"Rebels" by Jill Williamson

REBELS

BY 

Jill Williamson

Book #3 in The Safe Lands series

The remnant of Glenrock has been scattered. But they are not beaten.
The Safe Lands have long kept the true meaning of Liberation secret from their people. But after being sentenced to Liberation themselves, Mason and Omar soon discover the truth.
Levi watched his brothers’ public sentencing and tries to hold out hope they are still alive, He is forced to focus his attention elsewhere, however, when his new wife, Jemma, is captured and made the Safe Lands’ newest Queen. His only choice to save Jemma may be to take up Omar’s old role of undercover vigilante, leading the rebels in their quest to overthrow the government. But will Levi’s new role be enough?
Meanwhile, Jemma’s sister, Shaylinn, is ready to give birth to the “Safe Lands’” children … but not even Ciddah is sure they can be delivered safely in the midst of a rebellion. And Mason must face the fact Omar’s illness could be fatal.
If they can all unite their efforts, together they may be able to expose the Safe Lands’ lies to the people. But if they fail, they will all surely die.

MY REVIEW:
      It isn't often that I truly advocate reading books in order... as in DON'T read this book until you read books #1 and #2 but I would certainly do that in this case. The whole series is AMAZING, but you will be lost if you start here. So AFTER reading #1 and #2 then by all means you will need to dive into Rebels to see what is going on. The characters of Glenrock are wonderful and exciting in their flawed lives as they try and take back the lives they lost when their village was captured. This book may be one of the best third in a series books I have read and it was a bittersweet read knowing that it would end on the last page. But I still raced through it to see what would happen to everyone. No one was left out, we revisit with Mason, Omar, Levi, Jemma, Shaylinn, the twins and many more. At this point I don't know that I can or should say much about the plot line... read the first two books to know what is going on and then just enjoy. If you are a fan of The Hunger Games or Divergent then these need to be on your To Be Read pile!

"Deceived" by Irene Hannon

Deceived 

by 

Irene Hannon

 

For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.

MY REVIEW:
     I have often thought that the worst part of a disappearance (like a missing person) is not knowing what happened to them. In this book Irene takes that with a twist and a woman that lost her husband and son in a "boating accident" thinks that she knows what happened... except her son's body was never found. And then one day at the mall... a word... a glance... a boy... and now she can't sleep... is it her son?!? Is he still alive?!? Is she crazy? 
    This is an intriguing scenario that while riddled with lots of "what are the odds" kind of moments, is incredibly well written and played out. For a long time you aren't even sure if there is really a "bad guy" or not, but then when things start spiraling to the finish it is a wild ride that you will be glad you went on. I love Irene Hannon's books - she is one of my favorite mystery/suspense writers! 

"Thunder" by Bonnie S. Calhoun

Thunder

by

Bonnie S. Calhoun

In post-apocalyptic America, Selah Chavez is crouched in long grass on a shore littered with the rusted metal remnants of a once-great city. It is the day before her eighteenth Born Remembrance, and she is hunting, though many people refuse to eat animal flesh, tainted by radiation during the Time of Sorrows. What Selah's really after are Landers, mysterious people from a land across the big water who survive the delirium-inducing passage in small boats that occasionally crash against the shoreline. She knows she should leave the capture to the men, but Landers bring a good price from the Company and are especially prized if they keep the markings they arrive with.
Everything falls to pieces when the Lander Selah catches is stolen by her brothers--and Selah wakes up the next morning to find the Lander's distinctive mark has suddenly appeared on her own flesh. Once the hunter, Selah is now one of the hunted, and she knows only one person who can help her--Bohdi Locke, the Lander her brothers hope to sell.

MY REVIEW:
      I am finding myself drawn to Dystopian YA lately... I'm not even sure why, maybe that is seems to be set in an alternate universe or maybe because it is about overcoming everything that has gone dreadfully wrong... I don't know. But I do know that in light of the Hunger Games and Divergent, Bonnie Calhoun has hit upon a new and different take on the dystopian scenario. 
      I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this story. Selah is a fabulous heroine... on a journey of self-discovery but in no way, shape or form is she perfect. Far from it and she knows that, but she feels a need to prove herself... and then a need to make things right... and then a need to be part of something bigger than herself. By the end she does all of those things, and the series is only beginning. I am fascinated by Bohdi and his race of the Landers and we don't know much about them by the end of the book, I have a feeling there are a lot more details to come in the next book. 
     I really enjoyed following Selah on her journey and am looking forward to book #2 "Lightning"!