Resist

October 1, 2013
This conclusion to the dystopian romance begun in Breathe (2012) follows a group of teens trying to survive in the airless, derelict wilderness outside of their domed, tyrannical pod. Readers are plunged directly into the adventure with little recap. Ronan, son of the dictatorial pod minister, became disillusioned when he helped to destroy the rebels' sanctuary in the last book. Now, he joins the rebels when he meets Bea on a trip outside the pod. Also on hand are Alina, one of the first rebels, and Quinn, disaffected son of the pod's army general. Separated, Bea and Quinn try to find Sequoia, the only remaining sanctuary, while Alina heads in the same direction with her small group of survivors. However, when the groups arrive, they learn that Sequoia might be an even worse tyranny than the one they escaped earlier; worse, the Sequoia group intends to kill thousands in the pod city. By embedding one dystopia into another, Crossan keeps readers on their feet. Her gritty, lifeless world, the result of the destruction of all of the world's trees, is populated by desperate drifters who survive with portable solar respirators. Though the villains sometimes tend toward melodrama, this feeds into the extremity of the setting. An above-average dystopia; intelligent and absorbing. (Dystopian romance. 12 & up)

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January 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-The dystopian adventure that began in Breathe (Greenwillow, 2012) comes to a mediocre conclusion. In the continued effort to find freedom for all citizens, a steadfast group of survivors are fighting two forces: a government within the domed city which regulates the air citizens breathe, and rebels outside the city. The same cast of characters returns, though there is new emphasis on Ronan, the government warrior turned rebel. His point of view alternates with those of freedom fighter Alina, privileged outcast Quinn, and empathetic Bea. Readers will require a lasting memory of Breathe or need to reread it before attempting the sequel, as many characters and plot nuances are not fully explained. In a turn of events worthy of a soap opera, the psychotic rebel leader killed off in the first book turns out to have an equally crazy sister who leads another faction of rebels. The heroes must once again escape the rebel enclave and save their people from an authoritarian government. Sprinkled amid action-packed scenes are a few stilted romances. Although the heroes are likable, the story feels forced and the pacing too quick, almost as if large pieces have been left out. Purchase where the first book is popular, otherwise, heed the title and resist.-Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT

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