Series: Dust Lands #2
Published by Margaret K. McElderry (10.30.2012)
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Audiobook, 432 pages
Length: 11 hours, 22 minutes
Narrator: Heather Lind
Source: Gifted, I own it
Buy on Amazon
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.
My thoughts
Moira Young is fabulous at world building! I love the world in the Dust Lands series and I was more than ready to dive back into it, bad grammar and all. (Which is why I refused to read it, I actually bought the audio because my library didn’t have it!) I still enjoyed it, but it didn’t quite have the magic that Blood Red Road had. I didn’t feel like there was much happening plot-wise and it was just lacking something for me. The pacing was a bit slow, and it probably didn’t help that it was an audiobook so it took even longer. I was a little bored with it until the last half.
I kind of hated Lugh in this book. He was broody and moody; he treated Saba like crap, and instead of supporting her or helping her back to the right path, he was condescending and placed blame for everything on her shoulders. Sure, Saba didn’t always make the best decisions, but she had good intentions. I think he could have handled things way better than he did. The rift between them grew and grew until it threatened to swallow them both. It was kinda sad that they drifted so far apart.
Saba was stubborn and sometimes hard-headed, but she was still the same kick-ass, strong lead from Blood Red Road. Despite her sometimes questionable actions and decisions, I found her easier to relate to because her mistakes made her more human. I do have to admit that she annoyed me a few times, though. I kind of wanted to shake her!
Jack. Ohh, Jack. I was kind of upset that everyone doubted him so much. I, for one, never doubted him. I figured there was a reason behind everything he did. View Spoiler »
I would never have let you drown, he says. I’ve been waiting for you.
Dude, I’m kind of in love with DeMalo. Okay, so he’s slightly overzealous, but daaaaamn! He’s swoony. And sexy. And alright, he came on a bit strong at one point. View Spoiler »But still. I neeeed more DeMalo! I’m going to highlight this whole next part because it’s borderline spoilery (I didn’t see it coming and wouldn’t have wanted to) but I really reeaaally need to talk about it!
Saba and DeMalo? Wtf! Where did that come from?! I was so not expecting that, but I have to say that I enjoyed it! Maybe too much. Sexy times! I like how it was a surprise to both of them, and usually that would kind of qualify as instalove, but they already knew each other…it was kind of like having a friend and then suddenly realizing you like them as more than that. Sexy. Except for the babies part…yeah, that was a bit too fast. Haha.
I didn’t mind the development of the love triangle (because like I said, I love DeMalo. Sorry, Jack!) but the love square was a bit much for me. When it got to the part where Auriel warned Saba to take heed because the deaf boy was in love with her I was like, “ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?!” Seriously, that wasn’t necessary. Tommo is younger, he could have been a match for Emmy instead. I did kind of feel bad for him because Saba used him, but the addition of that extra love interest irritated me. Not to mention the fact that Saba kissed three different dudes throughout the whole book. Make up your mind, Saba! (*ahem* pick DeMalo. Yes.) Oh and prediction: I think Tommo will be a force to reckon with in book 3!
Favorite character: Seth ;)
The Audio
I enjoyed Heather as a narrator in Blood Red Road, which is why I bought the audiobook of this one. I read all of a paragraph of the book before deciding that my poor eyes couldn’t handle the horrific grammar. Heather can really pull off the prose! The way she talks makes that uneducated drawl very convincing. You don’t really notice the bad grammar much in the audio. Except for when she says cain’t. That did annoy me a bit, just because it was used so much.
She has a different tone of voice for each character, so even when it wasn’t specified who was talking, I still knew. Great job, Heather!
Favorite Quotes
She’s packed her topside fundamentals so tight into her low-cut dress that it’s only a matter of time before she bursts her banks.
There are some people, she says, not many, who have within them the power to change things. The courage to act in the service of somethin greater than themselves.
To change things, I says.
Through their actions, they can turn the tide of human affairs.
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 3/5
Narration: 4/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
I’m glad you liked this book! I need to read it still. I’ve heard good things about it, even if not raves. :( You really should try the book. I’m sure the audio is awesome but even with the grammar styles, it’s so awesome. I loved it. It was different in a good way. Ya know?
Lovely review Jessinator!
Inkinator
I have tried, I can’t handle not having quotation marks >.<