Review - Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young

Title: Rebel Hearts

Author: Moira Young

Series: 2nd (Blood Red Road)

Pages: 432

Published: October 30th 2012 by Margaret K. McElderry

ISBN: 9781442430006

Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

 

Description: It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.  What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion. 

I Give This ...

 Blood Red Road was an excellent addition to the dystopian genre.  I was curious as to were the story might go next because it seemed like things had been solved in the first book.  But, I was hooked and would follow the series no matter were it might go.

The first thing is it really does take determination to read this series.  Saba has an extremely difficult voice.  I remember that from the first one, but it really took some time to get use to what she was trying to convey.  It's kind of like reading a story in another language that you aren't exactly fluent in.   But, I fell into the rhythm of it and was suck in.   

I really felt sorry for Saba in this book.  She did this big heroic thing in the last book, but she's back to defending her thoughts and actions.  According to everyone else, she doing things for all the wrong reasons.  She makes rash decisions and is constantly putting other's in danger.  She should only trust her family and no one else is worth it.   For this alone, I really disliked Lugh.  I get that something horrible happened to him while he was in captivity.  But, he needs to stop and see what he's doing to her.  He may be her twin, but he no longer understand her.  Everything he said about Saba, I felt more directly applied to him.  It really made me want to reach through the pages and knock some sense into him.

Saba really tries to work around to the voice of her brother.  She tries to leave by herself to keep them out of danger.  She seems to have little regard for her own safety, just a stark determination to save those she loves.  But to accomplish these tasks, she beings to realize there is much more at stake here.  All of a sudden it's not just about her, but about the whole country.

There is a major event that occurs in this story that really left me reeling.   I think there's some greater force at work there that Saba left herself open to.  I'm curious how it will play out in the future book.  It can't be good. 

 

Review: Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road

Author: Moira Young

Series: 1st in Dustlands series

Pages: 459

Published: Available now from Margaret K. McElderry

ISBN: 9781442429987

Source: Galley Grab program

 

Description: Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization. Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back. 

I Give This ...

 

This was one of those books that at first glance, I really had no interest in reading.  I like dystopian young adult, but there's definitely a lot out there right now.  I've been lucky that I haven't read anything to I haven't really disliked.  But, I wasn't really ready to chance it.  Then the reviews started to trickle in and I admit, I was intrigued.  I saw in my newsletter and decided to give it a shot.

The beginning didn't start out well for me.  I wasn't really sure of Saba's character and the first couple chapters are really dramatic.  But, I have to hand it to the author, it's a really good way to suck a reader in.  Saba's character is really hard to like.  She bound and determined to do everything alone.  She's down right awful to her young sister and it often seems like nothing else matters besides rescuing Lugh.  Even if it means Saba will do really stupid things to get there. Plus, it often feels like she blames everybody else for her current position in life.    But her sheer determination and personal strength really drive her forward.  She never gives up, even when you think she's lost.  I really admired that aspect of her character.  With all she goes through, it's no wonder that she begins to grow on you.  And gradually she softens around the edges.  I was happy to see her realize that there might be others out there that can matter to who as much as Lugh.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters.  Emmi, Saba's little sister was fantastic.  Her devotion to her brother shows in how much she puts with Saba's behavior to her.  She's willing to go through just as much as Saba.  Her character has amazing spirit for someone so young.  I enjoyed Jack just as much.  The romance felt a little forced at first.  But, in the end I really felt there connection.  I also loved the Free Hawks.   It was great that there was a group defying the king and his cronies.

The action throughout the book was intense.  From the beginning stages when Emmie and Saba set out to follow Lugh, we know that it's not going to be an easy journey.  It's a blood bath that Saba must fight for her life and Emmie's on several occasions.  With the events so intertwined with the king's own beliefs and control over the people, it's no wonder that Saba must go to such lengths to get Lugh back.

I did wonder at the ending a little bit.  It didn't feel just right for the story for some reason.  I completely expected there to be more carry over into the next in the series.  Although I will read the next one,  I honestly wonder were it will go.