THE EQUALS

The sequel to The Ones (2016) offers more of the same.

Cody is on the run with Kai and Taryn, genetically engineered young people known as Ones (whose features are never described in a failure to indicate diversity in this world). Cody’s boyfriend, James—also a One—sacrificed himself to prevent their capture by an Equality Team. Kai, who makes up the third side of the love triangle, takes Cody to the Ark, where she meets Edith Vale, the woman trying to save the Ones. Cody wants to save James—or does she want a relationship with Kai? Motives are murky despite the tell-don’t-show style, while the plot points are either didactic or melodramatic—such as James’ supposed death and Edith’s plan to stage the death of a One and cast the blame on the Equality Movement. Throughout, Cody is mostly accepted even though she is not a One, even after multiple double crosses. Although Cody must make a sacrifice in her struggle, it doesn’t seem to bother her, ironic in a story that seems to be promoting the value of life.

Flat characters and stilted prose make this another one to skip.