journey begins.

I made little attachments to the characters so when people died it was just a shrug. The character I enjoyed the most is Cat and the story does reveal some info about him that is interesting but he's mostly an unexplored character like the rest. Also Hope's father's past shows some potential to add character value so I'm waiting for more in book two.

Descriptive Disasters
The writing is really interesting here. Putting aside the tenses and POV issues. There are several times I snickered at descriptives such as "purpling," the act of turning purple. There's also the possibility of "masculine smells." At some point I started glazing over them because I found them to be more distracting than off-putting.

Um, no. That's a strong no.

But I stuck with it. Mostly because the plot and concept were still interesting to me and I was curious to see it all play out. Once the ending started creeping up I was excited and anxious to see how the set up for book two played out. Whomp, womp! I was extremely let down. I'm not going to spoil here but I will say it comes off as underwhelming.

I'm not sure I'm reading book two but if I do this is what I'd like to see...

By far to me one of the most interesting character's is Cat, who Books and his friends find in the desert, ahem, No Water. At this point Cat's POV is more interesting than Books' or Hope's. Overall more character development to make me invested in who lives and dies.

The ending was redundant. I really hope book two skips some pieces since this one was already a journey book. So I'm looking for lots of action! 

2.5 Stars – Good premise, but ultimately not for me.

[Review] Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

Title: Elusion

Series: Elusion #1
Author: Claudia Gabel [Twitter | Website] and Cheryl Klam [Twitter | Website]

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian

Release Date: March 18, 2014

Source: Audiobook borrowed via library, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Really cool tech and world building

Set in a futuristic Detroit with acid rain, Regan is grieving her father's death as his invention is preparing to launch nationwide. Now his business partner, teen genius Patrick, is the face of the product and it's future. Elusion is a virtual reality head set but soon after the launch things start to go wrong and Regan is determined to figure it all out.

Elusion is a cool piece of tech even if the explanations are a bit rough around the edges. There are some hints to other science fiction-esque theories that can get a bit deep and feel unstable without the proper foundation. I'm really hoping the second book gets into this more. In the end I would totally go to Elusion and hang out.

The "real world" is futuristic and totally believable. We've destroyed the world, on bad days you need a Star Lord style O2 mask and the rain is something to be feared. 

Mystery and Corporate Espionage 

There is a mystery element here as Regan and her new friend Josh go hunting for his sister Norah in both real life and Elusion. There's also the big bad corporation, Orexis, who owns Elusion. Trying to figure out everyone's agenda is exciting and the reveal of whodunnit was not as predictable as one might guess. So it made listening while driving quiet exhilarating since I felt like I should be involved in a high speed chase... haha. (There are no high speed chases though, bummer.)

If you're a fan of the movie Inception or any movies that involve bad corporations handling big tech you'll enjoy this.

Ah, answers but I'm not sure I'm invested...

It's like a second date at this point. I've asked you all the important questions on the first date and the answers are average. Now we're at my door and you've given me a pretty awesome kiss, but is it enough to accept a second date? I'm not sure... however, book two, Etherworld is out in March.

publishes March 31, 2015

3 Stars – Soooo... okay. I'll call you some time but not to Elusion.

Comic Sunday #14: Clockwork Girl by Sean O'Reilly and Kevin Hanna

Comic Sundays are an American newspaper tradition where new comic strips are published weekly. At Becoming Books this tradition will continue focusing on comic strips, comics and graphic novels appealing to young adult and adult audiences.

Story and Illustrations by Sean O'Reilly and Kevin Hanna

Fiction – Graphic Novel, Science Fiction | 128 pages

July 12, 2011 // Harper Design, an imprint of HarperCollins
http://www.clockworkgirl.com/

Purchased personal copy. – Opinions are my own, review policy here.

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I picked this up before Christmas in the clearance bin at Half Price Books. What an awesome find!!!
I love mechanics, specifically clocks, clock gears and things to do with time.

Illustrations
These are great images of two star-crossed lovers and competing inventors. With solid line work I can imagine the Clockwork Girl, Telsa, inked into my skin. The frame's tones shift occasionally to rough outlines with a childlike quality as Telsa and Monster Boy, Huxley, try to spend time together. Overall, I fell in love with these drawings.

In the back of the hardcover there's an illustration gallery with various versions of the characters. It's neat to see the creative process of several illustrators and how the characters come to life.

Story
This is a really elementary retelling of Romeo and Juliet. It's sweet but not overly romantic or cheesy. I'm more inclined to think the romance is about the merger of technology and nature, seeking a love child of balance. The the child is beautiful. The romance is in these drawings.

To Pull or Not To Pull? What's a pull list?

Buy it! This hardcover is the bound version of the comics so there's nothing to pull. The graphic novel was optioned for a movie with Alexa PenaVega and Jesse McCartney voicing the leads. 

Unfortunately the movie never got a wide release but did release in 2014 on Canadian TV. I hope to watch it soon! 

[Review] These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Title: These Broken Stars 
Series: Starbound #1

Authors: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Romance

Release Date: December 10, 2013

Source: Audiobook borrowed via library, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it. - via Goodreads

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I'm not sure about stars but there are definitely some things that are broken...

I saw Meagan Spooner at an author event not too long ago. She described These Broken Stars as being The Titanic is the ship had crashed in the first 15 minutes and was in space. This could not be more true.

Lilac is not my favorite person in the world but due to her upbringing we'll dismiss it and give her some credit for have a keen sense of self awareness and guts. When the time called for it, she buckled down and got stuff done. However, it's Tarver that I preferred to hear from. His inner dialogue was less self-depreciating, practical, honest, and, most importantly, he had a great sense of humor. I'm always down for someone who can still laugh even when things go south. 

The tense... the past, the present... so confusing :/

Let's talk about format for a bit. The story was told in (mostly) alternating chapters of Lilac and Tarver in first person, present tense. In-between chapters there were clips of Tarver's debrief interview, which is refers and alludes to items in the narrative. So we know the narrative is past tense and Tarver's interview is present tense, if not also past tense. I'm not really sure why this format was chosen but it was very confusing to listen to at first. Maybe it comes off differently in text or maybe it's just me?  

Whispers... so mysterious

The Whispers are probably one of my favorite things about this entire book and I still have sooo many questions. Unfortunately we don't really get to know these/this character as well as I would've liked. Maybe a couple chapters of narrative from them could've answered some questions and provided explanations.

Overall the story line and plot development is nicely paced to allow for necessary character development to occur and move everything forward. There are a couple moments where the plot just happens but for the most part everything fits into Kaufman and Spooner's world. I'm definitely looking foward to the second book in this companion series, This Shattered World. 

3.5 Stars – Earth is good, no whispers.

[Review] A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Series: Firebird #1

Author: Claudia Gray [ Facebook | Twitter | Website ]

Publisher: HarperTeen

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction 

Release Date: November 4, 2014

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.- via Goodreads

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This is soooo cool! 

The premise for A Thousand Pieces of You is mind boggling. I'm pretty smart but I definitely found myself scratching my head while reading... more on that in a bit. ATPOY centers around the concept of parallel dimensions so more Inception vs. Back to the Future. This is NOT time travel which is such a relief. I feel that rabbit hole has been played. Instead Claudia Gray has taken a step into a physics heavy world to explore the idea of multiple yous (and mes?) living simultaneously in different dimensions. Each door the characters step through is handled with care and beautiful world building. 

Inspired research reading...

So sometimes while reading I get distracted by "fact checking." Let's just say with all the science in this I'm surprised I finished it so soon. O_O The science and play on M (string) theory make for a romanticized convergence of fate and physics. It's hott and super nerdy. In other words, I like it! 

If you liked the movies Inception or Donnie Darko it's a similar set up but it definitely took me a minute to work through the beginning chapter's info dump to get the rules. However, once Gray's science is set up it's consistent, smooth and really, really thought provoking.

But who are we really?!?!

This is where the really, really thought provoking part kicks in. I don't want to spoil anything but yes so many good questions. Are you really you in all dimensions or part of you? Which one is the "real" you? Does fate play a role in all dimensions?

I really enjoyed trying to work through these possibilities in my head. It also drew me closer to the characters while not trusting any of them! Marguerite, Paul and Theo all have to work through these issues and it's very interesting to read how it all plays out. 

Amazing writing, plot and pacing

Gray utilizes 5(ish) dimensions and hits the ground running! The plot kicks off with the catalyst already in motion so there's a bit of (very necessary) info dump, character intros, plot roll out and then we hit the road. The pacing is intricately timed to accommodate both character development and plot progression.  

Swoons are like cherries and I want more!

Ahhh... the boys and kisses. I wasn't looking for big romance or swoons but Gray doesn't leave us out to dry. There are a couple scenes that made me swoon and I possibly have found a new book boyfriend. Theo and Paul are very different people but as they travel they are also different people. 

I cannot wait for book two!!!! I expect it will get interesting and I'm curious to see how their dimension travel factors into it. 

5 Stars – I want to start reading this again now! If nothing else, buy it for the cover :)

[Review] The Infinite Sea (The Fifth Wave #2) by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea
Series: The Fifth Wave #2
Author: Rick Yancey [ Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Website]

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin

Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Science Fiction, Dystopian

Release Date: September 16, 2014

Source: Purchased, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven't seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate. - via Goodreads

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I almost didn't finish the book and I'll explain why later but I'm so glad I did.

Strong out of the gate...
The first two-thirds of The Infinite Sea alternates between various points of view (POVs) creating a masterful balance of plot building, action scenes and character development. Picking up shortly after book one ends Cassie and the crew are hunkering down to lick their wounds and come up with a new survival plan. We're introduced to a couple of new characters who bring in different dynamics while everyone is not sure they trust each other.

I really, really loved the first 200 pages or so. I read through them at lightning speed (for me) as the pacing led the POV changes and domino-effect action sequences. More information about the Others is revealed as well as character backstories which builds up strong feels! Now I'm just hoping no one dies because I love them all!!

Ugh, but this last 1/3 almost killed me...

For the last 100 pages the POV switches to a secondary-ish character and everything slowed down to a pacing halt. I would read a chapter or two and then quit. A couple days later I would come back and try again. I finally convinced myself I would just plow through.

For 60 pages the legendary second book journey kicks in with days and months passing without a whole lot of progress, and minimal new information and character development. There is the introduction of a new character who I found really, really interesting and possibly swoon worthy. 

*Happy Dance* It gets better...

Yay, we're free!!! For the last 40ish pages of the slow POV there's a plot turn and everything takes off. All of a sudden there are some revelations, a major action scene, swoons and just all the things took place. It was worth the 60 pages of dredge, a reader's reward if you will. 

My connection to the POV has strengthened and I get why this POV narrative had to occur. 

Why I'll be finishing this series off...

Say What??? The revelation!!!!!!! It changes everything and I mean everything. I'm ready for the crew to all be united and, maybe, a happy ending where the Others are not in charge. 

I wish I could write more but I'm trying so hard not be spoilery. It's a solid sequel, minus the pacing issue in the last third, packed with action and a major game changer. 

3.5 Stars - Love conquers all, even at the end of the world.