Children of Refuge

June 15, 2017
Teen Edwy is sent away by his newly found birth parents and smuggled into a futuristic city. This sequel picks up where Children of Exile (2016) left off in the devastated city of Cursed Town, to which the children of bucolic Fredtown were returned. Now, however, the narrative jounces tautly along through the voice of rebellious Edwy instead of naive Rosi. Having been home for about 24 hours he's not thrilled to be manhandled away to live with siblings he didn't know existed in the thronged Refuge City. It takes Edwy some time to learn what Rosi did in the first book: that the Fred-parents are actually well-meaning aliens who took all the children of Earth away from the warring humans. The more Edwy understands about the deal brokered with the aliens, the more worried he becomes about Rosi back in Cursed Town. His sister, Kiandra, brilliant at hacking, shows Edwy footage of Rosi's beating in the market and reports that she has escaped from jail. He becomes desperate to get to her before the aliens called Enforcers do. Racial lines are blurred in this future, though skin and eye color are oft mentioned, exploring both tribalism in its many forms and the no lesser crime of turning a blind eye. This is a topical thriller that brings heart and thought to the sci-fi genre. (Science fiction. 11-16)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2017

Gr 4-7-This highly anticipated sequel to Children of Exile will not disappoint. Fans eager to learn more about Edwy will be delighted that he narrates, giving a fuller picture of himself and his family. Alongside Edwy, readers learn more about the war and the Freds. A new setting is introduced, Refuge City, a futuristic metropolis complete with skyscrapers, bustling sidewalks, electronic scanners, cameras, and the occasional flying car. A master of suspense and cliff-hanger chapter endings, Haddix always delivers more than an action-filled story. She permeates the pages with messages about seeing beyond first impressions and risking one's life for others, making this a captivating read that is ripe for book discussions. While enjoyable as a stand-alone novel, it would be beneficial to read the first volume in advance. As this sequel wraps up, kids will once again be clinging to the edges of their seats anxious for the conclusion of the trilogy. VERDICT A masterful science fiction series with signature Haddix suspense and heart, this installment is not-to-be-missed.-Beth Parmer, New Albany Elementary Library, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.