Scavenger of Souls

June 1, 2016
All secrets are unearthed in this fight-for-survival post-apocalyptic duology closer to Survival Colony 9 (2014).Immediately after Survival Colony 9, the survivors, led by Querry's mother, Aleka, are barely hanging on in a desperate journey to safety. Querry, of course, has questions about himself that only Aleka can answer--and she dodges mightily, withholding information from both Querry and readers in what seems to be an attempt to maintain tension but mostly frustrates. Soon enough, they think they may have found safety, only to find something much darker. There's also a romantic storyline that doesn't interfere with the action, although it opens the door to the kind of cliched jealousies that undermine characterization. The spitfire of a love interest is notable for her dark skin in an otherwise predominantly white cast. Parts of the story move slowly, and the horror (such as in descriptions of the evil Skaldi) from the first installment is missing. Some large elements of the plot feel as though they come straight from a post-apocalyptic checklist: primitives, a religious cult, a militaristic group with secrets, humanity's role in its own destruction. That said, some expectations are subverted, and the twists are plentiful. Along the way, all questions--about Querry and his abilities, the origin of the Skaldi, and pretty much every mystery--get answered in turn. A satisfying if uneven conclusion. (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 13-18)

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June 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-In this follow-up to Survival Colony 9, 15-year-old Querry Genn and his mother Aleka are leading what's left of their nomadic and decimated colony to the mountains, where they hope to find water, food, and protection from the Skaldi, alien creatures that eat humans from the inside out. Instead, Aleka has inadvertently led them to capture by a cultish tribe that lives in the canyon. Their leader, Asunder, has promised that he'll keep Querry's people safe, but it means complete submission and brainwashing. The teen escapes alone only to discover another group of humans with adequate means of survival who have close ties to both colonies. With the help of Mercy, a fearless girl with combat experience, Querry forges ahead with a plan to save his remaining colony from Asunder but in doing so puts all of humanity at risk. Improved pacing and heightened suspense make this sequel even better than its predecessor. Bellin has a talent for world-building, and there's much more life written into this narrative. Questions from the first book have intriguing answers. The addition of dynamic new characters and a less desolate setting will further enhance readers' experience. VERDICT Add to collections where the first book is popular.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ

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