Book Review: Deception
Deception
By: C.J. Redwine
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Release date: August 27, 2013
Genre: YA dystopian/fantasy
480 pages
Buy it at Amazon, IndieBound or Barnes & Noble
Source: ARC kindly provided by publisher
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read my review of book 1, Defiance
If you've ever read a book that you loved so much that it made you incapable of paying attention to another book for a long time afterward, you'll know what I mean when I say that Deception gave me a serious book hangover.
I think that one of the most important jobs of YA literature is to help the reading audience learn about themselves emotionally through the experiences of the book's characters. Deception does this job brilliantly, from several points of view and through a variety of experiences. Dealing with their past, worrying about their future, and facing the harsh reality of their present, these characters are emotionally stretched to their limits. I think any reader who has suffered loss and hardship will not only identify with these characters' trials, but will gain some self-awareness as well.
In book 1, Rachel established herself as a tough-as-nails force to be reckoned with. In Deception, we get to see just how human she is, as she struggles to deal with all the loss and guilt. It's wonderful to see a character who is nearly super-human become overwhelmed, and then battle her way back.
The emotional journey Rachel, primarily, is on in this book mirrors Logan taking the lead in the physical journey. Their number of citizens must flee Baalboden and trek toward another city-state, which they hope will shelter them. Many in the group are ill-prepared for life in the Wasteland; children, the elderly, and a pregnant woman are in their number. Besides the harsh conditions and physical strain of travel, their group also must content with danger from highwaymen, trackers sent by their enemies, and possibly a spy within their own group.
These characters. . . even minor characters have gotten under my skin. I will be writing features on Rachel and Logan in the near future. I've also come to love several of their closest allies. I sincerely hope that most of them survive to the end of the story.
This action-packed adventure is paced well, with high-energy scenes and at-camp conversations providing both information and forward motion at a satisfying pace. Sadly, the pace at which book 3 is coming is not as satisfying. . . since Deception hits the shelves in late August, I'm sure we'll be waiting until mid-to-late 2014 for it. Write faster, Ms. Redwine!!
If you've ever read a book that you loved so much that it made you incapable of paying attention to another book for a long time afterward, you'll know what I mean when I say that Deception gave me a serious book hangover.
I think that one of the most important jobs of YA literature is to help the reading audience learn about themselves emotionally through the experiences of the book's characters. Deception does this job brilliantly, from several points of view and through a variety of experiences. Dealing with their past, worrying about their future, and facing the harsh reality of their present, these characters are emotionally stretched to their limits. I think any reader who has suffered loss and hardship will not only identify with these characters' trials, but will gain some self-awareness as well.
In book 1, Rachel established herself as a tough-as-nails force to be reckoned with. In Deception, we get to see just how human she is, as she struggles to deal with all the loss and guilt. It's wonderful to see a character who is nearly super-human become overwhelmed, and then battle her way back.
The emotional journey Rachel, primarily, is on in this book mirrors Logan taking the lead in the physical journey. Their number of citizens must flee Baalboden and trek toward another city-state, which they hope will shelter them. Many in the group are ill-prepared for life in the Wasteland; children, the elderly, and a pregnant woman are in their number. Besides the harsh conditions and physical strain of travel, their group also must content with danger from highwaymen, trackers sent by their enemies, and possibly a spy within their own group.
These characters. . . even minor characters have gotten under my skin. I will be writing features on Rachel and Logan in the near future. I've also come to love several of their closest allies. I sincerely hope that most of them survive to the end of the story.
This action-packed adventure is paced well, with high-energy scenes and at-camp conversations providing both information and forward motion at a satisfying pace. Sadly, the pace at which book 3 is coming is not as satisfying. . . since Deception hits the shelves in late August, I'm sure we'll be waiting until mid-to-late 2014 for it. Write faster, Ms. Redwine!!
Summary:
Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.
But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.
In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.
Baalboden has been ravaged. The brutal Commander's whereabouts are unknown. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father's death, needs Logan more than ever. With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it's up to Logan to become the leader they need—with Rachel by his side. Under constant threat from rival Carrington's army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.
But soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone—possibly inside their ranks—is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one. The chaos and uncertainty of each day puts unbearable strain on Rachel and Logan, and it isn't long before they feel their love splintering. Even worse, as it becomes clear that the Commander will stop at nothing to destroy them, the band of survivors begins to question whether the price of freedom may be too great—and whether, hunted by their enemies and the murderous traitor in their midst, they can make it out of the Wasteland alive.
In this daring sequel to Defiance, with the world they once loved forever destroyed, Rachel and Logan must decide between a life on the run and standing their ground to fight.
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This series is so brutal and even though it hurts at times that's what I love about it too.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
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