Warring factions, plague, a country in unrest… how will these crazy kids ever get together?
Genre: Y/A, Dystopia, Science Fiction
No. of pages: 369
He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
This was a lovely ending to the initial trilogy (there is a 4th book in this collection ‘Rebel,’) though I must admit I was expecting a few more twists and turns, or surprises in the mix given how Lu delivered them in the first two instalments. Again, the pacing felt a little bogged down with too much detail and political machinations that I didn’t get to enjoy my time with the characters.
The protagonists keep getting injured and knocked out. How do they not have traumatic brain injury or something? It happens a lot in YA novels (and television) which has me wondering why it never gets addressed. If you are knocked out cold for longer than 6 hours it can spell likely brain damage. It’s just a thing that has always puzzled me and stuck with me because authors love to use getting conked on the head, or falling asleep as a great chapter transition. How many of our favourite book characters are actually walking around oblivious to permanent brain damage?
I don’t feel like Day got a lot of character development – I would have liked to see something more happen with him – something to do with his connection to the people and love of the community. June had a bit more development as a character and got to come full circle in a number of plot points, but there was something about the conclusion, as hopeful a note as it ended on, that felt like it petered out.
I’m of two minds of the ending – politics and feelings like that don’t just evaporate. There are teething problems. And people views don’t just go away. It was wrapped up a little too neatly. But I must admit I did enjoy it. It left me satisfied. It’s got me curious for ‘Rebel’ the next book in the series following Eden.
The ending was mostly predictable, a teeny tiny plot twist that kind-of-but-not-really threw a spanner in the works, but all in all I pretty much guessed all that went down. Again, I was hoping for a bigger unexpected event to add some spice.
I’d have to say it was an enjoyable read, but didn’t knock me for six.
Overall feeling: Cute but a little undercooked for me.
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Casey Carlisle 