Blog Tour: Revolutionary (Anomaly #3) by Krista McGee (Review + Giveaway)

 Blog Tour Schedule

Published: July 15^th, 2014 (Thomas Nelson) 

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Source: NetGalley (Blog Tour)

Goodreads ~ Amazon 

All her life Thalli thought she was an anomaly. Now she must use her gifts to fulfill the role she was called to play: Revolutionary.

Back in the underground State against her will, Thalli is no longer the anomaly she was before. She has pr

oven herself to be a powerful leader aboveground and returns with information that Dr. Loudin needs to complete his plan of uniting the world under one leader: himself. But he, too, has information. A secret he has kept from Thalli her entire life. A secret that, once revealed, changes everything about the person Thalli thought she was.

Hoping to help Thalli rise up against the Scientists, both Berk and Alex join her underground, but their presence only brings more trouble for her. Now Dr. Loudin knows just the leverage to use on his captive, and she is forced to choose between the two of them. Is her first love her true love? Or does Alex ultimately claim her heart?

Unsure of everything around her, including her own identity, Thalli doesn’t know where to turn. She knows she needs the Designer, but he seems further away than ever. What she does know, though, is that if she doesn’t do something to stop Loudin, the fragile world aboveground will be lost once and for all. [Description from Goodreads]

I read Revolutionary immediately after reading Luminary (#2), and can I just say that this book series is one you just don’t tire of. I love Krista’s writing style- as stupid as this statement sounds, it’s easy to read and enjoy (trust me, some writing styles can be difficult to read!). One other “side detail” of the book that I really like is the cover. I love the covers for all the books in the trilogy, in fact, because they effectively represent the theme of the books.

Now down to the nitty gritty stuff. I loved how this book wraps it all up in such a dramatic way. Sooo many secrets are revealed! Dr. Loudin’s true self is uncovered, Thalli finds out  more about herself that she didn’t know before, and she even discovers secrets about her friends from New Hope. It was almost like every chapter was a book in itself, with drama and a climax and a cliffhanger ending.

I have to admit, in the past two books, I’d been a little disappointed in Dr. Loudin’s degree of evilness (is that a thing? I’m making it a thing). I don’t think I even realized I was disappointed until I read Revolutionary, though. Because in Revolutionary, Loudin is SO mean. He’s just a super big meanie. He’s about as mean as Loki was in the Avengers, when Loki shot Agent Coulson with that huge gun. That’s pretty mean, ya know? Granted, I didn’t invision Loudin being as gorgeous as Loki is, but that just made Loudin’s actions that much more treacherous.

But enough about villains…on to our incredible protagonist, Thalli! I loved seeing her grow over the span of the series. She’s come a long way since Anomaly. I do wish we could have seen some more changes due to her time aboveground. One thing was the fact that she still doesn’t use contractions. There aren’t many contractions used by much of anyone, in fact, and for some reason that really bugged me in all three books. It’s just the littlest detail, but for some reason it annoyed me at times.

I’m really glad that we were introduced to Alex’s character, and that he got a lot more attention in Revolutionary. Alex has definitely become one of my favorites from the trilogy…he’s just adorable. And I’m also glad that there was a significant increase in romance in this last book, as there was in Luminary (compared to Anomaly).

I found Revolutionary to be a fantastic ending to this unique and ground-breaking series! I might have said this before, but Krista McGee has done a great job in mixing more of the dystopian genre with the YA Christian genre. This hybrid is something I’m seeing more of on bookshelves today, and hopefully something I’ll continue to see. If you haven’t read Anomaly, be sure to do that this summer! Or if you have, be sure to finish the series. You won’t be disappointed…

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Very Mild

Sexual: None

About the Author:

Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.

Author Links:

http://kristamcgeebooks.com/

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5015496.Krista_McGee

https://twitter.com/KristaMcGeeYA

https://www.facebook.com/krista.a.mcgee

Blog Tour: Anomaly by Krista McGee (Review + Giveaway)

Tour Schedule

Published: July 9^th, 2013 (Thomas Nelson)

Pages: 336

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Book Depository

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Decades before Thalli’s birth, the world ended in a nuclear war. But life went on deep underground, thanks to a handful of scientists known as The Ten. Since then, they have genetically engineered humans to be free from emotions in the hopes that war won’t threaten their lives again.

But Thalli was born with the ability to feel emotions and a sense of curiosity she can barely contain. She has survived so far thanks to her ability to hide those differences. But Thalli’s secret is discovered when she is overwhelmed by the emotion in an ancient piece of music.

She is quickly scheduled for annihilation, but her childhood friend, Berk, convinces The Ten to postpone her death and study her instead. While in the scientists’ Pod, Thalli and Berk form a dangerous alliance, one strictly forbidden by the constant surveillance in the pods.

As her life ticks away, she hears rumors of someone called the Designer—someone even more powerful than The Ten. What’s more, the parts of her that have always been an anomaly could in fact be part of a much larger plan. And the parts of her that she has always guarded could be the answer she’s been looking for all along.

Thalli must sort out what to believe and who she can trust, before her time runs out… [Description from Amazon]

When I first started Anomaly, I thought it was pretty typical of the dystopian genre. The language, the focus on and exaltation of science over everything else (other fields, religion, love, emotion, etc), and the theme of human ignorance and dependence on a higher power (which, in turn, ends up being evil, though that’s often obvious from the start). These are reoccurring themes in dystopian literature today. Anomaly included them all, which is why I initially labeled it as “typical.” I was soon contradicted in my opinion, though, as well as pleasantly surprised.

Typical as it may have seemed, Anomaly’s fantastic plot twists is what really did it for me. It doesn’t turn out how you think it will. And don’t try and refute that statement until you’ve read the very last page. Oh yeah. It’s one of those books. The ones that change everything with the last few sentences, leaving you breathless and stunned. But that’s all I’m saying. *seals lips and throws away key*

It was really easy to connect to Thalli, obviously, since she had the “ability” to feel emotions (this made her an anomaly). An emotionless character would be pretty hard to connect with. *wink* I liked the “robotic” language that Krista used (sparse use of contractions). This can be a typical aspect of a dystopian, but it worked well in this book. As far as Berk, he was good as a love interest, but I liked Stone better. I just did. But I don’t think Thalli and Stone are going to happen, for reasons I can’t disclose. Spoilers! (oh my word, total Doctor Who reference right there, for those of you who didn’t catch it)

I’ve never read any other books by Krista McGee, though I’ve heard her YA books and her Christian romances are fantastic. But she’d never ventured into the dystopian genre before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I can honestly say I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely looking forward to seeing what happens next in this series.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: None- Mild (human experimentation; not gory, no description)

Sexual: None- Mild (some kissing…or thoughts about kissing…or something like that)

About the Author…

Krista McGee’s passion to see teens excited about serving God is a driving force behind her novels. Ever since college when she spent a summer working at a youth camp, McGee knew she wanted to invest in teenagers. Since then she’s been involved in a variety of youth ministries and currently teaches at a Christian school in Tampa, FL.

McGee broke into the writing world during her time in Spain. A friend encouraged her to submit an article to a Christian girls’ magazine, and it got published. Once her family moved back to Tampa, she got the idea for her first novel, First Date, a modern take of the story of Esther. Her subsequent books, Starring Me and Right Where I Belong, are based on Rebekah and Ruth.

When Krista McGee isn’t living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher and coffee snob.

Connect with Krista:

Website│Twitter│Goodreads│Facebook

***GIVEAWAY***

5 print copies of Anomaly, US only.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: The Quarryman’s Bride by Tracie Peterson

Published: June 1^st, 2013 (Bethany House)

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Emmalyne Knox and Tavin MacLachlan were destined to be together...until the tragic deaths of Emmalyne's youngest sisters. Family tradition mandates that the youngest daughter should remain single to care for her parents in their old age, and now that daughter is Emmalyne. Her father unyielding, Emmalyne surrenders to her duty, heartbroken. Tavin leaves town, equally devastated.

Years later, Emmalyne's family moves, and she and Tavin meet again. Their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but their painful past and Emmalyne's father still stand between them. Soon both families are in the midst of the growing conflict rising between the workers at the granite quarry that Tavin's father owns and operates. When a series of near-fatal accidents occur, Tavin must figure out who is behind the attacks before someone gets killed.

Bound by obligation, yet yearning for a future together, can Emmalyne and Tavin dare to dream that God could heal a decade-long wound and change the hearts of those who would stand in the way of true love? [Description from Amazon]

I haven’t read anything by Tracie Peterson in I can’t tell you when. I’ve always enjoyed her novels, made up of a perfect combo of romance and history, sometimes with a bit of a mystery thrown in. Now, I’m not a big fan of “2^nd time around” romances (as opposed to first love stories); the characters are usually older and sometimes hurt emotionally (from first love). This is just not my cup of tea. But Peterson, as always, wove a brilliant story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

You might think it’s funny I’m mentioning this rather trivial aspect early in the review, but I loved the Scottish language. It was so much fun to read, and really brought the story to life. Yet, it wasn’t overbearing- I could understand the gist of what they were saying without getting confused. This, my friends, is often the difference between a well-written book and a poorly-written book. If another tongue or accent is used to liven up the dialogue, often times its waaaay overbearing and just ruins the whole book by confusing you to pieces. Thankfully this was not the case with The Quarryman’s Bride.

Something that irked me for about 2/3 of the book was Tavin. His anger was such a turn-off. He had reason to be angry, but he was so, so bitter about something that happened a long time ago, and it just seemed a little extreme. He seemed like a hothead, which is why I didn’t like him for a while. In fact, I liked Dr. Williams much better. He, on the other hand, seemed to genuinely care about Emmy, which made me like him better than Tavin. Then I started having these weird superstitions about Dr. Williams’ true intentions and overly-kind attitude, but that amounted to nothing, haha. Anyway, long story short, I ended up liking Tavin in the end (he learned to forgive and put aside his anger).

This is definitely what I’d call “fluff” reading. It’s light and romantic and relatively quick to read. And I enjoyed every bit of it. Peterson has written yet another incredible romance that will stay with us long after we turn the last page.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Mild (a mentally unstable woman commits suicide)

Sexual: Mild (some innocent kissing)

Review: Though My Heart Is Torn (The Cadence of Grace #2) by Joanne Bischof

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Published: April 2^nd, 2013 (Multnomah Books)

Pages: 352

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interrupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.

As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength she has.

While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all?
 Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

Having never read any of Joanne’s books before, I didn’t know what to expect. I was a little confused at the prologue as I didn’t read the first book in the series, Be Still My Soul. I easily caught on to the storyline after the first few chapters, though, and enjoyed the rest of the book without any confusion.

The plot absolutely captivated me! Joanne wove a heart-touching story with an “unsolvable” dilemma that makes you ache for the characters involved. This book takes you on a journey of emotions; I was constantly indecisive about which character I was empathetic towards, because each chapter flip flops your heart back and forth. First I was rooting for Lonnie, then I (slowly) warmed up to Cassie. I love all the messages of this book, as well: God forgives us of our mistakes, but there are consequences attached to our actions. Sometimes what we think is best for us is not always what God has in mind.

The only issue I had with this book was that from chapter to chapter, it seemed like Lonnie and Gideon just kept yearning for each other more and more and more and more. There were some chapters that didn’t seem to have a point aside from continuing to express these two characters’ grief. It got a little tiring and repetitive and started to feel like filler material. That was the only thing that really irked me, though it wasn’t too big of a deal.

The ending turned out way differently than I thought it would. There’s not a major plot twist or anything, but the storyline does evolve into something unexpected. I’m really eager to read the first book now (and the third, when it comes out). This is definitely one of the best historical fictions I’ve read in a while.

 Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: None

Sexual: Mild (Some kissing.)

Review: Double Crossed (Heist Society #2.5): A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Published: January 22^nd, 2013 (Disney Hyperion)

Pages: 60

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Macey McHenry—Glamorous society girl or spy-in-training?

W.W. Hale V—Heir to an American dynasty or master thief?

There are two sides to every coin. Whether these two can work together is a tossup.

Born into privilege, Macey and Hale are experts at mingling with the upper class. But even if they’ve never raised an eyebrow at the glitz, neither teenager has ever felt at home with the glamour.

When Macey and Hale meet at a society gala, the party takes a dangerous turn. Suddenly they’re at the center of a hostage situation, and it’s up to them to stop the thugs from becoming hostile. Will Macey’s spy skills and Hale’s con-man ways be enough to outsmart a ruthless gang? Or will they have to seek out the ultimate inside girl to help?

The worlds of Heist Society and the Gallagher Girls collide in Ally Carter’s fast-paced, high-stakes and tantalizing new story. Get a behind the scenes glimpse as Ally delivers an irresistible thriller that is full of her signature style and savvy twists. [Description from Goodreads]

This was a super quick read that I’ve been meaning to get to for months now. *sheepish grin* And yes, I just got around to it. I loved the Heist Society/Gallagher Girls combo, despite the fact that I’ve never read any of the Gallagher Girl books before. Though I definitely am now after getting a taste of them through Double Crossed! I kind of wish Kat was more involved in this one, because I love her voice and her relationship with Hale, but (somewhat) sadly, Hale was the main representative of Heist Society in this one.

Hale and Macey are on the other end of the heist this time- instead of being the criminals, they’re trying to stop the criminals. It was interesting to see them in action as heroes, though I do like them more as criminals (gosh, that sounds kinda bad). I highly recommend this one, even if you’re only familiar with one of the series (like me). It’s only eight short chapters long and features that fun, exciting spirit that’s in all of Ally’s books.

 Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Mild (some action)

Sexual: None

Blog Tour: Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock (Review, Excerpt, and Giveaway)

Tour Schedule

Published: May 1^st, 2013 (Bethany House)

Pages: 400

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

When Eve Marryat’s father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve’s uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

St. Paul seemed like a haven for gangsters, and Eve had grown fearful of living there. At seventeen, she considers her family to be “good people.” They aren’t lawbreakers and criminals like so many people in her old neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a “safe haven,” Eve is blissfully unaware that her uncle’s lodge is a transfer station for illegal liquor smuggled from Canada.

Eve settles in to work and makes new friends, including an enigmatic but affecting young man. But when the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. How can she ignore what is happening right under their very noses? Yet can she risk everything by condemning the man whose love and generosity is keeping her and her family from ruin?

I was immediately intrigued when I heard about Sweet Mercy. Being a huge fan of historical fiction, I love it when I get the chance to read a story set in a time period that’s vastly overlooked. The Great Depression Era is one of those time periods. Also, the whole island-vacation theme is one of my favorites to read this time of year. I knew I was going to love this book before I even started it.

Never having read Ann’s books before, I wasn’t sure what to expect writing style-wise, but turns out I really enjoyed her style. Eve’s character is easy to connect with, and I never found myself bored or disappointed while reading. The book turns into a bit of a mystery, but also has its fair share of romance as well.

Eve learns a lot about life during her time on Marryat Island. Before her stay there, she’s been a perfect, almost self-righteous “church girl.” But circumstances on the island cause her to reestablish her stereotypes and look at people who are different from her from a completely new perspective. I loved getting to see her mature and learn from various disasters of the heart and of life.

Sweet Mercy was definitely an enjoyable read, one I highly recommend for this summer. The plot twists at the end really finish the book on a great note. I love the peek we get into the Great Depression Era, and the situations that our country was in at the time. It might just change your mind about some things as it did Eve’s.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Mild (descriptions of shootings, etc.)

Sexual: Mild (some kissing)

Excerpt:

Jones pushed his hat back a notch and looked over his shoulder after the two boats. “The Little Miami meets up with the Ohio River not too far from here,” he said. “That’s probably where they’re headed.”

“Funny that they’re taking a bunch of castor oil down the Ohio River.”

Jones turned again to look at me. I couldn’t see his eyes but somehow I sensed they held amusement. My suspicions were confirmed when he shook his head and laughed. “Castor oil, nothing,” he muttered. “They’re hauling moonshine.”

For a moment I was speechless. I frowned and wondered whether I had heard him right. “Moonshine?”

“Sure. People like them are up and down this river all the time.”

It can’t be, I thought. This was Ohio, after all, birthplace of the Temperance Movement. I knew; I had done the research; I had won first place in the essay contest. “Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure.”

“Don’t they know moonshine is illegal?”

Jones laughed again, louder this time. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I’m not kidding, Jones. I can’t believe they’re hauling that stuff right out here in the open. They could be arrested and go to prison. They should be arrested.”

“Yeah? And who’s going to turn them in? You?”

About the author…

Ann Tatlock is the author of the Christy-Award winning novel Promises to Keep. She has also won the Midwest Independent Publishers Association "Book of the Year" in fiction for both All the Way Home and I'll Watch the Moon. Her novel Things We Once Held Dear received a starred review from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly calls her "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths, and her lovely prose reminds readers why it is a joy to savor her stories." Ann lives with her husband and daughter in Asheville, North Carolina.

Website * Facebook * Goodreads

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a copy of 3 of Ann's books (Sweet Mercy, Travelers Rest and Promises to Keep). Open to US & Canada Only. Ends 5/21/13.

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Blog Tour: Storm (Swipe #3) by Evan Angler (Review + 2 Giveaways)

Tour Schedule

Published: May 7^th, 2013 (Thomas Nelson)

Pages: 265

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~Barnes & Noble

In a future United States under the power of a charismatic leader, everyone gets the Mark at age thirteen. The Mark allows citizen to shop, go to school, and even get medical care--without it, you are on your own. Few refuse to get the Mark. Those who do . . . disappear.

Logan Langly went in to get his Mark, but he backed out at the last minute. Ever since, he's been on the run from government agents and on a quest to find his sister Lily, who disappeared when she went to get her Mark five years earlier. His journey leads him to befriend the Dust, a vast network of Markless individuals who dissent against the iron-grip rule of the government. Along the way to the capital to find Lily, the Dust receive some startling information from the Markless community, opening their eyes to the message of Christianity and warning that humanity is now entering the End of Days.

In "Storm," Logan and his friends are the leaders of the Markless revolution. But while some Markless are fighting Chancellor Cylis' army, the Dust is busy trying to find a cure for a horrible epidemic sweeping through the Marked. And it's difficult for them to know who to trust, especially when they aren't sure if Logan's sister Lily, one of the commanders in Cylis' army, is on their side or not. And all across the nation--and the world--the weather is become less stable, and a storm is brewing that bigger than any of them could have ever imagined....[Description from Goodreads]

 

Wow…just wow. This series gets better and better with each new installment. The intensity has built over the three books, and Storm doesn’t fail to captivate. Highly recommended.

I’ve really come to appreciate the world-building of the Swipe Series, especially after reading Storm. Evan doesn’t leave any detail unaltered to fit into his unique post-apocalyptic world. It’s fun in itself just to dissect the workings of it all.

Storm was very angst-y, more so than the last two books. There’s a bit more violence, and a lot of death. Nothing’s gory or anything, it’s just very emotionally distraught, and the connection readers have built up with the characters only proves to suck you into their emotion.

I loved the underlying theme of how we can only do so much in our own power. The Dust, Logan specifically, are heroes now. They have a super-hero complex. They’re a group of kids, hopping from one crisis to the next, saving their country (and the world) one step at a time. But in they encounter speed bumps along the way. They fall to rock bottom; who’s going to save them now? Who’s going to save Logan when he’s been everyone’s hero? I love how they all being to cry out to a Hero who’s strong enough to save them all.

I also liked how Evan kind of included himself in on his own book. I don’t want to give anything away, so I won’t go into detail, but it’s a pretty awesome concept of how he tied himself and his books into the plot of his story.

I’ve loved seeing Evan’s writing evolve in these past three books. Going off the ending of Storm, I’d say there’s a fourth book coming our way. Hopefully soon. J I’m not sure I can live with that kind of ending for very long. Storm is a great deal darker than either Swipe or Sneak, featuring many intense themes (and so much betrayal! Oh my word, the feels!). As far as family-friendliness goes, I’d say this is a good read for mature middle grade readers and teens. I was very impressed and can’t wait to see what Evan throw at us next.

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None

Violence: Mild-Moderate

Sexual: None

About the Author…
Evan lives without the Mark, evading DOME and writing in the shadows of Beacon.
Swipe is his first book. But if anyone asks, you know nothing about it, and you didn't hear anything from him. Don't make eye contact if you see him. Don't call his name out loud. He's in enough trouble already.
And so are you, if you've read his book.

Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook
a Rafflecopter giveaway

But wait! I’m hosting a second giveaway! One winner will receive one print copy of Storm. US only. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sneak (Swipe #2) by Evan Angler

Published: September 4^th, 2012 (Thomas Nelson)

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5

Goodreads ~ Amazon

When Logan Langly backed out of getting the Mark and went on the run, no one thought he could survive on his own. Without the Mark, you can't buy food, go to the doctor, or use a tablet--you aren't even a citizen.

But when he discovers that his sister is being held in a mysterious hidden prison named Acheron, Logan risks everything to travel through an underground network of the Markless to rescue her.

Logan arrives only to find that Acheron holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed and that all his careful planning is worthless against a government that will do anything to gain absolute control.

It seems there is only one place to turn. But can a banned book with whisper-thin pages and warnings about the real meaning of the Mark really hold the Answer?

[Description from Goodreads]

If you haven’t read my review of Swipe, you can do so here.

Logan Langley is in much deeper trouble than he ever thought he could be. He’s now on the run with the Dust after escaping his Mark, and the adventure’s only begun. He’s still set on saving his sister, Lily, from the government, which is rumored to have put her, and countless other Markless, in a terrible prison called Acheron.  With the help of his fellow Markless rebels, Logan takes risk after risk to save Lily from a life of torture and misery…but circumstances turn out far different than he first expected.

I loved this second book sooo much better than Swipe. Sneak was much more fast-paced and felt less middle-grade. There were more plot twists, and was overall less predictable than Swipe. I flew through it and enjoyed every bit.

Logan is much stronger character in this book, and I really liked seeing that. While he has matured since the first book in the series, he’s not some big, fearless leader, either. He’s still afraid of things. He’s still under Peck’s leadership, and he’s not starting a rebellion single-handedly (that may or may not be a reference to another book…take it how you will). This “weakness” makes him connectable and relatable to the reader, which is obviously essential. I’m eager to see how he matures and develops further in book three.

I feel like there were more Biblical implications in Sneak, too; more so than in Swipe. It can be tough incorporating that aspect in to these types of books, especially in the YA genre, so I always like when an author manages to do that. Another thing that I really liked was the Markless signs and The River. While on his journey to save his sister, Logan and the gang follows “The River,” a trail of Markless helpers snaked throughout the country to aid other Markless in travel. This seemed very similar to the Underground Railroad of the Civil War Era. Markless signs were symbols strategically placed along The River to guide Markless along the trail. This aspect reminded me of Depression Era hobo symbols. I’m pretty sure Evan purposely added both of these things, and I loved the similarities and liked how they connected history with the future, which is where this book is set. (As a side note, Sneak reminded me of The Forsaken by Lisa Stasse. They could be book doppelgängers.)

I highly recommend this series to both middle-grade readers as well as teen readers. It would make a great read-aloud for families, too (maybe not with younger kids in the room, though). I read straight through it and absolutely can’t wait for book three, titled Storm. You can look for my review later this week!

Quick Content Review: *may contain spoilers*

Language: None (some made-up cuss words are used)

Violence: Mild (mention of torture methods used in a prison; a man is shot)

Sexual: None