Strictly for those who enjoyed the first book in the series.
A return to the dystopian world in which the evil Key Corporation keeps the world safe from a deadly virus—and its citizens under heavy control.
After momentous events that led Aiden and Elodie to discover the truth behind the Key Corporation and unveil the leader of the Eos resistance movement, they are on the run and in search of New Dawn, an idyllic stronghold where a bright, hopeful future awaits. But before they can reach their destination, Aiden and Elodie get caught in a new web of lies and deception. Meanwhile, Blair, Aiden’s ambitious sister who is now MediCenter’s new director, sees her own once-bright future become uncertain when she too starts to reevaluate her life just as the corporation’s leaders work on a new plan to further exert their authority. This second entry in Cast’s The Key series sees the focus move away from shaky, credulity-stretching dystopian worldbuilding to mostly concentrate on Blair’s, Aiden’s, and Elodie’s growth as people, touching on agency, identity, and grief. The trio share the narrative with Council Leader Preston Darby, a psychopath obsessed with Blair and a clichéd embodiment of the wickedness of the authoritarian government. The book’s second half changes gear, moving toward a rushed and unearned climax and bringing the central storylines to a fizzled close. Main characters are brown skinned; Preston reads as White.
Strictly for those who enjoyed the first book in the series. (Dystopian. 14-18)Pub Date: April 26, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-982548-04-9
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Blackstone
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning.
Two teens train to be society-sanctioned killers in an otherwise immortal world.
On post-mortal Earth, humans live long (if not particularly passionate) lives without fear of disease, aging, or accidents. Operating independently of the governing AI (called the Thunderhead since it evolved from the cloud), scythes rely on 10 commandments, quotas, and their own moral codes to glean the population. After challenging Hon. Scythe Faraday, 16-year-olds Rowan Damisch and Citra Terranova reluctantly become his apprentices. Subjected to killcraft training, exposed to numerous executions, and discouraged from becoming allies or lovers, the two find themselves engaged in a fatal competition but equally determined to fight corruption and cruelty. The vivid and often violent action unfolds slowly, anchored in complex worldbuilding and propelled by political machinations and existential musings. Scythes’ journal entries accompany Rowan’s and Citra’s dual and dueling narratives, revealing both personal struggles and societal problems. The futuristic post–2042 MidMerican world is both dystopia and utopia, free of fear, unexpected death, and blatant racism—multiracial main characters discuss their diverse ethnic percentages rather than purity—but also lacking creativity, emotion, and purpose. Elegant and elegiac, brooding but imbued with gallows humor, Shusterman’s dark tale thrusts realistic, likable teens into a surreal situation and raises deep philosophic questions.
A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning. (Science fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Nov. 29, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4424-7242-6
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 25, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2016
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes.
What happens to the world after the dust from a revolution has settled?
Friends Annie and Lee were children from very different circles when Atreus killed Lee’s father, dragonlord Leon Stormscourge, ending the uprising on the bloodiest day in Callipolis’ history. For too long the dragonriders held all the power while their people starved and lived in fear. Nine years later, a new generation of dragonriders is emerging, children selected and trained on merit, not bloodlines. Their dragons are finally mature enough for them to compete for Firstrider, a position of power that can give Lee back a small part of what his family lost. However, not only is Lee competing against Annie, but rumors are circulating that some of the royal family have survived and have dragons of their own. Everyone will have to make a choice: Restore the old regime, support the First Protector and the new caste system he created, or look for a new way, no matter what the cost. From the beginning, this book pulls readers in with political intrigue and action. What keeps them invested, however, are the complex relationships between many cast members. Choices are complex, and the consequences for all could be deadly. The world is well fleshed out and believable. Annie and Lee are light skinned; secondary characters are diverse, and race is a nonissue in this world.
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes. (author’s note) (Fantasy.14-17)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-51821-1
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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